2024 Multipower Buyer's Guide

40 to 50 feet

The traditional heart of the multipower market has long been confined to 40 to 50-foot units, but the explosion of the powercat formula is now dominating the market from 30 feet upwards, and this is also reflected in a number of much larger new models. However, in this 40-to-50-foot category, every year, new manufacturers appear. All of them are trying to outdo one another in terms of innovation… and new models. Discover your favorite among the selection!

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Publié le 26/10/2023

Par Mark Bernie, Julie Echelle, Dick Sawyer, Emmanuel van Deth and Kim Wellington

Numéro : SP21

Parution : Dec. / Jan. 2023

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LEOPARD 40 PC

A third powercat in the Leopard range

Following the launch of two large models - the 53 and 46PC - and the retirement of the very successful 43PC, it came as no surprise a year ago to discover a new compact model from Robertson & Caine, the 40PC. In terms of design, his powercat blends perfectly into the new range with very long hull windows and an immense flybridge. It features an imposing panoramic coachroof with a beautiful L-shaped galley and, despite being shorter in length, manages to house great cabins all equipped with island beds and bathrooms. But the real plus compared to the 43PC? Aboard this model, there’s a proper interior helm station.
As for the hulls, architect Alexander Simonis used CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software to optimize the longitudinal balance, a task that is necessarily more difficult with shorter hulls.

Builder: Robertson & Caine
Length: 40’ (12.19 m)
Waterline length: 39’7” (12.07 m)
Beam: 21’8” (6.61 m)
Draft: 3’9” (1.1 m)
Displacement: 30,490 lbs (13.83 t)
Water: 170 US gal (640 l)
Fuel: 370 US gal (1,400 l)
Engines: 2 x 250/320/370 HP
Cruising speed: 17 knots
Max speed: over 20 knots
Price: from€e 749 000 ex-tax

www.leopardcatamarans.com

AQUILA 42 YACHT

Attractive and signed by VPLP

The Aquila 42 Yacht had its world premiere at the Miami International Boat Show which took place from February 15 to 19. The Multihulls World team was on hand to unveil a complete test. If the design of the hulls seems very faithful to the spirit of the brand with a «classic» bow slope and the famous bulbs typical of the large Aquila models, the hulls are actually designed by VPLP. The 42 is now the smallest model in the Yacht range; she offers two spacious staterooms with a utility cabin in the standard configuration, engine options from Volvo Penta, loads of storage, and comfortable spaces in the cockpit, flybridge, and foredeck. Additional configurations include a 3 & 4 cabin version.

Builder: Aquila Boats
Length overall: 41’6” (12.64 m)
Beam: 21’ (6.4 m)
Air draft: 18’ (5.49 m)
Light Displacement: 34,168 lbs (15.7 t)
Fuel: 290 US gal (1,100 l)
Water: 120 US gal (460 l)
Motors: 2 x 230/300 HP
Price: from $ 813,442 ex-tax

www.aquilaboats.com

MY5

Better than a 50-foot cabin cruiser

The MY40, just like the old 44, hasn’t escaped the big update seen in the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht range: it has been promoted to being the MY5, in reference to a level of comfort comparable to that of a 50-foot monohull cabin-cruiser. The contemporary and dynamic design features sculpted topsides and stepped bows. The flybridge is particularly large, with a lounge, a sunbathing area, the essential cockpit and a proper outdoor galley. A forward cockpit further enhances the exterior spaces. From the inside, the 360-degree view allows you to cruise, sheltered in complete serenity, within earshot of the rest of the crew. The beautiful galley provides the link with the large cockpit, which in turn opens onto the large optional aft platform. The owner’s suite on the port side is well-worth a look, with two guest cabins on the starboard side. The choice of a moderate cruising speed promises a good range (in excess of a thousand miles) whichever Volvo IPS drivetrain is chosen. The MY range is now being built at the Guy Couach shipyard in the Bassin d’Arcachon region of southwest France.

Builder: Fountaine Pajot
Length: 42’4”/45’10” (12.91/13.98 m)
Beam: 19’7” (5.96 m)
Light Displacement: 34,175 lbs (15.5 t)
Draft: 3’8” (1.12 m)
Cabins: 3
Water: 119 US gal (450 l)
Fuel: 2 x 185 US gal (2 x 700 l)
Engines: 2 x 300/440 HP
Price: from € 759,900 ex-tax

www.fountaine-pajot.com

AQUILA 44 YACHT

One of the pillars of the powercat market

Like her smaller sistership, the 36, the Aquila 44 is one of those rare powercats to have been built in over 100 examples. It’s the XXL-sized volume of this model that surprises anyone who gets the chance to sail on her. At the heart of the range designed by the visionary Lex Raas, the Aquila 44 is above all a comfortable powercat: the living space offered easily seduces a hedonistic clientele. Ultimately, the three cabins offered as standard (4 cabins have been available since 2018), as well as the interior equipment, are perfectly consistent with its program - use in charter or for private cruising. This model now features bulbous bows, following in the footsteps of the bigger models in the Aquila range.

Builder: Aquila Boats
Length: 44’1” (13.44 m)
Beam: 21’6” (6.56 m)
Displacement: 35,050 lbs (15.9 t)
Engines: 2 x 225 HP
Fuel: 290 US gal (1,100 l)
Price: from $ 933,579 ex-tax

www.aquilaboats.com

LONGREACH 44

Long-term cruising

Longreach Catamarans is a new player in the powercat world. In 2021, the eminent Australian dealer Multihull Central, announced this new brand that is offering the Longreach 44, presented as the perfect platform for discovering the country’s northern coasts as well as the islands of the South Pacific. In our opinion, it will be perfectly suited to long-distance cruising at any latitude, thanks to its large fuel capacity (up to 1,475 US gal/5,600 l) which guarantees a range of 3,000 miles at a speed of 8 knots. Comfort seems to have been particularly well catered for, both inside and on deck: the Longreach 44 has an incredible owner’s cabin, an immense flybridge and a hydraulic platform. But this powercat sets itself apart from competitors with its particularly inverted bows and secure storage specifically for scuba tanks. In the standard version, the builder fits two keels to each hull, ensuring perfect positioning when taking the ground and to protect the propellers and rudders in all circumstances. A Hi Performance version is available with foils.

Builder: Longreach Catamarans
Length overall: 44’1” (13.45 m)
Beam: 21’4” (6.5 m)
Draft: 3’11” (1.2 m)
Displacement: 37,500 lbs (17 t)
Fuel: 630 to 1,480 US gal (2,400 to 5,600 l)
Water: 317 US gal (1,200 l)
Engines: 2 x 230 HP
Cruising speed: 12 knots (1,800-nm range)
Max speed: 24 knots

www.multihullcentral.com

MARES 45 Ft YACHT FISH

Two asymmetric hulls

This model is the “smallest” in the Mares range, a company specializing in luxury models - up to 160 feet. As always at this Florida-based manufacturer, the hulls are asymmetrical in order to offer better performance (up to 35 knots, 27 for cruising), more stability and lower fuel consumption. The 45 Ft Yacht Fish, as its name suggests, has been optimized for the most demanding of fishermen - from the Mares Motor Yacht version. This is evidenced by its huge aft cockpit, but also by the possibility for the pilot to see what is happening there from the flybridge. Other models available include the Mares 47 and 65, very soon to be joined by a new 50.

Builder: Mares Power Catamarans
Length: 44’7” (13.59 m)
Beam: 15’ (4.57 m)
Draft: 20” (0.51 m)
Displacement: 31,970 lbs (14.5 t)
Engines: 2 x 435 HP
Fuel: 450 US gal (1,703 l)
Sleeps: 6

www.maresinternational.com

HAMMERCAT 45

Several deck layouts available

Following the 35 that we discovered at the Miami show in 2020, her big sistership, the HammerCat 45, looks ready to come out of the box. She keeps the same overall lines with narrow hulls at the waterline, a gullwing-shaped nacelle sitting high above the water, and the famous truncated bow. The latter is tilting and integrates a staircase for a direct access to the sea... or onto the sand.
The builders are offering several deck plans so that their HammerCat 45 can be used as a fast offshore cruiser, for sports fishing, as a dive boat, etc. As far as the engines are concerned, there’s no messing about: twin 600 HP outboards are offered, or a pair of 440 HP Yanmar diesel inboards. So it comes as no surprise that 55 knots is within easy reach... but the hull is capable of motoring at 30/35 knots in excellent conditions of comfort with much more reasonable fuel consumption figures than those of a monohull.

Builder: Hammer Yachts
Length: 45’ (13.7 m)
Beam: 13’9” (4.2 m)
Air draft: 9’10” (3 m)
Displacement: N/A
Max engines: 2 x 600 HP outboards or 2 x 440 inboards
Cruising speed: 30/35 knots
Max speed: 55 knots
Fuel: 580 US gal (2,200 l)
Water: 52 US gal (200 l)
Price: $ 1,250,000 ex-tax

www.hammeryachts.com

MY6

One hull dedicated to the owner

The MY6 is the largest Fountaine Pajot in the Motor Yacht range. This model represents the quintessence of the yard’s know-how in terms of comfort and seakeeping qualities on two hulls. Thanks to its top speed, cruising speed range and premium comfort, the model saw an immediate success. By offering a particularly attractive owner’s hull, much more space than on a monohull, and incomparable stability, the concept is sure to appeal to all motorboat lovers, offering a particularly attractive owner’s hull, significantly more room than there would be on an equivalent monohull, with incomparable stability – both under way and at anchor.

Builder: Fountaine Pajot
Length: 44’9” (14 m) / 50’8” (15.44 m)
Beam: 21’8” (6.6 m)
Draft: 4’4” (1.31 m)
Displacement: 35,935 lbs (16.3 t)
Engines: 2 x 380/480 HP
Range: 1,000 nm
Fuel: 2 x 264 US gal (2 x 1,000 l)
Price:€e 1,037,600 ex-tax

www.fountaine-pajot.com

LEOPARD 46 PC

A nacelle equipped with a forward door

With 30 years’ experience in the powercat business, Robertson & Caine have launched a catamaran that’s larger and more comfortable than their 43PC – which has now been dropped from the catalog. The new 46 borrows the design of her bigger sistership, the 53 PC. The hulls have been designed from the outset start as motorboat hulls. These feature very large lateral windows, while the forward windows of the coachroof are vertical in order to integrate the forward door more easily - all these windows are made in tempered glass for maximum clarity and to give good longevity. Inside, the new matt beige finish replaces the former gloss white. The 46 is available in a 3 or 4-cabin version with special attention having been paid to comfort: wide, comfortable berths accessible from the side, increased floor space and improved interior lighting. The two engines – either 250, 320 or 370 HP - are completely isolated from the living area. With the boat in lightship condition, with the most powerful engine configuration, the maximum speed is 25 knots - 20 knots when fully loaded. The range varies from 250 miles to 1,500 miles depending on the speed.

Builder: Robertson & Caine
Length: 46’4” (14.13 m)
Beam: 24’1” (7.34 m)
Draft: 3’1” (0.94 m)
Light displacement: 36,945 lbs (16.76 t)
Engines: 2 x 250/320/370 HP
Max speed: 20 to 25 knots
Fuel: 475 US gal (1,800 l)
Water: 185 US gal (700 l)
Price: from € 829,000 ex-tax

www.leopardcatamarans.com

HUDSON 47

One hull dedicated to the Owner

In addition to its HH sailing range, the Hudson shipyard also offers power catamarans under the name of Hudson Powercat. While the silhouette of earlier models differed markedly from the sailing range, this is no longer the case with the elegant Hudson 47, which features inverted bows and a rounded coachroof top. As for the hulls, we’re dealing with some heavyweight stuff: like those of the freshly announced Hudson 63, they are signed by Stimson Marine Design and use the same CFD tools as those on the America’s Cup AC75s, no less! Inside, there’s a large interior helm station with an attractive two-seater helm chair, and the owner’s suite takes its place in the starboard hull. A third 52-foot model is due to be presented shortly.

Builder: Hudson Powercat
Length: 47’ (14.33 m)
Beam: 22’8” (6.9 m)
Displacement: 47,400 lbs (21.5 t)
Engines: 2 x 480 HP
Speed: 27/30 knots
Fuel: 395 US gal (1,500 l)

www.hudsonpowercat.com

ARCHIPELAGO 47

An aluminum powercat for extreme programs

Constructed in aluminum and with ocean passagemaking capabilities, this new powercat built in the UK is perfectly suited for expeditions and cruising far from the beaten track. The builder has taken great care to combine robustness and comfort - the interior is fitted out with the greatest of care and is even equipped with an underfloor heating system, contrasting with the “utilitarian” appearance conjured up in large part by the forward windows whose slope is reversed. Another very “professional” detail is that the interior helm station can be blocked off, so a night watch can be properly maintained even with the lights remaining on in the saloon. Note the large trampolines up front, now a very atypical feature aboard a powercat. Our only one regret with the deck plan is that there are no footbraces (much less any sort of bulwark...) on the side decks. The nacelle remains very open to the cockpit - the latter, decked with synthetic teak and its after end becoming a neat aft platform. A large part of the coachroof is taken up by a roof rack, which is very practical for carrying kayaks or paddleboards for example. Generously powered (840 HP in total for a lightship displacement of 17 tons), the Archipelago 47 is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25 knots. The builder also offers hybrid and electric propulsion systems and will soon be designing other models with the aim of creating a complete range.

Builder: Archipelago Yachts
Length: 47’5” (14.45 m)
Beam: 21’3” (6.48 m)
Draft: 3’9” (1.14 m)
Light displacement: 37,475 lbs (17 t)
Max speed: 25 knots
Fuel: 528 US gal (2,000 l)
Water: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
Range: 3,000 nm
Engine: 2 x 420 HP Iveco
Price: £1,400,000 ex-tax

www.archipelago-yachts.co.uk

PRESTIGE M48

A new power catamaran, a new range of boats…

Motorboat manufacturer Prestige already has three monohull ranges, making them one of the undisputed world leaders in the sector, with over 4,000 examples produced over the past 30 years. So it came as a nice surprise for powercat enthusiasts to see the launch of a powercat range called M, which aims to soon account for 40% of the brand’s sales. The Prestige M48, unveiled in summer 2022, was the first model. The power catamaran that we discovered in Cannes features very clean lines and respects the brand’s design - it is still the Italian studio Garroni Design in charge. With a hull drawn by Philippe Briand and a drivetrain limited to twin 320 HP motors for a 20-ton laden displacement, there is a maximum boatspeed of precisely 20 knots. The living area includes a saloon, the galley and a helm station. The large forward cabin is a success. In the hulls, the cabins embedded deep between the central floor and the bottom of the nacelle are unprecedented on board powercats of this category.

Builder: Prestige Yachts
Architect: Philippe Briand/Valentina Militerno De Romedis
Design: Garroni Design
Overall length: 48’6” (14.79 m)
Hull length: 47’2” (14.37 m)
Beam: 19’7” (5.98 m)
Draft: 3’11” (1.2 m)
Air draft: 19’4” (5.9 m)
Light displacement: 38,540 lbs (17.48 t)
Engines: 2 x 320 HP
Cruising speed: 15 knots
Max speed: 19 knots
Fuel: 317 US gal (1,200 l)
CE category: B12/C14/D16

www.prestige-yachts.com

AVENTURA 50 MY

An aluminum powercat for extreme programs

The length of the hulls of Aventura Catamarans’ flagship was in fact so close to 50 feet, and the associated volume so impressive that the Aventura 14 has now become the 50. For the shipyard launched by Eric Roger over 20 years ago with pocket catamarans such as the Aventura 23 and the 28 (whose molds were already those of other previous models) presenting a multihull as ambitious as this A50 was quite a gamble. But one that will surely pay off, looking at the order book… On our test of this boat at La grand Motte, we were struck by the large foredeck and the cleverly designed flybridge with sunroof, the large fitted-kitchen style galley on the port side, the interior helm station and the forward door.

Builder: Aventura Catamarans
Overall length: 48’11” (14.9 m)
Beam: 24’7” (7.5 m)
Draft: 3’3” (1 m)
Light displacement: 37,500 lbs (17 t)
Fuel: 2 x 396 US gal (2 x 1,500 l) + 264 US gal (1,000 l) optional
Engines: 2 x 320 to 440 HP
Price: € 898 520 ex-tax

www.aventura-catamarans.com

AQUILA 47 MOLOKAI

Built for all-weather fishing

Aquila is strengthening its Offshore range with this forthcoming 47 Molokai, capable of taking you offshore for big-game fishing in complete safety. Inspired by the Hawaiian seafaring spirit, this powerful new model (the 47 is driven by a pair of 300 or 400 HP outboards) and seaworthy, with its hulls being very slender at the waterline, should appeal to Florida’s American clientele - but not only! The initial seatrials have just been validated by the manufacturer: it’s probably not for nothing that this new model has been christened “The Big Kahuna”, which means “the big boss” in Hawaiian... By the time you read these lines, we’ll have just tested this impressive all-weather powercat.

Manufacturer: Aquila Catamaran
Length overall: 49’4” (15.06 m)
Hull length: 45’8” (13.94 m)
Beam: 14’7” (4.44 m)
Draft with engines up: 2’2” (0.66 m)
Draft under way: 3’8” (1.11 m)
Light displacement: 22,818 lbs (10.35 t)
Engines: 2 x 300/400 HP outboards
Fuel: 1,048 US gal (3,960 l)
Price: from $ 1 298 150 ex-tax

www.aquilaboats.com

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