Euphorie 5

Another one! Another catamaran that abandons its rig and adopts powerful engines, to get rid of headwinds, calms and of course the hassle of sails. It’s a fundamental trend that could prompt some manufacturers to rush into this new market full of promise. None of that at Privilège Marine; the design, construction and development of this Euphorie 5, which has as a working basis on the Série 5, have taken more than two years. And the result is clearly up to the task. This boat wants to be luxurious and compatible with the prerequisites of the most demanding owners in terms of accommodation, finishing and equipment. This is certainly the case here. The silhouette of the Euphorie 5, seen from the pontoon, is imposing. It’s clear that Marc Lombard has done a good job on the aesthetics. The sloping coachroof gives a zest of aggressiveness that goes perfectly with the rather low flybridge and its T-top. The vertical and slightly truncated bows at deck level seem more aggressive than those of the Série 5 - but they are in fact the same. It has all the identical PVC / glass sandwich construction, including for structural bulkheads. And of course, crash-boxes in the bows and sterns.

The two Yanmar 320 horsepower engines are common-rail 4.4-liter V8 blocks. The standard engines would be 2 x 220 hp, though there’s the option to be content with 2 x 180 hp, according to the yard. But the demand is clearly oriented towards big power, so Privilège Marine could install you two 370hp blocks.

Speed and suppleness

The spacing between the hulls makes the boat very easy to maneuver when you put one engine ahead and the other astern: no need for a bow thruster here. At the controls, perched on the flybridge, the view is excellent on the water. The platform, however, masks the back of the boat - all you need to do is to take the controls at a second cockpit installed aft, to port. We were surprised by the low noise of the engines - even though we’re switching from the 2 x 75 hp on the Série 5 to 2 x 320! Having got some way out of the channel at Les Sables d'Olonne, we could open up the throttles. The helm offers an unprecedented sensation: it is very soft and especially, it returns to a straight line when it is released, like power steering on a car. With its electro-hydraulic control, the helm independently manages the two rudders - no connection between the two. You can adjust the settings of this steering system, which starts up with the ignition of the engines. You have the possibility to synchronize both motors - the left joystick can control everything. Acceleration is quick, with the maximum speed, 20 knots, being reached in less than 11 seconds. A full turn results in a turning circle of 70 to 80 m in radius, and the Euphorie 5 remains steadfastly level. It is against the chop that its behavior is the most convincing: no pitching, gentle movements and no spray. Marc Lombard worked particularly hard on the aft third of the hulls in order to have more volume and an inverted curve that acts as a flap. The aim is to optimize the work of the propellers and limit the pitching to 2°. The Euphorie has been optimized for speeds of 10 to 15 knots but its behavior remains excellent at lower and higher speeds. On the other hand, the fuel tanks seem way too small. With 2 x 545 liters (not much more than the 2 x 400 liters of the Série 5), we have 345 miles of autonomy at 10 knots... it's not enough! The yard is working on optimizing this - engine power and fuel capacity. In the meantime, one could envisage using a single engine, as is often done when motor-sailing a sailing cat. But here this practice results in a helm angle of 8 to 9°, generating a reasonable amount of drag. It’s a solution that might be of interest with a strong wind on the quarter, and using the leeward motor. As we were approaching closer to the beach at Veillon - which borders the wild Payré estuary - we appreciated the lower draft of 1.30 m - against the 1.57m for the Série 5.

Relaxing on deck

The Euphorie 5 is available with three versions of deck layout. The first retains more or less the silhouette of the Série 5; the second incorporates a flybridge; and finally that the version we have for our test, a flybridge protected by a T-top. The yard's design office took care to remove all the fittings of the Privilège Série 5: it is just possible to see the reserve in the molding for a winch would have been fitted over on the starboard side. The cockpit is well sheltered under the bimini, with a large table of 120 by 93 cm, many seats, two loungers, a large aft bench-seat and a clear passage in front of the davits. A few steps lead to large swimming platforms. The side-decks are wide (57 cm minimum) and protected by a high bulwark and have good handrails. Forward, the vast solid deck area - Privilège’s famous rostrum -, two small trampolines and three sun loungers. A spiral staircase of 7 steps leads to the flybridge. This item, made from a pre-stressed stainless steel tube, is as aesthetic and luxurious as it is spectacular. Upstairs, the cockpit, of course, but also large U-shaped bench seats at the after end, storage lockers and a refrigerator. Forward, a movable passageway is provided for access for sunbathing. Staggered mini-steps (too small) are molded into the coachroof for direct access to the foredeck. The mooring cleats have gone from 45 to 50 cm and are higher to accommodate larger warps.

Comfortable and bespoke outfitting

Access to the nacelle is flush and level from the cockpit. The door, thanks to its three glazed modules including two sliding, offers an opening 189 cm high by 144 wide. The accommodation setup is almost the same as that of the Série 5: "More volume forward, thanks to the removal of lockers, a little less aft, to provide space for the engine compartment covers", we are told by Privilège. The nacelle offers an imposing volume with a U-shaped galley forward, to port. The saloon is positioned to starboard; it offers a table of 130 cm by 76. The top can be lowered if required. The chart table adjoins the cockpit, on the port side. You sit at it athwartships, with a table top of 72 by 65 cm. This arrangement allows for a large floor area and therefore circulation is always easy. The quality of the finish is remarkable, down to the smallest detail - the assemblies, the electrical circuits and so on. The batteries, ideally centered under the floor, are protected by a panel. Go down 5 steps and 130 cm, you find the cabins. Note: the headroom is everywhere exceeds 2 meters.

Three versions are available: as standard, there are three cabins, one of which is the immense owner’s suite in the central rostrum. The second version shifts this famous cabin a little to port, creating a more modest double. And finally, the third option offers four double cabins. This version that we tested... except that the bulkhead between the two forward cabins has been moved to port to favor... an already-spectacular owner’s suite to starboard. It is here that the yard shows their consideration of the wishes of their customers. As long as you don’t touch the structure of the boat, all customizations - general layout, woodwork, upholstery and lighting - are possible. Privilège defends a vision of the one off catamaran, far from the dictated standardization long-imposed by major manufacturers - which seem to be coming back. Each cabin offers a double bunk of 2 m by 1.55 (or two singles) and has a private bathroom.

Conclusion

The Euphorie 5 seems to be getting a great commercial reception - the Cannes Yachting Festival is expected to demonstrate this, and close with a few more orders. A well-deserved success: in this category of high-end catamarans, this new model is an undeniable success. Seaworthy, comfortable and elegant, it’s just inviting you to go to cruising. And could even take you much further with larger tanks.

1: The Euphorie 5 comes in three versions of deck plan: simple bimini, flybridge and covered flybridge.

2: The rostrum, a kind of central mini-hull common to all Privilèges, can accommodate one or two spacious cabins while stiffening the structure.

3: The steps, here covered with teak, lead to wide sugarscoops ideal for swimming.

4: Up on the flybridge, a breathtaking 360° view - and comfortable seating to enjoy.

5: Produced from a huge pre-stressed stainless steel tube, the staircase is an aesthetic feat and one of technical mastery.

6: A second helm station on the port side facilitates certain maneuvers such as moving back into a slip.

7: A stainless steel rail, 77 cm high, surrounds the entire boat.

8: Chines offer more volume inside above the waterline. They also limit pitching movements.

9: The steps on the front of the coachroof are convenient, but they are too small...

Technical specifications:

Overall length: 15.25 m

Hull length: 15.25 m

Waterline length: 15.13 m

Beam: 7.98 m

Displacement ready to sail: 19 t

Max laden displacement: 25 t

Draft: 1.30 m

Construction: Glass/PVC sandwich

Naval Architect: Cabinet Marc Lombard

Design: Franck Darnet

CE Certification: B

Builder: Privilège Marine

Motors: 2 x 220 or 320 hp

Fuel: 2 x 545 l

Water: 2 x 300 l

Price: € 1,066,000 ex-tax

Principal options:

2 x 320 hp motors: € 34,900 ex-tax

Hard top for flybridge: € 29,900 ex-tax

7 kW generator: € 16,400 ex-tax

Air conditioning: € 41,000 ex-tax

Interior in oak: € 9,300 ex-tax

Teak for cockpit sole, aft platform and sugarscoops: €13,900 ex-tax

Electric davits: € 5,600 ex-tax

Navigation pack(electronics): €17,900 ex-tax

Engine data:

0 to 10 knots in 6.75 s

0 to 20 knots in 10.65 s

RPM                Speed in knots                       Total consumption l/h             Range nm

1400               7.45                            9.2                                          883

2200                9.9                              31.3                                        345

2800               13.35                          60.8                                        239

3000               15.55                          68.3                                        248

3400               20.05                          102.2                                      214