Aventura 45

The Aventura brand has been around for 25 years: In the beginning, Eric Roger and his son Romain (re)launched models such as the Aventura 23, 28 and 36, using existing molds. The shipyard moved to Tunisia in 2005, and that was when completely new models were offered. We’ll be taking a look back at the history of the brand, which now produces around 80 catamarans per year, in a future article. The Aventura has always had a killer argument in its favor: they are cheaper than the others... For a long time, this difference in price was reflected in a more approximate quality of finish. But it’s evident now that the 45 we discovered in Cannes changes this paradigm. We’ll come back to that a bit later.

Lazing Around on Deck and Double Helm/ Maneuvering Station

A few months later, we were at Dénia in southern Spain to discover the same hull #1 with its dark beige livery (an optional color gelcoat) for real. At first glance, the Aventura 45, built in GRP with polyester resin using the infusion process at the STGI factory in Tunisia, has an imposing freeboard. François Belote, the local Aventura dealer, has thoroughly polished his catamaran - we didn’t dare keep our shoes on, especially as we had beautiful blond teak underfoot. Eric introduced me to his “big” baby: we started the tour with the vast cockpit whose benches, when unfolded, offer almost 16 feet (4.8 m) of seating - enough to accommodate 8 or even 9 people. To starboard, there is a lounger measuring 6’9” by 4’5” (2.05 x 1.35 m) that’s ideal for reading or simply chilling out. On the port side and at the back, there are 6’7” (2 m) bench seats. A plancha grill is available as an option. The sugarscoops can be connected by a hydraulic platform (optional) measuring 11’10” x 3’1” (3.6 x 0.95 m). While the side decks offer a minimum of 16” (40 cm) at the cockpit exit, they quickly widen to 24” (60 cm) towards the bow. A few handrails would be welcome though. Near the bows, two small trampolines have been retained, but the rest of the deck is more comfortable, offering, in addition to the standard ground tackle equipment and lockers, a huge sun lounger with reclining backrests. On the port side, a staircase leads directly to the side deck, from where you can easily reach the two stations - maneuvering at the front, helming aft, with a nice 4-foot (1.2 m) bench seat - a configuration that has proven its worth on most Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans. The manufacturer offers an optional large sun lounger with a total of 20 feet (6.2 m) of bench seating - 12 people can be accommodated here. The top of the coachroof can also be used to boost the capacity of the solar panels to 2 kWp.

A Very Wide Choice of Layouts

The Aventura 45 is unquestionably characterized by the unusual diversity of layout combinations, which range from 3 to 6 cabins with an incredible number of possible customizations. Our test model is the owner’s version with 3 additional cabins. The nacelle opens wide to the outside and offers a generous headroom of 6’5” (1.96 m) near the mast compression post. The materials, assemblies and lighting demonstrate a very clear effort in terms of the quality of finish - especially since we are on board the first hull to be built. Maybe a few sharp angles could be less aggressive, but that’s it.
To starboard, the L-shaped galley extends over a linear distance of 11’4” (3.45 m). The countertop, which ends in a rounded shape, is very practical when it comes to cleaning, and has plenty of storage space. All the modern appliances you could want are available. On the opposite side, a huge 21.2-cubic-foot (600-liter) refrigerator allows you to envisage some long-term cruising. The saloon has 16’1” (4.9 m) of bench seats (and just as much locker space); it can be converted into an optional berth. To starboard, a chart table is installed athwartships. It lacks a real backrest to provide the comfort of a desk, but the space, with its large 3’ by 2’ (0.95 x 0.60 m) top, is very useful. One detail to modify: the screen that combines the control functions is really too small.
The four steps on the port side lead to the owner’s hull and there’s a sliding door allowing you to isolate yourself if you wish. The 6’3” x 5’3” (1.9 x 1.6 m) berth is set aft near the access to the cockpit. The entire central part is occupied by comfort elements, such as a seat, a desk and storage space. The three-part bathroom is located in the bow area.
To starboard, there is a forward cabin with a large bed 6’7” by 5’3” (2 x 1.6 m) perpendicular to the 6½ by 3-foot (2 x 0.93 m) step, and a bathroom also dedicated to the small central cabin equipped with two bunk beds, each 3 feet in width (0.93 m). This space can, on request, be converted into an office, laundry room or workshop. The aft cabin, meanwhile, is completely self-contained with access from the cockpit and its berth measures 16’3” x 5’3” (1.9 x 1.6 m).

A Catamaran whose Focus Is on Comfort

The two engines fitted to the Aventura 45 #1 are the optional 57 HP units. These allow easy control of the catamaran during harbor maneuvers and guarantee a cruising speed of 8 knots without pushing them hard. Hoisting the square-top mainsail is a simple formality thanks to the double-purchase halyard and the batten cars: you take up half of it directly from the foot of the mast in order to clear the lazy jacks as best as possible, then finish off with the electric winch. The configuration of the front maneuvering station and helm station works perfectly - with the help of the autopilot if necessary, when sailing single-handed for instance. The only problem is the fabric/stainless steel protective bimini, as it completely obscures the sail plan. The genoa is unfurled next, making a total of 1,238 square feet (115 m2) for upwind sailing. The water was a little choppy and there was a northerly wind of between 6 and 12 knots, making less than ideal conditions for testing a catamaran that is clearly designed for comfort. Unsurprisingly, the Aventura 45 is not a rocketship in light airs, with its sail area/weight ratio of 9.58 m2/t. When sailing close-hauled, the hulls’ high windage on the water must also be taken into account, as must the presence of the fixed propellers. Nevertheless, depending on the point of sail, we managed to reach approximately half the wind speed - we recorded 5 knots when sailing close-hauled with 10 knots of wind and a peak of 6 knots when sailing with the wind on the beam thanks to a gust. Unfortunately, there was no gennaker available to boost performance. The 45 is easy to handle and rather pleasant at the helm - but it is far from the speed of its little sistership, the 37, which benefits from a much more favorable sail area/weight ratio of 11.88 m2/t.

Conclusion

With 5 models delivered and 12 sold to date, the Aventura 45 is off to a good commercial start, and it is interesting to note that the orders are very varied: depending on their needs, buyers seem to opt for an owner’s version with only 3 cabins, a model optimized for charter with 12 berths in 6 cabins, or a day-charter version. Add the option of electric propulsion and you will agree that the Aventura is the true Swiss army knife of the multihull world!

The Aventura has two short trampolines at the very front: a large sun lounger can be fitted against the coachroof, and a table can be added.

The Aventura 45 uses the helm station + maneuvering station formula already seen on Fountaine Pajot catamarans.

The cockpit of the 45 is particularly spacious and has plenty of seating and storage space.

The two aft cabins have direct access to the cockpit.

A large sun lounger is fitted above the bimini, though this space is best used at anchor because the boom remains low.

The dining area is set toward the back of the nacelle. This can be converted into a double berth as an option

Designed in an L shape facing the cockpit, the galley can be opened completely to the outside.

The manufacturer has installed an athwartships chart table, with its seat being the starboard end of the dining area.

The owner’s cabin occupies the entire port hull and can be isolated from the saloon by a sliding door.

To starboard, the berth in the forward cabin is oriented athwartships.

On our test catamaran, a central cabin is fitted out with two bunk beds.

The starboard aft cabin is very bright thanks to the opening onto the cockpit.

As standard, the powertrain comprises a pair of 45 HP Yanmars, but you can opt for twin 57 HP units.