Around sixty cruising multihulls - catamarans and trimarans, from 33 to 70 feet (10 to 21 meters) long, sailing and motor boats, coming from all over the world - will be present at the International Multihull Show. A little overview of the boats and builders you will be able to see this year.
The new boats
Bali 4.0
The Bali 4.0 will inevitably be one of the show’s attractions. Since its launch and presentation at Le Nautic in Paris, where its distinctive features greatly intrigued both visitors and professionals, the boat has been tested by Multihulls World’s journalists. You can see a full test in the edition you have in your hands (page 96)...
Lagoon 42
We saw it for the first time at the Düsseldorf show last January, then at Miami in February. But the Multihull Show will be the opportunity to see the Lagoon 42 for the first time afloat in Europe. The full test of this much-awaited boat is now planned and will be available very shortly in Multihulls World. In the meantime, here in 10 points are the first elements our in-house tester has been able to pick up during his various visits to the boat shows:
1: Particular care has been taken with access to the aft decks from the quay or the dinghy, as well as safety for swimmers climbing back aboard. The bathing ladder is foolproof.
2: The designer Patrick le Quément collaborated in the smoothing out of the 42’s silhouette; the optimization of the weight specification at 12t is a good result, given the volume and the interior comfort. The internal ribs on the hull sides, already seen on the 450 S, improve the passage through the water, the frontal perception, and allow semi-island access to the forward cabin bunks.
3: The mast foot is in a central position, for better weight centering. The shorter boom simplifies mainsail handling; the slim sail plan favors the top of the square-headed mainsail. The increased area of the fore triangle gives more ‘punch’ to the self-tacking jib, and allows a wider choice of downwind sails.
4: The large exterior saloon with seating aft easily allows 8 guests to be accommodated around a table which is completely protected from external conditions; opposite, a chaise longue for relaxing.
5: The steering position, situated well forward, remains perfectly integrated into life aboard; it offers a new perspective. Access to the top of the coachroof and the boom is practical; the break in the level with the cockpit is small; helm-cockpit-saloon communication is optimized.
6: The completely redesigned nav. station accommodates a (standing) sail-handling area at the mast foot: creative ergonomics and readability are perceptible.
7: The all-purpose headsail is of course the self-tacking jib; its area and efficiency have been increased, but it remains easy to use.
8: Moving the mast aft significantly reduces pitching.
9: As an option, a bowsprit will allow a big code 0 or a good-sized asymmetric spinnaker to be flown, for good performance in light weather.
10: The Nauta-Lagoon interior volumes are still as impressive. The coachroof ventilation (2 opening hatches at the front) and the fluidity of the opening bay window contribute to decompartmentalizing the saloon.
Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40
You saw it for its world premiere in Paris, then at Düsseldorf and Miami. The brand-new 40-footer from Fountaine Pajot caused a sensation at each of its outings, and will without a doubt be one of the most-visited boats at the forthcoming multihull show. You will be able to see a full test very soon in your favorite magazine, but in the meantime, here is Philippe Echelle’s account of the Lucia 40.
1: The nav. station on the semi-flybridge is characteristic of the builder’s philosophy; the electric winches are included in the Oceanic package.
2: The stub keels are glued on, which is a safety feature in case of a major accidental impact.
3: The collision bulkheads are very far forward, to offer a maximum amount of space in the cabins; the forepeaks are lockers and can’t be fitted out. The forward part of the coachroof is dedicated to a sunbathing area.
4: The new portlight cutouts replace the former ‘cat’s eyes’; the light wells have been significantly enlarged.
5: The owner’s hull offers exceptional facilities in this size of boat. Shower, WC and washbasin are cleverly separated.
6: The noticeable increase in the quality of the accommodation has revolutionized the new range; it is particularly noticeable on the Lucia 40, the work on the lighting, the style and the choice of materials can be seen clearly.
7: The Lucia’s silhouette is very pleasant - compact without appearing heavy, and very contemporary; the 40’ would easily lend itself to customized decoration.
8: The Lucia’s construction uses the now classic infusion process, but several major parts (bimini, deck) are manufactured using injection, an avant-garde technique completely mastered by the Charente-based builder.
9: The hull below the waterline has an anti-osmosis gelcoat and a first layer of fiber laminated with Vinylester (a very high quality resin); the antifouling option carried out by the builder also includes an epoxy protection.
10: The square-headed mainsail is standard; the 10.7m²/t ratio favors good cruising performance.
Leopard 43 PC
Motor catamaran lovers, you will be delighted when you come to La Grande Motte, where each year a few more of these multihulls (which are becoming more and more popular) are presented. The proof – Leopard has chosen the International Multihull Show to present the brand new Leopard 43 PC for its European premiere. A resolutely modern boat which is impressive both in terms of the living area aboard – we particularly appreciated the volume of the cabins, which is intelligently increased by the choice of hulls with a longitudinal step – and from a performance point of view. During the first tests of the Powercat, designed by Simonis-Voogd Design, the boat reached a top speed of 22.7 knots, while remaining relatively sober in terms of consumption. A boat in which to enjoy both cruising and the anchorage. Because from this point of view, the South African builder’s 43-footer is rather well endowed: the flybridge is particularly well-equipped, with a grill, a bar and a really comfortable saloon. On the 43 PC we also find the now traditional interior passage leading to the forward cockpit, easing movement around the boat and allowing optimal ventilation aboard.
Inside, the seating and the table are situated at the aft end of the saloon, which allows better communication with the aft cockpit. These two areas can even be joined, by completely opening the sliding glazed doors. We have entered the era of the ‘Open’ style boat... Ahead of the saloon, the modern, very well equipped galley offers an uninterrupted view of the anchorage. Full test very soon in Multihulls World...
Nautitech Open 46
The brand-new Nautitech will be presented to the public for the first time at La Grande Motte.
On this 46-footer, we of course find once again the ‘Open’ concept, which has appealed to a wide clientele and was requested by owners of the Open 40. Aboard the Nautitech Open 46, we therefore find once again the saloon and cockpit merged into one large, convivial living area. The interior accommodation, designed by Stéphane Roséo and available with three or four cabins, is modern, comfortable, elegant and functional.
Designed by Marc Lombard, this new Nautitech should also appeal to those who like good average speeds under sail, as it is quite light (the builder advertises 10.8 tonnes unladen), with a upwind sail area of nearly 125m². We can’t wait to test it!
Outremer 4 X
Outremer's staff have been very successful in keeping their secret: they will be presenting a boat for its world premiere, afloat, at La Grande Motte, without having revealed (almost) anything. Enough to ensure a record number of visitors!
The Outremer 4X is in fact the Racing version of the 45, with lengthened hulls, carbon main bulkheads, mast and daggerboards, and an increased sail area. Lighter, livelier and more powerful, this 4X remains a genuine cruising boat, however, with comfortable accommodation (designed by Franck Darnet), but capable of 24-hour averages which would be the envy of many racing boats.
Privilège Serie 6
Privilège Marine will be presenting two catamarans for their world premieres, including this very beautiful Série 6, which replaces the much-appreciated Privilège 615 in the builder’s range.
This luxurious blue-water cruising catamaran has been completely redesigned by the builder’s R & D department and the architect Marc Lombard. More modern and even more comfortable, the Serie 6 has been designed to offer the performance under sail that Privilege owners are entitled to expect. A very well-equipped boat for cruising around the world, whose test you will be able to read very soon...
Privilège Serie 7
This catamaran will be the biggest boat at La Grande Motte. An out-of-the-ordinary boat, exceptional and much-awaited by lovers of ‘multiyachts’. With a length of 22.7 meters and a beam of almost 11 (10.8m to be exact), the living area aboard is phenomenal. The new interior design – which can naturally be customized – is just superb. But this genuine superyacht is also a true sailing boat, which will be taking its lucky owner around the world... The boat to visit!
Xquisite X5
It will of course be at La Grande Motte for its world premiere: the X5, a South African catamaran built by Xquisite Yachts is on the way to Europe as we go to press.
The X5 Sail is a blue-water cruising catamaran whose original design is the Dean 5000, but which has been completely revised by the new team. The X5 has a new hull design, and a completely redesigned cockpit-saloon area, but retains its exceptional volumes. A must-see!
Not to be missed during your visit
Although new boats are always eagerly-awaited, they are not the only ones worth a visit. Once again this year the builders will be spoiling us by presenting numerous multihulls which are always interesting to discover or rediscover.
The major builders never miss this show, and we will be able to visit almost the full range of boats from Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Nautitech, Leopard, Catana, Outremer or Bali.
In addition to the new 42, Lagoon will thus be bringing the 39, 450 F, 52 S and the 40 MY motor cat. As for Fountaine Pajot, there will of course be the brand new Lucia 40 (see above), as well as the much-remarked and appreciated MY 37 motor catamaran. A boat for lovers of long-term cruising, the Saba 50, will of course be present at the show, as will the Victoria 67, the flagship of Fountaine Pajot’s range.
Leopard is bringing no fewer than five catamarans: two Powercats (the 43 PC and 51 PC) and the Leopard 40, 44 and 48. In addition to the major new boat, the Open 46, Nautitech will be presenting two Open 40s and a 542. An even greater presence, appreciated by the whole of the Bavaria network, which bought out Nautitech almost two years ago. Catana/Bali will be offering the opportunity to visit six catamarans, including of course the Bali range, with the 4.0, 4.3 MY (the company’s motor catamaran), 4.3 and 4.5, and from Catana, the 47 and perhaps...the 70, but this wasn’t confirmed as we went to press. Outremer, in addition to the brand-new 4X, will be present with a 45 and a 5X, whilst Jaguar Catamarans will be presenting its motor catamaran. Aventura Catamarans and its 33 and 43-footers will be present, as will the Neel trimarans - an example of the much-appreciated 45 will be on view and will, as in previous years, find favor with the public. It must be said that the Neel trimarans are really out-of-the-ordinary, and offer another way of envisaging blue-water cruising. The builder will also be taking advantage of the show to announce a new boat... Finally, you will be able to see the Gemini 35, one of the most widely sold boats in the USA, which is starting its career in Europe, and the Swiss 45, whilst awaiting the imminent launch of the brand-new Swiss S48, but also the TS42n Comar 37, Corsair Pulse 600 and O Yachts Class 4.
Our friends from the Golden Oldies will of course be at the show, and this year you will have the privilege of seeing (again) ‘Biscuit Cantreau III’. An exceptional trimaran in the history of ocean racing, as this VPLP-designed boat was the first trimaran to sail naturally (and without damage) on one hull. The surprise will also come from the exceptional Vitalia II (ex-Orange, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy), converted into a (very) fast cruising boat.
...but also
Certain builders will also be coming to La Grande Motte, but without a boat. Alibi, Comar, Futura, Garcia, JFA Yachts, O Yachts, Slyder Catamarans, Squaltec, Tag Yachts, Tan, V Catamarans and Yacht Concept will each have a stand, to present their expertise and their range of boats.
At the International Multihull Show, you will of course also find the Multihull Design Club and its exhibitors, who will be able to advise you effectively for the preparation of your project, as well as the numerous equipment manufacturers, offering fittings, sails, rigging, dinghies, etc., and the finance and insurance companies...
Finally, the charter companies will have you dreaming, by presenting their bases in the most beautiful corners of the world.
When we tell you that the International Multihull Show is not to be missed...
Practical Boat Show
Date:
From Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th April 2016. Open to the public from 10am to 7pm, except Sunday (close at 6pm).
Place:
La Grande Motte, 20km from Montpellier (South of France).
How to get there:
International airport in Montpellier - Railway station in Montpellier.
Tariff:
8 euros / free for under-16s and students.
Accommodation:
www.lagrandemotte.com
For a full list of boats and exhibitors, visit the Multihulls World web site:
www.multihulls-world.com
