AMERICA’S PREMIER MULTIHULL MAGAZINE
MULTIHULLS TODAY MENTORING NEW SAILORS ASPEN: A DIFFERENT BREED OF POWERCAT RAPIDO: WORLD’S FASTEST CRUISING BOAT
POWERCATS FOR 2021 Volume 2, 2021
MULTIHULLS TODAY Volume 2, 2021
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
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ON THE LEVEL
Charter Tips, Raymarine’s LightHouse Charts
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SAILING SMART
Mentoring New Sailors
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MULTIHULL DESIGN
Aspen Powerboats Rapido Sailboat
Cover shot: Cruising on the Lagoon Sixty 7. Photo by Nicolas Claris
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MODERN MULTIHULLS
Powerboats Multihulls 2021
Discover the new Fountaine Pajot virtual marina
The Pleasures of Power Cruising IN THIS ISSUE, WE OFFER YOU A PREVIEW OF 13 OF the newest and most interesting power cats and one trimaran that are on offer in 2021. Powerboating in general has always been a larger segment of the boating market than sailing, but for a long time multihull builders and the charter companies have devoted the lion’s share of their fleets to sailing cats. Yet, the private market, boats not going into charter, has definitely seen a big uptick in the demand for power cats and tris and the builders are responding. Powerboat cruising, especially in a cat or tri, is a very luxurious and easy way to go boating and allows you to cover more ground and see more fun places than you can in a sailing cat. Motoring at 15 knots is obviously a lot faster than sailing at 7 knots. So for a typical day of cruising in a power cat or tri, you can easily make 20 miles in a morning run, stop somewhere fun for lunch, then later in the afternoon, go another 20 or 30 miles to a completely different anchorage. And if you are moving the boat from one cruising ground to another, say from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine, you can make 150 mile days in daylight, stop for the night for a good sleep and be in Portland in less than three days. Can’t do that in a sailboat.
MULTIHULLS TODAY
Editor and Publisher George Day Ph: 401-847-7612 Fax: 401-845-8580 george@bwsailing. com Contributing Editors Bill Biewenga Rebecca Childress John Neal Amanda Swan-Neal Art Director Sandy Parks Ph: 401-847-7612 Fax: 401-845-8580 sandy@bwsailing.com
Besides the convenience of speed, power cats and tris provide all of the benefits of multihulls –large living spaces, a variety of living spaces for lounging, read- Advertising Sales & ing, swimming and computing so kids and adults canMarketing Consultant co-exist without being on top of each other. And, often you have four sleeping cabins in a modern Ad Director multihull, so everyone can have their own cabin and their own private spaces. This is particularly attractive for teenagers and younger crew. Most marinas around the country were built for monohulls so finding transient berth space for a cat that is 25 feet wide can be a challenge. But marinas are adapting and finding new ways to accommodate beamy multihulls. The trick is for skippers to plan in advance and book spaces where they are available. The multihull lifestyle has really caught on, particularly in sailboats, but year by year powerboat cruisers are making the conversion to two or three hulls because the boats just make sense.
4 Multihulls Today • Volume 12, winter
Tom Casey tomcat911@comcast. net Scott Akerman Ph: 207-939-5802 scott@bwsailing.com
MT-Multihulls Today is published by Blue Water Sailing LLC in February, May, August and November. Copyrighted 2020. All rights reserved. Reprinting, photocopying and excerpting passages is forbidden except by permission of the publisher. Blue Water Sailing ISSN: 1091-1979
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The Moorings Offers 10 Tips for Eco-Friendly Charters
WE HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO CREATING unforgettable yacht charter vacations in the world’s top cruising grounds for more than 50 years, which is why we want to ensure we are taking care of the beautiful destinations, oceans, wildlife and communities, and minimizing our footprint.
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We all have an essential part to play in ensuring a sustainable future for our planet’s oceans, and the good news is there are things you can do on your next charter getaway to help ensure our seas can be enjoyed for generations to come. Here is some advice from Laura Bowtell, Head of Sales UK for The Moorings: 1. Sails up, sail green! Minimize the motor Whether it’s a self-skippered monohull or catamaran, if you choose a sailing yacht to travel and the prevailing conditions are suitable, hoist the mainsail and unfurl the jib!
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2. Use mooring balls when possible Anchor with care to avoid damaging coral, plants and other marine life on the seafloor. Ensure you anchor in water deep enough to avoid grounding your vessel with tide change. If possible, anchor in sand or mud and avoid delicate ecosystems. Alternatively, it’s best to use a mooring ball. 3. Give sea life space Seeing wildlife while cruising is one of the greatest things to experience when on a yacht charter vacation. If you approach wildlife while under motor, slow down. Try to maintain a distance of around 300 feet from wildlife in and on the water or on cliffs,
8 Multihulls Today • volume 2, 2021
beaches and rocky outcrops where wildlife might be feeding, resting or breeding. 4. Leave only footprints Rubbish that gets left behind can have a harmful effect on coastal wildlife, so please enjoy our beaches and help keep them marvellous by clearing up at the end of the day, ensuring you responsively dispose of your rubbish and take time to leave no trace. 5. Throw nothing overboard It goes without saying that no waste should be thrown overboard, and in many countries, it is an offence. Instead, you can help by trying to remove larger pieces of plastic that you might come across in the water. 6. Minimize your plastic As consumers, the less plastic we consume, the less these products are found to be economically viable to produce. Whenever
Explore in Comfort
POWER CATAMARANS
For sailors considering power, Aspen Power Catamarans are the perfect choice. All Aspens have our patented super-efficient hydrodynamic PROA cat design. Quiet and smooth propulsion options include single diesel or gas outboards. Aspen C90 owner Anne came from a 33’ sailboat. She no longer felt secure single handing the sailboat and decided to explore her options. “It really is a paradigm shift changing your attitude and point of view coming from sail. I love the stability of the Aspen, how easy it is to handle, and to get on and off the boat with no big steps. Galley and sleeping accommodations are well thought out and comfortable. With no mast, bridges are easy, and there is no worry about tides and currents-the power just takes you through. Aspen is the perfect boat to downsize to and simplify. It is easy to just pick up and go for a weekend, period.”
When you buy an Aspen you are buying into a family of boaters. They know boats and respect sailors. Find out why Aspen is the sailor’s choice when it comes to powerboats. 28’-32’- 35’-40’ | www.AspenPowerCatamarans.com | 360-668-4347
possible, choose cardboard or paper products that can be recycled or composted and avoid disposable cutlery or plastic straws. Opt for a reusable bottle or mug and become a strong advocate by spreading the word. For every change you make, challenge and encourage someone else to do the same! 7. Use eco-friendly and fair-trade products From the British Virgin Islands to the Seychelles, and Belize to Thailand our charter destinations are home to stunning coral reefs ideal for snorkeling and diving. Standard
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sunscreens and cosmetics often use ingredients which can be harmful to coral reefs and marine life, so look out for eco-friendly alternatives when on a yacht charter. 8. Use facilities on land wherever possible Ensure you have a holding tank onboard and use it when this is not possible. Use eco-friendly toilet cleaners and recycled fiber toilet paper. 9. Shower quickly and ashore where possible To save water and minimize pollution. 10. Empty tanks far from land Each country has different rules about this, so make sure you check before you set off. Depending on where you moor up for the night you may be able to use pump out facilities at the marina or port, otherwise discharge black water while underway in deep water.
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Raymarine Joins Forces with Marina. com to Provide Points of Interest Date to LightHouse Premium Customers
IN JUNE, RAYMARINE ANNOUNCED THAT ITS LightHouse Charts Premium service includes points-of-interest data provided by Marinas. com, which is the single best source of marina and waterway information for boaters on the web. The collaboration, which pulls data from more than 75,000 marine locations, enables boaters to easily find and explore key inlets, marinas, waterfront communities,
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lighthouses, and other nautical destinations. LightHouse Charts offer Raymarine Axiom and Element owners a new level of clarity and customization, making it easy to identify and explore the expansive points-of-interest locations from Marinas.com. Raymarine users and all boaters can also use booking apps like Dockwa - Marinas.com’s sister brand - to reserve slips at those locations.
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Lagoon 42 - February 2016 - Photo Credit: Nicolas Claris
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on thelevel Marinas.com has the world’s most extensive database of marine locations, featuring marinas, harbors, key inlets, detailed overviews of waterfront communities, bridges, locks, anchorages, and lighthouses, along with other major nautical points of interest. In addition to providing Marinas.com data, Raymarine’s new LightHouse Charts Premium service provides subscribers access to continuous chart updates, an enhanced points-of-interest library, and high-resolution satellite imagery chart overlays. Raymarine Axiom and Element owners can activate their LightHouse Premium data through Raymarine’s online chart manager, where they can download regular chart updates and sync premium content with their LightHouse Charts memory card. “With LightHouse Charts, boaters now have a sophisticated new choice for marine
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STEERING THE DREAM 14 Multihulls Today • volume 2, 2021
navigation that delivers rich levels of information in beautiful and simple ways,” says Gregoire Outters, Vice President and General Manager of Raymarine. “Marinas.com has been the recognized leader in POI data for boaters for over two decades, and we’re thrilled to partner with them to offer their valuable resources to our customers in the new LightHouse Charts platform.” Marinas.com integration for Raymarine LightHouse Charts is available now as part of the LightHouse Premium subscription. Raymarine users who purchase the new LightHouse Charts will receive a free oneyear subscription to LightHouse Premium, a $49.99 value. Learn more about Raymarine LightHouseCharts at www.raymarine. com/marine-charts/lighthouse-charts.html. Marina owners can claim or update their business listings for free by visiting marinas. com.
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MENTORING NEW SAILORS: A CRITICAL PATH FORWARD We all learn from mistakes, whether the mistakes are our own or have been someone else’s at an earlier time. It’s easier to learn from someone else’s
by Bill Biewenga
WE ALL START OUT KNOWING NOTHING. Of course, we can start with false bravado, pretending to “know” something or make claims about what we’re going to do in some distant and vague “someday”, but the fact is when we start to climb the ladder of learning about sailing – mono or multihull – we’re on the very bottom rung of that ladder. Getting up that ladder can take a variety of routes. One can certainly go out, buy a boat and toss the dock lines, hoping for the best and willingly attempt to learn everything by himself, availing himself of neither written nor spoken words by others who’ve been up that ladder before him. It’s a steep climb, and mistakes can be expensive. I 16 Multihulls Today • volume 2, 2021
wouldn’t recommend that path to learning about multihulls or monohulls, and I certainly didn’t take it myself. I’ve had my mentors and teachers, far too numerous to count and recount here. They’ve been in other parts of my life, as well, from Marine Corps drill instructors to people who have launched startup companies to meteorologist weather routers. In the early days, sailing in Chicago, Mary King, probably the best sailboat captain there at that time, taught me to constantly pay attention to details and aggressively root out problems. A few years later, Rob Eberle, the Captain
aboard Steve and Doris Colgate’s Sleuth taught me to navigate with sextant and about the principles underlying modern navigational techniques. Working with other bowmen aboard Sleuth, Ted Turner’s Tenacious and Bill Koch’s Matador, I was able to learn a variety of safe and effective techniques for sail handling in conditions ranging from calm to storm. Those experiences, with both professional as well as avid and experienced amateurs, helped to provide a solid foundation for my later sailing in multiple around the world races and on very long shorthanded sailing records on multihulls. In order to accelerate my learning curve, I was always excited to sail with highly experienced and talented sailors. As time went on, I found that I often learned as much from the people I mentored as we
jointly looked for new and better ways to accomplish things. Many years ago, I understood that a thorough knowledge of weather and how it worked would not only provide me with a competitive advantage, it would also help provide a degree of safety to know what the upcoming weather was going to do. Through a variety of projects, I worked with meteorologists in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, and in 1994 I co-founded the first weather routing service primarily focused on sailing and other small craft. Later in that decade, I began doing weather routing seminars, passing along what I had learned from the meteorologists and providing other sailors with an understanding of how weather impacts our sport and how we can adapt and take advantage of that
photo by Laurie Warner www.MultihullsToday.com 17
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to make do with the things he couldn’t fix. But the joy in his accomplishment could be shared by both of us. The efforts others kindly shared with me as well as the things I had learned – one knowledge. Mentoring was taking on a way or another - throughout my own different aspect. sailing career could be passed along to Peter. Mentoring is a situation in which At one of the weather seminars, one of both giver and receiver of the knowlthe attendees, Peter Bourke, asked me if edge can take pleasure. I ever mentored sailors interested in sailing offshore. “Sometimes”, I said, as he Often it is not even called “mentoring” quickly outlined his goal of doing the Ber- and is, instead someone sharing knowlmuda One-Two, a singlehanded race edge because they have it, and the other from Newport to Bermuda and a double- person may need it. In the early 2000’s, handed return race. We worked together another OSTAR was coming to a close as to prepare him for that initial goal and the final competitors were coming into after his successful completion of it, we the Newport Yacht Club. I was on my worked together again to get him ready way to the bus station and airport to get for a singlehanded transatlantic race, to the next boat delivery, somewhere in the OSTAR. We discussed deck layouts Europe. A friend suggested we go down for singlehanders, safe procedures for to the NYC to welcome ashore one of sail handling, and went through numer- the final arrivals, a young girl, Lia Ditton. ous drills from setting and dousing spinna- She arrived in a little stern down trimaran, kers to sailing in heavy weather and using happy to have achieved her early goal. storm sails. She recognized that I had “done some things” with weather and had wanted to While I may have helped with years of talk to me about it, but I needed to hurry experience, he did the heavy lifting to catch a bus. and ultimately accomplished his singlehanded efforts, crossing the Atlantic solo Months later and following my delivery, – his achievement, not mine at that time. I heard that she was further up the East The credit for that achievement, a diffi- Coast ready to depart for England in her cult one at the very least, goes to him. little trimaran and about to go – with the He was the guy getting up in the middle height of hurricane season about to start. of the night to make the sail changes. I called her up and suggested that it He had to fix the various bits and pieces might be good to provide a little weather that failed along the way. And, he had assistance for her passage home, so she 18 Multihulls Today • volume 2, 2021
gave me the name and contact information for her shoreside support and contact person. To what degree the weather assistance was of some help, I don’t know, but a couple of years later, she called and asked me to do it again for her singlehanded entry in the Route du Rhum Race, from France to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.
He has been a regular contributor to Blue Water Sailing for more than 20 years and is based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Over the years Lia and I did more than a few passages together, usually shorthanded, each doing what we could to get various multihulls from one place to another virtually anywhere in the world. As with most deliveries and races, there were good days and bad, successes and failures and sometimes emergencies along the way – many of which have been written up in these pages and the pages of Blue Water Sailing. In the early days, I provided weather information that she hadn’t had before. As time progressed, we each shared knowledge we had acquired from different sources. Now, as time continues to pass and she has recently completed another solo rowing passage – the first woman to successfully complete that route - from the West Coast to Hawaii, she has, in many ways exceeded my own knowledge. Perhaps that’s the ultimate goal while mentoring. Learn what you can. Pass it to the next person. And hopefully, they grow to accomplish more than you, achieving both success and progress. Both parties are winners. Bill Biewenga has sailed more than 400,000 miles in all the world’s oceans. www.MultihullsToday.com 19
multihulldesign
Technology and innovation drive performance and efficiency in Aspen’s patented power PROA cat design by Arnie Hammerman
A DIFFERENT BREED OF POWERCAT WHEN LARRY GRAF THE FOUNDER OF We ran the boat in Possession Sound near Aspen Power Catamarans invited me aboard a prototype of his new PROA cat design in 2008 I was intrigued. He had created an innovative new hull design that would be the foundation for a series of efficient and easy-running power cats.
20 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
Everett, WA and from the beginning it was obvious that he was onto something. The boat ran smoothly and evenly and was remarkably efficient powered by a single inboard diesel. The conditions were relatively calm, so we were forced to take sharp turns to try to run over our own wake in an attempt to gauge seakeeping. The problem was that the boat barely made a wake, so we just made tight donuts and figure eights on the water without much result. When another boat passed by, we raced toward it to cross its wake, which was equally
outrigger canoe style proas, Aspens look like normal catamarans. The hulls have carefully crafted hydrodynamic profiles, in fact the thinner port hull design offsets the fact that propulsion power is coming from the opposite hull. This means that even with the prop only on the starboard hull the boats track straight. undramatic. The Aspen’s hulls simply sliced through the wake with a slight lift and little if any splashing. Larry looked at me with a knowing smile as we both realized this hull form was extraordinarily special. Since that time Larry has patented and slightly refined this hull design over the years and it is the basis for all the Aspen models that range from 28’-40’ and are powered either by single diesel inboard or gas outboard engines. He has also built a team of experienced builders at Aspen including his grown children and moved his operation into a series of buildings in Burlington, Washington that make up a modern factory complex. What makes Aspens different is that one of the hulls is a third thinner than the other hull. That size difference translates to 50% less drag on the slimmer hull. On the inboard powered models, the larger hull contains a single diesel engine and has a keel, prop, and rudder but the smaller hull is free from these encumbrances which means far less appendage drag. Both hulls are the same length and have the same profile from the side. The boat is a PROA since the hulls are dissimilar, but it has no resemblance to
Both hulls have a sharp entry, Aspens do not plane, the hulls displace water which means they can run at all speeds and do not have to pop up out of “the hole” like some powerboats do. When you drive an Aspen, it accelerates smoothly and evenly with only a slight bow rise. The smaller hull has plenty of buoyancy, so the boat remains level. You cannot really feel the differences in the hulls whether driving straight or making turns. Depending on loading and sea state I have found that a slight offset of the trim tabs helps the boat run optimally in some conditions, which is common on many boats. Since Larry demonstrated the Aspen concept to me years ago, I have had the opportunity to drive a variety of different Aspen models. They all have the same confident
multihulldesign
feel, easy tracking, and soft comfortable ride. Maneuvering in tight quarters is simple with bow and stern thrusters on the single diesel models to assist when docking or spinning the boat around to back into a slip. Outboard models benefit from twin engine maneuverability and come with a bow thruster. I have found the outboard powered boats easy to handle
without a stern thruster, but it is an option. The Aspen C100 is a popular model that is powered by a single Volvo Penta D3, 220HP diesel. Performance testing conducted by the manufacturer demonstrates the efficiency of the unique PROA design. At 6.3 knots the boat uses 1.05GPH which equates to 6NMPG. This gives the C100 a range of 432 nautical miles at trawling speed with a 10% reserve. At 15.7knots fuel burn is a very respectable 5.8GPH delivering 2.7NMPG and a 195 nautical mile range. With the throttle wide open top speed is 21.4knots. These are very respectable performance numbers for a powerboat of this size and with the types of accommodations the C100 contains. The C100 is a 32’ boat but with the swim platform overall length is 34’8”. The beam is 10’ which means the boat fits in most normal slips and is also fully trailerable, although some states require special permitting. The C100 has two cabins and one head. The master has a King-sized bed which is unusual in a boat this size. The second cabin is a quarter berth long enough for adults. The salon is roomy with a lounge/dinette that also folds down to sleep two. The fully equipped galley includes a Force 10 gas stove/oven, a refrigerator, deep stainless-steel sink, and plenty of storage in Burmese teak drawers. A door and pop-up window connect the salon to the cockpit which at 69’square has plenty of room for lounging/entertaining or for fishing, diving, or other water activities. A substantial RIB can be stowed with Weaver snap davits on the transom to allow for gunkholing and exploring.
22 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
Larry Graf is an adventurer, and he prides himself on being able to take his boats where other boats do not typically, or cannot go. He and his son Nick won the Pacific Challenge by circumnavigating Vancouver Island in an Aspen C100, a non-stop 557mile 47hour, 5minute journey. He spearheaded and participated in a 10,000mile tour where an Aspen C120 cruised from Alaska to Mexico, was portaged to Texas and then continued across the Gulf of
Mexico, around Florida and up the East coast to Annapolis. Larry also trailered an outboard powered Aspen L107 into Canada’s Northwest Territory where he launched it into the McKenzie river and
www.MultihullsToday.com 23
multihulldesign
resins keep water from penetrating the laminate and top-quality Armor coat gelcoat is used exclusively for improved longevity and luster. Tanks are powder coated and bolted to the bulkheads. Aspen carefully sources every item on the boat testing fans and bilge pumps from various manufacturers by running them constantly in traveled through untamed wilderness to the Arctic Ocean and back covering 2,200 miles on the water. To safely accomplish these adventures requires a lot of confidence in the boat. All Aspens are built to rigorous standards using the highest quality components even when they cost more. The hulls are designed with a 2’ solid section forward that includes a collision bulkhead. The bottom of each hull is double reinforced with longitudinal fibers that run the length of the hull. Kevlar is even used in the forward sections to inhibit penetration and further strengthen the bottom. Glassed in stringers enhance the overall structure. Divinycell and Koosa composites are used extensively from the hulls up into the cabin and hardtop. Hull and deck joints are bolted into an aluminum strip every 3” and then completely glassed. PVC tubes contain wiring and hoses to prevent chafe and for easy removal and replacement. Vinylester 24 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
the factory to see which performs best and lasts longest. They use U.S. made products wherever they can like Trident hoses and Resins from Texas. Since Aspen services their local boats in the Puget Sound area, they build them to be easy to maintain. Aspens are built tough so they can take their owners safely wherever they choose to go, and they are designed to last. Each boat is meticulously constructed by the Aspen team and this quality is recognized by discerning boaters. This means the boats are in high demand and Aspen has taken steps to increase production while continuing to ensure quality. I highlighted only a fraction of the construction details and encourage anyone interested to schedule a factory tour to get a full understanding of the care that goes into building each Aspen.
makes them remarkably efficient and gives them a smooth comfortable ride. They have proven seakeeping abilities and enough range to allow voyages into remote areas. If you have an adventuresome spirit and like catamarans Aspen powercats deliver in so many ways and deserve serious consideration.
Aspens are designed to cruise, are well laid out for easy operation, and built to a high standard. Their unique patented PROA design www.MultihullsToday.com 25
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WORLD’S FASTEST CRUISING BOATS: THE RAPIDO STORY TRIMARANS HAVE LONG BEEN THE FASTest sailing vessels on the ocean. Records for transatlantic runs, for the Jules Verne non-stop around the world events and for most straight line distance records all belong to giant tris.
that may change since the immensely popular YouTube vloggers Reilly and Elayna on La Vagabond, with their two little children, have decided to move on from their Outremer 45, on which they have sailed for the last several years, and have decided that a Rapido 60 is to be And, in the cruising and coastal racing their next boat. fleet, the NEELs, Corsairs and Dragonflies are always the best performance boats. So, what was it about the Rapido that NEELs are notable for having as much liv- caught their imaginations? You can ing space as a comparable catamaran, watch their video explaining the deciwhile Corsair and Dragonfly have folding sion here. (https://www.youtube.com/ amas so they can be trailered behind a watch?v=zesbn-A78mA&t=18s). In short, car or moored in a single monohull size they were wiling to sacrifice living accommodations for sailing performance in their marina berth. quest to have more fun sailing while also But mainstream cruisers have not flocked cruising in a boat that has a very small to trimarans for the simple reason the carbon footprint. If you can sail at reafolding designs have far less living space sonable speeds in even light winds, then than a comparable catamaran and you only have to use your engine in port. even a comparable monohull of mod- Plus, they are planning to use an electric ern design and the NEELs have massive motor instead of a diesel engine. Since beams that do not fit well in marinas. But they are planning on cruising in Asia for 26 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
the next several years, where winds can be very light, this makes a lot of sense. ABOUT RAPIDO
Corsair had moved its production to Vietnam so it was an obvious choice for Koch and his partner Richard Eyre. To build Rapidos there as well with skilled but inexpensive labor in Vietnam enables them to build high tech composite yachts at a somewhat affordable price. Yet the quality does not suffer in the least. The boats are light, high tech and very fast but they are also built to a high yacht styling.
The Rapido line of cats include the 60 that Reilly and Elayna are building, plus the 50 and the all new 40. The company was founded by Paul Koch who has a lot of multihulls and trimaran experience. Kock owned Ocean Sailling Trimarans and Catamarans for several years and The company sells Rapidos direct to their then bought Corsair Marine which he ran customers and invites buyers to come to building Corsair folding tris until 2010. Vietnam to explore the country and to visit the factory while their new boat is in But Koch had always believed that there build. was something missing in the trimaran THE 60 market, a boat that a couple could sail but had all the qualities of a true high- The 60 is the boat that Koch originally performance offshore tri, like a Mod envisioned as that special couple’s 70. He approached the noted multihull cruiser that could sail faster than the wind designers Morrelli & Melvin and working and could be handled by a lone watchwith his friend Pete Melvin, they came up keeper. The M & M design has proved successful right out of the gate. Although with the design for the first Rapido 60.
multihulldesign
Rapido 60
Rapido 60
such a sporty, high tech cruiser is not for everyone, just as a Ferrari is not every person’s car, the 60 appeals to sailors like Reilly and Elayna who have put in a lot of sea miles and truly enjoy the sailing aspect of the cruising life. The boat has a beam of 30 feet so at the deck level there is nearly 1,800 square feet of living space or as much as you’d find in a modest-size house. The amas have storage spaces but no living areas. The after deck has a swim platform with steps up to the deck. Just forward is the centerline helm station which is separate from the large cockpit. One person standing watch can perch themselves here and control the boat with excellent visibility forward and of the sails. Weather protection is provided by a windscreen and canvas sides. The large cockpit is long and narrow with bench seats and has a table on the starboard side. The cockpit links seamlessly with the salon on one level so the living spaces feels roomy. There is another table in the salon across from the in-line galley.
Rapido 60 28 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
Aft of the cockpit is the large
Rapido 50 aft cabin that lies under the helm station and after deck. The berth appears to be a queen and there is plenty of storage space under it and in the trim cabinets on both sides and in the hanging locker. The after head is large and also has plenty of storage. The forward cabin also has a queen berth and a private head. It will be a toss up as to which will be the master cabin. Also, familes cruising with
Rapido 50
Rapido 50 children can customize one of the cabins for bunk beds or two separate berths. This is such an innovative cruising boat that it will be a complete pleasure to sail, live aboard and cruise, especially if you like to sail faster than the wind. www.MultihullsToday.com 29
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interior, Rapido 50 the brief to go high tech and high perforAfter the successful launch of the 60, mance. So that’s what they did. Koch decided that the next boat should be a 50 footer that could have almost The most notable difference from the as much living area as the 60 but could 60 and 50 designs is the use of highly also have the folding amas that will curved, foiling style daggerboards. These allow it to moor in a standard marina are more often found on racing boats like the NACRA 18, also designed by M slip. & M, and have the ability to lift the hull The 50 has two full sleeping cabins, each up in the water to greatly reduce wetted with a head, plus the spacious salon and surface. Same sail power coupled with cockpit, which like the 60 are on the less drag and, you guessed it, maximum sailing performance. same level and fully integrated. THE 50
The 50 will make an excellent family cruising boat and will sail rings around every other boat in the cruising fleet, except the 60, of course.
Somehow, the designers managed to provide two double cabins, a roomy salon and a cockpit that will be comfortable for multiple friends.
This is going to be an exciting boat to sail For the new 40 design, Koch turned once and cruise and may even be faster than again to M & M and this time obviously the 50. We’ll see when hull number one gave them a blank sheet of paper and splashes and gets her sea trials. THE 40
30 Multihulls Today • Volume 2, 2021
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Power Multihulls 2021 Here are some of the most interesting and innovative power cruising multihulls to come on the scene for 2021 and beyond
AQUILA 54 POWER CAT
The new Aquila 54 is the flagship of the line and offers a new level of design innovation, luxury and performance. The 54 joins the 32 Sport, the 36 Sport and the 44 Yacht. The new 54 comes with three, four and five-cabin options, plus a crews’ quarters. The saloon and cockpit are almost 20 feet wide and join to create a 32 Multihulls Today • Volume 2,,2021
huge living and entertaining space. The master stateroom is just forward of the saloon and spans the width of the boat, making it a true master cabin. Aquila designs have always been angular and modern and the new 54 fits right in as one of the more distinctive looking power cats on the market. Click here for more Leopard 45 information.
ASPEN C108
The outboard powered Aspen C108 is one of the most unique power cats anywhere. With the patented proa hulls, the C108 offers great performance and even better fuel efficiency. A proa has a large main hull and then a small second hull, so the C108 carries a 200-hp. Yamaha on the starboard hull and a 115-hp on the port hull. The hull shapes are very fine forward so the boat cuts through the water effortlessly. The C108 has only 10 feet of beam so it
BALI CATSPACE MY
The new Bali Catspace Motoryacht offers an amazingly large cruising and living platform in a relatively modest 43 feet. With a flying bridge, the Catspace provides three levels of living area that includes the upper lounge and dinette,
BALI 4.6
can be trailered and will fit into a normal marina slip. The saloon has the galley and a U-shaped dinette. Below decks there is a large double berth and enclosed head plus two single berths tucked in under the saloon and side decks. Click here for more information.
the cockpit and saloon, the forward cockpit and the sleeping cabins below. The Catspace theme is all about open areas and great places to sunbathe, swim and enjoy al fresco meals. The hulls are quite beamy which helps to really enlarge the cabins below decks. How many cats have walk-around double berths in every cabin? Well, the Catspace does. Driven by engines from 150 all the way up to 250-hp, this cruising cat is going to make very good daily cruising runs quite economically. Click here for more information.
heads in the starboard hull. Powered by Volvo IPS drives, the MY6 will be easy to maneuver and will provide great performance and efficiency. Click here for more information. FOUNTAINE PAJOT MY6
The FP MY6 (earlier the MY 44) is a solid and comfortable cruising boat that provides both great performance and luxurious living accommodations. With a huge flying bridge, the MY6 provides a perfect area for driving the boat and spending hours sunbathing or having outdoor meals. The bridge has a large hardtop with an opening sunroof so you can let the sun in on sunny days. On the deck level, there is a bench sofa in the aft cockpit and the cockpit joins with the saloon through two large sliding doors. The galley is aft and the dinette for inside meals is forward. There is an inside steering station at the front of the saloon for rainy days or running at night. Down below the stand-ard layout offers an owner’s suite in the port hull and two VIP visitor cabins with en-suite
HELIOTROPE 48
The Heliotrope line of cruising catamarans, both power and sail, are built in Thailand for the world market. The word “heliotrope” comes from the Greek for “sun follower or worshiper” and that cer-tainly brands the line as a dedicated cruising boat for tropical adventures. The design theme underlying each of their boats is based on “space, pace and grace” and the 48 motoryacht is a great example of how Heliotrope achieves these qualities. The boat’s lines are indeed graceful and the shapes of the hulls, cabins and the flying bridge evoke designs for much larger superyachts. The spaces throughout are all maximized for convenience, comfort and the cruising lifestyle. Pace is provided by twin 260-hp. engines that deliver 20 knots of top speed. The standard plan offers four double cabins with en-suite heads. The 48 is the smallest cat in the Heliotrope line and is built on a semi-custom basis. Click here for more information.
HUDSON POWERCATS HPC 48
Hudson Marine is the builder of the well-known line of sailing cats known as HH Catamarans. But the owner of the company, Hudson Wang, also builds a line of Hudson Power Cats. The HPC 48 was designed by Bill Dixon and offers true luxury cruising in a modern, attractive package. The flybridge is huge and can be covered with an optional hardtop. The cockpit and saloon form a very large living, eating and dining space with large windows for 360 degree views. The master cabin in the three cabin version is forward of the saloon and runs the width of the boat. This LAGOON SIXTY 7
When Lagoon started building large powercats a few years ago, they knew there was a market for such boats in the 60-foot plus size range but what surprised them was just how large that market really has become. Their Sixty7 at 67 feet has an even larger sister, the Seventy 8, and both models are selling briskly and have done so for several years. The Sixty 7 is a proper yacht that is fitted out with every amenity and finished in real yacht style. Most owners will have crew for their boats so the
is a true master cabin. In the four cabin version, this space is divided into two cabins. The other two cabins and heads are down in the hulls. Hudson Marine is known for their advanced construction techniques and super yacht finish. The HPC 48 won’t disappoint the fussiest owners. Click here for more information. accommodation plan, which has many options, usually shows a crew cabin aft. This is in addition to either four or five double cabins with en-suite heads. The saloon is enormous and light filled through the huge windows. There is a cockpit forward and aft of the saloon. The flybridges have several possible configurations and can even be fitted with a dining table that seats eight. Luxury, grace and style mark the Lagoon Sixty 7 and then there is exceptional cruising performance and seakeeping qualities. Click here for more information.
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LEOPARD 53 PC
The new Leopard 53 PC is the fourth generation of power cats built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa and incorporates all that the design and build teams have learned over the years. The 53 PC has a spacious cockpit with an L-shaped dinette; the cockpit and saloon are on the same level and can be made into one space by sliding back the large glass doors. In the saloon, you’ll find the modern, fully functioning galley/kitchen aft and the twin bench settees forward. The forward outdoor lounge is accessed via a door in the front of the saloon or by the side decks. Up on the flying bridge, there’s another U-shaped dinette and a small galley with a sink, ice-maker, fridge and a cooktop. In good weather, this is where you will spend a lot of time. The 53 PC comes in a three-cabin owner’s version, in which the starboard hull is a large master suite, and the four cabin version which might be ideal for charter service; in the four cabin version, a crew cabin is in the port bow. With twin 370-hp. Yanmars, the 53 PC has a top speed of 22 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 17 knots. Click here for more information.
36 Multihulls Today • Volume 2,,2021
LEEN 56 TRIMARAN
NEEL sailing trimarans took the multihull market by storm a decade ago with the introduction of a design concept that put the saloon on top of the trimaran’s three hulls thereby giving it as much living space as a catamaran with the sailing performance of a tri. In the last couple of years, NEEL turned the power multihull world on its head, too, with the introduction of the LEEN (NEEL back-wards) 56 and 72. The 56 is a couple’s cruising boat with a lot to offer. The saloon and cockpit are one space for large gatherings. The owner’s cabin and office are in the saloon on the starboard side with the private head down a few steps to the lower level. The bridgedeck is enormous with room for the helm, an L-shaped dinette, sunning beds and a storage area for a large inflatable dinghy that is launched with a mechanical crane. The three guest cabins are in the lower level, each with an en-suite head. Powered by a single 305-hp. Cummins engine, the 56 will cruise at 15 knots and offers a very stable, comfortable and efficient motion in a seaway. This is a uniquely innovative family cruising boat. Click here for more information.
NAUTITECH 47 PC
The Nautitech 47 PC has staked out the long range cruising territory in a design by veteran yacht designer Marc Lombard. The 47 promises to take you farther, faster and in more comfort. With twin 225-hp Volvos, the 47 has a top speed of 22 knots or more, and a cruising range, with 340-gallons of fuel, of 1,000 miles at 8.5 knots. The 47 has twin helms, on the flying bridge, and one at the front end of the saloon, which will be great for night PRIVILEGE EUPHORIE 5
The New Euphorie 5 is one of the sleekest and sexiest looking power cats on the market and fits very well in the decidedly upscale Privilege line of power and sailing catamarans. With the sharply angled cabin design that flows into the aft positioned flying bridge, the boat looks elegant and fast even when standing still. The cockpit is covered with the hardtop that supports the bridge and has a dinette
watches or when the weather has turned wet or cold. The boat’s side decks are wider than most, which is great when you are managing docking lines, going through locks or anchoring in some remote gunkhole. The saloon is not overly large but has a big U-shaped dinette to port and the galley and lower helm to starboard. The cockpit has another L-shaped dinette for outside meals. Down below you can have either a three cabin owner’s layout of a four cabin layout. Nautitech builds great sailing cats and this 47 PC will make an elegant and purposeful family cruiser. Click here for more information. and bench settees and sunning bed. The bridge is reached up an amazing spiral staircase and has the helm and a large lounging area complete with a fridge, sink and cooktop stove. Forward of the helm, you can walk down several steps to the foredeck and forward lounge. The saloon has one of the largest and best designed galleys you will find in a boat of this size, plus an inside dinette and a full navigation/communication station. The owner’s cabin on the boat is forward of the saloon and spans the full beam. It has full headroom, a walkaround double berth, and a luxurious head and shower. The guest cabins are in the hulls and each has its own head. The Euphorie 5 is luxury personified. Click here for more information. www.MultihullsToday.com 37
SILENT 63 OPEN DECK
A cruising power cat powered by solar energy seems like something out of science fiction of the future. But it is not. Silent Yachts are building and selling allelectric solar powered cruising boats that can cross oceans without having to turn on a fossil fuel engine. Remarkable. The 63 Open deck is their newest
SUNREEF 80
Tennis player Rafa Nadal is arguably one of the best players in history and one of the richest athletes in the world. So, when he went looking for a powerboat, no doubt with some professional advice, he landed squarely at Sunreef and bought himself a Sunreef 80. This is the third smallest power cat that Sunreef builds and had he been
adaptation of their 62 and offers a full third deck with a helm, small galley and dining table for up to 10. The saloon is vast and has another dining table, the full galley and the lower helm and command center. Down below, there are a couple of fourcabin layouts to choose from and each has its own head and shower. The technology that drives the Silent 63 is cutting edge solar generation with the latest in battery storage and charge controlling. Twin electric motors drive the boat and at a cruising speed of 8 knots is can go on nearly forever. At full throttle it can get up to 20 knots for short battery-draining bursts of speed. This may be the future and it is now. Click here for more information.
feeling more flush he could have bought a Sunreef 49 meter (160 feet) mega cat. Still the 80 is a proper mega yacht with all of the elegance, style and amenities you could possibly desire. With a 40-foot beam, the 80 has the same living space as a 150-foot monohull. It has four cabins, plus a crew cabin below decks. A master suite can be created at the forward end of the saloon with lots of space and amazing views. The saloon is open and airy and with the galley below decks, this space and the cockpit are dedicated to entertaining and leisure. The flying bridge, as you would expect, is fitted out for running the boat but also for lounging in the sun and hosting friends for sundowners. You don’t have to be a world champion athlete to own a Sunreef 80 powercat but it helps. Click here for more information.
