The new boats to be discovered at the forthcoming boat shows:
Lagoon 40, 50 et SEVENTY 8
2016 was already an important year for Lagoon, with the presentation of the very successful 42, and above all, the incredible SEVENTY 7 at Cannes. In 2017, the builder is doing it again, and will be presenting no fewer than three new boats at the autumn shows. The Lagoon 40 is particularly eagerly-awaited, at a size which is in great demand, both by charter companies and private owners looking for a boat of a reasonable size. You will see it at Cannes, Genoa and Barcelona. The Lagoon 50 will be presented at the same shows, and offers a volume perfectly suited to cruising families…
But the one that will inevitably hit the front pages and about which everyone will be talking will be the SEVENTY 8, the motor version of the SEVENTY 7. The n°1 has just been launched at Bordeaux, and is currently in its testing phase before going to sea to head for the Mediterranean, to be presented at Cannes at the beginning of September.
Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 et MY 44
This year, Fountaine Pajot is offering two new boats, one a motor cat, the MY 44, and the other a sailing boat, the Saona 47. To find out everything about the latest addition to the sail range, refer to the full test we carried out, in this magazine. A boat which won our testers, through its consistency and abilities under sail. Discovered at the Multihull Show in April, it will be on show at Cannes, La Rochelle, Genoa, Barcelona and Miami 2018. Amongst the motor boats, the MY 44 received a triumphal reception when it was presented at Düsseldorf at the beginning of the year. This very beautiful boat takes on the big yachts without restraint, but with all the advantages of a catamaran. See it at Sydney, Cannes, La Rochelle, Genoa, Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale, and in 2018, at Düsseldorf and Miami.
Leopard 45
The latest boat from Leopard is a catamaran designed to offer maximum pleasure both at anchor and at sea. We of course find once again the now traditional forward cockpit, accessible from inside the boat – a must at anchor. Presented at the beginning of the year at Miami, then at the Multihull Show last April, the Leopard 45 can be seen at Cannes and Annapolis, and if all goes well, at Barcelona…
Nautitech 47 Power
We will have to wait a while to discover the very first motor Nautitech. Bavaria will in fact be presenting their latest 47-footer at Düsseldorf. The Nautitech 47 Power is advertised as having a top speed of 22 knots, but above all, a range of 1,000 miles at 9 knots. A boat which will be propelled by 2 x 225 hp or 2 x 300 hp motors.
Catana 53
Discovered at the last International Multihull Show, the Catana 53 is a genuine boat for private owners looking for a comfortable, seaworthy, and sufficiently fast boat in which to set off and discover the world. A catamaran which is in the same spirit as recent boats from the builder, with pronounced chines, inverted bows and curved daggerboards. Discover it at Cannes, Genoa and Barcelona.
Bali 5.4
Just three years ago, we discovered the very first Bali at the autumn boat shows. Since then, the builder has expanded, as more than 130 Balis are currently sailing all over the world. The flagship of the fleet is currently under construction, but we will have to wait until the beginning of 2018 to see it, in all probability at the International Multihull Show. The Bali 5.4 will be available with several accommodation versions, and with 4, 5 or 6 double cabins.
Neel 51
The Neel is the only blue-water cruising trimaran which can rival a catamaran in terms of living area aboard and a trimaran in terms of cruising pleasure… And the 51is no exception to the rule, according to the journalists from our team who have already been lucky enough to sail aboard (test to be published soon). To discover the builder’s latest boat, you will have to visit Cannes or Barcelona…
SwissCat S48
We liked it, and you can read the test we carried out aboard the SwissCat S48 in the magazine you have in your hands. Discovered at the last International Multihull Show, this blue-water cruiser can be seen at Cannes. A unique opportunity to see it for yourself…
Rapido 60
The Rapido 60’s program is clear: to carry up to 8 people in modern, practical, comfortable accommodation, at supersonic average speeds! This modern, attractive boat will be at Cannes in 2017, and could be at Miami in 2018. The Atlantic crossing is bound to be a fast one, as the Rapido will easily exceed 25 knots. If you want to discover a fast blue-water cruising trimaran, it’s now or never.
Libertist 850
Here is a trimaran which should quickly have us talking about it. Designed by Erik Lerouge and built in Poland, you will be able to see it at La Rochelle’s Grand Pavois at the end of next September. The Libertist 850 is built in epoxy and equipped with a carbon wing mast and fixed foils. Result: a weight of 1,400 kg and performance which promises to be impressive.
IceCat 61
Announced just a year ago, the IceCat61 is currently being finished, and should be presented to the general public for the first time at the Cannes Boat Show. Ice Yachts is a famous builder of thoroughbred up-market monohulls, and they asked Enrico Contreas, the legendary builder of the Mattias, to design a catamaran which would be comfortable and luxurious of course, but also (very) fast – the architect assures us that the IceCat 61 will be capable of top speeds of over 25 knots.
HH 55
Last year, we discovered the HH 66 at the Cannes Boat Show. A particularly impressive, up-market boat, which has been really successful, as the n°5 has just been launched. This year, the new boat is a 55-footer which will be presented in the USA at the Newport and Annapolis shows. A boat which retains the standards of the 66, with a construction in carbon-epoxy, and of course custom-built. The HH 55 is a fast cruising boat, but remains easy to manage shorthanded. A catamaran equipped with curved daggerboards and T-shaped rudders for a gentler passage through the waves and even better performance.
Sunreef
As in previous years, Sunreef will have the tongues wagging at the Cannes Boat Show. The builder has already announced the presence of three superb yachts, a Sunreef 74 and a 62, and the brand-new Supreme 68 Power – we discovered the sailing model last year. The fourth boat expected is, for the moment, confidential, and nothing has filtered down, neither its size, nor whether it is a sailing or motor model.
On the other hand, the company has already announced a new sailing range to celebrate its 15th anniversary and the hundredth Sunreef catamaran launched. This new range’s lines are classic, using modern, sophisticated architecture. Launch of the n°1 in this new range planned for 2018.
Balance 760F
Balance Catamarans is continuing to expand its range and this year is presenting its flagship, the brand-new 76-footer, at Annapolis. An exceptional boat, intended for those people looking for a fast boat equipped with a flybridge. Just like all the boats in the range, the 760F is semi-custom, to be able to meet the exclusive requirements of the owners.
Mc Conaghy
We should be seeing the very first McConaghy catamaran at Cannes. Designed by Jason Ker, the MC50 Cat is an up-market boat equipped with a flybridge, on which sits the superb double steering position. A boat which puts the helmsman and the crew members at the center of life aboard, with an open concept and common cockpit-accommodation-steering position access.
Gunboat 68
Le renouveau de Gunboat est bel et bien en route avec ce nouveau catamaran dessiné par les architectes VPLP et qui sera construit dans la toute nouvelle usine du chantier dans le Sud de la France. Le no 1 de la série devrait être à l'eau fin 2018, il faudra donc encore un peu de patience avant de le découvrir en vrai. En attendant, on peut déjà vous dire qu'il est annoncé pour 17 tonnes lège, avec 1 tonne d'aménagements qu'il sera possible d'enlever pour régater… Un vrai bateau de course croisière !
Discovery Yachts – Bluewater 50
The new catamaran being offered by Discovery Yachts is called the Bluewater 50: an appropriate name for this blue-water cruiser, which will be on show to the general public for the first time at the Southampton Boat Show. Among the innovations aboard the Bluewater, we find notably a spa (!!) at the front of the boat, a genuine, comfortable forward cockpit and modern, luxurious accommodation. A full range of Bluewaters could be developed by the builder.
Seawind 1600
The flagship of the Seawind fleet should have been making her world debut at Cannes. This is now going to be at the Barcelona show. The 16 meter blue water cruising catamaran designed by Reichel Pugh remains in the same vein that has made the yard such a success for many years. So, the 1600 is a seaworthy boat which is easy to handle and above all, offers great living space on board. With daggerboards and modern hulls, the 1600, which is built in infusion, look like being a particularly quick boat…
V Cat 44
The V Cat 44 is currently under construction at Corthinx in Croatia; the n°1 in the series should be in the water in September, and the n°2 a few weeks later. There will then be the builder’s tests. We will therefore have to wait until 2018 to discover this fast cruising boat (announced at 7.5 tonnes unladen) which can have hybrid propulsion as an option.
Futura 49
But this time we should be seeing the Futura 49 at Cannes. This catamaran is highly original, as its beam changes from 4.93m to 7.98m when sailing, offering the possibility of stopping to rest in the narrowest of ports…
Solarwave 64
Those of you who came to the International Multihull Show were impressed by this solar powered boat which offers complete independence, day and night with no CO2 emissions. The propulsion, the production of fresh water, the galley and domestic appliances, the reversible air conditioning and the freezer - everything (including the dinghy motor) runs on electricity and is recharged thanks to solar power. To discover this technological wonder, you will have to visit Cannes.
TS3
The TS3 is the latest boat from the prolific duo Christophe Barreau / Marsaudon Composites. A catamaran which is atypical in current production, as it can be dismantled and transported in a 40-foot container. This coastal or semi-offshore cruising catamaran (EC Category B) has a tilting rig, to regain positive stability in the case of a capsize. The (succinct) accommodation is found in the central nacelle (two double berths). An exclusive ‘raid’ boat which could (it’s still not certain as we went to press) be present at the La Rochelle show.
