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New catamarans: 2021’s most exciting launches

• April 7, 2021

Fast cruising is the theme this year, say Toby Hodges and Sam Fortescue, who look at some of 2021's exciting new multihull launches

2021 looks set to be a bumper year for new catamarans as the trend for fast cruising yachts, which deliver plenty if living space continues. This year there are set to be several new catamarans on the market, here’s our selection of those about which we are most excited.

A group of wild enthusiasts in the landlocked Czech Republic are the force behind the new IC36 from Independent Catamaran. The debut model is a fully race-tuned cat that aims to appeal to speed freaks as well as performance cruisers. Oh, and it unbolts to fit inside a shipping container or on a trailer!

Perhaps closer in design terms to the Extreme 40 than a traditional cat, the IC36 has super narrow hulls, high displacement bows and an optional rotating carbon rig with composite stays.

A sporty-looking carbon beam braces the bows and doubles as a bowsprit for asymmetric sails. Deep daggerboards help windward performance, and there’s a racy dual carbon tiller providing direct rudder control.

“The first time I saw it, I just felt like it was from one of Jules Verne’s adventures,” says co-founder Jaromír Popek.

The boat has been optimised for electric propulsion with twin 6kW Oceanvolt saildrives and up to 15kWh of lithium-ion batteries giving a range of a couple of hours. Powerful hydrogeneration under sail keeps batteries topped up. For longer spells at anchor , there is also a decent 1.15kW array of Solbian solar panel s which folds away when not required.

As much fun as this boat should be to sail in its Raw racing variant, it is also available with more creature comforts.

The Pacer model has a coachroof, cockpit tent, more storage and cooking and freshwater systems. It can accommodate a reported eight people in the hulls, with a fridge and two-burner hob to port and a shower/heads to starboard. Or you can opt for a fridge and hob in the folding cockpit table.

Construction is in epoxy-glass composite with local Kevlar reinforcement and foam core, helping to keep weight down to less than 3 tonnes (key for trailering). And there are three buoyancy chambers in each hull, which underpin the claim that the boat is unsinkable.

For all the variants, the light weight and high-performance rig means you can sail in a breath of wind. In a blow, the sky should be the limit. Expect reaching speeds of 20 knots plus, particularly if you take the high-modulus carbon wing mast from Pauger.

Specifications:

LOA: 11.00m / 36ft 1in Beam: 6.20m / 20ft 4in Draught: 0.85-2.00m / 2ft 9in-6ft 7in Displacement (light): 2,500kg / 5,512lb Price ex VAT: €295,000 (for RAW) Builder: www.independentcatamaran.com

This new launch from the world’s number one catamaran brand is the largest in the range of ‘regular’ boats, before entering the more luxurious world of the Lagoon 65.

It has been drawn by VPLP and Patrick le Quement, whose design nous has done much to make cats more mainstream. Many of the features, therefore, will be familiar from the smaller boats.

However, that extra length creates more volume below, so the Lagoon 55 can be arranged with up to six true double cabins with ensuite heads. “It’s the first time we have six cabins of the same size and function and a larger flybridge,” explains products developments manager Martina Torrini during a premiere virtual tour of the first model to launch in March.

Another first is the curving steps up from the transom skirt to the aft deck, dubbed ‘the stairway to heaven’. “The surfaces of the transom can be used differently,” adds Torrini. “Not just a way to access the boat, they become in themselves a living area.” This feature extends the size of the cockpit to 25m2, and even offers a plancha grill.

There’s more social space on the huge flybridge (with fridge and bar) and a movable sunpad on the forward part of the coachroof. The boat also features Lagoon’s first ever dedicated forward cockpit, connected to the saloon by a drop-down window.

A 107m2 fat-head main provides grunt, but is coupled with a self-tacking jib. As with all Lagoons, the emphasis is on comfort and ease of use rather than speed and windward pointing ability.

LOA: 16.56m / 54ft 4in Beam: 9.00m / 29ft 6in Draught: 1.55m / 5ft 1in Displacement: 26,500kg / 58,433lb Price: €tbc Builder: www.cata-lagoon.com

Fountaine Pajot Samana 59

Replacing the five-year-old Ipanema 58, this luxurious 59-footer integrates many of the new design features of the 45, which boasted longer, wider hulls that nevertheless showed 10% less drag. Chief among the new attractions is an enlarged cockpit, forward lounge and flybridge, for more socialising space.

“We wanted to emphasise her identity by optimising her interior and exterior spaces to make this 59ft catamaran the equivalent of a larger yacht,” explains designer Olivier Racoupeau.

“Whether it’s the flybridge, the cockpit or the saloon, we’ve worked hard to find harmony between all the living spaces on board, to gain every millimetre inside and outside.”

There’s a door forward out of the saloon, and the option of a hydraulic bathing platform, which doubles up for tender storage. Up to six cabins are offered, and the rare option of putting the galley up in the saloon or down to port. Hull number one is joining the World ARC .

Meanwhile, a new 51 is tipped for launch in 2022, which will focus on sustainability and have 2kW of flush solar panels built into the flybridge.

LOA: 18.21m / 59ft 9in Beam: 9.46m / 31ft 1in Draught: 1.40m / 4ft 7in Displacement: 25,500kg / 56,217lb Price ex VAT: €1,302,900 Builder: www.catamarans-fountaine-pajot.com

The new 42 replaces the Leopard 40, and it draws on the latest design thinking from the larger boats in the range. Like the award-winning Leopard 50, it has continuous hull windows, a hardtop, and contrasting coachroof accents. But it also goes further, with plumb bows and long horizontal chines.

That lounging space on the coachroof adds 65% to the exterior entertainment area. “By integrating the geometry of the lounge into the GRP hardtop, we were able to achieve a lightweight area that added less weight to the boat than one average sized crewmember,” explains Michael Robertson, chief designer at builder Robertson & Caine. It has been cleverly engineered so as not to steal headroom from the cockpit.

In contrast to many modern cats, the Leopard 42 makes a virtue of the separate cockpit and saloon, whose seating is focused on the forward galley. There is lots of glazing and a full-height door out onto the foredeck. Every cabin has a third more floor space and twice the glazed area of the old Leopard 40. Each has an island berth and its own heads with shower.

But it’s not all about space. “Performance potential remains one of the top priorities,” says naval architect Alex Simonis of Simonis-Voogd Yacht Design. “We spend a lot of time refining the rig geometry and the sail layout to boost the efficiency of the rig plan. At the same time, the ongoing refinement in hull and appendage design allows us to create a yacht with better sea motion and more agility.

LOA: 12.67m 41ft 7in Beam: 7.04m 23ft 1in Draught: 1.40m 4ft 7in Displacement: 12,460kg 27,469lb Price ex VAT: €399,000 Builder: www.leopardcatamarans.com

The new entry-level yacht from France’s Neel Trimarans is designed to bring the world of three hulls to a new clientele.

Building on the success of the larger Neel 47 and Neel 51, the 43 takes the fight to the catamaran, with a big superstructure that includes two double cabins as well as a galley and saloon.

There’s a further double cabin forward in the central nacelle, and cosy singles in either bow. A sliding door and window allows the saloon and the cockpit seating areas to be socially connected, although they remain two very different spaces.

The bulkhead helmstation to starboard has commanding views out over the huge coachroof. From the drawings, this appears to allow a tight sheeting angle for the genoa, but brings the mainsheet, which is fastened to the transom, close to the davits and skirt of the central hull.

The main is square-topped with two full battens and there is also a high-performance carbon spar option.

Though the lay-up is in standard foam-cored glassfibre, Neel says it is leaning towards more environmentally friendly construction. Interior joinery is from sustainable Alpi wood and recyclable material.

LOA: 13.11m / 43ft 0in Beam: 7.50m / 24ft 7in Draught: 1.50m / 4ft 11in Displacement: 9,000kg /19,841lb Price ex VAT: €329,800 Builder: www.neel-trimarans.com

Marsaudon Composites has quietly built an enthusiastic following for its TS42 and TS50 catamarans since the smaller boat was launched six years ago.

That these have been the first boats to cross the Atlantic in the last two ARC s has also done its reputation no harm.

The yard is based at Lorient La Base, at the heart of the French offshore racing scene, so it’s perhaps no surprise these designs are lightweight and offer plenty of performance.

The direct tiller steering, which gives a responsive feel to the helm, is an example of the thinking that sets these boats apart from other multihulls and makes them sought after models. Yet they also have enough space both on deck and below to offer very comfortable living.

A 57-footer from the board of Marc Lombard will be the third design to join the stable. It shares the same hallmarks as the existing models, although a wheel steering option will also be offered.

In suitable conditions this is a cruising yacht that can be expected to hit speeds of well over 20 knots.

The hull shape is clearly a progression from the earlier models, while following the same light displacement principles with fine hull shapes. Lombard drew a new shape for the bows to increase efficiency and reduce the tendency for bow-down trim. He told us: “The bows are shaped so that, when the boat is powered up and starts to heel, the lee bow will generate extra lift to push the bow up.”

The additional size makes the interior spaces of this boat significantly larger than those of the 50-footer, especially in the hulls. Much thought has also gone into ergonomics and weight saving, stripping out and simplifying anything that is not essential. CEO Damien Cailliau likes to draw on a quote from Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars: “Simplify, then add lightness.”

As an example, there are no hull linings, which saves weight and complication, but requires extremely neat moulding. “A core competency of Marsaudon Composites is that we produce excellent mouldings,” says Cailliau, “so we don’t need to hide our work.”

Article continues below…

Outremer 4X on test – a high-performance liveaboard cruiser that is built to last

It’s a mix of everything you need for cruising and what you want to feel for performance,” Loïck Peyron said…

Seawind 1260: Lightweight catamaran making waves on both sides of the Atlantic

The Seawind 1260 has been well received in the States, where the brand has a strong following, but these multihulls…

As a low volume builder – only 28 of the smaller boats have been built in total – Marsaudon Composites can offer semi-custom interior arrangements, providing they don’t add unnecessary weight. The boat can also be built with varying amounts of carbon to reduce displacement further.

At the same time as announcing this design Marsaudon launched a rebranding of the range, which will now be known as Ocean Rider Catamarans (or ORC). The new name is a better fit with the qualities with which owners identify than the Très Simple concept that led to the original TS designation.

To underscore the difference between these boats and the majority of catamarans in this size range a tiller has been incorporated in the logo.

Tooling for the ORC 57 is under construction and the first boat is scheduled to be unveiled in September 2021.

Base price ex VAT: €1,085,000 Builder: www.marsaudon-composites.com

Current Marine CM46 & CM52

The founder of RS Sailing , Martin Wadhams, is a racing sailor who now spends more and more time cruising.

Martin and his wife, Amanda, enjoy sailing fast boats and have spent some time looking to upgrade from their Pogo 12.50 to a multihull. Their search for a true performance cruising catamaran – and one that wouldn’t cost seven figures – turned out few viable options.

Australian-based designer Jeff Shionning put them onto some fresh designs he has done for Current Marine, a new South African brand formed from an experienced team of composites experts at Knysna, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on the south coast.

It has been set up to build the new CM46 and CM52 in low-volume semi-custom production. On visiting the yard a year ago, Wadhams was impressed enough with the high tech builds to order the second CM46.

He reports that the joinery is all laminated in, there is plenty of opportunity for layout customisation (in three or four cabins) and, owing to the lower labour costs in South Africa, pricing is keen.

Shionning’s CM designs are lightweight, efficient catamarans that should be able to sail well in light breeze and outrun weather systems in the open ocean.

Key features include daggerboards, fine bows, centralised weight of engines and tanks, and high bridgedeck clearance. The rig is also positioned amidships for optimum weight centralisation, while also helping to create a large foretriangle for flying a range of furling headsails. Aluminium or carbon spars and diesel or hybrid propulsion are offered.

Wadhams says there is good stowage space and payload capacity for comfortable liveaboard cruising. “They’re built using post-cured epoxy, carbon, E-Glass and PVC foam-cored laminates – a level above mainstream brands,” he insists. “This brings the construction found in a few larger, high-end boats into smaller-size catamarans.” The first CM46 is a full carbon racing version destined for an Auckland-based owner and is due to launch early 2021. The second boat (for Wadhams) has a more cruising-oriented spec.

Prices ex VAT: CM46 €635,000, CM52 €787,000 Builder: www.currentmarine.co.za

Seawind 1370

Is this the most popular new design of 2021? Although the first of this new 45ft model is not due to launch until later in the autumn, there has already been a phenomenal uptake in orders.

Publicity has been helped by vloggers Sailing Ruby Rose ordering one of the first boats, but a staggering 55 have been sold already. This has led to the Australian/Vietnamese yard establishing a new technical department that is separate from the production department.

European sales manager Jay Nolan says this 13-strong team is tasked with working up every system on the boat and looking at hybrid solutions.

Price ex VAT: €599,000 Builder: www.seawindcats.com

Outremer 55

A contemporary fast cat set up for short-handed world cruising, Outremer’s exciting new 55 launches this winter.

We previewed this VPLP design in our September issue and hope to test it during the spring. Much focus has been placed on weight and stiffness to help increase performance and ensure the boat can sail in the lightest breezes and therefore rarely need engine power.

Price ex VAT: €1,215,000 Builder: www.catamaran-outremer.com

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Modern Catamaran Trends: Gimmicks or Valid Design Ideas?

The celebrity of the catamaran is not only swelling in racing, but also for cruising catamarans. At their conception, the atypical design enabled cats to sail faster and in shallower waters with less wind and crew than other sailing vessels. But for years the unorthodox design met with skepticism, leaving the catamaran with little commercial success. Additional challenges to adoption of early versions of cruising cats were the small, very cramped interiors by modern day standards, was heavy and lumbering handling abilities. Many sailors used to say they “were built like tanks and sailed like bricks”.

However, sailors soon realized that nothing could beat the comfort, speed, and safety of a well-designed modern catamaran as a cruising yacht. These vessels can achieve the highest speed for the smoothest ride and boast the most interior space and greatest safety of most ocean-going vessels. Sailors of all types are quickly overcoming earlier prejudices against the multihull design as contemporary design trends continue to produce catamarans that are faster, more exciting, more visually interesting, and safer than ever before.

The New Trends

Fun and interesting new trends in catamarans make sailing even more exciting than ever before. However, innovations are only useful if they contribute to good design, construction, and safety principles and it should fit your sailing purposes. Let’s take a look at some trends in modern cats:

1. Larger Catamarans for Fewer Crew

The new generation of catamaran, using modern composite construction and engineering can be built lighter, larger, and more spacious with very good power-to-weight characteristics. Currently, the trend leans increasingly towards larger catamarans. The average catamaran for a cruising couple now tends to be more in the 45ft to 50ft range. With composite engineering and installation of technologically advanced equipment, e.g., electric winches, furling systems, and reliable auto pilot, it is now possible for shorthanded crews to confidently sail larger boats with larger rigs. Technology has enabled modern catamarans’ bigger volume with more stiff and torsion resistant construction, without compromising stability and safety.  

2. Inside Out: Convertible Main Living Areas

The design improvements of convertible living areas not only increases usable space and opens up the living areas, but also reduces interior maintenance and cleaning issues of traditional varnished wood surfaces. An open and convertible main living area with simple, hard-wearing composite materials reduces costs and time required to clean and maintain the boat. Big windows and opening vents allow light in and increase visibility. Gone are the submarine-like claustrophobic cabins typical of most traditional yachts. Owners’ cabins are luxurious, airy, and spacious serving as a very comfortable living space, rather than just a place to sleep. 

3. Wave-Piercing or Reverse Bows

4. Bulkhead Helm Stations or Twin Stern Steering?

However, Gunboat moved the cockpit back under cover in its latest designs, just as Leopard introduced a forward cockpit with opening doors into the leisure-focused salon in their Leopard 44 and 48 models. The team at Catamaran Guru questions the suitability of this design feature for blue water catamarans that will encounter large seas, but nonetheless, it is a popular trend especially for the yacht charter market. 

Ultimately for a cruising catamaran, our preference is a safe, protected helm station with good visibility and all the control lines leading back to the helm to create a static control station. Push-button controlled winches and windlass as well as the instruments and autopilot should be prominently located and protected within the cockpit.  

5. The Flybridge Trend

Getting from the cockpit up to the flybridge and back down in bad weather can prove unsafe. To accommodate the flybridge, the goose neck and boom must be very high making stowing the main problematic. The higher gooseneck position also means that the center of effort is higher which impacts the vessel’s righting moment and is not as good as catamaran with a lower boom position and bulkhead steering. Just where the flybridge design will go is anybody’s guess but right now it has huge appeal for a lot of people. 

6. Hydrofoils and Daggerboards

Because of design innovations like curved daggerboards and the hydrofoils, performance on cruising catamarans has improved tremendously but catamaran speed is relative. The most important benefit of speed of a multihull is the ability to outrun bad weather. Being able to average 2-3 knots faster on a catamaran than on a monohull, can help avoid bad weather. Many cruisers often tell us at Catamaran Guru, “I don’t care about performance,” but its not long before they understand that the heavy cruising cat is not quite as comfortable at sea – AND very slow. It makes no sense to buy a catamaran that will not sail at least 200nm per day when making passage. 

7. Galley Up or Down

In modern catamarans, the most popular trend currently is galley up, making it a focal point of the main living and entertainment areas. When at sea, every meal comes from the galley, so live-aboards spend a lot of time in the galley and many cruising couples and families find that the separation of galley down in a hull is not ideal. When at sea, hauling hot food up and down the stairs is a safety hazard. Having the galley on the same level as the serving area and cockpit is less tiring and safer. Also, ventilation is better on the bridgedeck than down in the hulls, which makes cooking more comfortable, especially if you are prone to seasickness. The disadvantage of the galley up design is less privacy for the cook’s messes and it can significantly impact the size of the saloon seating area, especially on smaller cats.

Some manufacturers like the St Francis 50 and Antares 44 still trust in the galley down design. Galley down is often preferred for charter boats because it provides a private, self-contained cooking area with dedicated prep areas and utilizes space in the hull that might otherwise be less efficiently used. However, the most popular trend is galley up and it makes sense to most sailors, especially cruising couples and families.

More on our take for galleys up or down .

Is Speed and Interior Comfort Trumping Good Design?

• Catamaran stability is a function of beam and buoyancy, so light-weight strong construction, which translates into buoyancy, is a good thing. Typically cruising catamarans have a beam-to-length ratio of roughly 50%, meaning a 45′ long cat will be about 22′ wide. This will not only result in great interior space but also in a very stiff and efficient boat.
• The boat needs to have a robust COG (center of gravity) through good buoyancy fore and aft or waterline length to avoid “hobby horsing”, making for a smoother ride and better performance. Performance is a safety issue; it is always better to have the pace to get out of the way of bad weather. So some speed in reserve is great.
• Good bridgedeck clearance is important for seaworthiness and crew comfort at sea, by reducing slamming and better performance in rough conditions. However, a very high bridge deck clearance, together with, say 6.5ft of headroom in the saloon, the boat will be very high with a lot of windage. So there has to be a balance struck between bridge deck clearance and the height in the salon. A good rule of thumb for bridge deck clearance is to have good clearance is about 5% of overall length of the hull but 6% is excellent. A clearance of 4% is acceptable but on the low side.

Even in the age of computer modeling, yacht design remains a series of compromises and the use of a boat will dictate its visual design and performance characteristics to a large degree. A well-designed catamaran is ergonomic and pleasing to the eye. It should be sensible and safe, with performance that can get to a safe harbor when necessary. It all comes down to safety and comfort, especially in rough conditions.

Looking to buy a yacht? Contact us if you have any questions regarding catamarans for sale , Fractional Yacht Ownership or our Charter Management Programs .

Estelle Cockcroft

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2 thoughts on “Modern Catamaran Trends: Gimmicks or Valid Design Ideas?”

Good reading, informative and to the point. There is no reference to building standards and codes of practice. The Catamaran industry needs to “mature “ as more models and brands enter the market with the consumer paying for the downward spiral. Look forward to your next article.

Hi Gregor, you are right. There is no one uniform set of standards. Most countries have published guidelines, codes or laws that a boatbuilder must follow in order to sell a boat in that country. Some of the better known ones are USCG, ABYC, CE, AS/NZS and ABS. There is a lot of similarity between the different international regulatory bodies but just as many differences. Enforcement of these standards are sketchy. Labels are applied to boats i.e. “in compliance,” “certified” or “classified.” and it all means little if not enforced. In the US, it’s mostly up to the builder to voluntarily comply with the published guidance ( the all do since it’s in their interest). In the European Union, by law a boat has to be inspected, documented and certified. Australia and New Zealand publish their own set of rules. So it’s a miss mash of laws and rules and it’s hard for the consumer to pin down!

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The coolest new catamaran models and concepts

Sam Fortescue reveals the latest multihulls to make a splash and takes a look at what’s on the designers’ drawing boards

Sunreef 43m Eco

LOA 42.7m Beam 15.4m Power 2 x 200kW Passengers 12 guests, 7 crew

Polish catamaran builder Sunreef has just sold another 43M Eco – the second largest sailing cat in the world. This is hull No 2, and will feature the same innovative 60kW solar array as the first example. Solar cells are integrated into every surface of the hull, superstructure and rig to give it impressive range under electric propulsion and almost limitless power for domestic comfort. The boat has an invisible drop-down aft garage for toys, fold-down wings on the quarter and a vast beach club, which combine to form what Sunreef has dubbed the Ocean Lounge. A gym with a view is built into the starboard quarter, and there’s a huge flybridge and room for 12 guests below. 

BlackCat 36m

LOA 36m Beam 13.7m Draught 1.60-4.90m Passengers 8 guests, 4 crew

Designer Malcolm McKeon and BlackCat founder Mitch Booth have been busy creating a super-sleek new 36-metre catamaran concept for a specific owner, and are now offering it alongside its other models in the 30- to 50-metre range. There’s barely a straight line on board; everything is curved and ergonomic – what Italian design is to furniture, so BlackCat is to catamarans. Compared to other BlackCats, there is perhaps a little extra height in the superstructure, plus solar panels and drop-down bulwarks aft. Naturally, it is a full-carbon build with performance to match – this one is predicted to sail at up to 30 knots, setting 650 square metres of carbon sails on its 45-metre rotating mast. Retractable rudders and daggerboards promise tight wind angles and upwind speed as well as access to shallow waters. Electric propulsion and up to 50kW regeneration capacity will minimise fuel burn. There are four double cabins for eight guests. The boat would be built at Baltic Yachts with BlackCat consulting. 

Echo Yachts 56m

LOA 56m Beam 15.5m Passengers 16 guests, 14 crew

Echo Yachts has come up with a beast of a catamaran design that blurs the line between support mothership and boat. This 56-metre is designed around helicopter operations, with two landing spots and room for two aircraft in the hangar. That gives it the capacity to carry three helicopters, as well as a range of large tenders up to around 11 metres and numerous other toys. Not that guest-level comfort has been neglected: there’s a spa pool on the foredeck, a private aft deck lounge and a huge beach club based around the drop-down platform. The interior is 100 per cent customisable, and can be skewed towards crew accommodation or even scientific, humanitarian or special interest facilities.

Alva Yachts Ocean Eco 90 H2

LOA 27.5m Beam 13.98m Draught 1.2m Power 2 x 250kW

Alva Yachts is building the world’s first 27.5-metre fossil-fuel-free catamaran. The Ocean Eco 90 H2 will run off two electric motors connected to a 500kWh-plus battery pack, powered by the sun via 200 square metres of solar panelling. It will also be fitted with Ayro’s Oceanwings with sensors on the wingsails. Wind data will be analysed by a computer that will adjust the wingsails’ angle of attack and camber. “This project would not be possible without our classification partner DNV, which has established new ground rules because this has never been done before,” says Holger Henn, CEO of the German builder. 

McConaghy MC115

LOA 35m Beam 12.5m Draught 1.8m (centreboards up)

Composite wizard McConaghy has given us an exclusive preview of a new 35-metre catamaran that is still at the design stage. Intended to bridge the gap between production and superyacht sectors, it is even more customisable than the yard’s smaller models. It features wide side decks and an open flybridge with an enclosed helm station forward, at the mast foot.

With sail controls concentrated above, the main deck is devoted to socialising, with a huge hydraulic bathing platform aft. The master suite is positioned forward on the main deck, giving it access to a foredeck lounge with a spa pool – a departure for this performance-focused brand. Accommodation is for 12 guests in six cabins, supported by a crew of four. But the precise configuration is infinitely adaptable. This should be a rapid boat, courtesy of slick naval architecture by Ker and a high-tech composite build. “The MC115 is a wind-speed yacht, and with true wind speed of 20 knots and the boat at 100 degrees, she will comfortably achieve 21 knots,” says managing director Mark Evans. 

LOA 36.75m Beam 13.85m Draught 2m Power 2 x 340hp e-motors

Flagships on this scale don’t come quickly, and especially not when they keep growing. What began as a 30-metre now surpasses 36 metres, with its electric drives and helicopter landing pad covered with retractable solar panels. To keep us hooked as the 2024 launch date draws closer, Silent Yachts has released details of a specially adapted submersible and quadcopter designed to match the yacht. U-Boat Worx is behind the two-person Nemo sub, which can dive to 100 metres. And the aircraft is an adaptation of VRCO’s XP4, due for regulatory approval in 2024. Billed as the “supercar of the skies”, it has vertical take off and landing capabilities and room for four passengers. Both are electric and will be recharged from the Silent 120’s vast battery bank. 

WiderCat 92

LOA 28.04m Beam 12m Power 2 x 420kW electric motors Top speed 15 knots Passengers 8 guests, 4 crew

As we reported back in November, Wider has sold five of its 28-metre WiderCats so far, and the first hulls have now left the moulds in Ancona. Late on a midwinter’s night, the two halves of the boat were transported 20 kilometres by road at painstaking speed to Wider’s new building halls at Fano. They will first be joined, then united with the deck and superstructure, which are already moulded. Painting comes next, followed by the complex systems that lie behind this advanced diesel-electric hybrid. The build is on track to debut at Cannes in September. 

Lazzara LPC 85

LOA 25.9m Beam 10.6m Power 2 x 550 - 1,800hp Top speed 20 knots Passengers 10 guests, 5 crew

Following the delivery of its UHV 87 model, shown at Cannes in 2022, and the launch of an express cruiser in its LSX series, Lazzara Yachts is expanding its offering with a catamaran line. The flagship 26-metre cat, built in GRP, will house a giant saloon that occupies the entire main deck – with the focus entirely on entertainment. The owner’s suite is a marvel – filling the 10-metre beam of the lower deck, with fold-down balconies on either side. Four more guest doubles have been designed with semi-open bathrooms, to transmit the light from the hull windows. Outside space is epic, with a vast beach club, elegant main deck dining and an expansive flybridge with a spa pool. While impressively styled, these are production yachts, with choices very much circumscribed. 

VisionF 100

LOA 30.5m Beam 12m Power 4 x Volvo Penta IPS 1050 3,200hp Top speed 22 knots

In just four years of operation, Turkish yard VisionF has already launched several 24-metre aluminium catamarans, and now it has sold a 30.5-metre cat. Built entirely in robust Kevlar composite, it should be incredibly stiff and strong. But relaxing is the name of the game here. There’s a glass-bottomed pool on the foredeck, fold-down wing balconies and a large, open flybridge. At the stern is deep hydraulic platform designed so that it either massively extends the aft deck or provides a huge beach club area. Besides the 100-square-metre saloon there is room on the main deck for a large forward-facing owner’s cabin. Up to six comfortable en suite cabins can be fitted into the two hulls. Delivery is scheduled for 2025. 

Lagoon Seventy 7

LOA 23.25m Beam 11m Power 2 x 175hp diesel Passengers up to 10 guests + 2 crew

While Lagoon is better known for its smaller sailing cats, its Seventy 7 is a semi-custom exception with more of a superyacht mentality. And its latest commission is an intriguing mix of sailing and gaming. Currently in build, the boat has an elegant dedicated cinema in the starboard hull with 7.1 surround sound and a pull-down screen integrated into the headlining. Another owner request was that the LED-lit gaming tower should be made a feature of the boat, and so it is – placed by the stairs so the lights can be seen from the cockpit. Next to the cinema is a workshop, where the owner can work on his drones.

Even without customisation, the Seventy 7 is a spacious, capable cruising cat. There’s the option of a spa pool on its flybridge, which also offers informal dining, an L-shaped sofa, a grill and a fridge. The helm station naturally lies at the forward end of this space, where all the lines come back to a battery of hefty winches. The foredeck lounge has direct access inside via a sea-tight door. And uniquely, the master cabin has a balcony door with a built-in bathing ladder for direct access to the water. Grey D4 Vectran sails from Incidence complement a dark grey hull, while the interior plays on primary colours. 

Art Explorer

The build of the groundbreaking 46-metre Art Explorer catamaran is continuing apace at The Italian Sea Group , with delivery expected in September. “She will be one of the largest luxury catamarans in the world when she is delivered, a testament to the vision, energy and leadership of its protagonist, Frederic Jousset,” says Laurent Bredy, head of project management for Fraser, of the yacht’s French owner. It was designed by Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, with carbon mast and boom by Lorima. She will act as a floating gallery that will sail around the world, taking art to people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to it. 

Fountaine Pajot 80

LOA 23.98m Beam 11.09m Power 2 x 175hp Passengers 12 guests, 5 crew

Building a 24-metre was a big step up for French production yard Fountaine Pajot , so it has sought naval architect Olivier Racoupeau ’s help to add some big-boat sparkle. He’s brought ideas such as drop-down bulwarks that create a port and starboard lounging area at anchor, a spa pool set into the bow, where you can bathe and admire the waves sliding by, a well-equipped flybridge and epic toy storage. The overhangs are set with semi-transparent solar cells and the interior by Isabelle Racoupeau is about unostentatious luxury. There’s also room for up to six double cabins.

LOA 26.82m Beam 11.1m Power 2 x 170hp Yanmar Passengers 10 guests, 4 crew

Speed has always been the essence of HH Catamarans, but a new flagship is hoping to inject a bigger dose of comfort into these carbon-fibre fliers. Choose between a sleek flybridge or the racy pod helm stations that barely protrude above the coachroof. Up to 10 guests are supported by four crew, making charter an option. But make no mistake: even with self-tacking jibs and lots of lounging space, these remain exhilaratingly fast boats capable of near-wind speed into the low-20 knot zone. The first hull is launching now. 

Prestige M8

LOA 19.82m Beam 8.85m Power 2 x Volvo Penta D8 600hp Top speed 20 knots

A new flagship is on the drawing board at Franco-Italian builder Prestige, which has found a niche in high-quality series production. The 20-metre M8 power cat is said to have lower fuel consumption thanks to efficient design, and a 15-knot cruising speed. A full-beam owner’s cabin forms a lower half-deck forward, with space for up to four further guest cabins. A vast saloon with extensive glazing and stainless-steel detailing gives the feeling of a sophisticated apartment. There’s also a flybridge and a foredeck lounge. It should be at Cannes this year. 

Reinvigorated under French ownership, Gunboat has just unveiled a flexible new 21-metre model. The spec can be varied on a scale that runs from fast cruiser to seat-of-the-pants rocket ship, with two rig choices. The mast has been moved aft for a bigger self-tacking J2 sail and a high-aspect main. There’s no flybridge – just an aerodynamic coachroof that has been enlarged to take more solar panels. The saloon is bigger too, and the accommodation is flexible. 

Nemesis 60ft

The team behind the outrageous 101-metre Nemesis One foiling catamaran concept have somehow raised the stakes a notch or two further with a design that will hit 150 knots. This will be a 20-metre power boat on hydrofoils, capable of accommodating six guests and three crew. Initial drawings resemble something out of Star Wars – all stealth angles in jet black. The contract is already in place for the design and build, according to Nemesis.

Bluegame BGM75

LOA 22.7m Beam 8.15m Power 2 x IPS Volvo Penta D8 550 hp Top speed 20 knots

Bluegame's first ever multihull offering was revealed to the world at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2022. The 22.7-metre design retains the appearance of a monohull with the benefits of a catamaran – stability, volume and improved fuel consumption. Its hull form means the BGM75 requires 50 per cent less power than a monohull of the same volume, while generating 5kW of green energy thanks to 56 solar panels that can be installed on the deckhouse. Design comes from Bernardo Zuccon and Piero Lisson, working on a hull form that was developed as the hydrogen-powered chase boat for the America’s Cup.

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Spectacular footage shows US catamaran flipping over and capsizing during pre-race in Bermuda

Sport Spectacular footage shows US catamaran flipping over and capsizing during pre-race in Bermuda

The crew of a catamaran that flipped during the pre-race at a Bermuda event escaped unharmed, as vision showed the US team being flung through the air.

The F50 capsized during the third and final practice race, and while the crew were unhurt in the spectacular moment, the team was forced to withdraw from the race due to the damage sustained to the catamaran.

Data from the vessel showed that wing trimmer Victor Diaz de Leon pressed a button by accident, which inverted the wing of the boat.

"While operating the wing, I chose the wrong function on my control panel, which caused our boat to flip. It was very scary and I'm thankful all my teammates are safe," Diaz de Leon said after the incident.

Team CEO and strategist Mike Buckley said mistakes can happen.

"We compete as a team and whatever the outcome is — whether it's what we want — we win and lose as a team and we learn from it," he said.

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures

C hoosing between a sailboat and a catamaran for your sailing adventures is a significant decision that depends on various factors, including your sailing preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. Here's an ultimate guide to help you make an informed decision:

1. Sailing Experience:

• Sailboats: Typically require more skill and experience to handle, especially in adverse weather conditions. Ideal for sailors who enjoy the traditional feel of sailing and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the art.
• Catamarans: Easier to handle, making them suitable for beginners. The dual-hull design provides stability, reducing the learning curve for those new to sailing.

2. Space and Comfort:

• Sailboats: Generally have a narrower beam and less living space. However, some sailboats may offer comfortable cabins and amenities.
• Catamarans: Wider beam creates more living space. Catamarans often have multiple cabins, spacious saloons, and expansive deck areas, providing a more comfortable living experience.

3. Stability:

• Sailboats: Monohulls can heel (lean) while sailing, which some sailors enjoy for the thrill but can be discomforting for others.
• Catamarans: Greater stability due to the dual hulls, providing a more level sailing experience. Reduced heeling makes catamarans suitable for those prone to seasickness.

4. Performance:

• Sailboats: Known for their upwind performance and ability to sail close to the wind. Some sailors appreciate the challenge of optimizing sail trim for efficiency.
• Catamarans: Faster on a reach and downwind due to their wide beam. However, they may not point as high into the wind as monohulls.
• Sailboats: Typically have a deeper draft, limiting access to shallow anchorages and requiring deeper marina berths.
• Catamarans: Shallow draft allows access to shallower waters and secluded anchorages, providing more flexibility in cruising destinations.
• Sailboats: Generally more affordable upfront, with a wide range of options available to fit different budgets.
• Catamarans: Often more expensive upfront due to their size and design. However, maintenance costs may be comparable or even lower in some cases.

7. Mooring and Docking:

• Sailboats: Easier to find slips and moorings in marinas designed for monohulls.
• Catamarans: Require wider slips and may have limited availability in certain marinas, especially in crowded anchorages.

8. Intended Use:

• Sailboats: Ideal for traditional sailors who enjoy the art of sailing, racing enthusiasts, or those on a tighter budget.
• Catamarans: Suited for those prioritizing comfort, stability, and spacious living areas, especially for long-term cruising and chartering.

9. Resale Value:

• Sailboats: Generally have a more established resale market, with a wider range of buyers.
• Catamarans: Growing in popularity, and well-maintained catamarans often retain their value.

10. Personal Preference:

• Consider your personal preferences, the type of sailing you plan to do, and the kind of lifestyle you want aboard your vessel.

In conclusion, both sailboats and catamarans have their advantages and disadvantages. Your decision should be based on your individual preferences, experience level, budget, and intended use. If possible, charter both types of vessels to experience firsthand how they handle and to help make a more informed decision based on your own preferences and needs.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between a Sailboat or Catamaran for Your Sailing Adventures appeared first on Things That Make People Go Aww .

Crash of an Antonov AN-24 in Moscow

635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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