The advantages of a multiyacht compared to a «classic» superyacht are striking: twice as spacious for the same length with the space distribution guaranteeing the possibility of privacy for guests and crew, XXL exterior seating areas, a central platform with 360° vision to the exterior, excellent stability and finally, thanks to the low drag of its hulls, economy of operation. It is undoubtedly this last parameter that carries the most weight when considering the pros and cons: a multiyacht is capable of maintaining a consumption of 20 to 50 liters (5 to 13 US gal) / hour whereas we have got used to motor yachts with averages of 400 liters (100 US gal) /hour. The catamaran or trimaran formula responds to the demand for luxury and space but allows us to significantly limit our carbon footprint. This is not really a budgetary argument: it is rather the desire to respect the environment which is starting to take precedence. It helps to promote an ecological image which is now becoming unavoidable along with all the top of the range services.
Sunreef Yachts is the leader in the multiyacht segment. The model shown here, the 80 Sunreef Power, is also available in a sailing version.
High quality features worthy of a luxury hotel
A multiyacht is a vessel capable of accommodating at least 6 to 8 guests in top-of-the-range levels of comfort and style. Its services must include fairly spacious cabins with private bathrooms. As for the owner, he or she obviously benefits from their own suite with office and dressing room. There is also a saloon with bar, dining room, sunbathing area, outside relaxation areas, easy access to swimming and finally a tender capable of bringing all passengers ashore in a single rotation. A multiyacht is skippered by a crew of three or more, including the skipper, a cook and a hostess. These experienced professionals have their own living area which is isolated and comfortable - it is equipped with a professional galley, large food storage and laundry facilities to ensure top service for long periods or even whole seasons. State-of-the-art communication and multimedia equipment is also a prerequisite for a great week’s vacation. In short, all of these features are simply those that now correspond to the standard offer of luxury charter agencies. So many features suddenly become possible aboard a 70-foot catamaran where the living area sometimes rivals that of a 100-foot monohull.
Privilège Marine has a presence in the 70-80 feet market with its 740 Series. This model is characterized by its remarkable Owner ’s cabin.
The rise of the 70+ footers
Luxury multihulls from 85 to 110 feet long - or even longer - are only made to measure. These are custom vessels. The project starts on the drawing board and/ or the computer before eventually evolving into a real, unique and original yacht. Since 2000, about twenty units have been produced worldwide. The largest 100- foot supercats remain rare and exceptional. On the other hand, in the 70-80-foot segment, the situation is changing: we are now witnessing a real industrialization of catamarans (and soon trimarans with the Neel 72) from 70 to 80 feet. This category of «small» multiyachts underlines the maturity of the «semi-custom» concept market. The exterior architecture and design of a production model is associated with more or less tailor-made finishes for the interior fittings. This mix has made it possible to reduce manufacturing costs dramatically. While a 90-foot custom multiyacht can easily cost more than 10 million dollars, a semi-custom of just under 80 feet will cost «only» half of that. Given that the performance of these two units is almost comparable, it goes without saying that the profitability in charter is greatly improved. This has not gone unnoticed by many buyers. As a result, this sector of the market, with 250 units produced since 2000, corresponds to the very strong growth that we have seen in the superyacht industry.
The hybrid-electric catamaran is a recent innovation and has seen a quite remarkable success. The Silent Yacht 80 3 Deck illustrates this trend - four models are on order.
The offer is expanding rapidly, as is electric...
But the real boom has been going on for two or three years - it is even accelerating this year, without anticipating the effects of the Covid-19 crisis. Judging by the activity of the specialists in this sector - Sunreef with its new 70 and 80-foot range, Lagoon with its SEVENTY 7 and 8 and Privilège with the 740 series - the order books are full. With these three brands alone, no less than 30 sailing units and 20 motor units have launched in the last two years. This trend inevitably attracts interest from other shipyards. Not only are luxury yacht manufacturers investing in slightly smaller sizes - Fountaine Pajot with its Alegria 67, Lagoon with the SIXTY 5 and 7 and Sunreef with its 60 - but we are also seeing the emergence of new producers in what looks to be a promising market. Many manufacturers offer 3D views of their projects and two brands in particular seem to be investing heavily in this segment.
The Sino-American manufacturer Aquila Boats will present (hopefully at Cannes) a brand new 70-foot boat that meets the market’s requirements. And in Austria, Silent Yachts with its all-electric catamarans is breaking into the market in a remarkable way. While the shipyard has validated its concept of recharging by solar panels on its 64 and 55-foot catamarans, of which 25 models have already been built, its brand new Silent 80, which has hardly seen the light of day, has already recorded four orders. With a bright future ahead of it, the hybridelectric multiyacht is now the target of the multiyacht pioneer - Sunreef. They have not hesitated in creating a Sunreef Eco Yachts brand dedicated to hybrid electric luxury catamarans. A 60 has already been built. All the existing sailing range from 50 to 80 feet and all the engine models from 60 to 100 feet can be equipped with this propulsion system. The next launch announced will be that of the 80.
