Multihulls: how multihulls conquer the industry

New era

The last few years have seen an increased interest in multihull superyachts. This year, for example, demand has increased for 65%. Many owners - current and potential - are beginning to realize that two or three hulls is not a fleeting trend. It is interesting that an order of magnitude more concepts have appeared on the market, which are increasingly being implemented. Many of these concepts are just multihulls. Very soon we will be launching a whole generation of catamarans and trimarans of extraordinary luxury and beauty.

However, the maritime industry seems to be in no hurry. Designers, engineers and naval architects have been talking about the advantages of multihulls for more than a year, and not even the first decade. So, the multihull has a larger volume and driving performance, stability on the water and speed. And only now the mass consumer is beginning to accept all the advantages of multihull yachts.

We can definitely say that in the last few years more and more people are choosing catamarans. Well-designed, with a high level of comfort - we will tell you about some interesting models of multihulls that are either already on the market or are just getting ready for the "publication".

Sunreef 43M Eco

The 43M Eco is clearly one of Sunreef's most ambitious concepts. It is a large sailing catamaran. The motto of the advertising campaign is “Endless horizons”, which unobtrusively leads to a high level of technical equipment of the catamaran. 

One of the features of 43M Eco is a large number of solar panels that are built into the body. These batteries can be found on the deck, superstructure, bimini, mast and even the boom! In addition to the fact that the cat can be almost completely self-sufficient in solar electricity, propellers with hydrogeneration technology are also available. 

Naturally, the fact that the Sunreef 43M Eco is a sailing catamaran imposes some restrictions in terms of dimensions and design. So, the catamaran has a long and low superstructure, it occupies almost the entire width of the multihull. The living space can be fully customized according to the wishes of the customer. 

The architects deliberately made the hulls small in size, but this made it possible to achieve a greater aero- and hydrodynamic effect. The shipyard will also use natural fiber composite materials. Sunreef wants to create an all-in-one sustainable boat. By the way, “green” trends also apply to the interior. 

In addition to eco-trends, composite materials will make it possible to reduce the weight of the catamaran. This will make the cut more manageable and faster. 43M Eco will have a 500 square meter mainsail and an 800 meter gennaker.

The boat will have a flybridge with a dedicated sunbathing area and a comfortable bimini. There is also a comfortable dining area, sun loungers, deck chairs and even a bar. Other highlights include a hydraulic bathing platform. It combines both hulls and turns the transom space into one big beach club.

JFA Long Island 86 Power

The French shipyard JFA seems to have repurposed and set its sights on building powerful motor catamarans. Prior to that, she had been building large sailboats and katas for decades. The new line of Long Island just personifies the new course of the shipyard. Just recently, JFA introduced the new 86 Power Cat. The length of the new catamaran is just over 26 meters.

As reviewers say, one of the strengths of the 86 Power Cat is its tough aluminum hulls. Above them is a lightweight composite deck. Mark Lombard - to create the 86 Power Cat - also worked on the Mini Transat and Oceanis cruising yachts from Beneteau. Now he is discovering new horizons in the creation of catamarans. 

According to Mark, Long Island yachts are “light, simple and versatile”. Moreover, the series implies a change in the configuration of the multihull to please the customer. This is especially true for interior design. Features include a full-fledged navigation station on the flybridge, a bar, and plenty of seating for guests. It is planned to make the flybridge a kind of “social space”.

According to Mark, Long Island yachts are “light, simple and versatile”. Moreover, the series implies a change in the configuration of the multihull to please the customer. This is especially true for interior design. Features include a full-fledged navigation station on the flybridge, a bar, and plenty of seating for guests. It is planned to make the flybridge a kind of “social space”.

There is a spa pool on the wide fore deck, and a hydraulic platform aft. Her task is to transport the tender while the kat is in motion. 

ShadowCAT Haven

Unlike other catamarans featured here, ShadowCAT's 67m Haven is less of a full-fledged recreational catamaran. It is rather a full-fledged auxiliary vessel, an expeditionary yacht. At the same time, of course, ShadowCAT Haven can be used for its intended purpose.

Among the main features, we note the aluminum body and good driving performance. The catamaran can reach speeds of over 20 knots per hour. As a power plant, two MTU 16V 4000 engines with an HP 7,720 power are used.

The main purpose of the catamaran is the transportation of equipment. Helicopters, fuel, tenders, boats, cars and motorcycles, smaller sailing yachts, submersibles - all this is transported by ShadowCAT Haven.

Hydroponic gardens, research labs, even a small research center can also be installed on the multihull. Interestingly, Haven was designed with Covid restrictions in mind. So, on the kat there is an infirmary, thermal cameras, and communication between the crew and guests is minimized. Living quarters are also quite secluded.

StellarCat AL25-2

StellarPM was able to make itself at the renovation work. Now they are preparing to transfer this experience into shipbuilding. StellarCat AL25-2 is a 25m motor catamaran concept. 

Stellar chose aluminum as the material for the case. The entire catamaran, although it will have a “pronounced aluminum footprint”, will also use a variety of marine alloys. 

In addition to the fact that Stellar hopes to make a reliable design, the cat should also have three decks. To complete all this aluminum splendor should be a comfortable flybridge. 

The complex layout will accommodate three to six guest cabins. Stellar claims that in either layout, the design and comfort can match "the interior quality of Northern European superyachts." Moreover, environmentally friendly materials will be used to create the interior.

Stellar is one of the few firms that has already announced a selected hardware manufacturer. Kat will use Garmin devices. It is also known about drives from Volvo - Penta IPS. StellarCat AL25-2 will be able to reach speeds up to 19 knots. If the speed is not enough, then by paying "only a quarter of a million dollars, you can soon increase it to 24 knots." Generous offer. 

Outcome

More and more shipyards are eyeing the prospect of producing at least one superyacht or supercatamaran. And that's not bad. Usually, technologies that are well “settled” on superyachts make their way to smaller yachts. Therefore, we are looking forward to new interesting solutions inspired by superyachts.

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16.11.2022