Kinetic KC54

Kinetic Catamarans is a new player on the multihull market - born in 2015. At its origin, you’ll find Bob Hayward, a man with multiple talents. He was looking for the catamaran of his dreams, the one that would perfectly fit his program. Not being able to find such a boat, he decided to join forces with South African Leon Scheepers to take over Phil Harvey’s former shipyard in Knysna, South Africa, which built some models for Gunboat. The Kinetic brand was born.

Following in the wake of the KC62, the first model to be launched, we now have the KC54, which, with its size, is coming into a highly competitive area of the cruising catamaran market. However, Hayward and Scheepers are far from short of ideas, and the Kinetic stands out from the competition in many ways. Firstly, the shipyard has turned weight reduction into an obsession. To lighten the platforms and increase performance, the catamarans are built with an all-carbon structure, a material that is both very strong and pretty light. The other characteristic is the use of almost avant-garde technological solutions such as hydraulic rams for the sails, Kevlar shrouds, electric furlers or a dropdown bow thruster with Dockmate remote joystick control system. Once the initial settings are complete, almost the entire multihull is controlled by a few buttons adjacent to the helm. Finally, all Kinetic boats are semicustom, leaving a lot of scope for the owner to shape their future multihull.

While the catamaran is offered with cruising sails in the standard version, most customers opt straight away for the more efficient and complete “Performance” wardrobe.
The Kinetic is built almost entirely in carbon, including the mast and boom.

Sober and modern design

Aesthetically, the KC54 has a very modern design with inverted bows, a long hull window that emphasizes the silhouette, a very straight-lined helm station and coachroof, and carbon spars. The whole is very understated. Seen from ahead, the catamaran appears quite particular since the foredeck stops quite short to give way to an XXLsized trampoline. Lastly, the very short superstructure is, once again, a means to save weight.

The nacelle, of a moderate thickness, means the catamaran features a nice size tunnel. What is also striking is the slenderness of the bows and their impressive height, confirming this multihull’s offshore vocation.

As for the stern, it’s size is quite imposing, at least when the bathing platform is raised. In the lowered position, this large platform is accessible from the cockpit via a beautiful staircase, which makes the 54 a very welcoming boat. The sugarscoops also have bathing platforms with, in addition, storage space in the floor. Another feature found aft is the optional helm on each side with a small stairway leading to the side-decks.

Once on board, the different spaces are quite well defined, namely an aft cockpit for relaxation with friends, an interior main deck and a small cockpit just in front of the helm station, which houses the winches, blocks and clutches as well as two small seats for relaxing when at anchor. Some of the sail trimming is done from here, but it’s a shame that there’s no well provided for the lines - after a few minutes, all the halyards end up back in this cockpit. Two folding steps are fitted for climbing onto the coachroof where the mast is stepped, while the forward part of this cockpit houses a series of very practical lockers. From there, a long spar bisects the trampoline to hold the tacking point of the headsails, all installed on electric furlers.

The forward cockpit is reserved for sailing maneuvers, meaning the aft is free of all elements related to running the boat except for the (optional) exterior helm stations. With two L-shaped bench seats this relatively large aft cockpit offers space for up to 10 people, counting the two stools. To starboard, there’s a folding table for enjoying a meal, while the central opening in the transom for reaching the bathing platform improves the circulation on board. There is also a grill and a large cooler, cleverly hidden on either side. Thanks to a fabric cockpit enclosure, the sides of this space can be closed up to remain sheltered from the weather. The whole area is almost entirely covered by the long hard-top extension of the roof, while the folding davits will accommodate a comfortable sized tender. 

Bob Hayward created the Kinetic Catamarans brand in 2015 with the aim of building the multihull of his dreams.
The stern incorporates a folding platform that can support the dinghy or expand the bathing platform. The cockpit can be accessed via three sets of stairs. 

A saloon bathed in light

A large sliding door gives access to the main deck surrounded almost entirely by glass. At least, as much as is possible to create maximum luminosity. The fairly traditional layout of the saloon includes a large L-shaped galley with a central island and, on the port side, two sofas and two chairs allowing 8 to 9 people to sit around the table, perfect for Mojitos at sundowner time! Forward in the nacelle sits the large carbon steering wheel with, just in front of it, a console full of buttons, from where the helmsman operates. If needed, a door leads to the forward maneuvering cockpit, while to the right of the helm, there’s the chart table with all the navigation electronics.

On each side, a companionway in carbon, leads to the “night area”. Carbon is present everywhere aboard this boat, including the toilets which are, you guessed it... in carbon! While the KC54 is offered in a three or four-cabin version, it is semi- custom, so you could envisage very different layouts. The example we tested was a four-cabin version, each of those with its own bathroom. Thanks to the long hull window and the deck hatches providing overhead light as well as the aft bay window overlooking the sugarscoop, these four spaces are really very bright. As a bit of a bonus, a hatch opening onto the tunnel is located above the headboard in the forecabins, a real plus for ventilation. Being semi-custom, the size and location of the bathrooms can be modified at the time of ordering, as can the decor and color of the w oodwork.

In terms of finish, the Kinetic remains relatively sober - but the result is quite flattering. Even though carbon is omnipresent, the white-colored walls and woodwork warm up the atmosphere. As for the equipment, it’s pretty generous, especially when it comes to technical features. There is a 6 kW Fisher Panda generator, 12 flexible solar panels totaling 144 Wp, and powerful air conditioning (4 x 10,000 BTU).

But when it comes to comfort, as this is a semi-custom multihull, it’s up to each owner to make a list of their needs. The catamaran is nevertheless offered in Standard or Performance versions, the latter with a taller rig, carbon daggerboards, rotating mast, more powerful winches and additional sails.

With all maneuvers up forward, the aft cockpit is a very convivial area with plenty of seating space and tables.
The light-filled main deck makes a beautiful dining area, and is home to the large, well-equipped galley and the interior helm station.
 

A very versatile wardrobe for cruising

Even though the name of the brand immediately evokes a very technological world, the actual implementation of the KC54 is also quite futuristic. In fact, the Kinetic has been almost totally automated to be driven by a short-handed crew and to facilitate sailing maneuvers. The carbon boom is equipped with a hydraulic vang, the mainsail is raised electrically, as is the deployment of the headsail. The trim of the different sails can also be finetuned by pressing a few buttons, and all this with almost no need to leave the interior helm station. The carbon mast is stepped on the coachroof, and a large, glazed area overhead allows you to view the sailplan from the helm. To be honest, operating this boat is a bit disconcerting at first. However, don’t think that everything is done without human intervention. Even though the most tedious tasks are done electrically, much of the trimming can be done from the forward cockpit and the winches aren’t just there for decoration. What’s more, machines have not (yet) replaced the feel at the helm. For getting out of port or for windless days, the Kinetic is fitted with a pair of 80 HP Yanmar motors that have very efficient soundproofing, guaranteeing a degree of tranquility when under engine.

The sugarscoops are wide enough to house storage lockers.
The aft end of the cockpit has a large cooler and grill, both hidden under a cover.

Almost at windspeed

In terms of performance, with a light displacement of 16.2 tons, the KC54 is unquestionably joining the clan of high-performance catamarans (13.9 t for the Outremer 55 or 14.7 t for the HH55 for example). These values should be put into perspective with somewhat more comfortoriented catamarans (20.8 t for the Bali 5.4, or 27.7 t for the Lagoon 55). This means we can expect interesting results under sail. In the standard version, the catamaran can be equipped with a set of cruising sails or with a set of performance sails. If desired, a specific wardrobe can also be chosen. Our test model, hull #1 in the series, was equipped with cruising sails. A sufficient choice for many uses, but above all, it allows for a more attractive price. With wind speeds ranging from 6 to 12 knots, gusting 18, there was nothing particularly sporty about the Chesapeake Bay on the day of our test. However, the Kinetic doesn’t require much air to start to see some speed. Once clear of the channel, we hoisted the main, and then with the genoa unfurled, the acceleration was immediate. A first upwind leg on port tack took us to a little over 8 knots, in a 10- knot wind, then to 8.5 knots as the wind increased to 11 knots, which was quite encouraging. We switched tack in search of slightly more favorable conditions. Gybing is smooth, near silent and almost entirely done from the inside helm station thanks to the previously mentioned console.

The breeze picked up to 12 knots, then 18 knots, allowing the catamaran - still heading upwind - to climb to 10 knots, then to 12, which is pretty respectable. Besides the performance aspect, the Kinetic offers very pleasant behavior. Very smooth at the helm, it takes advantage of its 10’6” (3.2 m) draft, daggerboards down, to maintain course-keeping and to take full advantage of the 2,150 square feet (200 m²) of upwind canvas. On board this multihull, guests enjoy their cruising in first class comfort. We decided to set the spinnaker and head off on a broad reach. Given that this boat has the cruising sails, its spinnaker covers 1,936 sq ft (180 m²) whereas the A2 “Performance” spi would have been 2,691 sq ft (250 m²). That said, our catamaran was sailing at nearly 12 knots in a true wind of 10.5, which is rather impressive. It would be interesting to see how this boat goes in a little more wind and with the Performance sails. This would likely bring the boatspeed up to around 15 knots, but either way, speed isn’t necessarily an end in itself, especially when we’re also looking at cruising or life on board.

The KC54 is available in a 3 or 4-cabin version. Being a semi-custom catamaran, various different layouts are conceivable, with maybe an office in the owner’s suite or a utility room for those heading off around the world. The colors of the walls and the woodwork can be chosen to suit. 

Conclusion

This catamaran cultivates its differences. Light, rigid and efficient under sail, it stands out from the crowd with its very advanced automation, a concept that will please some but not all. Nevertheless, for a 54-foot carbon boat, the price remains correct, at least in its basic version. In addition to the performance aspect, the KC54 can accommodate eight people for comfortable cruising, with a few pleasant surprises such as the vast bathing platform at the stern. Finally, its semi-custom nature allows you to adapt it to suit your desires, an option that might make all the difference. 

Even though the catamaran is largely automated, the forward cockpit remains dedicated specifically to sailing maneuvers.
To starboard, the navigation station is where both the electronics and engine controls are found. 

THE PLUSES:

+ Semi-custom concept
+ Moderate displacement
+ Interior brightness

THE MINUSES:

- An indulgence in technology that’s a little disconcerting
- High price in the “performance” version
- No halyard well

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Builder: Kinetic Catamarans (South Africa)
Designer: Simonis Voogd Yacht Design
Length overall: 54’2” (16.50 m)
Waterline length: 53’6” (16.30 m)
Beam: 27’11” (8.50 m)
Draft: 4’7”/10’6” (1.40/3.20 m)
Air draft: 80’9” (24.60 m)
Light displacement: 35,825 lbs (16.25 t)
Laden displacement: 49,600 lbs (22.5 t)
Mainsail (cruising): 980 sq ft (91 m²)
Mainsail (performance): 1,100 sq ft (102 m²)
Solent (cruising): 615 sq ft (57 m²)
Solent (performance): 645 sq ft (60 m²)
Genoa (cruising): 1,175 sq ft (109 m²)
Genoa (performance): 1,240 sq ft (115 m²)
Code zero (cruising): 1,325 sq ft (123 m²)
Code zero (performance): 1,365/1,800 sq ft (127/167 m²)
A3 Spinnaker (cruising): 1,935 sq ft (180 m²)
A2 Spinnaker (performance): 2,420 sq ft (225 m²)
Sleeps: 6 (3-cabin) / 8 (4-cabin)
Fuel: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
Water: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
Black water: 2 x 16 US gal (2 x 61 l)
Engines: 2 x 80 HP Yanmar
Price: € 2,430,430 ex-tax in the standard version

Main options in € ex-tax:
Three helm stations: 40,000
Performance pack: 28,830
Retractable bow thruster: 20,100
Carbon daggerboards: 36,780
Rotating mast: 14,370
Additional solar panel: 1,310
Washer/dryer: 1,640 Icemaker: 1,520
Microwave: 1,230
Lowerable saloon table: 1,410
Teak decking cockpit: 5,240
Dive compressor: 4,960