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Yachting World

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Nautitech Open 40 boat test – this cat will make you purr

• Matthew Sheahan
• October 14, 2015

The many qualities of the Nautitech Open 40 make a compelling case for choosing a catamaran over a monohull, says an impressed Matthew Sheahan

Product Overview

Space, stability, performance and even safety, if you’re a monohull sailor you will be familiar with the key points of the arguments that multihull advocates present for having two hulls rather than one. In the main, their evidence is hard to refute.

For the same overall length catamarans do indeed have much more volume, especially below decks. They don’t heel like a monohull, something that regularly gains favour with many sailing families. And as for safety, the lack of a ballast keel makes it very unlikely that they will sink, even if capsized, something that no Nautitech cat has ever done in 20 years, we are told.

But when it comes to performance, the argument is less compelling, depending on which cat we’re talking about. See our feature on the pros and cons of multihulls .

If they’re not laden with cruising kit, or are one of the latest generation of multi-decked superstructures modelled on wedding cakes with a tiny token rig stuck on the top, they can in certain conditions outpace an equivalent length monohull.

Most of the time they’re better when reaching, but struggle to keep pace upwind and, for the sailing-minded buyer, this can be a compromise too far.

But with the Nautitech Open 40 catamaran you have to think again because this is a boat that challenges a number of common preconceptions.

At first glance she doesn’t stand out as anything out of the ordinary. Yet look a little closer and she’s far cleaner, simpler and, as a result, more attractive than many typical production cruising cats.

There are, however, a few angles from which she looks dumpy and squared off and in places rather slab-sided. But in the main there are many good points in this new model and you can understand why she was the talk of the winter boat shows this year.

Surprising performance

In my opinion her strongest card is her performance under sail, not in the absolute speeds she achieves, but in the feel on the helm and the ease with which she can be handled.

With twin wheels set in each of the aft quarters you are not only enveloped in the security of a deep cockpit wall on the outer flanks, but have a superb view forward and through the wraparound windows in the coachroof. Indeed, the visibility to leeward is better when sailing upwind than aboard most monohulls with large overlapping headsails.

Both engine and sail controls are close to hand on either side with the additional benefit that the leads for the control lines have been well thought out and have far less friction than you would expect. This is particularly impressive given that most of the lines are led back to the cockpit discreetly and produce very little rope clutter.

This, combined with her well-balanced and light steering, makes her fun and rewarding to sail. During our sailing trials we got caught up in the opening stages of the upwind leg of a race in the Solent. Unable to resist lining up against a fleet of fully crewed monohulls, I was surprised at how well she coped.

What she lacked in pointing ability in the 12-16 knot sea breeze she made up for with a typical upwind pace of 6-7 knots. She only really lost out through the tacks when her size and windage slowed her through the breeze, and her self-tacking blade jib didn’t have the power to see her accelerate like the monohulls – hardly surprising. But for cruising, especially short-handed, she was sufficiently nimble and easy to manhandle.

Off the breeze her furling Code 0, flown off a short bowsprit – one of the factory-fitted options – provided plenty of power and her eagerness to sit at 8-9 knots on a reach was clear. Again, she remained light and easy on the helm.

Under engine she’s a very manageable boat, and once again the helming position and the good all round visibility make her simple to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Fitted with the upgrade option of a pair of Yanmar 30hp engines (20hp is standard), along with two three-bladed Gori overdrive propellers, she motored at a brisk 7 knot pace with ease.

Otherwise her layout is pretty straightforward. There is plenty of space between the hulls to stow a dinghy on davits off the back of the cockpit, huge lockers forward to keep fenders and warps and plenty of additional stowage for extra sails such as the Code 0. All of which is very much in keeping with the typical layout of modern production cats.

Outdoor saloon

The arrangement of her main living accommodation is one of the few areas where she differs from the norm. Her saloon, for instance, is more outside than in. The patio-type doors and the main athwartships bulkhead run across the boat at approximately midships making the normal, inside living accommodation smaller than would be typical for this size of boat.

A modest table/navigation station is set to port and the galley is to starboard leaving the main saloon outside, abaft the patio doors where it shares the cockpit space.

While this might sound unusual – and less appealing for colder climates – the layout is certainly comfortable and practical and can be arranged to provide more shelter if required with the awning panels that clip into the underside of the coachroof and the cockpit coamings.

Apart from making the outdoor saloon a more pleasant place to sit while sailing or at anchor, the logic behind the configuration also stems from looking at how people actually use their boats. If it’s warm enough to be aboard that’s fine, but if it’s too cold the pub or a restaurant is a popular option.

The Nautitech comes in either a three or four cabin configuration, the former aimed at an owner’s layout with a spacious heads and shower area in the forward end of the port hull where a cabin would be in the four-cabin version. Both layouts have the provision for single skipper/crew berths in the bows.

There are a couple of areas that may raise an eyebrow or two. The first is her builder, Bavaria. If you didn’t know before you started looking over her you’d be hard pressed to guess. So why would Bavaria want to build multihulls?

The answer lies in their desire to expand in the charter market, which they believe now means having a range of multihulls. So, instead of developing a range from scratch, Bavaria chose to buy into the market with the acquisition of Nautitech in 2014 and keep the production outfit in Rochefort, near La Rochelle.

The transaction has been of benefit to both sides after Bavaria brought its expertise in joiner work to Nautitech and raised the game for the French builders. This catamaran has also been designed as a powerboat. Seeing an identical looking boat passing at twice the speed with no rig and the crew sitting on the coachroof cum flybridge is bound to take the owners of the sailing version by surprise.

Specifications

LOA 11.98m/39ft 4in

LWL 11.94m/39ft 2in

Beam 6.91m/22ft 8in

Draught 1.35m/4ft 5in

Displacement 7,800kg/17,196lb

Engine 2 x Yanmar 20hp

Fuel 2 x 215lt/2 x 47gal

Water 2 x 215lt/2 x 47gal

Jib 28m 2 /301ft 2

Mainsail 678ft 2 /63m 2

Code 0 44m 2 /473ft 2

Sail area:disp 23.5

Disp:LWL 128

Price ex VAT £291,600

Designed by Marc Lombard

Built by Nautitech Catamarans

Marketed in UK by www.keyyachting.com

As is so often the case, once you start sketching out the ideal wishlist for a good, practical family cruiser the sum of the parts can easily point to a catamaran. Yet no matter how compelling the advantages of space and comfort are, factors such as performance and the practicality of berthing, especially in the UK, can count heavily against making a shift to two hulls.

But the Nautitech Open 40 goes a long way to addressing at least one of these issues. She really is a fun and rewarding cruiser to sail, especially as you don’t feel as if you’re perched high above the water and forced to sail from the leeward side on one tack at the only wheel on the boat.

She lends herself well to short-handed sailing thanks to a simple, but intelligent cockpit layout. And when it comes to berthing, at just 40ft LOA she’s sufficiently modest in length and beam to slip into most marinas and harbours.

Her price tag of £291,600 ex VAT will make her feel considerably bigger than a typical 40ft monohull, but then that is because she is, especially below decks.

So, though at first glance you might think she’s just another production cat, the reality is the Nautitech Open 40 is quite different. I was impressed.

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NAUTITECH OPEN 40 An innovative and successful 40 footer

The light and stiff platform of the Open 40 works wonders in heavy seas.

The successful lines of the 542 are evident in the Open 40.

The Open seems cosy and the cockpit is enclosed with transparent fabric partitions which can be left up under way.

During two days and more than 60 miles in windy conditions, the Open 40 really showed us its potential.

Visibility from the helm is excellent, and the carbon wheel is very nice.

Practical info

• Builder : NAUTITECH CATAMARANS
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• Available in issue # 136

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Heading off the beaten track constitutes a risky game which boatyards don’t play without apprehension! With their new Open 40, Nautitech is bravely affirming their creative potential and determination to cleverly set themselves apart from their competitors. Late March we spent two days aboard, sailing in the approaches to La Rochelle, in fairly strong conditions to test in real life conditions this 40 footer with very open ambitions.

The story of the open deck

Naval architects everywhere have been competing in inventiveness in the field of cruising catamarans without a deck cabin. It’s a question of whether to remain deliberately simple, and loyal to Polynesian lines (such as James Wharram), or to combine sporting performance, comfort and low price, innumerable prototypes (a handful of which were successful) have been crossing the water since the rediscovery of the idea in the 1950s. Several contemporary attempts are still going strong, but it seems that the taste for wild voyaging is less fashionable these days! Many of these multihulls (from the Corneel 26 by Joubert-Nivault to the Punch 1000 by Harlé or the lively creations of Malcolm Tennant and the 350 Stiletto sold in the USA) offered interesting dynamic characteristics, remarkable aerodynamic qualities and enviable weight savings. Alas the absence of a deck salon (whose appeal has spread) has killed off this idea for the majority of enthusiasts!

The new Nautitech’s delightful slogan "Be Open": an open-minded cat which is open to the outside world!

The concept of the Nautitech Open 40

Curious, then, some say, that this “open” Nautitech spor...

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What readers think

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Elin Rambaud

Thank you very much and happy reading!

Joe Portelli

Agreed we need dates on these reviews. A lot can change in 5 years. Would be great to have an updated review. Nonetheless - well written and informative article.

Hello, The Nautitech Open 40 boat test published the MM165 in June/July 2014. Good day and good reading,

Esa Suuronen

nice story, but where is the date when it was written? It seems to be missing from all of your boat tests... yet there are definitively time dependent information disclosed into tests - like price of the yacht.

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Nautitech 40 Open Catamaran

Nautitech Catamaran marks a whole new era in the design of the new Nautitech 40 Open. One of the major changes to Nautitech 40 Open is that the mast is located much further aft than on most catamarans which, according to the designers, improves performance and considerably reduces pitching. The interior and exterior living areas are designed with continuous horizontal and fluent lines to merge inside/outside living spaces into one for more spaciousness and improved safety.

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We are proud to present the all NEW Nautitech 44 Open catamaran. She is the culmination of 3 decades of experiences gathered from customers, designers and boatbuilders. This new yacht incorporates cruising innovations found in very few other multihulls and is perfectly suited for liveaboards who want to circumnavigate in comfort and style.

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The Nautitech 44 Open has significant advantages over other catamarans

Unsinkable due to closed cell foam – no balsa.

Nautitech builds the NEW 44 Open using the most advanced composite technology to the highest international offshore standards. Because of the low cost,95% of today’s production catamarans are built with a wood core (even in the bilge areas!) which tends to rot. Not the Nautitech 44 Open. She uses closed cell, high density foam as core. This makes the boat virtually unsinkable and osmosis resistant. Solid composite bilges, sacrificial keels and a series of strategically placed watertight bulkheads make this one of the safest offshore cruising catamarans available today.

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Another advantage over other cruising catamarans are the design and execution of the 44 Open underwater appendages. The aerodynamically optimized keels have a higher aspect ratio and less resistance creating more lift and sailing characteristics. Consequently the upwind performance is nearly indistinguishable from dagger boards – but without the hassle of operation and safety concerns. The deep, high aspect ratio twin rudders are well aft and closely spaced to the hull for optimal rudder and autopilot control.

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Nautitech 44 Open

Description

Nautitech have extended their range with the 44 Open, an evolution of their line of cruising catamarans. Once again, Marc Lombard has been tasked with developing the range with this new model that sits between the 40 and the 46.

She comes with a new interior layout, improvements to the rigging and good looks. The Nautitech 44 Open should prove popular. Once again, Nautitech are aiming for more performance from this design compared to much of the competition, like the Leopard 42 , the Lagoons and Fountaine Pajot. That does mean you will need to compromise on some living space though.

For those looking to max out on performance there is the option of an overlapping genoa (similar to the Excess 14 which has also gone down this route) to replace the standard self-tacking jib, plus options for a carbon mast and bowsprit for your gennaker, spinnaker or  Code 0.

The new boat has plenty of green energy options as well including up to 1760W of solar, lithium battery upgrade and an option to go for a ‘SMART ROOM’ which could be a workshop, utility room or storage for your sails and toys. That’s not as much solar as some of the out an out ECO cats (read out Windelo 54 review for example), but it is a sizeable chunk of solar, more than enough for the 44.

Nautitech 44 Open Boat Tour – Katamarans

• Sporty helms with direct feel to the rudders and full visibility of the sails. The downside here is protection of course, although there is an option for helm biminis- they’ve improved these too – much smarter.
• All the lines back to the helm for short handed sailing. In the 40, you reef from the mast.
• An option for an overlapping genoa to replace the self tacking solent. Less convenience, but more power. Take your pick.
• Lots of living space up top with that Open concept, she feels much bigger than the 40 inside in the Saloon with a forward facing nav station and a big galley to starboard.
• She’s a quick, seaworthy boat if you keep the weight off with that low slung boom.
• I like those new davits and the wrap around helm seats: very smart. You’ll see these on the Nautitech 48 flagship as well.
• The aft helms won’t suit everyone in a blow. With reduced visibility to the opposite bow when you are in the marina, you might need to nip up to the deck every now and then.
• Less space down below compared to other cruising catamarans due to the slender hulls. So no walk around berths, for example.
• The inside seating area looks small with so much room given over to the forward facing nav station on the port side. That just leaves room for an ‘L’ shaped sofa behind. I prefer the layout on the 46, but you do have plenty of seating space outside. Still, I prefer the layout on the 46.

In the interiors, there is a choice of a Walnut interior or a light oak finish with a range of upholstery options.

Choose between four layout options: including 4 cabins with 2 heads, and a 2 cabin boat with 2 heads plus the Smart Room.

Nautitech 44 Open Brochure

View the Nautitech 44 Open Brochure

What is the price of a Nautitech 44 Open? How much do these catamarans cost? That will depend heavily on your options of course, but to give you an idea, the price for a basic boat will be in the region of €700k plus taxes. A higher spec’d 44 will come out around €850k. Get in touch if you would like some help spec’ing a boat out.

A great evolution for the brand. Marc Lombard has built on the success of the 40 and 46 Open and stayed true to the “Nautitech DNA” with sporty helms, shapely hulls and by keeping the weight down. The new Smartroom concept looks interesting, and options such as the overlapping genoa and solar power system are compelling. I’d like to have seen more seating space in the saloon though.

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