Of course, the multihull show is the opportunity to visit and even try out catamarans and trimarans, from 7 meters to over 20, but also to discover numerous new models in their first public appearance, as well as almost all the range from the biggest boatbuilders.  More and more people come to this show every year from all four corners of the world to celebrate, with us, the multihull in all its guises.

In fact, since the very first edition in 2010, this show has become one of the major events in the (minor) world of cruising catamarans and trimarans, yet has remained on a size of a human scale, knowing that first and foremost, it is about passion and having fun.

This year, the organizers are expecting sixty multihulls of all sizes and to suit all tastes.

Whether you are a fan of racing, or of dayboats, or of long distance cruising to the other side of the world in the greatest of comfort, there’s going to be the boat you’re looking for at the 2017 International Multihull Show.     

To find out first what’s in store at La Grande Motte from April 19th to 23rd 2017, follow the guide…

 Practical Show Information

Dates: Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd April 2017.
Place: La Grande Motte, 20km from Montpellier (South of France).
Opening times: 10am to 7pm daily (except  Sunday, closing at 6pm).
Access: Montpellier International Airport - Montpellier SNCF train station
Entry: €8.00 / Free for under 16s and students
Accommodation: www.lagrandemotte.com

For the full list of boats and exhibitors, go to Multihulls World website: www.multihulls-world.com

The 2017 edition of the show is going to allow us to discover around sixty multihulls, of which a dozen are on display for the very first time in Europe or in the World.  And that’s reason enough for you to come visit the South of France…

Making their world première

Alibi New

The new Alibi catamaran, built in Thailand, will be on show in this new version for a world-first presentation at the International Multihull Show.  A world-first which is going to stand out, in as far as this catamaran looks exciting… 11 tonnes and ready to sail at speeds equal to or superior to that of the wind.  It’s simple, with 15 knots of wind, you’ll be doing 20 knots!

Catana 53

The latest from the Catana yard is going to be on show for the first time at La Grande Motte.  This entirely new catamaran is following in the same vein as her predecessors, with pronounced hulls, inverted bows with chamfered edges and high freeboard.  The 53 is a judicious choice for an offshore program, especially with exacting crew looking for performance.  Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, the yard has achieved a good weight without having had to sacrifice volume. And there are, of course, the famous curved daggerboards offering significant lift to improve performance. 

Fountaine Pajot New 47

We’re finally going to find out the new name for the all-new catamaran from Fountaine Pajot, who, right up until the International Multihull Show, are keeping the codename: New 47.  In their range, she will sit between the Helia 44 and the Saba 50, offering an attractive alternative to sailors looking for a modern seaworthy boat.  The New 47 is set apart by her 9m² lounge deck on the bimini, and her hydraulic aft platform, as practical as it will be useful, at anchor…  

Neel 51

Every blue water cruising fan is waiting to see the latest from Neel.  With the 45, the yard has done very well, producing a particularly accomplished trimaran.  The Neel 51 still has the extra-wide nacelle, giving unrivalled habitable space, and above all, the cabins with an exceptional sea view!  On the 51, there’s a flybridge with helm station, where all the sail handling is done, and there is a good-sized sunbathing area.  All this on three hulls, guaranteeing a gentle passage through the water… the like of which is unknown on cats or monohulls!

SolarWave 64SW

This boat alone will justify your trip to the show.  Following 7 years’ research, here is the Solarwave 64, the first power catamaran running uniquely on solar power and offering performance and layout worthy of the highest standards.  The cruising speed of this cat is 10 knots, and the range… unlimited.  In four years of trials, the generator - essentially fitted to comply with the Category A requirements - has only run for 50 hours!

Swisscat 48

Here it is… The new blue water cruising catamaran from SwissCat is in keeping with the other cats from this yard known for the quality of its boats.  Seaworthy, easy to sail short-handed, the S48 is first and foremost a cruising boat whose top of the range equipment (carbon mast, square-topped mainsail, daggerboards, etc.) allow for some impressive average speeds.

Outcut 29.5

The International Multihull Show has become THE place for presenting special new models.  And at La Grande Motte, we won’t be disappointed.  Particularly with the Outcut 29.5, a boat which can only be described as revolutionary.

First of all, the catamaran is retractable.  Retractable?  The yard has designed and developed a system called DHR (Dynamic Hull Range), which reduces the beam.  So, in 90 seconds, it goes from 3.5 to 2.5 meters in beam, without reducing the living space.  And thus it becomes easy to transport or tow, and takes up no more room than a monohull in port.  The Outcut is offered in Open or Cruiser versions, with engines or electric motors, and there’s even a sailing version.  With 2 x 20 hp, it can reach 17 knots top speed, with a cruising speed of 14.

See its world debut at La Grande Motte!

Making their European première

Leopard 45

Back to the beginning for Leopard, because 20 years ago, the first catamaran in their range was a 45 footer…  But what a 20 years it has been, and this all-new boat picks up on everything in the current range.  Seen at Miami, the Leopard 45 will be on show for the first time in Europe at La Grande Motte, where it is already much awaited.  Forward cockpit, top-level finish with delicate woodwork and stainless steel for great effect, and a seatrial for the Multihulls World journalists set for after the show…

MC 62 Banuls

The Banuls 60 is taking her first steps in Europe.  This speedy catamaran, capable of reaching 30 knots is now built by Alibi in Thailand, where a 100% carbon version is going to produce some thrilling sailing for enthusiasts.

First time afloat

Corsair 760

We saw her first at Düsseldorf, where she was on show for the very first time.  At La Grande Motte, she will be afloat for the very first time.  This trimaran with an undeniable racing look is nevertheless a comfortable coastal cruising boat with an impressive layout for a boat of this size.  To visit and try out, for anyone who enjoys lively sailing and fast cruising.

Fountaine Pajot MY 44

She turned heads at Düsseldorf, where she was right at home among superyachts.  This all-new catamaran with the Fountaine Pajot signature, the MY 44, is a proper cruising boat, with an exemplary standard of finish to the interior.  Discover for the first time afloat at the show…

But also

The International Multihull Show is always the occasion to discover things you won’t find… anywhere else.  For example, Kiriacoulis is bringing along a Lagoon 400 which has just come out of five years’ charter with the company.  The boat is going to be displayed in an “as is” condition, just like any boat coming off charter from their fleet.  But this one will be exhibited slightly differently, since it will beached.  A spectacle not to be missed, and a unique opportunity to see what a boat looks like after five years in charter. This will be interesting if you are considering buying a boat under management, to find out how they end up post-charter, or if you are looking for a nice secondhand model.  In fact, some of the most common questions we get asked at the magazine are about buying ex-charter boats…

New models, original ideas, and also many boats to look at and to look at again.  This is what the Multihull Show is all about, and of course, Lagoon wouldn’t miss it for the world.  This year, the yard will be exhibiting a large part of their range, with the Lagoon 42, the 450, 52 and 560, and not only that, they’re going to be announcing not one, but two new models.  In September, Lagoon will be presenting two new boats, but for now, no information has been divulged. But scale models of the two new boats will be able to be seen as a world-first at the International Multihull Show. 

Leopard will be out in force, with 7 boats on show.  Among them, the new 45, and the 40, 48, 51PC, and in the Moorings version, the 434PC, and in Sunsail version, the 404 and 454.  The perfect opportunity to discover the builder’s range in the different versions available.

In addition to their two big new models (see preceding pages), Fountaine Pajot will also be exhibiting the Lucia and the Saba, while Bavaria Catamarans will also be out in numbers, with their whole range, the Open 40, Open 46, Open 46 Fly and the Nautitech 542.  Bali, as well, will have their full range on show, with the 4.0, the 4.3 and 4.3MY (power cat) and the 4.5.  And finally, the Eos 54 will be making her debut in the Mediterranean, having been seen for the first time at the 2016 La Rochelle Boat Show (see our full test in this edition), and you’ll also be able to admire the Privilège Série 5, the O Yachts Class 4, the Outremer 45 and 5X, the Catana 47, the Aventura 33 and 10 Power, as well as the Neel 45.

The show will also be a unique opportunity to see numerous power catamarans, because in addition to the new Fountaine MY44, the Solarwave 64SW and the Outcut 29.5, there’s the Leopard 51 PC and 43 PC (in the Moorings version), the Power 10 from Aventura, the Bali 4.3 MY and the Jaguar 48PC, Flashcat 43 and Tera-4…

So once again, power catamaran fans aren’t going to be disappointed!

At the time of going to press, we were still waiting to hear from other yards, so you need to go to our all-new and wonderful multihulls-world.com website to get all the latest info in real time!

And of course, there’s sure to be a few nice surprises which the organizers have got into the habit of keeping secret from us.  Last year, we had the chance to see Vitalia 2, formerly Orange 2, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy, now transformed into a (very) fast cruising boat.  So what are we going to see this year?  We already know there’ll be a Native (tested in Multihulls World 146) on display - an exceptional boat, brought along by our friends from the Golden Oldies association.  But we’re sure the silence from the organizers could well be hiding something else.  Come and find out on opening day!

The International Multihull Show is not just about looking at catamarans and trimarans however, far from it.  This year the organizers are trying to meet the ever growing demands from sailors wanting to prepare and organize their upcoming cruising.  So there’s going to be around a hundred exhibitors presenting all the essential information.  Are you looking to go cruising at the far side of the world? Charter companies at the show will be able to offer you some of the most incredible destinations.

Chandlers, naval architects, electronics experts or insurers, but also transporters or sailmakers or finance providers will all be on hand to show you everything that’s new, their products and especially, of course, to give you great advice, whatever your project may be.

And all the team from Multihulls World (actually, all except those who are not at sea or on the other side of the world on their boats) will be on the magazine’s stand if you want to chat and share stories.  Something we’re always looking forward to.

And just opposite our booth, our friends from the “Rallye des Iles du Soleil” will be offering you the chance to join in this great adventure which hundreds of sailors have enjoyed since the early 2000s.  The Rallye des Iles du Soleil is THE “catamaran friendly” rally par excellence.  It’s the one you have to go on to find out if the lagoons on the other side of the ocean really are as blue as people say, without having to set off alone.  With the Rallye des Iles du Soleil, friendship is the most important factor!

Keep up to date with the latest information on our website, and come along to the show!

Exhibitors:

MULTICOQUES MAG - AUGUIN/BOTALO - ACM CATAMARAN - AGL / SEAJET - AIR SOFA - ALIBI - ASSEA BOAT / EWOL PROPOLLERS - ASSURANCES MARITIMES DE LASSEE - ATEF / YANMAR - AVENTURA CATMARAN - BANULS DESIGN (BATEAU EXPOSE : MC 62 BANULS) - BH SERVICE - BIG TOYS ON BOARD - BOATIN'FRANCE - BOERO COLORI FRANCE - BRIG / GALA - BRUNTONS PROPELLERS - WENEX - CAPITOLE FINANCE-TOFINSO - CATANA / BALI - CMED EXPERTISES - COM. UN DRAPEAU/PAVILLONNERIE MARINE - COMPAGNIE HYDROTECHNIQUE - CORSAIRE MARINE / SEAWIND - COUVERCLES FLEURS - DAZIBAO MARINE - DELTA VOILE - DREAM YACHT CHARTER - EOS CATAMARAN - FENDERTEX - FLEXITEEK - FOUNTAINE PAJOT - FOUNTAINE PAJOT MOTOR YACHTS - FREE GLISS - FUTURA YACHT SYSTEMS - GARCIA - GROUPE YB HIGHFIED - INCIDENCES SAILS - INFINITRANS - JAGUAR CATAMARANS INTERNATIONAL - KIRIACOULIS - KOLO - LA SEIMI - LAGOON - LEOPARD CATAMARAN - LES JOYEUX MARINS - M2ORGANISATION POINT INFO - MCCONAGHY BOATS EUROPE APS. - MER ET COMPOSITES - MOORINGS - NAUTEX INTERNATIONAL - NAUTITECH BAVARIA CATAMARAN - NEEL TRIMARANS - NORTHWIND YACHTS - O YACHTS - OCEANVOLT - OUTCUT - OUTREMER - PANTAENIUS - POCHON SA - PORTS DE LA CATALOGNE - POSEIDON YACHTING - PRIVILEGE MARINE - Q OIL - RALLYE ILES DU SOLEIL - REV INSIDE - CECLO - RIVOYRE INGENIERIE - ROBIN MARINE - ROUQUIER OPTIQUE - SAIL THE ODYSSEY - SAVE MARINE - SEAVIEW PROGRESS - SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT - SOFRAMAR - SOLARWAVES - SPADE ANCHOR /SEATECH AND FUN - SPORT PASSION / LE DD - SUNSAILS - SUPER B - SWISSCAT YACHTS - TECHNIQUE VOILE - TENDER LIFT - TERA-4 - TESLA - TORQEEDO - TRANSMER ASSURANCE - VCATAMARANS - VICTORIA YACHTING - VOILENSAC - WAVE 1 - YACHT CONCEPT - ZAR France