Multihull Solutions Magazine 2020 / 2021

LICENCE TO CHILL YOUR TICKETS TO SEE THE WORLD

Straight to the Source PICKING UP YOUR BOAT FROM THE FACTORY

REVIEWS MY 40 ELBA 45 NEEL 47 ILIAD 50 ALEGRIA 67 ILIAD 70

GOING GREEN Eco-friendly cruising

La Dolce Vita LIVING THE GOOD LIFE ALONG THE ITALIAN COAST

MORE CHOICE. MORE RANGE. MORE FREEDOM.

ILIAD 50 | ILIAD 60 | ILIAD 70 | ILIAD 90 W W W. I L I A D C ATA M A R A N S . C O M . A U All Enquiries: Mark Elkington | +61 (0) 401 045 228 | mark@iliadcatamarans.com.au

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION EDITORIAL TEAM Kate Elkington & Rachel Crook ART DIRECTOR Amanda Woods amandawoodsdesign.com.au CONTRIBUTORS John Curnow Kevin Green Sam Fortescue Jim Loe Marco Pinetto Caroline Strainig Suellen Tomkins Cate Williams PRINTING EPM, 1/84 Wises Rd Maroochydore QLD 4558 COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42 by Gilles Martin-Raget MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS Magazine is published by Greensphere Pty Ltd trading as Multihull Solutions ACN 84 134 959 103 ABN 134 959 103 PO Box 15, 33-45 Parkyn Pde Mooloolaba QLD Australia 4557 Tollfree: 1300 855 338 T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 www.multihullsolutions.com.au All material in this publication is protected by the Copyright Act. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express written permission of the publisher. No liability is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs.

Though sources are checked, no liability is accepted for the accuracy of material contained in this title.

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T

his is an energising time in the marine industry, particularly at Multihull Solutions. With our powerful brands, exceptional team and commitment to service excellence, our company occupies a unique position in the international boating scene.

Our stable of brands now includes Fountaine Pajot, NEEL Trimarans, ILIAD Catamarans, Corsair Marine, Stealth Catamarans, Ocean Voyager and Indigo Catamarans. We are proud to be providing you with the world’s best new multihulls to complement our dynamic Brokerage division that sources only quality pre-owned boats to match your needs.

I am passionate about the strength of our products and services and the remarkable team we have built to deliver these to you, our clients, who are the bedrock of our business. We have the finest people in the industry based at our centres throughout Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

And, in an industry awash with an ethos of profit-driven sales, the enduring strengths of this team stand out: honesty, integrity, genuine commitment to achieving client satisfaction, support and professionalism – all of these things matter more now than ever before.

It is said that the best work happens when you know that it’s not just work, but something that will improve other people’s lives. This is the opportunity that inspires each of us at Multihull Solutions as we strive to fulfil your dreams of adventure, exploration and joy.

While we have enjoyed significant growth and success over the past twelve years, we are hungry to do more. Our industry respects tradition, but it also places great value on innovation.

We are immensely proud to have launched ILIAD Catamarans in 2019, which was conceived with a clarity of purpose and sense of mission that has led us to imagine the impossible and deliver it. With this new range of voyager power catamarans, we have prioritised innovation centred on giving our clients exceptional value with quality at a level unprecedented in the industry.

The enthusiasm with which ILIAD has been received by clients and critics alike has been humbling, and I look forward to continuing to oversee the development of this exciting project. In order to successfully do this, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew de Bruin as General Manager for our Multihull Solutions Asia Pacific operation.

Having worked with Andrew in various roles for more than 20 years, I am confident the company will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership and with the wholehearted support of our team and industry partners.

I would like to close by thanking our entire team for their unwavering friendship and support, and to you, our clients, who are our driving force as we steer our company and its affiliated projects successfully into the future.

Enjoy this second edition of our biennial magazine, and, as always, we wish you fair winds and safe boating.

MARK ELKINGTON Managing Director

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 3

108 28 42

98 07 08 14 20 28 34 38

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS CONTACTS: Get in touch with your nearest Sales Centre.

DREAM WEAVERS: Multihull Solutions fixes its focus on exciting plans for the future.

MAKING THE CHANGE: Why two couples don’t regret their switch from mono to multis.

A LEGEND FOR MODERN TIMES: A new brand revolutionising the power cat market.

LA DOLCE VITA: The good life cruising in Italy as part of an epic world adventure.

ELBA 45 - THE CROWD PLEASER: A new sailing catamaran that ticks all the boxes.

A QUICK GETAWAY: Escape for a charter holiday in the world’s most beautiful spots.

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42 48 50 54 60 62 68

MY 40 - POWER TO SHINE: The Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht turning heads at every port.

NAVIGATING THE RED TAPE: Sail Europe without getting tangled in bureaucracy.

HEAVEN ON EARTH: The many perks of buying a boat in Thailand’s tropical paradise.

ILIAD 50 - SIMPLY MORE: The power cat setting a new benchmark for range and value.

CRUISING THE LONG WHITE CLOUD: New Zealand’s blooming love affair with multihulls.

STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE: Why so many buyers now pick up their new boat ex-factory.

MOVING ON: Tips to help you get the best result when it’s time to sell your boat.

Contents 62 72

72 76 82 84 88 92 98

NEEL 47 - THE TRIUMPHANT TRIMARAN: Innovation and performance on three hulls.

A QUIET PLACE: A Brisbane couple escapes the rat race on their Salina 48 catamaran.

STAYING SHIPSHAPE: Important tips to help keep your boat in mint condition.

IN GOOD COMPANY: Rallying together at sea for safety, support, fun and friendship.

7 TOP WHITSUNDAYS TIPS: Local advice on making the most of this spectacular region.

ILIAD 70 - THE TANK COMMANDER: Dominating performance to make your own.

104 108 114 118 122 124

GOING GREEN: Technologies and products driving the push for eco-friendly cruising.

ALEGRIA 67 - HER MAJESTY: Regal style from the new Fountaine Pajot Flagship cat.

HIGH FIVE: A guide to must-have onboard options for carefree cruising.

LICENCE TO CHILL: The accreditations you need to compliantly cruise locally and abroad.

DITCHING THE DOUBTS: Overcoming the jitters when planning an offshore adventure.

BOAT SHOW CALENDAR: Save the dates for these must-see marine events.

LEADING THE FIELD: The Boat Works is on track to become the world’s cleanest shipyard.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 5

SALES CENTRES

CONTACTS

AUSTRALIA

ASIA

NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164

Phone: +66 (0) 76 238 117

Phone: +64 (0) 9 432 7032

Toll Free: 1300 855 338 Fax: +61 (0) 7 5444 3792

E: info@multihullsolutions.asia

E: info@multihullsolutions.co.nz

PHUKET - BOAT LAGOON MARINA SALES CENTRE

AUCKLAND SALES CENTRE

E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au

HEAD OFFICE MOOLOOLABA SALES CENTRE PO Box 15, 33-45 Parkyn Parade Mooloolaba, Queensland 4557

GOLD COAST SALES CENTRE The Boat Works, Building J Office 1B, 1 Boat Works Drive Coomera, Gold Coast Queensland 4209

20/1 Moo 2 Boat Lagoon Thepkasattri Road Koh Kaeo, Muang Phuket, 83000 Thailand

PHUKET - AO PO GRAND MARINA SALES CENTRE Unit 120, Ao Po Residence 113/1 Moo 6 Paklok, Thalang Phuket, 83110 Thailand

1/1 Westhaven Drive Westhaven, Auckland, 1010 New Zealand

WHANGAREI SALES CENTRE Norsand Boatyard, 10 Fraser Street PO Box 259, Whangarei, 0140 New Zealand

NEW CALEDONIA NOUMÉA SALES CENTRE

PHUKET - YACHT HAVEN MARINA SALES CENTRE

7 Rue de la Dunkerquoise, Nouméa New Caledonia 98800

Unit CH08, 142 Moo 2 Yacht Haven Marina Tambon Maikhao, Thalang Phuket, 83110 Thailand

Phone: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164

SALES CENTRES ALL OTHER STATES

SINGAPORE SALES

TAHITI SALES CENTRE

141 Middle Road

Contact Head Office

#05-06 GSM Building

Phone: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au

SYDNEY SALES CENTRE RB 14 d’Albora Marina Rushcutters Bay 1B New Beach Road Darling Point, NSW 2027

E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Singapore 188976

Australia/Pacific: multihullsolutions.com.au | NZ: multihullsolutions.co.nz | Asia: multihullsolutions.asia

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 7

FEATURE STORY

Dream

WEAVERS

Multihull Solutions has experienced rapid growth over the past few years and has no intention of tapping the brakes. General manager Andrew de Bruin reflects on the company’s recent achievements and its exciting outlook for the future.

M

ultihull Solutions is in its strongest position in the company’s history, and we recognise this is certainly fuelled by the continuing worldwide move towards multihulls as the preferred choice for cruisers. The company is growing at an astonishing rate with record sales across our new and pre-owned boat divisions and an ever-expanding network to service the demand. Our team continues to be committed to delivering the best service in the industry, and this has been recognised with Multihull Solutions winning the Fountaine Pajot Best Asia Pacific Dealer award for the last three consecutive years.

But, as Benjamin Franklin said, without continual growth and progress, words such as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning. Which is why we refuse to be complacent and have fixed our sights on how we can give our clients even better service while embracing exciting opportunities for the future.

A COMPREHENSIVE STABLE Over the past 12 years, we have established Fountaine Pajot as the number one-selling brand for blue-water cruising buyers in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The French shipyard is truly a vanguard of the industry with its designs setting new benchmarks for performance, design, safety and comfort, and their resale values continue to eclipse any other production catamaran brand on the market.

Demand for Fountaine Pajot’s sail and power catamarans throughout Asia Pacific is at an all-time high with more than 50 boats on forward order for the region alone.

NEEL Trimarans continues to also generate strong interest, helped by its myriad international accolades for innovation, including the NEEL 51’s SAIL award for 2019 Best Boat of the Year.

It would be easy for us to cruise on the established success of these shipyards, but we are always on the lookout for other brands to offer our clients the most diverse selection of quality power and sail multihulls for private or commercial cruising. This is why we have recently introduced a number of new names to our stable, including Stealth Catamarans, Ocean Voyager, Indigo and ILIAD Catamarans.

The Stealth range by Asia Catamarans has been turning heads with their refined design suitable for tropical and sub-tropical boating. Designer Alan Carwardine has always focused his designs on fast but comfortable boats, and the Stealth Catamarans range is no exception with their stylish lines, generous living areas and excellent performance.

We have just launched the new Stealth 36e power catamaran in Thailand and are not at all surprised by the huge number of enquiries we’ve already received.

Our recent decision to also add the Ocean Voyager and Indigo Catamaran brands to our fleet was driven by the recognition of a gap in the region’s commercial market for quality and reliable day charter boats that are easy to operate, efficient to manage and provide a secure investment return. There has already been a very positive response from charter operators, destination managers and incentive agencies interested to see these cats out on the water.

We are also really excited to be representing the new ILIAD Catamarans

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 9

“We have a unique culture of friendship, integrity and dedication to excellence.”

brand, which beautifully complements the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht range and fills a giant gap in the market for true passagemaking power catamarans in the 50-90 ft range. The worldwide launch of the ILIAD 50 and 70 at the 2019 Australian boat shows saw five orders taken and is a thrilling promise of things to come.

EVER-GROWING NETWORK From our humble origins in a poky Mooloolaba office, Multihull Solutions now has an extensive network of Sales Centres throughout the entire Asia Pacific region. Our development strategy is always evolving, and we’ve subsequently opened a number of new offices to keep up with demand in each area.

In 2019 we launched a Sydney Sales Centre in Rushcutters Bay to handle new and pre-owned sales and servicing while also confirming plans to commence NSW Open Days in 2020. In the same year our Gold Coast Sales Centre was expanded to become a full-time Service Centre and, set within the

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM General Manager Andrew de Bruin Discovering early that you can mix business with pleasure, Andrew built his impressive career around sailing and selling yachts in the world’s most exotic destinations. Among his rich experience in the marine industry are roles including operations manager for Hamilton Island Charters, service manager for Beneteau Yachts-Vicsail, and senior broker for Lee Marine Co. Ltd. For the past five years Andrew has managed Multihull Solutions’ Southeast Asian Sales Centres and has been responsible for growing our network into one of the region’s most successful marine companies. His extensive knowledge and business acumen combined with his irrepressible humour make him the ideal choice to now take the helm of Multihull Solutions’ entire Asia Pacific operations.

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Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Michael (Nod) Crook

Wayne Dickenson

Nod has been at the coalface of Multihull Solutions’ operations since its inception in 2008 and had worked closely with managing director Mark Elkington for years prior. With an extensive background in specialist marine engineering and an ocean of offshore sailing and racing experience to his name, he is a bastion of knowledge when it comes to boats. Travelling regularly to shipyards in Europe and China to inspect models under construction and supporting clients with their ex-factory handovers, Nod has possibly now spent as much time in the air as on the water. Impossibly energetic and always quick with a laugh, his commitment and skills are undisputably a key to the company’s success.

Working with Multihull Solutions since 2015, Wayne has extensive experience in senior accounts management and has been instrumental in the company’s significant success over recent years. Born and bred in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, he graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Business/ Accountancy degree and started out in the auto industry, rapidly working his way up the ladder to general manager for a major Bathurst dealership.

The outdoor enthusiast, who also nurses a passion for classic cars and is currently restoring a 1971 XY Falcon, has taken a firm and unwavering hand to Multihull Solutions’s financial operations with a resolute philosophy of integrity, professionalism and accountability.

FEATURE STORY

Above: Flying the flag.

Sales Manager | Brokerage Patrick Gilot Born in France, Patrick studied and lived in Europe as well as South America and the USA. Spending his youth sailing the Med, he honed his knowledge and skills leading Catana to appoint him as the company’s export sales manager where he attended international boat shows, oversaw launches and managed brokerage issues. When Patrick relocated to Australia as the shipyard’s local agent, he quickly embraced our great outdoors becoming a surf lifesaver and competing in cycling and triathlon competitions. His legendary culinary skills and easy-going nature never fail to endear him to clients and colleagues alike.

Top right: Client services manager Anna Wallace and general manager Andrew de Bruin.

Opposite top: All aboard at the Singapore Yacht Show.

Opposite below: The 2019 Multihull Solutions conference.

impressive facilities of The Boat Works, is now an unmissable destination for buyers and sellers alike.

In 2019 we also commenced operations in Singapore with agents to offer our famous service in that region and will be expanding our Asia network even further. In the Pacific, we are busy with plans to relaunch our Tahiti presence in 2020, incorporating a new Sales and Service Centre and a professional new team boasting six languages to ensure excellent communication is always given to regional buyers and sellers.

Our reach will continue to grow around the Asia Pacific region into 2021 and beyond, maintaining our position as the multihull industry’s clear leader.

IMPROVED SERVICES There is also a swag of exciting developments now in place to make it even easier for clients to find, buy, collect, sell or manage their multihull. With the rate of our ex-factory handovers at an all-time high, we have appointed a full-time Delivery Team to be based in La Rochelle each March through to October to support Fountaine Pajot and NEEL Trimaran buyers with picking up their new boats from the shipyard and preparing them for their Mediterranean adventures.

Our French service legend Romain Crozon will remain in France throughout the year coordinating the schedule of ex-factory handovers and providing outstanding assistance with any after-sales service and warranty issues.

We also recognise the importance of staying at the forefront of communication and have developed a new online information system to help clients navigate the buying and selling process. Fountaine Pajot has also implemented some technological initiatives, including the automation of their after-sales, service and parts ordering systems.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 11

FEATURE STORY

OUR EXPANDING TEAM Multihull Solutions’ success is underpinned by a unique culture of friendship, integrity and dedication to service excellence. I am honoured to lead this amazing team from 2020 as Asia Pacific general manager and am delighted to also introduce the following new members who have joined the fold across our sales, service and administrative divisions.

Australia Marcus Ashley-Jones – NSW area manager Marcus Overman – Sales consultant (new power boats) Brett Horner – Sales consultant Mark Hassall – Sales consultant Craig Malouf – Sales consultant David Smale – Company ambassador Christina Notley – Administration Rebecca Bryett – Accounts & administration Rohan Gull – Systems development consultant

Above: The team at the 2019 Sydney International Boat Show.

Thailand Nuttapon Thongtoam – Service Yuk Panida – Administration

Singapore Freddie Coetzee – Sales consultant

Tahiti

New Zealand

Robin Lefoulon – Sales consultant

Simon Barker - Sales consultant Chris Janes – Sales consultant Melanie Webster – Sales consultant

France Romain Crozon – Factory liaison/coordinator

SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM Sales Manager | New Boats Greg Boller While only joining Multihull Solutions in 2018, Greg has worked with several of the team for many years prior. He brings to the company 25 years of experience in recreational and commercial boating, including management of yacht clubs, watersport tourism operations, sailing schools and yacht charter businesses. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, Greg was general manager of Sunsail Australia before taking on the role of Asia Pacific director of Sunsail and The Moorings overseeing operations in the Seychelles, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, French Polynesia, New Zealand and Tonga.

He recently returned to Australia after eight years in China operating a composite manufacturing and boat building facility.

A passionate boater with an intimate understanding of cruising catamarans and the global marine industry, Greg now oversees Multihull Solutions’ successful division of new boat sales.

12 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

Service Manager Leon Bowles There’s hardly a vessel Leon doesn’t know; he has a wealth of experience on power and sail multihulls, including large aluminium commercial power cats up to 30 metres long. Leon has cruised the world’s most beautiful waterways, sailing on his own 33’ cat from Fiji to Australia via Vanuatu and New Caledonia as well as skippering two 50’ sailing tris through Thailand, Myanmar and the Andaman Islands. Living in Phuket from 2001, Leon founded and operated Phuket’s first Volvo Penta Dealership and Parker Stores for nine years before launching a marine project management company that oversaw the build of a one-off 80’ high-end powerboat in Sweden. After moving to Australia, he managed a marine engineering workshop then elected to make the move to Multihull Solutions where our clients now benefit from his extensive technical knowledge and commitment to providing quality after-sales service and new boat handover support.

Marketing Manager Rachel Crook Born in New Zealand, Rachel quickly discovered she was not designed for the cold. She moved to Australia as a child and developed a love of the outdoors, which now manifests itself in regular sessions of netball, mountain biking, yoga, surfing, camping, and of course, boating. Before settling on the Sunshine Coast, Rachel spent four years as Sunsail’s reservation consultant on Hamilton Island, exhausting all of the 74 stunning islands by yacht, and she also sailed from Tonga, Greece and Thailand under the guise of ‘research’. Rachel efficiently oversaw Multihull Solutions’ Client Services division for two years before becoming a part of the Sales and Marketing team while also completing a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) on the side. Now in charge of all marketing activities for the company, Rachel has developed an impressive bank of marine knowledge on all things to do with multihulls.

INDIGO 53 The Ultimate Day Charter Catamaran Introducing the revolutionary Indigo 53 power catamaran that opens up a world of possibilities for unforgettable day cruises.

Ideal for commercial day charters, the Indigo 53 features an incredible platform for swimming and snorkelling adventures as well as a breathtaking flybridge with 360° views for whale watching and relaxing.

Twin Yanmar 440HP provide a cruising speed of 18 knots and maximum speed of 23 knots, allowing you to travel greater distances in a single day.

Designed to be operated by a crew, this impressive catamaran is easily maintained and extremely comfortable for guests.

T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 | Tollfree: 1300 855 338 | E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au

multihullsolutions.com.au

MAKING

Change THE

Thinking of changing over from a monohull to a multihull? Caroline Strainig interviews two couples who have done just that to see how they found the transition.

W

hen Sydney couple Joe and Karen Atkinson decided to buy a multihull, they really did their homework. Both accountants by profession and with a long history of running tourism-related businesses, they conducted exhaustive research and testsailed just about every brand of multihull available in Australia.

Fast forward a few years and they are now the proud owners of a Hélia 44 Evolution called Dos Peregrinos, which is Spanish for ‘Two Pilgrims’. They took delivery of their boat at La Rochelle in France from the Fountaine Pajot shipyard in May 2018.

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At the time of writing, Dos Peregrinos was on the hardstand in Spain for the European winter, while Joe and Karen enjoyed a break at home in Australia before getting ready to head back overseas for some more cruising. Their plan is to explore the Med and Caribbean before gradually making their way home to Sydney.

In 2017, Lauren and Connan James also took ex-factory delivery of their Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 catamaran Tigger in France and have now sailed the Mediterranean for three European summers. The New Zealanders had virtually no multihull experience when they decided to test sail a Lucia 40, but, like Joe and Karen, the couple couldn’t be happier with their decision to switch to a multihull.

And it isn’t just because they are seeing their boat through rose-coloured glasses after visiting a list of exotic Mediterranean destinations. Ask them what they love about their new catamaran and the enthusiasm in their voices shines through.

FEATURE STORY

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 15

Top left: Connan and Lauren in Chefchaouen, Morocco, ‘resetting’ the VAT 18-month clock.

Top right: Tigger in idyllic Cala En Porter, Menorca.

Centre: Joe and Karen aboard Dos Peregrinos.

Bottom: Les Minimes marina in La Rochelle, France.

SPACE, GLORIOUS SPACE Space and comfort were top of their list, and Joe and Karen say the Hélia 44 Evolution has delivered in spades, at least double the space of their 11.2-metre monohull. The Hélia has a huge cockpit, lots of deck room, large saloon, massive owner’s stateroom which takes up an entire hull, plus two spacious guest cabins in the other hull, each with its own ensuite.

Joe and Karen have already hosted two other couples and said the privacy was unsurpassed. “There were lots of places to relax in peace,” Joe said.

Lauren and Connan opted for the Maestro version of the Lucia 40, with one hull devoted to an owner’s stateroom and two guest cabins in the other hull, and they love the extra space, especially when hosting guests.

“The privacy and space are amazing. There are so many different areas you can go when you need time out,” Connan said.

SAILING AT ITS LEVEL BEST Karen said she loves the flatter sailing aspect afforded by a multihull. She found cooking on the monohull hard if the boat was heeling or conditions were rough.

“You would frequently be on such an angle; it was just about impossible,” she said.

“On the catamaran you can have a cup of coffee on the table and it doesn’t slide away.”

She told of her attempts to sleep in the forward V-berth of monohulls in strong offshore conditions.

“You almost left your berth at times when it was rough,” she said.

Having put their new boat to the test already in rough conditions off the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal, she has found the stability of the catamaran much better.

While Lauren still gets seasick in larger seas, especially when the waves were coming at them from the side, she said their multihull made it much easier to safely function onboard in all conditions.

“Even on a cross-sea the stability is so much better,” she said.

“I could not actually cook a meal on the monohull if we were sailing at five or six knots, because you were generally heeling over and it was sometimes messy and dangerous.

“The stability on Tigger is amazing. It is much easier to sleep and cook and do whatever you need to do.”

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FEATURE STORY

“The privacy and space are amazing.

There are so many different areas you can go when you need time out.”

Above: Tigger cruising between Sardinia and the Madalena Islands.

PROTECTED COCKPIT

SAIL PLAN AND PERFORMANCE

Karen also feels much more secure in the spacious cockpit.

“On night watches I feel a lot safer on Dos Peregrinos because it has a huge covered, semi-enclosed cockpit,” she said.

“On the monohull, it was freezing stuck out the back there.”

Connan and Lauren agree that multihulls also make the night watches less taxing, thanks to the comfortable and protected cockpit.

“On the monohull you are outside in the weather getting blasted; you cannot be down below as you can’t see anything forward,” Connan said.

“The cat has great visibility and comfort, which makes night shifts far more tolerable.”

As with their monohull, Joe said almost all sail controls on Dos Peregrinos are easily accessible from the helm. You do have to go forward to the mast to tie off the tack ends of the second and third reefs, but he has already come up with a plan to tweak this.

They acknowledge cats do not point as high when hard on the wind, but say the off-thewind performance under the big gennaker more than compensates. The main is much larger and you don’t have the same range of positions as on a monohull, but with breeze from 130-degrees aft they sail under the headsail or 86sqm gennaker alone anyway.

“It’s just a lovely sail,” Joe said.

Speed-wise, Connan and Lauren say their 41-foot monohull was fast, but Tigger is

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 17

Above: Dos Peregrinos being lifted for the winter in Port Roda de Bara in Catalonia, Spain.

faster, although it doesn’t necessarily feel so because the catamaran is so flat and stable.

Tigger also sails better in very light winds.

Connan tells of how they were cruising along at seven knots on an overnighter from Corsica to the French Riviera and a 45-foot racing monohull with all the bells and whistles came up behind them.

“It was only doing one knot more, and they were sitting on the rail to try and keep the boat flat,” he said.

“We, on the other hand, were in the cockpit enjoying dinner with the boat under autopilot – totally relaxed. It was a big contrast.”

They find Tigger does not show such early obvious signs of being overpowered as the mono, because catamarans don’t heel or round up as a monohull does. However, they are conscious of this and make sure they reef or furl sails conservatively to suit conditions.

Connan says the only thing which took a little while to get used to was the boat’s

18 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

responsiveness to the helm, which is not as direct and immediate as that of a monohull, as is the norm with cruising catamarans.

“The comfort and space are just amazing, and the sailing is still fun, but the helm feel at the wheel is totally different,” he said, However, they are now used to it and spend most of their time under autopilot anyway, so it has never been an issue.

SHALLOW DRAFT Another attribute Joe and Karen love is the Hélia’s 1.15-metre draft compared to the 1.98 metres of their old monohull. This lets them anchor much closer to shore, meaning better protection from wind and waves.

“I felt so sorry for the monohulls anchored further out, pitching and swinging while we were just sitting there relaxing in the relative calm,” Karen said.

The James’ tell of when they were sailing with friends who had a 45-foot monohull.

FEATURE STORY

“I used to feel so sorry for the monohulls anchored further out, pitching and swinging.”

“Some nights we slept well on our Lucia, but they hardly slept at all because of the motion,” Connan said.

“It wasn’t just being able to anchor closer in with better protection because of the shallower draft, but the hull stability which makes an enormous difference to comfort.”

EX-FACTORY PICK-UP THE WAY TO GO

Top: Lauren and Connan James at the helm of Tigger on their first outing in La Rochelle.

Centre: Lauren enjoying the sunshine on the west coast of Sardinia.

Bottom: Joe and Dos Peregrinos in A’Corunna.

Connan says another major plus of buying a Fountaine Pajot is the option of ex-factory pick-up in La Rochelle in France, which is becoming increasingly popular with Multihull Solutions’ clients.

“It seems like madness that people ship them back to their countries,” he said.

The James’ have a long list of mouthwatering highlights they have enjoyed in Europe to date and had trouble narrowing down the list when asked.

“La Rochelle itself, which is where the boat was commissioned, is stunning, as is the whole of the northern Spanish coast and, of course, Corsica,” Connan said.

“The French Riviera is exquisite, and the weather is so settled you can stay at anchor.”

Lauren warned it is not always a gin-andtonic experience, though.

Commissioning the boat to get ready for extended cruising can take up to a month.

In their case they also encountered some port officials while cruising who were not aware of New Zealand’s bi-lateral visa waiver agreement, and, at one stage, they had to head posthaste back to Gibraltar until things could be sorted out.

Cost-wise, they say marina fees in Europe are on average about 50 percent more for a multihull than a monohull, but they rarely use marinas anyway because they find anchoring out in the catamaran so easy.

And the final word: are they converts? Joe and Karen say that Joe will continue racing on a monohull because they predominate on Sydney Harbour, but, yes, when it comes to cruising, the couple are total converts and love their Fountaine Pajot to bits.

Connan and Lauren agree the decision was an absolute no-brainer.

Both the couples have only one regret: “Why didn’t someone tell us catamarans were this good 10 years ago?” Joe said.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 19

A Legend for

MODERN TIMES

BOAT REVIEW

Homer’s famous poem conjures the stirring deeds, determination and glory of warriors, heroes, kings and gods. And in 2019, an exciting new range of power catamarans was launched that evokes the epic’s themes to deliver legendary long-range performance and affordable customisation.

T

he international power cruising catamaran market has boomed in the past decade, and advances in design and construction technology have produced vessels that tackle oceans with impressive speed, comfort and economy.

However, few production and semiproduction power catamaran manufacturers offer buyers the ability to customise their boat to suit their individual needs without radically increasing the price. Consequently, today’s marinas are awash with homogenous power boats that don’t inspire much sense of passion from their owners.

The innovative new ILIAD Catamarans shipyard is subverting this trend with the launch of a range of power catamarans that allows buyers to truly personalise their boat to a luxurious standard at a price that challenges the world’s production and semi-production power cat models.

The company has invested years of research and development with an internationally accredited team of designers and naval architects to create the ILIAD 50, 60 and 70, with plans for the 90 now on the drawing board. The ILIAD 50 was the first of the range to be launched and was unveiled at the 2019 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, with

“Each boat delivers outstanding performance in the most rugged conditions.” the inaugural model selling to a couple just minutes before its official christening.

The ILIAD 70 followed closely on its heels, launching at the 2019 Sydney International Boat Show with its Australian owners now enjoying the boat cruising the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland coast. The ILIAD 60 will be launched in Asia Pacific in 2020.

The catamarans are particularly unique in that clients are able to customise many aspects of their chosen model to reflect their individual style and needs but without the epic cost involved in changing aspects of most production and semi-production power catamarans. Clients are free to choose

their own preferred layout, timber finishes, electronics package, fabrics, engine options and more, at an extremely cost-efficient rate.

Yet, all of the ILIAD catamarans are also stunning achievements in power cat design, delivering safe and comfortable offshore performance with some of the longestrange capabilities in their market segment (2500nm-6000nm).

EXPERTS AT THE HELM ILIAD Catamarans is the successful collaboration of Global Marine and ITAC Marine with both entities bringing a wealth of expertise to the project. ITAC Marine has been designing and managing international boatbuilding projects in China for almost 10 years, while Global Marine is currently developing a strategic international dealer network for the brand.

The range is produced in Zhanjiang at YuanHe Xinlong shipyard, one of the few established shipyards in China that constructs premium quality explorer-type boats for the world market and uses only the highest quality internationally imported materials.

Its impressive facility overlooks the famous Zhanjiang Bay Bridge with waterfront launching access and boasts an expansive team of internationally trained staff who have already made waves in the industry with the construction of Bering’s luxurious 65, 77 and 80-foot motor yachts.

The mastermind behind the design of the ILIAD range is renowned naval architect Riccardo Bulgarelli who worked in Italy for many years for some of the world’s leading shipyards before establishing his own design office in China. Bulgarelli has designed and project-managed the build of many exclusive custom vessels as large as 112ft for successful export to the world market.

Recently appointed Asia Pacific dealer Multihull Solutions purchased the initial prototype based on the ILIAD philosophy and design. Multihull Solutions has a strong reputation in the Asia Pacific region and wanted to be confident it was the right product to add to their range.

The prototype was extensively tested with sea trials and ocean passages across the South China Sea, meeting head on with conditions that would challenge any oceangoing craft.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 21

Above: The ILIAD catamarans’ shallow draft allows better access to remote beaches.

Top right: Excellent light and ventilation in the ILIAD 50 saloon.

Bottom left: The ILIAD 50 flybridge is well equipped for entertaining.

Bottom right: Passage planning in style on the ILIAD 70.

Multihull Solutions general manager Andrew De Bruin said the 2017 Christmas typhoons that hit Vietnam were a real test for the boat.

“The crew got caught for 24 hours in sevenmetre seas with winds of 70-80 knots before they made shelter. However, they felt very safe and comfortable on this boat even in the most intense conditions,” Andrew said.

After clocking 1000 engine hours and almost 10,000nm, the data from this prototype project was analysed by all stakeholders, including the design team, and implemented across the ILIAD range to ensure the market would receive a boat that was up to the planned demanding standards.

“This project, while costly, was worth every dollar and hour invested. We wanted to get this right, not sell the first boat to a client and see them go through the typical ‘first-boat debugging’ challenges,” Andrew said.

“Multihull Solutions has handled dozens of new model releases over the past 12 years but we wanted to ensure we approached this project differently and learnt everything possible to fully understand the systems, make recommendations and minimise compromises that are evident in all boats, then give feedback to the builders,” he said.

22 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

LEGENDARY FEATURES While the ability to truly customise each model is a major feature of the ILIAD range, the 50, 60 and 70 also impress with their optimal strength and commanding performance in offshore conditions.

ILIAD Catamarans CEO Mark Elkington said the boats are true long-range power cats that make no compromises.

“Each cat has been designed with an emphasis on safety, strength, stability and economy,” Mark said.

“While we wanted to first and foremost create a range that allowed buyers to design a power boat that suited their unique needs without the exorbitant cost, we also have employed the finest minds in naval architecture to ensure each boat delivers outstanding performance in the most rugged conditions,” he said.

Many engine options are available, and all ILIAD Catamarans come with standard inclusions, including dual-control electronics as well as systems for fuel transfer, blackwater and power management, and full protective keels for total protection of running gear.

Each model also features flybridge hard tops, resin-infused PVC foam-core hulls in

BOAT REVIEW

“ILIAD has balanced design around the best of both worlds offering very impressive long-range fuel burn numbers.� vinylester resin, Tecma fresh-water flush electric toilets, bathroom extractor fans and an ocean of other premium-quality fixtures as standard inclusions.

ILIAD Catamarans are built to CE (Cat A) as standard, however all models can be built to any specified international survey classification and include a five-year internationally supported structural warranty for commercial operation and maximum peace of mind.

IN HARMONY WITH THE SEA ILIAD has designed each model to evoke the comfort and style of luxury apartments with unsurpassed space in all their living areas.

Conceptualised with long-term cruisers in mind, the catamarans are extremely functional with excellent flow across the various zones. The standard forward lounge

in each model provides amazing 360-degree views, and, unlike many other modern power cats, ILIAD has introduced an option for a spacious master suite in the main deck to optimise the use of space and create a naturally light, airy and idyllic retreat for those cruisers who want to live on one level.

Beautifully appointed gourmet galleys are standard across the ILIAD range, and storage facilities are in abundance for extended cruising. As with the rest of the boat, the galley can be completely customised to adapt layouts, or clients can add and remove any fixtures or styles they desire.

The flybridges can be left entirely open or can be fully enclosed with ducted air conditioning, or owners can elect to have the best of both worlds with high-quality clears that can be opened and closed as the elements demand. Sedan options are also available if a flybridge is not a requirement or bridge height restrictions are a factor.

Wide, safe walkways are part of each design with hand rails at a comfortable height for complete security at sea, while clear, uncluttered decks and huge deck storage facilities make offshore passages practical, safe and carefree.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 23

“We just love being part of a brand that we believe is offering a real game-changing product to the multihull market.”

INTREPID PASSAGE MAKERS FOR REMOTE CRUISING Just like the legendary Achaean ships of Homer’s epic, ILIAD’s catamarans are designed to face the most treacherous conditions with confidence, which is a heavily tested hallmark of the ILIAD range’s DNA. Ideal for extended-passage cruises, each model affords impressive range and speed with competitive fuel efficiency.

The company’s standard recommended engines deliver a long-range cruising speed of seven knots at a fuel burn between 1.2 and 1.5 litres per nautical mile with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles (depending on model).

Well-trimmed fore and aft at all speeds, the catamarans are able to explore farther than their competitors with the protective grounding skegs making them beachable in emergencies or for servicing in remote areas.

Mark Elkington said the ILIAD design is all about minimising the many compromises in

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both mono and multihull vessels for extended liveaboard cruising to more remote places to see unspoilt cruising grounds and locations that are just not accessible with most mainstream power boats.

“Firstly, we wanted to make a boat that was as safe and comfortable as can be for each model’s size, to offer more comfort for the crew,” Mark said.

“Multihulls were the natural choice for this project as they not only offer the stability without complex stabilising systems, but we have a separate engine room in each hull.

“In the event of water entering an engine room, having separate engine rooms offers real peace of mind. You are highly likely to always have one engine to get you to safety.

“Not many power boats offer such shallow drafts of 1.25 - 1.35m (depending on the model) while offering such volume per metre of boat.

“Shallow draft allows safer anchoring as you can access the most interesting bays and inlets to see places you’d normally pass by.

“Further, you have the security of a keel/ skeg to protect your running gear should a grounding occur, or more likely, if you touch the ocean floor while at anchor at low tide.

“While we are not promoting that our boats are designed to run aground, the design does

BOAT REVIEW

board. All clients are not engineers, mechanics and electricians, so minimising complex systems is part of ILIAD’s objective. Back-up systems and redundancy can be built into each ILIAD – that’s our power of choice,” Mark said.

FIRST CATS OFF THE RANK

offer owners peace of mind if they touch the ocean floor while at anchor or while navigating at low speeds into a difficult shallow waterway or an area of poorly charted water,” he said.

Standard fuel specification by model provided can be discussed with each buyer and increased if the specific choice of model requires more range at a particular speed.

Mark said that with multihull hull design, buyers cannot have it all.

“A top speed of 25+ knots does not necessarily give you fuel efficiency and longer range at lower speeds, just as impressive fuel burn figures of seven knots that achieve just over one litre per nautical mile will not give you a high top-end speed,” he said.

“ILIAD has balanced design around the best of both worlds, offering very impressive longrange fuel burn numbers of 1.2 - 1.5 litres per nautical mile, depending on the model, with respectable top-end speeds of 20 - 22 knots; ideal passage-making speeds of 8 - 9 knots with very comfortable fast cruise speeds of 16 - 18 knots.

“Our boats will not appeal to those buyers who just want speed, bling and gadgets.

Simplicity and ease of operation is our ethic, and you will see this in all our boats.

“Systems have to be simple, logical and manageable with the resources you have on

Above: Space to host large groups on the ILIAD 70 flybridge.

Top left: The ILIAD 70 on Sydney Harbour.

Below left: ILIAD Catamarans naval architect Riccardo Bulgarelli.

Multihull Solutions has already sold an ILIAD 70 to Queensland buyer, Ty Hermans, who has been closely involved in customising his boat from the early design stages and completed its handover in 2019.

Ty and his partner Gina had been in the market for a power cat for almost two years before choosing a new ILIAD. “When we embarked on our next project we literally spent 18 months developing the spec we wanted to see in our new boat,” Ty said.

“We looked at every multihull on the market, scoured every boat show in Australia, Europe and the USA to ensure we saw everything that was on offer on the planet.

“The decision to finally purchase an ILIAD from Multihull Solutions ended up being an easy one, as they had looked after us so well with our last boat purchase (a Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 Hull #1).

“The team at Multihull Solutions were sensational and took our detailed spec to ILIAD, and the next thing we knew we were building this mountain of a boat and having a blast along the way.

“We loved that ILIAD was setting out to design a range of boats that we could have a lot of influence in and be able to include the features and design elements that we wanted.

“Obviously, price was another driving factor that allowed us to simply get so much more for our money.

“Finally, we just love being part of a brand that we believe is offering a real game-changing product to the multihull market,” Ty said.

Ty and Gina brought specific requirements to the shipyard’s design team when they made the decision to order an ILIAD 70.

“For us, it was important to balance functional design with features that make extended trips or living onboard comfortable.

Our shopping list was extensive and we weren’t really concerned with the type of blinds we were going to pick, but rather that everything for us had to be functional.

“Our experience with the Saba 50 taught us that 95 per cent of the time we were on the boat by ourselves, so we focussed on the design being extremely comfortable for us as a couple while also very welcoming for when we had multiple families or groups on board.

“Above all, the boat had to be able to be managed by us without crew, and single handed if the other person was out of action.

“The main deck master bedroom is perfect and offers a huge volume of seamless living

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 25

FEATURE STORY

Above: The ILIAD 70 master suite can be designed on the main level or below deck.

space when it is just the two of us – something that no other boat could provide – while also being very private when guests are onboard.

“The square window design is very practical resulting in maximum interior volume, and it minimises UV light and heat into the interior living spaces. Having four other guest bedrooms comprising two huge king-size VIP rooms, one guest king bedroom and a three-bed bunk room, provides a level of accommodation that we would have had to buy a 120ft monohull to get even close to!

“The internal raised pilot house is a sensational feature for extended voyages, and the way we have arranged it all really works in with the main deck layout.

“The huge hydraulic platform and flybridge-mounted crane offers us the flexibility to carry a range of tenders, jetskis and other toys (I am definitely swinging my Harley onboard for the east coast trip!)

“Storage for us was an important feature, and the dedicated dive lockers and surfboard storage on the 70’ are unreal, and the rest of the boat has really well planned storage spaces and utility rooms.

“So there are some big features that we love, but I reckon it’s the small features that have gone into the ILIAD 70 that are going to make a huge difference for us living on the boat,” he said.

Ty and Gina have big plans for their new ILIAD 70 to take advantage of its outstanding range.

“The 70 has a fuel range out to 4,500nm, so we can take her almost anywhere on the planet, which is pretty cool. We plan to

26 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

spend a few years in and around the east coast of Australia and the nearby Pacific lslands so our family and friends can enjoy the boat.

“Then, if we haven’t yet upgraded to the ILIAD 90, we will take the 70 across to the Med for a few years. We had such a great time in the Med on the Saba 50, and the ILIAD 70 is going to be an unbelievable platform for exploring the region, so we can’t wait to get back there.

“Then we can circle back to Australia via the Americas and perhaps be the first ILIAD to do the full round trip,” Ty said.

The experience of being involved in the initial design and build process of their boat has been a key highlight for the 70’s first buyers.

“Obviously things are still relatively new for ILIAD and there is so much the brand will learn along the way, but I can 100 per cent recommend to anyone looking at their next 40-100ft power boat that they should take a look at ILIAD Catamarans,” Ty said.

“The semi-custom nature of the boats themselves and your ability to maximise the value of your investment in a great quality boat, supported by a cracking team, is why I reckon ILIAD Catamarans has to be part of any boat-buying journey – if nothing else, just so you can see what is possible!”

ASIA PACIFIC LAUNCH Global Marine has appointed Multihull Solutions as their first dealer with exclusive rights for the Asia Pacific region.

Mark Elkington said interest in the range has already been very strong and that Multihull Solutions was the ideal partner to take best advantage of the opportunities in the region.

“Before we even officially launched the range to the world market, Multihull Solutions had sold three ILIADs and have sold three more since while dealing with strong interest on orders across the range,” Mark said.

“It’s an extremely exciting start to what we are confident will become one of the most successful power cat projects in the industry.”

MORE INFORMATION Read full reviews of the ILIAD 50 and ILIAD 70 in this edition.

T: +61 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

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la DOLCE

DESTINATIONS

Vita

Kiwi couple David and Cate Williams bought their Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 Noeta in 2017 with a mission to explore the world. This extract from their cruising blog reveals how they embraced the sweet life through Italy and its surrounds.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 29

I

taly – we love it. The weather, the food, the people - everyone is friendly, helpful and happy, no problem!

We’ve been in Italy for four weeks, and it is amazing how much we have seen already: Portofino, Cinque Terre, Elba, Pontine Islands, Vesuvius, Napoli, Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast… once just names with a glamorous mystique about them, now explored and have not disappointed.

Leaving Monaco, we travelled eastwards along the Riviera dei Fiori (Coast of Flowers) under bridges spanning steep ravines, past south-facing glasshouse slopes, green hills, small villages with churches perched high, and then headed out across the Ligurian Sea (Golfo Genoa) towards Portofino.

It was a great six hours across, and we saw two whales and two dolphin pods; dolphins are like the puppies of the sea, always seemingly pleased to see you as they swim and leap alongside and between our hulls.

Then we were there, anchoring in Santa Margherita Ligure: green shutters, green

“The landscape was impressive: incredibly steep, grape and olive farms, and awesome rail networks through massive cliffs.” hills and the pervading smell of star jasmine.

Portofino was a short tender ride away – a picture-perfect sheltered village, once a white town now all colourfully painted waterside villas.

The temperature started climbing: water 23 degrees and air 28. It was time to remove the helm clears and cruise down the very hazy Ligurian Coast millpond, past Cinque Terre (Five Earths), five villages - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore - dodging trawlers and ferries, glad we weren’t amid the hordes disembarking from the trains.

The landscape was impressive: incredibly steep, grape and olive farms with crazy accessibility, and awesome rail networks through massive cliffs. We arrived later in the day at Porto Venere, a pretty little village at the entrance to Golfo Dei Poeti, once the hangout of Byron and Shelley. It was poetic with its locally quarried black and white marble, many twisting stone paths from

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Top: David and Cate Williams aboard Noeta.

Centre: Diamonte with its Italian murals old and new.

Bottom: Porto Venere on the Liguran coast features the locally quarried, black and white marble, 12th century Church of St. Peter.

DESTINATIONS

Doria Castle down into the old town, and fishing boats returning home at dusk.

From there it was a ten-hour, 8-knot motorsail down and across the Ligurian Sea to the Tuscan Archipelago and Elba.

(Able was I ere I saw Elba!) The island is surprisingly close to mainland Italy, hence its many ferries. The main town of Portoferraio has a hilltop fortress bathed in evening gold.

The next day we did our obligatory Napolean visit after arranging our constituo with the Guardia Costiera. For many, Elba is all about Napolean, but for me it’s the rocks!

The island has been a rich source of mineral deposits, particularly iron, since the beginning of time. There are at least three rock shops in Porto Azzuro and fossicking below Miniera del Vallone. This is the largest and oldest site of the Capoliveri mines dating back to the Etruscans and Romans, featuring hills littered with skeletons of processing plants used until 1981.

We were both in our respective elements (no pun intended) as we collected copper, pyrite and hematite with David figuring out how the old mining machinery worked. Bliss!

Elba felt very Corsican, unspoilt and with similar landscape in parts. We always managed to find a quiet anchorage well apart from the noisy herring gull colonies.

Leaving Elba we were on a mission south; our friends Pete and Nicky were arriving in five days and we wanted to spend some time in the Pontine Islands before picking them up in Napoli.

So, after a quick cruise past Isola Giglio the scene of the infamous Costa Concordia tragedy - and a deep rocky anchorage in the very isolated Isola Gionnutri, we were up early and off.

It was a long 17-hour, cold, rainy, windy and bumpy ride down the Tyrrhenian Sea. We did consider Italian mainland anchorages along the way but had been told the Pontine

Above: Porto Ponza with Grotte di Pilato - pools and tunnels built by the Romans, used for harvesting salt and breeding moray eels or swimming (and rumoured to be associated with Pontius Pilate).

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 31

Above: Serifos - hiding from the north Meltimi wind in the Cyclades Islands.

Opposite Top: A ceramics shop in Ravello, one of the many on the Amalfi Coast.

Islands and Archipelago Napoletano were lovely so decided to make the extra push – and it was worth it.

Isolas Ponza, Ischia and Prochia: stunning geology, overwhelming Roman history, always a sheltered anchorage on the opposite side of the island from the busy ferry ports, high white tuff (volcanic ash) cliffs and cave dwellings, warm turquoise water, pastel-coloured mosaic of houses, fishing boats, seafood markets, lush gardens, canopied lemon groves (limoncella) and water temperature up to 27 degrees.

We picked up our first guests of the season, Pete and Nicky, in Napoli and headed across Golfo Napoli to Port Davide.

It was an unappealing and dilapidated industrial shore but had good holding and offered an easy train to Pompeii.

The next day was eventful; it started with a 0700 drama as local fishermen, nets and anchor chains don’t mix well!

Then we explored Pompeii - the huge, hot, 44-hectare archaeological excavation – and

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finished the day by performing an offshore rescue of four delighted and out-of-theirdepth Italian lads!

A busy, ferried speedboat choppy hop down the coast took us past Sorrento and across to Capri for three nights, then we crossed back to Positano and Amalfi (Amalfi Coast) for four more.

I understand why these are popular places: villages nestled on and in steep ravines, golden-domed churches, narrow hairpin roads, converted lookout towers, fresh seafood, and terraced gardens of lemon, olives, figs, plums, apricots and herbs tumbling down to the crystal-clear sea.

We spent our last day in Amalfi visiting the hillside village of Ravello with its bustling tourists, ceramic shops, wisteria-clad villas and two beautiful Italian English gardens, which host many international music events.

We bussed up to Ravello and then decided to walk to Amalfi via Atrani, down very steep paths of over 1000 steps, past abandoned gardens and abundant fruit, finally reaching

DESTINATIONS

Left Bottom: The Gulf of Naples where we rescued four Italian lads who were happily out of their depth.

Below: In Lefkada – beautiful sunsets and warm nights in the Ionian Islands.

“Halfway down the coast, three miles from shore, what should we come across but a pig, happily swimming along.”

CONTINUE FOLLOWING NOETA’S BLOG W: noeta.nz

the coast via an underground tunnel to Amalfi coming out at the cathedral. Amalfi: it’s all about the donkeys, and, having walked down the old way, I can now see why!

We left Amalfi three days ago to make our way down the Calabrian coast to Cetraro, which looked like a good place to pick up our next set of guests - Doug, Katy, Greg and Maggie - fresh off the train from Roma.

Calabria’s hallmarks are chillies and a pig!

Halfway down the coast, three nautical miles from shore, what should we come across but a pig, happily swimming along and looking like he was heading to Sardegna. If that was the case, then he had another 230 nautical miles to go!

I was a bit worried that he mightn’t make it, so we decided to herd him back to shore.

Two hours later and with a little help from a local Italian speedboat and the Guardia Costiera, he clambered up the rocks and took off down the beach. We didn’t stay around to see what happened next.

On the way to Cetraro we anchored for the night at Diamante. It really is a gem of a place, a small town with walls covered in murals that are clever and beautiful, a wide display featuring various artists – eat your heart out, Katikati!

Cetraro was, as expected, a good pickup place, a five-minute walk from the train station to the beach and a five-minute tender to our anchorage.

Our train-weary guests (who had endured five hours of broken air conditioning) plunged straight into the 29-degree sea.

It was also a good setting-off place for the volcanic and windy Aeolian Islands Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano - and then down to Sicily.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 33

BOAT REVIEW

The

Crowd Pleaser ELBA 45

With new catamaran brands springing up like mushrooms, France’s Fountaine Pajot is something of an oak tree in the market, and the new Elba 45 is their newest, well-thought-out mainstay model. Not for nothing were more than 100 of the boats sold before the first hull even hit the water.

By Sam Fortescue, for Sail Magazine

A

lthough it replaces the old Hélia 44 Evolution, the Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has been designed by Olivier Racoupeau from scratch, following over 150 meetings and thousands of hours of work. The new hull offers 10 per cent less drag than the Hélia, thanks to a small chine in the aft section and a remodelled transom.

“It may not sound like much, but for us, that’s a big deal,” Racoupeau told me. The result is better performance at medium to high speeds and more efficient motoring: all that in a hull that is just six inches longer than its predecessor and six inches beamier.

Beyond that, Fountaine Pajot has stuck with its successful formula of slightly aft-raked bows and fixed stub keels below the waterline for better windward performance.

Company Flagship director Yves de Kerangat adds that the keels are simply glued into a specially designed recess in the hulls with no keel bolts that could rip out and compromise the boat in the event of a

collision or a grounding. Layup is done via vacuum infusion and employs a mixture of polyester and vinylester over glass, with a final coat of epoxy primer for blister resistance.

EASY LIVING ON DECK Fountaine Pajot has resisted the urge to offer this boat with a true flybridge, instead providing a bulkhead helm position with some low-profile lounging space on the coach roof.

Why ‘resisted’? you ask.

“Well, although the extra space and cachet of a flybridge would appeal to some, it puts a lot of weight high up and forces the designer to raise the height of the boom. This, in turn, places the centre of effort higher up, increasing heeling moment and requiring a taller mast.

As it is, the Elba 45’s helm offers a kind of halfway house in which the person at the wheel can still stay involved in life on the aft deck below via sightlines through the ladder up to the coach roof. There is also a good

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 35

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109 square feet of cushion space up top, where crew can either keep the helmsperson company or just admire a sunset.

In terms of aesthetics, this is a modernlooking cruising catamaran with high topsides and bows, although a pronounced reverse sheer serves to minimise the bulk of the saloon windows at the same time it creates additional useful volume below. Aft, there’s a thoughtful skirt to the transoms to make it easier to climb aboard from the tender or when alongside.

Another nice touch is an optional electrically operated bathing platform, which spans the entire width between the hulls and offers a handy way to launch and retrieve a 10ft 10in tender, thereby doing away with the need for unsightly davits.

The rig is ICW-friendly and represents a pretty standard catamaran setup, with the 59ft 5in mast stepped on the leading end of the coach roof. The mainsheet runs to a traveller mounted aft of the helm and lounging area, and the genoa sheets to a pair of tracks located close to the centreline and within reach of the cockpit for easy control and tight trim angles.

All lines are led back to a rope-handling pit just ahead of the wheel where three Lewmar 50 winches allow you to handle sheets, halyards and reefing lines with ease.

OPTIMISING LIFESTYLE Compared to the first-generation Hélia 44, the team at Racoupeau and Fountaine Pajot have made some significant changes inside, particularly with respect to the large 180sq ft saloon. For example, where the Hélia had a horseshoe-shaped galley aft and a deep, dedicated chart table forward to port, the new boat leaves this space largely uncluttered with the galley now running along the port side of the saloon where it is punctuated by a set of stairs leading down into the cabins in the hull.

The chart table has also been done away with and the navigation instruments shifted to a cabinet by the sliding door leading to the cockpit.

In explaining the decision, Racoupeau says, “From our personal experience, we saw that we use the chart table less and less. We go there for information, but not to sit down and work like we did in the past.”

MORE INFORMATION T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

36 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

“If you are looking for a fun, safe cruising boat that will take care of your family in comfort, this may well be it.”

Two interior configurations are on offer: a ‘Maestro’, or Owner’s version that dedicates the entire port hull to a double cabin with fold-out TV, dressing table, copious clothes storage and a large shower room and heads; and a charter-friendly four-cabin, four-heads ‘Quatuor’ setup. Both versions include a crew berth in the starboard bow and room for a crew head to port. There’s space for a sail locker as well. The standard finish is in a light grey oak for the furniture, dark oak flooring and a choice of neutral upholstery.

BOAT REVIEW

Top left: The Maestro and Quatuor versions.

Top right: The 180sq ft saloon with panoramic views and optimised living space.

Below left: A choice of outdoor areas for everyone to have their own space to relax.

Below right: The practical galley runs along the portside of the saloon for optimised space.

PLEASING UNDER POWER With a pair of 40hp Volvo D2 sail drives tucked into its two transom compartments, the Elba 45 is both quiet and efficient under power. You can also upgrade to a pair of 50hp units, which would be a worthwhile option if you’re expecting to spend a lot of time motoring. The standard prop is a 17in threeblade fixed unit. However, you can upgrade to an 18in Volvo folding prop as well.

Control is via a standard Volvo twin throttle making it easy to manoeuvre at low speeds close to the dock. We managed an easy seven-plus knots at 2000 rpm and better than nine knots at 3000 rpm.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Again, Fountaine Pajot’s newest design replaces its popular Hélia 44 Evolution, thereby occupying a true sweet spot in terms of LOA and displacement that caters not only to families who like pottering around the bay but those with more ambitious cruising plans.

The changes compared to the Hélia are well thought out and make the Elba 45 a more efficient boat that performs better all round.

If you are looking for a fun, safe cruising boat that will take care of your family in comfort, this may well be it.

CAREFREE UNDER SAIL You don’t waste any time getting the sails up in this boat with the task of raising the main eased by an ingenious hook mounted on the head car that provides a 2:1 purchase as it pulls the sail up the mast track.

With the fully battened main and standard 120 per cent genoa, we found the Elba 45 managed an easy seven to eight knots beating into about 12 knots of true wind at an apparent wind angle of 45 degrees.

Off the wind, she rollicked along nicely.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to test a reaching or a running sail, which would have really lit things up. Fountaine Pajot maintains that the larger genoa means that there is less need for, say, a dedicated Code 0.

However, a central longeron also protrudes beyond the bow providing a tack point for such canvas.

ELBA 45 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

13.45 m / 44.2 ft

Beam:

7.55 m / 24.77 ft

Draft:

1.2 m / 4.3 ft

Displacement (light):

13.6 tonne (approx.)

Main Sail Area:

74 m2 / 796 sqft

Genoa Area:

45 m2 / 484 sq ft

Engines:

2 x 40HP / 2 x 50HP

Fuel/Diesel Tanks:

470L

Water Tanks:

700L

Naval Architect:

Berret-Racoupeau Design

Builder:

Fountaine Pajot Catamarans

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 37

A QUICK

Getaway Don’t have time to sail somewhere new under your own steam?

Multihull Solutions can now book your dream charter at handpicked destinations around the world, reports Caroline Strainig.

DESTINATION

T

he sun is shining, you are thinking about going sailing but would love to explore somewhere new.

“Oh, how I wish we could just teleport our yacht to Tahiti or Thailand or Turkey,” you dream, gazing at photos of carefree people on yachts in picture-perfect locations. “How I wish that could be us. . .”

Well, the bad news is you can’t yet teleport your yacht, but the good news is that you can do the next best thing: charter a yacht in your dream location.

Last year, in response to the many enquiries its team received, Multihull Solutions launched a charter booking agency specialising in companies with Fountaine Pajot catamarans in their fleets.

The man behind it is Greg Boller, an exmanager of leading international charter company Sunsail, who now manages the new yacht sales team for Multihull Solutions.

Greg has more than 30 years’ experience in the charter industry and has selected charter companies around the world from personal experience and advice from close industry contacts.

With just one phone call or email, you can find yourself steered towards the dream holiday that ticks all your boxes, whether it’s in an exotic location aboard the same model of catamaran you might already own or aboard something a little bigger, smaller or newer. Anyway – you get the picture!

CAREFREE CLIENTS

“Our free charter booking agency is a winwin for clients,” Greg said.

“Essentially, you are getting the benefit of us doing most of the groundwork for you at no extra cost, or at an even better price than booking directly.

“We want to offer members of the Multihull Solutions ‘family’ a complete boating service, and charter holidays are a logical extension of that.

“Our booking agency takes the chance factor out of finding a charter yacht and ensures your dream holiday exceeds your every expectation.”

MOUTH-WATERING LOCATIONS Greg said that Multihull Solutions already has relationships with about 80 charter companies in more than 50 locations around the world, including destinations like Croatia, Greece, Turkey, French Polynesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the USA, the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands, Cuba and in Queensland’s Whitsundays.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 39

DESTINATION

Previous page: The MY 40 by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts is available to charter at a range of exotic destinations worldwide.

This page: Choose from more than 500 sail or power multihulls for a bareboat, crewed or bookby-the-cabin charter holiday.

This means clients enjoy access to more than 500 sail and power multihulls, including over 180 Fountaine Pajot catamarans. You can even charter some of the shipyard’s very latest models, including the Astréa 42, Elba 45, Saona 47 and the flagship Alegria 67 from their sailing range, as well as the MY 37, MY 40 and MY 44 from the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts fleet.

You have a choice of bareboating – which means skippering the yacht yourself – or chartering a yacht with a skipper, although some of the larger yachts automatically include crew. You can even book a hostess or chef if your dream holiday requirements include optimal pampering!

The Multihull Solutions booking service is comprehensive, including arranging airport transfers and provisioning, tailoring sailing itineraries and recommending crew, and you simply have the company organise whichever services you need.

BOOKING BY THE CABIN If you don’t want to book an entire boat but still want to experience cruising in an exotic location, you can also simply book a cabin.

This cost-efficient option is available in many locations, including in 16 Dream Yacht Charter destinations.

The Book-By-the-Cabin concept was pioneered by Sunsail when Greg was with the company years ago, and it remains a popular option for those without adequate sailing experience, for singles and for those seeking a more budget-friendly getaway.

REGATTA/RALLY FUN If you’d like to holiday with a group of likeminded boaters, new regattas and rallies are also in the pipeline with the Mediterranean Escapade at the top of the list for 2020.

If you are lucky enough to be cruising the Med on your own boat you can join the Escapade, but charter boats are also available with models including the Lucia 40, Astréa 42, Hélia 44 and Salina 48.

MORE INFORMATION ON WORLDWIDE CHARTER HOLIDAYS W: multihullsolutions.com.au

40 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

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MY 40

Power to Shine

The

Fountaine Pajot recently launched the new MY 40 showing off a powercat that stands out for its speed, stability and excellent fuel economy, topped by impressive living spaces that include a best-in-class flybridge and a remarkable owner’s suite.

By Jim Loe, for Yacht Style

42 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

BOAT REVIEW

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 43

Above: The MY 40 has very low fuel consumption compared to monohulls of its size.

F

ountaine Pajot has been building motor yachts since the late 1990s, having previously focused on racing then cruising sailing catamarans a few years after the shipyard was founded in La Rochelle in 1976. In recent years, it has carved out a new era of powercats, starting in 2015 with the launch of the MY 37, currently the smallest model in its range.

Fountaine Pajot’s power cat range moved to a new level of acclaim following the world premiere of the MY 44 at boot Düsseldorf boat show in early 2017, the model collecting awards around the globe including 2018 European Power Boat of the Year.

In Düsseldorf in 2019, the builder plugged the gap between its existing models with the launch of the MY 40, which has built on the outstanding layout and performance of its big sister by retaining the services of veteran French naval architect Daniel Andrieu and Italian interior architect Pierangelo Andreani.

Andrieu has stated that their chief priorities were reconciling speed, low fuel consumption and outstanding stability, and

44 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

these have been achieved with a hull design fine-tuned from the two previous models and the use of the IPS system, also used on its older sibling, the MY 44.

The MY 40 has 300hp IPS 400 drives as standard, with the 370hp IPS 500 as an option. The joystick simplifies docking and other manoeuvres and, with the engines well separated, no bow thruster is needed.

Manoeuvrability? Tick.

Developed by Volvo, the IPS system is also very quiet, free of vibrations and uses less room, freeing up more space in the hulls for the cabins. Fuel consumption is remarkably low, down to one litre per nautical mile, according to Fountaine Pajot. Even at full speed, it consumes about a gallon per nautical mile, whereas a typical 50ft mono would consume double this at 20 knots.

“The MY 40 has all the benefits of twin hulls, so it has low consumption, high stability and a top speed over 20 knots,” said Romain Motteau, deputy CEO of Fountaine Pajot, who admitted other key aims for the model were an outstanding owner’s suite.

BOAT REVIEW

THE GREAT INDOORS Power and performance aside, the cat’s layout is arguably its winning asset with the portside owner’s suite and the enormous flybridge two highlights of Andreani’s work.

The surprises start in the asymmetrical cockpit (12.5sqm), which, instead of the straight sofa used on the 37 and 44, has an L-shaped version creating a more social area that works better with the optional table.

Three hatches in the cockpit floor offer key access points to engines and other hardware.

The large saloon doors slide neatly behind the curving portside stairwell. Forward of the galley is a beautifully designed saloon of a size that “compares to a 50ft monohull,” according to Motteau. Completely open to the cockpit and with huge windows forward and round the sides, the saloon enjoys fantastic light and views.

Furniture wise, it’s dominated by a big, comfortable sofa along the port side with facing chairs at either end. The long, thin table slats have the option of electrically rotating and folding open to create a large dining table, while to starboard a pop-up television rises aft of the bench-seat helm station when guests are ready for an evening movie.

Portside stairs lead to the guest quarters, or firstly a small hall that accesses the shared bathroom, shower and communal cupboards.

There’s a double cabin aft, while the forward room can be either another double or can feature twin bunks, the latter cabin enjoying good floor and bench space. Both guest cabins enjoy light from good-sized hull windows and have their own closets.

The much talked-about owner’s suite is accessed by stairs in the other corner of the saloon, aft of the fridge, and again leads to a small hall, this time with space for an optional washing machine. Reputed to be the largest owner’s suite in its class, the 12sqm master cabin is a remarkable achievement and benefits from excellent headroom. A double bed faces the long window and porthole, and is flanked by convenient seating and, another foot up, large side tables and lamps. There are handy open shelves by the bed and a small desk or vanity table by the window.

Forward is a long ensuite, which is decorated more like a walk-in wardrobe and has a beautifully appointed vanity and cabinets with further storage as well as a huge frosted-glass shower stall that makes the most of another hull window.

FAB FLYBRIDGE AND FOREDECK Top: Excellent light and views with the saloon’s panoramic windows.

Middle: The acclaimed owner’s suite is the largest in its class.

Bottom: Designer galley with ample storage and quality appliances.

Arguably the most exciting communal area is what Motteau describes as a “super-large flybridge”, which at 17sqm has also been described as the biggest in its class. It’s well protected on this model by a hardtop with

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 45

sunroof, crucial in Asia Pacific’s relentless cruising regions.

The elegant curved staircase brings you to a portside wet bar with fridge and optional barbeque, plus a large double sunpad that can lie flat or have an angled backrest. It’s arguably the best lounging space on the catamaran, offering great panoramic views while being protected from above.

Starboard is the helm station, which can have one or two seats, while aft is the main social area, a large three-sided arrangement of seats with either a coffee table or larger dining table. Again, the area is well sheltered yet open to great views and welcome breezes.

The foredeck offers a more intimate exterior area, an 8sqm sunken cockpit flanked by forward-facing sunpads with adjustable backrests. It’s ideal for two people to sunbathe or read in peace, or for three or four to share conversation and cocktails.

At the other end of the boat, Fountaine Pajot offers an optional aft swim platform that can be lowered, and which seems worthwhile for those planning to cruise in warm waters.

46 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

Above: 17sqm flybridge with wetbar and BBQ. Top right: Optional swim platform.

Centre right: The large, sheltered cockpit.

Bottom right: Foredeck with sunken cockpit and sunpads.

Opposite: Maestro version layout.

BOAT REVIEW

“The designers’ chief priorities were reconciling speed, low fuel consumption and outstanding stability.”

MY 40 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

12.91 m / 42.4 ft

Beam:

5.96 m / 19.8 ft

Draft:

1.1 m / 3.7 ft

Displacement (light):

14 T (approx)

Standard Engines:

2 x 300 HP Volvo | 2 x 221 KW IPS 400

Optional Upgraded Engines:

2 x 370 HP Volvo | 2 x 272 KW IPS 500

Fresh Water:

1 x 450 L

Fuel/Diesel:

2 x 700 L

Builder:

Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts, France

Architect and Interior Designer:

Daniel Andrieu | Pierangeli Andreani Studio

MY 40 PERFORMANCE Speed (knots)

RPM

Fuel (litres per hour)

7

900

12 (long range)

10

3,200

35 (cruising)

17+

3,500

90 (maximum)

Fountaine Pajot is enjoying a strong run on both the sail and motor side, while commercially it flexed its muscles with the recent acquisition of its neighbour, Dufour, traditionally a builder of sailing monohulls but which has recently launched its first sailing catamaran.

With Lagoon still only producing powercats above 60ft, Fountaine Pajot has put itself in a sound position in the motor yacht sector with a strong set from 37-44ft, with Leopard from South Africa and Aquila from China among the few producing similar models for a global audience.

However, Fountaine Pajot doesn’t see such companies as its most obvious competition and is more interested in offering a more spacious and economical option for owners who would otherwise buy premium motor yachts from the likes of Prestige.

And bearing in mind that the La Rochelle builder is preparing to launch a Power 67 in 2020, power catamarans could increasingly prove a market disruptor, much like their sailing sisters.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 47

FEATURE STORY

NAVIGATING THE

Red Tape

The dream of casting off the shackles and sailing the Med can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t understand the bureaucracies that govern cruising in Europe.

S

o, you’ve bought your new catamaran and have opted to pick it up exfactory in Europe? An incredible cruising adventure awaits, but before you set sail it’s important to understand the necessary customs and immigration formalities you will encounter along the way.

You’ll be sailing in predominately European Union (EU) countries and navigating their customs requirements until you get to the eastern or southern Mediterranean. Some of these EU countries are part of the Schengen Visa system, which governs immigration and travel requirements. So, at a basic level, it pays to understand which countries are part of this EU and Schengen Visa system.

In general, there are two parts to customs and visa-related cruising in Europe, and they work a little independently. There’s you – the boat owners (and other crew) – and then there’s the boat itself.

“All this juggling is commonly known as the ‘Schengen Dance’.”

VAT AND A FOREIGN-FLAGGED VESSEL IN EUROPE Let’s start with the boat. Value-added tax (VAT) is payable on a boat in Europe unless it is registered overseas. While this exempts your boat from VAT, it limits the duration that your multihull can stay in the EU to 18 consecutive months. You can ‘reset’ the clock by taking the boat out of the EU with documented proof you have done so. Once you have temporarily left the EU, you can return to EU waters for another 18 months.

In our case, our Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 catamaran Wild Heart is registered in Australia (as I’m an Australian citizen) with the

48 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

By Suellen Tomkins

Australian Maritime Safety Authority Ship’s Register, so we are a officially an Australianflagged vessel.

To be listed on the register, there is documentation to complete together with a one-off fee. Once registered, the final boat registration papers you receive are a critical part of the documentation needed for customs, immigration and marina stays.

Don’t lose these! Actually, the hardest part of this process is choosing a name for your boat that’s not currently on the register as the name (or its spelling) has to be unique. You can search for names already registered on the AMSA website.

SCHENGEN VISA AND TRAVELLING IN EUROPE Next is the issue of your own personal bureaucratic restrictions; this is where things get a little more complicated, so stay with me.

In Europe, this is governed by the Schengen Visa system, which encompasses most European Union countries, but not all.

The Schengen Visa allows travellers to move freely across borders of those countries that are part of the Schengen agreement.

However, some countries can be part of the EU but not part of Schengen, for example, Croatia. The Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website has a detailed section on the Schengen requirements, including the following explanation: You don’t need a visa to travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you leave the Schengen area and return within the same 180-day period, the previous stay will count towards the 90-day maximum.

If you stay more than 90 days in a 180day period in the Schengen area without a valid visa, you may be fined or banned from entering the Schengen area.

To complicate matters, Australia has bilateral agreements with some Schengen countries; these agreements allow you to spend up to 60 or 90 days in the specific region for tourism, regardless of stays in other Schengen countries. However, the way this is administered varies by country, so you have to check the relevant nations’ rules around this agreement.

Also, if your spouse has an EU passport, technically you have the same rights to travel in the EU and Schengen as the EU passport holder, but ensure you have your marriage certificate handy and be prepared to argue the case if the local immigration authorities are not on top of all the regulations.

You should also be aware that nonSchengen countries may have limits on the period of stay as well. If you’re choosing to stay in a Schengen country for an extended time, you can apply for an extended-stay visa in some countries, however they expect you to reside there. There are other limitations on how this can be used, and make sure you understand any personal tax implications.

If you can get an EU passport, this is the simplest option for travelling in the EU. In our circumstances, my husband Scott has an EU passport from Britain and so travels under the EU’s ‘Freedom of Travel’ rules. As our surnames differ and we did not have our marriage certificate with us, we opted for a conservative approach to avoid falling foul of the authorities until the very end of our trip.

That meant sailing quickly from La Rochelle in France to Croatia in order to get me, with my Australian passport, out of the EU. This still allowed us time to enjoy the Balearic Islands and southern Italy, then slowing to spend time in Montenegro and Croatia.

All this juggling is commonly known as the ‘Schengen Dance.’ As we had planned to winter Wild Heart in Bari, Italy, I counted on

Scott’s EU travel rights for the few additional days we needed in the EU before our flights.

BOAT STAMP This is rarely used in Europe but becomes vital in Montenegro where you can purchase VATfree fuel. A boat stamp is critical to complete the purchase. Obtaining this before you travel saves searching for one in Montenegro.

BOAT AND TRAVEL INSURANCE It may seem like a given, however boat insurance not only provides peace of mind to protect your investment but proof of coverage needs to be given to marinas when you check in. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers sailing is also critical. Many general travel insurance policies do not cover sailing, so it’s best to be cautious and ensure you have the most suitable policy. You’ll be a long way from home, and accidents and ill health can occur unexpectedly.

Understanding and being prepared to navigate these bureaucratic formalities will help you better enjoy your cruising time in Europe. Lastly, everyone’s personal circumstances are different, and everyone has individual approaches to managing this aspect of cruising life. It pays to do your own homework and make choices and decisions that work best for you and your yacht.

USEFUL RESOURCES Registering and naming vessels: amsa.gov.au Schengen Visa information: schengenvisainfo.com and smartraveller.gov.au European Union visa information: europa.eu Schengen Border legislation: eur-lex.europa.eu

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 49

HEAVEN on

Earth

Turquoise waters, sparkling beaches, jagged limestone pinnacles, a tropical climate and pink sunsets: the Andaman Sea is the jewel in Thailand’s maritime crown, with more and more people choosing to buy a boat from this marine wonderland.

P

huket - ‘the pearl of the Andaman’ - is Thailand’s largest island and a mecca for cruisers from all over the world. A complete tourist destination, Phuket offers more than just its spectacular natural beauty.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the mesmerising Sino-Portuguese architecture, vibrant and diverse ethnic culture, bustling calendar of festivals, aromatic cuisine, colourful nightlife and a dizzying array of sightseeing tours and activities. Visiting Phuket is easier than ever before with direct flights from most major cities throughout Asia Pacific.

50 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

FEATURE STORY

In recent years, Phuket has become one of the most popular locations in Asia Pacific to purchase a new or pre-owned multihull. Its appeal is undeniable: clients can experience an unforgettable getaway while perusing an extensive range of boats available, then enjoy top-class service when it comes time to arrange delivery of their new boat to their home port or cast off from Phuket for a cruising adventure of a lifetime.

Multihull Solutions has three Sales Centres in Phuket with a bustling brokerage division that offers a huge range of multihulls. The Sales Centres in Boat Lagoon, Yacht Haven Marina and Ao Po Grand Marina in Thalang

are all conveniently close to the airport and main town and are staffed by multihull experts who have a wealth of knowledge about the cruising region, local marine services and logistics of delivering boats to each clients’ home port.

The company also has agents in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines to help buyers source the perfect boat to suit all needs and budgets. Multihull Solutions’ contribution to the development of Asia’s multihull industry has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yacht Dealer of the Year (Asia Pacific) award.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 51

FEATURE STORY

delivery skippers who can manage the import and customs arrangements. For global registration, a Langkawi, Malaysia-registered boat can be beneficial, or you can choose from a range of different jurisdictions and our team has vast experience in these matters.

Teaching you the ropes We can arrange comprehensive sail training or just a refresher course to ensure you are completely confident and competent to sail your new boat. We work with an array of certified skippers who are very knowledgeable about the various multihulls on the market. You can opt for a one-day sail course or a multi-week training program, and we can recommend the perfect skipper to suit your style and needs.

Keep your multihull in Phuket

Above: Young Buddhist monks in Phuket.

TOP REASONS TO BUY WITH MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS ASIA A stress-free buying process As you would do for a boat located near you if from Australia, New Zealand, the UK or USA etc, the process is handled by your local Multihull Solutions representative. Sales documents are in English, and your deposit is paid into Multihull Solutions’ escrow accounts in Singapore or Australia.

An unforgettable tourism experience When visiting Phuket to inspect our boats for sale here or at a nearby location, our team can assist you with sourcing accommodation, collect you from the airport and take you to your viewings. You simply have to book your flights! Once in Phuket you will be able to visit as many of our listed boats as you wish while also having time to enjoy all the attractions of our beautiful island.

Technical experts From hiring a professional skipper for sea trials to organising a certified surveyor, our team can recommend and help arrange the most reputable contractors for the job. Once you’ve purchased your boat, we can also suggest the best trades and service providers to prepare it for your voyage home.

Professional delivery If you wish your boat to be delivered and imported into your own country, Multihull Solutions has a network of professionals to oversee the entire process, including certified

52 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

This is a very popular option for many buyers, and we have world-class contractors who can maintain your boat in pristine condition and have her ready for whenever you wish to fly over and go for a cruise. When not in use, your boat can be dry stored in secure facilities, or take advantage of discounted marina berths at our Phuket Sales Centres.

You can also earn income from your multihull when you are not enjoying it by placing your boat in a charter program with our preferred local operator.

Explore some of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds The Thailand cruising area of the Andaman Sea, Phang Nga Bay, northern Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, out to the Maldives and further afield are among the most beautiful in the world. By choosing a multihull in Phuket you can discover them all on an incredible downwind journey to South Africa and carry on up to the Caribbean.

Alternatively, cruise through the Suez Canal to the Eastern Mediterranean (note: we recommend checking travel advisories and insurance policy conditions if embarking on this route), or simply do the Indian Ocean circuit and return to Phuket to store your boat for your next season’s adventure.

CONTACT MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS ASIA T: +66 (0) 76 238 117 E: info@multihullsolutions.asia W: multihullsolutions.asia

Bespoke Yacht charters with the Superyacht Feel Yacht management from the experts

Phuket

Koh Samui

Langkawi

When you are in Thailand sailing with us SMILES BETTER. Sail In Thailand was founded in 2014 and was recently purchased by Wave Marine Phuket. We specialize in high-end holiday sailing charters and are willing to go the extra mile for our clients. We pride ourselves in maintaining the highest standards of vessel maintenance, technical support, marina organization, safety, and sanitation. Our team’s knowledge of the local sailing grounds is second

WAVEMARINE P H U K E T

to none, and we are all long term members of the Phuket community.

Our fleet of sailing catamarans are well maintained and equipped for the tropical sailing conditions in Thailand. We are poised to supplement our charters with luxury airport transfers to/from the marina, 5-star quality provisioning, and exciting itinerary planning. Inclusive, progressive and concerned for our environment we look forward to working with you all.

+66 89 287 2909

WAVEMARINE P H U K E T

Ao Po Grand Marina 113/1 Moo 6, Unit 199/120 Tambon Paklok, Amphur Thalang. Phuket 83110

o l l y @ s ailinthailand.c o m

WAVEMARINE

www. s ailinthailan d.c om P H U K E T

ILIAD 50

Simply More

Purpose-built motor catamarans like the exciting new explorer-style ILIAD 50 give owners a versatile vessel for heading over far horizons, as KEVIN GREEN discovers.

54 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

BOAT REVIEW

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 55

BOAT REVIEW

P

ower catamarans have many attractions for cruising boaters and day sailors alike, both of whom can appreciate the stability, space and frugality. A great example is the new ILIAD 50, brought to the market by Australian company Multihull Solutions as the first of a range that encompasses a 70 model launched at the 2019 Sydney International Boat Show, plus a 60 and 90 later.

These semi-displacement yachts can do double-digit cruising speeds while offering vast ranges. But this is not just another coastal cruising power cat, as ILIAD Catamarans CEO Mark Elkington is keen to point out. A key point of difference is a wide array of engine choices.

“The ILIAD range starts at 50 feet, as you need that size to have all the equipment that a true passage-making boat requires,” he says.

The other key market differentiator is the semi-custom build and an exceptionally high level of detail in the finish. ILIAD Catamarans offers fully optioned boat packages rather than creating add-ons afterwards.

CREATING THE LEGEND The popularity of explorer-style yachts has never been higher as boaters seek to escape the madding crowd while embracing the latest technologies to liberate them from onshore services. For motor yachts, fuel efficiency is a major attribute and this is where catamarans, with their low-drag hulls, become attractive.

Realising this, then forming a consortium to bring such a vessel to the market, proved a challenge, says Elkington.

“I explored about 50 yards around the world for an offshore passagemaker that was tough enough to be beached if necessary, but most were using IPS engines, which are too vulnerable. So our choice was either forget about this market opportunity or put a team together and build something ourselves.”

The resulting company, Global Marine, includes Riccardo Bulgarelli who worked with the Azimut design team and a Chinese naval dockyard relaunched as YuanHe XinLong Yachts in Zhanjiang. A prototype was launched in 2017, which motored 3,000nm around Asia for research and development.

Only then was the ILIAD 50 created.

ASTONISHING SPACE The explorer-style ethos required the hull to be very resilient, so the shaft-drive engines and rudder are protected by an integrated keel. The ILIAD 50 has three impressive levels of living space, with owner or charter versions available below decks. Its silhouette is dominated by the large flybridge extending all the way aft.

56 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

“The other key market differentiator is the semi-custom build and exceptionally high level of detail in the finish.”

Above: The ILIAD 50 has an Impressive range of 2,500nm.

Far left: The expansive flybridge.

Left: Premium fixtures and finishes throughout.

Climbing up via the inboard steps from the cockpit reveals a semi-covered flybridge with lounge midships that seats eight, along with a wet bar, electric plate and bar fridge. Offset forward to port is the helm.

Aft, across the swath of thick teak floor, is an open area designed to house a dinghy with a stainless steel winch base already in place – but being a semi-custom boat, this area could have sunbeds or even a Jacuzzi. The helm has a Raymarine Hybrid Touch chart screen alongside autopilot and engine controls.

The main aft deck is a vast area of relaxation space that will be a strong draw for buyers.

A wet bar and table for eight means it is a seamless alfresco extension of the open-plan saloon, with the galley and dinette just inside to port. The forepart of the saloon is elevated by a step, so there are clear views from the second (optional) helm and airflow at anchor, thanks to a large front window.

The sleek contemporary galley features quality Siemens appliances and spacious Corian worktops, and the large cupboards overhead and twin-drawer fridges are ideal for victualling long term.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 57

“The review boat, a stock vessel, had only been on display for a single day before a couple bought it.”

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FREEDOM OF CHOICE Moving back aft, each hull has moulded steps into the water and the transom can house a tender on davits. Here, also, are the hatches to each engine. The standard fitting is for 375hp Volvo shaft drives, but up to 10 engine choices are available, including different brands.

“We offer true freedom of choice, and this applies to most of the systems, such as engines and electronics,” says Elkington.

The engine room is spacious and well organised with electrics and batteries elevated above the engines. Only quality components are used, like Racor filters, Victron inverters and a Seafire automatic fire suppression system. This is all housed in a sturdily built, CE-A category hull that has a solid fibreglass base and mini keels to allow a grounding if needed.

“It’s a full vinylester hull, not just below the waterline but above as well, with monolithic or solid glass around the keel line and key parts,” says Elkington.

Elsewhere, PVC closed-cell infusion has been used by the Xinlong shipyard, which was visited by European CE inspectors at key stages of the build.

BOAT REVIEW

ILIAD 50 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

15.51 m / 50.88 ft

Beam:

7.35 m / 24.11 ft

Draft:

1.25 m / 4.1 ft

Air Draft:

6.49m / 21.29 ft

Displacement (L):

24,000 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity:

3,000 L

Water Tank Capacity:

1,000 L

Range:

2,500nm (slow speed)

Certification:

CE A-12, CE B-12, CE C-20, CE D-35

Builder / Designer:

ILIAD Catamarans / Riccardo Bulgarelli

PERFORMANCE

Top: Unrivalled space with a vast flybridge, foredeck and cockpit.

Below: Sleek galley with quality appliances.

Top left: Exceptional craftsmanship in the saloon.

Left: The decadent Owner’s suite.

Speed (knots)

RPM

Fuel (litres per hour)

7

1300

12

13

2500

38

17

3000

105

FINISHING TOUCHES

EPIC RANGE

Most striking is the ILIAD 50’s level of detailing and quality of finish. It’s clearly hand-finished in most places, from rounded ends to curved cocktail tabletops and immaculate stitching in the soft leather couches. The review boat had only been on display at the 2019 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show for a single day before it was purchased.

Closed off by a sliding door, the entire port hull is dedicated to the owner, with a large island bed in the stern, ensuite in the bow and vanity/desk midships. Expansive windows beside the bed and down the hull afford generous water views and give an airy feel.

Teak underfoot and a quality Tecman electric head finish off the area nicely.

In the starboard hull the two double berths with ensuites are equally well appointed, including memory foam mattresses and bookshelves with tasteful mood lights.

There is ample usable deck space; the bow features elevated twin sunbeds and lockers between them to house the anchor system.

The rode runs under the nacelle, safely away from bare feet, and is controlled by a substantial Quick 2000W vertical windlass.

Cats offer great manoeuvrability thanks to wide-set shafts, and the ILIAD 50 spins in its own length. High up on the flybridge, I have clear views so easily dodge obstacles before opening the throttles.

We reach 21 knots at 3,450rpm from the fitted Volvo D6-435s before I slow the ILIAD down to a more sedate cruising speed of 18 knots showing a fuel burn of 105L/h.

Cruising at 10 knots should extend range to 750 nautical miles. And, although the sea is calm, we punch through our wake without a murmur from anything.

The ILIAD 50 is a highly competent power catamaran that will definitely appeal to a broad range of boaters who are looking for an odyssey of their own.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 59

CRUISING THE

Long White Cloud

With its pristine coastlines, sheltered sounds and exhilarating blue water sailing, it’s little wonder New Zealand is one of the fastest growing multihull markets in the world.

N

ew Zealand’s cruising grounds are the stuff of legend; the Bay of Islands, Milford Sound, Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds are just a few of the destinations that lure visitors from all over the world to experience their breatktaking natural beauty.

The country has seen a huge increase in catamaran and trimaran sales in recent years as cruising enthusiasts embrace the many advantages multihulls offer to explore this magnificent corner of the earth.

Sailors who have come to the end of their Pacific or world cruising adventures are also choosing New Zealand as the perfect base from which to sell their boat before embarking on their next venture.

To cater for this growth, Multihull Solutions has expanded its presence in the region, opening a new office in 2019 in Auckland’s City of Sails to complement its popular Whangarei Brokerage Sales Centre.

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Run by Simon Barker and Chris Janes who share more than 50 years’ experience in New Zealand’s marine industry, the Sales Centres have been inundated with demand for new and quality pre-owned multihulls with Fountaine Pajot’s range of catamarans leading the requests.

More Fountaine Pajot catamarans are sold to New Zealanders than any other multihull brand, as Kiwi buyers recognise the superior level of safety, performance and style these French sail and power cats afford.

Multihull Solutions’ brokerage division also continues to flourish, leading to the establishment of New Zealand’s first permanent Out-of-Water Multihull Boat Show at the Whangarei Sales Centre in 2019.

The initiative replicates the company’s hugely successful Out-of-Water Boat Show on the Gold Coast, and allows sellers to showcase their multihull in premium display space with maximum exposure to buyers.

FEATURE STORY

More Fountaine Pajot catamarans are now sold to New Zealanders than any other multihull brand.

Launched in partnership with New Zealand’s most popular multihull hub, Norsand Boatyard, the new Whangarei Outof-Water Multihull Boat Show is located just two hours north of Auckland and showcases an extensive range of catamarans and trimarans on the hard instead of in marina berths, enabling buyers to inspect and conduct surveys on the entire vessel and also letting sellers perform work on their boats in a safe and secure facility.

The new Out-of-Water Boat Show is also conveniently situated at a New Zealand Customs Clearance site making it extremely appealing for international cruisers to sell their vessel in Whangarei once they have completed their cruising adventures. Multihull Solution’s long working relationship with Customs allows sellers to list their boat for sale without being out of pocket with taxes.

A team of multihull specialists is also on hand to facilitate all aspects of the sales process, making it an easy and stress-free process for clients. Professional maintenance and cleaning packages are available to ensure each vessel is in pristine condition for buyers to inspect. The Norsand yard is the ideal base for sellers to refit and overhaul in preparation for Pacific cruising adventures with qualified and experienced trades on site, multihullfriendly travel lifts and affordable rates for labour and storage.

With Multihull Solutions’ experienced team at the helm and a region hungry to make the most of their world-class cruising grounds, multihull sales in New Zealand show no sign of slowing down any time soon.

CONTACT MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS NZ T: +64 (0) 9 432 7032 E: info@multihullsolutions.co.nz W: multihullsolutions.co.nz

The perfect single vineyard wines to accompany your sailing adventures, delivered to your home base or your next port.

Order online at brockenchack.com.au

Eden Valley | Barossa | SA

FEATURE STORY

STRAIGHT

Source TO THE

The decision to buy a new boat is thrilling enough, but the opportunity for buyers to collect their boat ex-factory from overseas adds a whole new level of excitement and a swag of savings to boot.

A

lmost 70 per cent of Multihull Solutions’ new boat buyers are now choosing to collect their multihull ex-factory, enjoying the multitude of advantages this option presents.

By taking delivery of a new boat overseas, Asia Pacific buyers avoid the need to pay various shipping, handling and import duties and taxes that are applicable when a boat is transported from the shipyard into their own country. But it is the experience that is often the highlight for many clients.

Led by a dedicated Multihull Solutions’ delivery management team of chief operating officer Michael (Nod) Crook and ex-factory liaison manager Romain Crozon, clients who pick up their boat from shipyards in Europe enjoy a service that is unique to the industry.

Met at the airport, buyers are taken straight to their new boat at the marina for a christening and introduced to other owners who are also undertaking the same process.

“It’s a fantastic way for our clients to immediately connect with other like-minded sailors who are picking up their boats and share the excitement,” said Nod. “It’s awesome to watch new friendships being made and everyone exchanging stories, tips and cruising plans.”

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Nod and Romain take clients on tours through the shipyard’s factory, introducing them to the technical teams and showing the facilities and processes that have gone into creating their dream multihulls. They also help facilitate the various finishing touches of each boat, including assisting with organising contractors to install ex-factory options that clients may have chosen, which provide further opportunity for savings.

Over a timeframe of weeks (and sometimes more), the duo also organise any sail training required to help clients become more confident, provide advice on where to shop for extra equipment and homewares, act as tour guides and are famous for organising memorable social events for the groups.

Australian couple Roman and Allison Zagwocki picked up their new Hélia 44 Evolution Odyssea X from the Fountaine Pajot factory in France in 2019 and believe it was the best decision they made.

“Before you get here, you don’t really appreciate what’s involved in handing over and taking delivery of a brand new catamaran,” said Roman.

“The work that Multihull Solutions does to streamline that process and take the stress off new owners is amazing,” he said.

TOURING THE FOUNTAINE PAJOT FACTORY IN LA ROCHELLE. (L-R) SHELLEY BEER, JILL DEVOS, NORMAN AND GITA PATER, NOD CROOK AND KAREN ATKINSON.

Above: Nod Crook (front) and Romain Crozon (third from left) on a night out with the ex-factory clients ‘Class of 2019’ in La Rochelle.

“You really do appreciate it once you’re here and are trying to deal directly with French technicians and all the after-market contractors. With the language barrier it can be rather complicated.”

Allison agreed that having the Multihull Solutions team on the ground made life easier.

“They know everybody, they know where to go for the things you need, they take you to places – we’ve got a little dog with us and Roms even ran me to the vet!” she said.

Paul and Debbie Chard said the communication they received from the team when collecting their Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 Evolution Wild Odyssey from France in 2019 was priceless.

“Any slight problems we came across, we approached Nod or Roms, and it was always sorted out straight away,” said Paul.

“No matter what we wanted to talk about, it doesn’t seem to bother them,” he said.

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“It may be trivial to them, but it is very important to us as non-sailors, and never once have we felt stupid for asking any questions.”

Gari and Katherine Williams also collected their Hélia 44 Evolution Talisker from France in 2019 and said the delivery management team immediately allayed all of their concerns.

“Purchasing a new boat is a rather different experience to buying anything else,” Gari said.

“Never before have we paid the full amount up front, not with something that potentially will have spec changes, like deciding what radar to install, but once we arrived here all those worries went out the window,” he said.

One of the most memorable moments for most clients arriving in Europe is when they stepped foot onboard their new boat for the first time since originally purchasing it.

Paul and Debbie Chard said it was an amazing experience to see their new Hélia 44 Evolution at the marina in La Rochelle.

FEATURE STORY

“Any slight problems we came across, we just approached Nod or Roms, and it was always sorted out straight away,”

Top: Paul and Debbie Chard with Wild Odyssey in La Rochelle.

Middle: Swapping stories and tips over sunset drinks.

Bottom: The shipyard tour is a highlight for many ex-factory buyers.

“Walking on Wild Odyssey after not seeing a Hélia catamaran for such a long time because they are not on display at boat shows anymore – we were just overwhelmed by the size of it and the quality,” Paul said.

“It was bigger and better than we imagined it to be for some reason, even though we’d been thinking about it for so long.

“At the boat show, there’s about 50 people climbing all over it, so when the two of you can walk on all by yourself, it’s just amazing – a great feeling.”

By the time they complete their handovers and have embarked on their cruising adventures, all buyers have accrued plenty of advice for other clients looking to pick up their boat ex-factory.

Gordon and Louise Coates, who took ex-factory delivery of their Hélia 44 a few years ago, said it was important to carefully consider your options when ordering a boat.

“Ask for advice from others and talk it through with the team at Multihull Solutions, as they have knowledge of current trends and lots of first-hand experience,” Gordon said.

“Taking the factory-fitted options will result in most of the work being completed before you arrive,” he said.

“Our experience was that the factoryfitted options were all high-quality products at the right price, and all our items were installed well. This also ensures any items that may have warranty issues are more easily processed in the future.”

Paul Chard agreed it wasn’t always a good idea to select too many ex-factory options.

“Some things have to be done that way if that’s what suits you, but you also you need to enjoy being in the area, particularly if it is La Rochelle. A lot of owners get stressed out trying to get things done – undertaking big projects on the boat that weren’t fitted in the factory – while the other owners are managing to go out for lunch a bit more and just enjoy the area,” Paul said.

Roman Zagwocki knows first hand how stressful it can be to fit equipment yourself.

“I like to consider myself a pretty handy guy, and when I was looking at various options for the boat, like solar panels and water maker, I thought, ‘yeah, I can do that quite easily,’” he said.

“So I took on quite a few big jobs, but in hindsight I didn’t really appreciate how

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 65

FEATURE STORY

difficult some of those things would be. You’re working on a boat in quite confined spaces – it’s not like working on the land.

“Nod gently tried to let me know that some of the ideas I had perhaps weren’t the way I should go, but ultimately he leaves it to you to make your own mind up.

“My advice would be, ‘listen to Nod!’ and for simplicity, so you really get to enjoy your experience in La Rochelle, leave the bigger stuff to the professionals.”

Readily adapting to the European working culture, particularly in France, is also imperative with a huge demand for trades and almost all services closing for lunch between midday and 2pm.

Allison Zagwocki said patience is definitely a virtue when you are trying to get work done by contractors on your boat.

“In La Rochelle, all the marine businesses are really busy and they’ve got 20-40 boats they are trying to commission and service at the same time, so things might not happen as quickly as you’d like them to happen,” she said.

“But they will happen and they will be done well, and if you have any problems they will come back and sort them out.

“You just need to be patient and enjoy it along the way. You’re here for a while and it’s a beautiful town with heaps to see and do here, so plan to spend some time and make the most of it.”

Joe and Karen Atkinson share the same advice after needing work done on their new Hélia 44 Evolution Dos Peregrinos in France.

“The workers - who are all really good guys - will knock off for lunch around 12 and come back around two, and nothing you are going to say or do is going to change that, so just don’t stress,” Joe said.

Many clients also agree that it is unwise to plan on a fixed departure date when picking up a boat ex-factory. Gari and Katherine Williams underwent a complete change in attitude after they arrived in France, having told Nod they were going to beat the record of being the fastest Multihull Solutions clients in and out of La Rochelle.

“Leading up to getting there, we were adamant we would just pick up and leave quickly as the boat didn’t need to have much done to it,” Katherine said.

“But when we arrived we quickly got rid of that idea, because all sorts of bits and pieces crop up that you need - stuff to get things up and running - and it makes life so much easier if you just turn up and relax about when you will leave,” she said.

Spending extended time in the area also allows owners to build new friendships that are important before and after everyone embarks on their journeys.

66 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

“When you meet other people doing the same thing, like-minded people of a similar age, you don’t feel so alienated.”

Allison Zagwocki said making new friends from Australia and New Zealand had been a highlight of the couple’s time in France.

“We’ve met so many fantastic people who are doing the same thing as us, and we have done heaps of social activities, always on someone’s boat or others,” she said.

“We’ve also been able to share information about the boat, what we’ve learnt, what we’re doing in terms of setting it up, the different storage solutions we’ve been using, and I think the ability to talk through things with others who are going through the same experience has been invaluable.”

Roman agreed that the new friendships helped make the couple more comfortable about their plans.

Above: Making lasting friendships with other new owners.

Opposite top: The picturesque port of La Rochelle, home of Fountaine Pajot.

Opposite below: Roman and Allison Zagwocki and their dog Millie with their new Hélia 44 Evolution.

Odyssea X.

“It can be a little daunting sometimes thinking that you’re undertaking this massive venture on your own, but when you meet other people doing the same thing, likeminded people of a similar age, you don’t feel so alienated,” he said.

“I think we’ll continue these friendships well beyond cruising.”

Typically, all of the clients who choose an exfactory handover do so to start their cruising adventures in the Mediterranean where they can get to know their boat, develop their sea legs and hone their skills in the sheltered waters before heading further afield.

Debbie Chard said the couple plans to spend three years in the Med. “Then, when we are happy with sailing and confident enough, we can go across with the ARC to the Caribbean and make our way back to Australia through the Panama and across the South Pacific,” she said.

The Zagwockis are also not in any rush with a loose plan to spend a few seasons fully exploring the Mediterranean and then complete an Atlantic crossing.

“After that we will probably head to the Caribbean before cruising south to see a bit of South America, then sail up north and the east coast and finally back through the Azores and return to the Med,” Roman said.

“We are not planning on coming back to Australia with the boat at all at the moment,” he said.

“After we’ve done all of those areas, we’d like to do Asia, particularly around Thailand and the Philippines.

“We just hope our kids will be a little considerate and not throw a spanner in the works by having children!”

MORE INFORMATION ON EX-FACTORY HANDOVERS T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 67

Moving On Selling your boat is a major decision and can be gruelling if you try to do it yourself. Following some essential tips and choosing the right broker are the best ways to help you sail smoothly through the process and enjoy a great outcome.

DECLUTTER Remove any personal and non-essential items from the boat. Not only will it make cleaning easier but will also allow buyers to see all the storage options and imagine the boat filled with their own belongings, not yours.

LITTLE THINGS COUNT First impressions are paramount, and cosmetic flaws are often the first thing a potential buyer notices. So address all those little jobs you’ve been ignoring, such as tightening lifelines, polishing stainless steel, repairing upholstery tears and fixing gelcoat chips. Buyers typically assess how much work they need to do if they purchase, and a lot of small faults can give an impression that other more important but less visible areas of the boat may also be neglected. Any cosmetic issue left behind worth a few hundreds to fix can turn into costing you thousands when negotiations over price begin.

MAKE IT SPARKLE It is extremely important that you have your boat thoroughly cleaned and detailed throughout. A well presented boat always sells faster and for a better price. Getting a professional detailing company to vigorously clean your boat inside and out is well worth the investment. Set up a regular cleaning program for the duration of your boat’s sale campaign so it is always well presented for late-notice inspections.

CLEAN THE BILGE Savvy buyers will lift floorboards of your vessel to check for structural faults. A dirty bilge is not only smelly and offensive but suggests that other areas of your boat may also not be well maintained.

SCRUB THE HULLS Growth on a boat’s hulls indicates it has not been used for a fair while and may be neglected. Cut and polishing the hulls is a must. There should be no dull hulls or floury feel on the gelcoat. Clean your hulls regularly

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before and during the boat’s sale campaign so they gleam when a buyer comes looking.

SYSTEMS CHECK Be sure your engines, generators, rigging, electrical and all operating systems are in good working order. Attending to any issues before you advertise will prevent costly delays or price drops throughout the sales process.

CHECK THE USE-BY-DATES Check, replace or repair any safety items that have expired or need attention, including fire extinguishers, flares, lifejackets, first aid kits and EPIRBS, etc. Most buyers want to buy a boat that is ready for them to just step onboard and sail away, and they will be deterred if they need to buy new items.

GET YOUR BOOKS IN ORDER Buyers want to be assured the boat has been well maintained and is correctly registered.

Check your service logs are up to date and prepare a folder with all maintenance receipts, registration and insurance papers, recent survey reports, mechanical logs, rigging services and any other relevant documents.

LOCATION IS KEY Choose the best possible place to base your boat for sale, whether in a broker’s marina with excellent exposure and easy access for visiting buyers or at a specialised site such as Multihull Solutions’ permanent Out-ofWater Boat Shows on the Gold Coast or in New Zealand, which attract a huge number of genuine buyers each week.

SURVEY THE SCENE Any offer will be subject to a marine survey, which is usually necessary for a buyer to obtain pre-purchase insurance. The survey will identify any problems, highlight areas of weakness and give a detailed picture of the overall health of the vessel. It’s an important tool for buyers, so make sure your boat is in the best possible condition pre-survey to reflect the value in its asking price.it i

FEATURE STORY

Choosing which broker to appoint is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when it’s time to sell your boat.

Why Sell with MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS As Asia Pacific’s leading multihull brokerage specialists, Multihull Solutions has the resources, experience, passion and proven sales record to help you achieve the best result when it’s time to sell your boat.

Complete Trust Multihull Solutions is committed to delivering clear and honest communication with our clients throughout each step of the sales process, always acting in your best interests as we strive to sell your multihull. We offer complete confidence for sellers with the security of our Boating Industry Associationaccredited, licensed brokerage status that strictly adheres to the industry code of ethics.

We have dedicated trust accounts to ensure peace of mind in secure financial transactions.

Qualified Buyers Database Multihull Specialists Multihull Solutions Brokerage division specialises in selling only quality pre-owned multihulls throughout the Asia Pacific. Our experienced team has an ocean of knowledge and experience across a huge range of multihull makes and models, supported by an impressive proven sales record. When you list your boat with Multihull Solutions, it won’t drown in a sea of monohull listings.

Our extensive database of more than 13,000 qualified multihull buyers exceeds our current brokerage stock levels. We actively market our listings to this engaged audience, ensuring our brokerage boats enjoy valuable exposure to genuine buyers.

A World of Choice Unlike most multihull dealers, we do not sell just one brand. We list boats from a wide range of reputable Australian and

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 69

Top: The Gold Coast Out-of-Water Boat Show.

Below: Paul and Jane Kelly break up open the bubbles to christen their new boat, Wild Child.

international boatyards to give buyers unbiased advice and a huge choice of boats.

When you list your multihull with us, we match it with specific requirements requested by clients on our comprehensive buyers database to increase your chances of selling sooner and achieving a great result.

Extensive Marketing Exposure A highly targeted and strategic marketing campaign has been developed specifically for our pre-owned boat listings.

Quality photos and videos are taken of each vessel to ensure they are presented effectively. We tailor packages to feature inclusion on numerous boat listing sales websites, on-vessel advertising, direct marketing, comprehensive window displays, expansive social media exposure, and consistent Open Day and Boat Show presence throughout the Asia Pacific region. We also generate exposure through the promotion of the strong Multihull Solutions brand in various print mediums, and by sponsoring several cruising and racing events around the region, driving further traffic to our website where our brokerage boats are showcased.

Wide and Experienced Sales Distribution Network Multihull Solutions is the largest and most established multihull-specific yacht brokerage in the Southern Hemisphere. With Sales Centres in prime marine locations, including Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, our popular Out-of-Water Boat Shows on the Gold Coast and in New Zealand, French

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Polynesia and Phuket in Thailand, we are extremely accessible and enjoy a very high rate of walk-in buyers. We also have an extensive network of sales representatives around Australia and across the world, including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Top: Mark Elkington congratulates the Bradshaw family on the purchase of their new cat Harmonie.

Hassle-Free Sales Experience

Below: David and Karen Tindal celebrate buying their Lidguard 55 power cat, White Spirit.

Multihull Solutions’ Brokerage division manages all aspects of the sales process, including the listing, marketing and buyer negotiations so clients can enjoy a stressfree sales experience. Our dedicated sales team provides clients with regular updates throughout the sales and marketing process of their boat, including feedback on sales activities, such as leads and website hits.

FEATURE STORY

Multihull Solutions’ Brokerage division manages all aspects of the process to deliver a stress-free selling experience.

importation and exportation options. We offer suggestions on the best location from which clients can sell their boat, provide regular feedback on buyer interest and evaluation reports on the progress of each individual sales campaign.

Unrivalled Experience

No Sale – No Cost!

Multihull Solutions is powered by the most professional and experienced sales team in the multihull industry, renowned for their honesty and integrity throughout every step of the sales and marketing process. We take great pride in ensuring our clients experience the highest standards of service, both before and after the sale, resulting in our excellent reputation that we strive to exceed each day.

All upfront costs are handled by Multihull Solutions. The seller/vendor only pays a brokerage fee upon the successful sale of their vessel!

Extensive Service We are committed to making the sales process easy and enjoyable for our clients, and our service includes assessment and valuation of boats, assistance with inventory compilation, photography, provision of administrative advice where relevant, including information on customs, taxes and duties, utility conversions, and

MORE INFORMATION We have greater demand for pre-owned multihulls than we can supply and are always looking to list quality pre-owned multihulls. If you would like to find out more about selling your boat with Multihull Solutions, contact us today.

T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

NEEL 47

Triumphant Trimaran

BOAT REVIEW

The NEEL 47 is the latest evolution of this successful French builder’s range, so KEVIN GREEN investigates if they have created the perfect performance cruiser.

T

he 2019 launch of the NEEL 47 at La Grande Motte International Boat Show in France was a spectacle for us visiting journalists, as it was not alone. Surrounding it were the larger models, the NEEL 51 and the flagship NEEL 65, all testament to the success of this performance cruising trimaran concept conceived by company CEO Eric Bruneel. The former Fountaine Pajot general manager and his La Rochelle trimaran yard have made steady progress since NEEL’s inception in 2010, as I discovered during a visit there to meet Eric.

WHY TRY A TRI? For those considering a trimaran, like anything in life, there are pros and cons.

At the extreme end, such as the 105-foot Sodebo3 that I was aboard with iconic skipper Thomas Coville after its launch in Brittany last year, this represents the world’s fastest sailing yacht. Yet, the reasons why this vessel will do 50 knots are some of the same reasons discerning sailors may consider a performance cruiser like the NEEL 47. After all, they share traits such as minimising the wetted surface while the amas adds stability without too much drag.

Also, 80 per cent of the weight is centralised in the hull and a lifting keel gives decent windward ability, while the large single rudder even feels like a monohull. This centralised weight also allows them to operate in wider wind ranges than similar catamarans, as the trimarans typically can heel to about 27 degrees compared with about 12 degrees for cats, and with a 30-foot beam, their stability is immense.

The polar chart for the NEEL 47 shows good windward ability: 8 knots in 15 knots of wind at a 55-degree wind angle, while off the wind in the same breeze with asymmetric up the NEEL 47 flies at 14 knots. This gives an average cruising speed of around 10 knots, allowing impressive 200-nautical mile days.

Multihull Solutions is NEEL’s Asia Pacific dealer, and its chief operating officer Nod Crook sailed one a few months ago in mild conditions, recording a speed of 7.8 knots in 11.3 true wind on a beam reach under genoa and main - fairly impressive figures.

As for some of the cons, well, forgive the pun, but they can be trying to handle in

close confines, even with the bow thruster fitted, as found on the first hull that arrived at La Grande Motte. Also, at 8.2 metres wide, marina fees could be an issue at some locations. Inside, accommodation can be quirky with lots of bulkheads, as seen on the early Joubert/Nivelt/Muratet-designed 45s, but this has improved with the Marc Lombarddesigned 47, especially in the amas, which have raised roofs to increase internal volume.

IDEAL COUPLES’ YACHT Sailing performance alone, of course, does not win many friends. Having recently raced on the MOD 70 trimaran Beau Geste, I was quite happy to get off, despite the nearly 40knot top speeds.

“It’s pretty exhausting and wet,” skipper Gavin Brady warned me beforehand, and he was right. NEEL boss Bruneel is also a racer, in fact a former OSTAR winner (on his 55foot Trilogic trimaran), and the NEEL yard has produced race boats like that MOD 70, so they are very aware of weight efficiencies, and this is reflected in the modest 11,600 kg displacement of the NEEL 47.

So, combining this performance with a main deck built around a couple that includes the owner’s berth in the saloon means the NEEL 47 scores high marks if you’re a blue water sailor. Yet, contrasting with this is the social aspect of the NEEL 47 which is found in the near 28-foot wide cockpit that Eric Bruneel has cheekily dubbed the cockloon.

THE COCKLOON It was clear to me that the company has incorporated in the NEEL 47 much of the earlier 51 ideas, especially in terms of usable space. Stepping aboard into the vast aft deck reveals the most obvious feature.

“We’ve integrated the inside seating seamlessly with the outside seating to create what we call a cockloon,” said Eric, about his idea of combining the terms ‘cockpit’ and ‘saloon’. Some competitors have tried similar ideas, but none that seamlessly create this vast space for socialising.

Also integrated here is the single helm station on starboard that has dual access from the deck and cockpit. For the saloon, sturdy doors drop down to ensure this becomes a seaworthy space when required with deep

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 73

scuppers for water shedding, and the wetbar means drinks are handily placed. For that run ashore, there’s stainless chocks on the transom and below them a slot for the life raft.

FUNCTIONAL LIVING Walking through the spacious cockloon, past the aft lounge seating takes me to the forward galley with steps nearby down to the bow where the single set of ablutions is located.

The head and shower are in separate rooms with a vanity sink between, and headroom is good, plus the deck hatches open to ventilate the entire space.

The U-shaped galley rather restricts the number of users, but it does keep you safe in a swell. Numerous Alpi-clad cupboards allow plenty of storage, and equipment includes a two-burner gas stove and oven, plus optional microwave and dishwasher. A deep drawer fridge with chest takes care of perishables, and double sinks are surrounded by ample worktop space for food preparation.

Natural light comes from tall windows all round, only let down by the rather small forward-facing opening one limiting ventilation. Over on the starboard quarter is the spacious navigation station with wide bench seating, and conveniently placed underneath is the main switchboard.

Just behind the nav station is the deck-level owner’s suite, an ideal feature for the newbie sailor or anyone suffering claustrophobia. The bed is against the outboard bulkhead to give walking space, and the headboard lies along the keel line so you can relax while admiring the view through the forward window.

Guests have the two symmetrical cabins in the amas, which are accessed via the cockloon. The two guest cabins have a small corridor to each - which can be a handy wet locker - and there’s a sink and optional head.

IMPRESSIVE RIG The NEEL 47 has an extensive sail plan, ideal for the varied conditions often found while blue-water voyaging. The cutter rig is standard with a self-tacking staysail for easy handling and outside genoa, while the fully battened mainsail has a big top and is slab reefed. A fibreglass bowsprit ensures good separation for flying an asymmetric, which has winches outboard on the amas.

Sails are a personal choice, but Dacron comes as standard with a performance Hydranet option. The review boat came with the optional carbon spars supported by Dyneema-vectron shrouds, which minimises stretch and weight aloft.

Two steps up from the cockloon is the single starboard helm station protected by a canvas bimini. At the helm, a moulded fibreglass seat for two gives good support – a good idea for

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Top: The NEEL 47 has incomparable space to relax and entertain.

Below: The deck-level owner’s suite is filled with natural light.

Opposite: The innovative cockloon seamlessly blends the interior living space with the outdoors.

an elevated steering position. The console controls include a Maxpower bow thruster (a wise option) and B&G electronics with autopilot near at hand and throttle outboard.

Just in front, separated by the corridor from the cockloon, sits three Antal winches – two electric halyard ones and a central manual one for sheets. Overhead is a canvas bimini that can be unzipped to view the mainsail. The mainsail is controlled by twin sheets running on transom-mounted blocks to give good leverage on the boom and is easily accessible from the flybridge sunpad, plus there’s lazyjacks to gather the sailcloth.

Moving around the NEEL 47 is easy thanks to its flat decks. At the bows, the nets on each side of the main hull minimise weight and drag while also creating a sunken seating position.

Anchoring is fairly well taken care of via a substantial horizontal windlass, which runs to the anchor beneath the bowsprit. Two large lockers are also handy for general storage.

BOAT REVIEW

Below: Unwinding on one of the foredeck trampolines.

DEEP CENTRAL HULL

The NEEL 47 won ‘Boat of the Year’ in the Multihull category of the prestigious 2020 Cruising World awards.

NEEL 47 SPECIFICATIONS Overall Length:

14.3m / 47ft

Overall Width:

8.23m / 27ft

Draft:

1.58m / 5.2ft

Air Draft:

19m / 62.3ft

Displacement (CE norms):

10,600kg

Fully Battened Mainsail:

753.5 sq ft

Furling Genoa:

538 sq ft

Self-Tracking Furling Staysail:

215 sq ft

Water:

600L

Fuel:

300L

Engine:

60 HP Volvo sail drive

Builder:

NEEL Trimarans, France

Design:

Marc Lombard

CE certification:

ICNN

Construction techniques have advanced for the build of the NEEL 47 as the three hulls are moulded in one process, which increases structural rigidity and reduces costs.

“We’ve constructed a new factory for the 47 allowing us to build one every six weeks, and these are fully infused and vacuum moulded,” said Eric.

Materials used are polyester with vinlyester resin that impregnates the closed-cell PVC foam core, which is covered in quadriaxial fibreglass cloth. The deep hull allows plenty of volume, which means the engine room is spacious with near-standing headroom.

A hatch beside the galley has a ladder down to the outer part, which has the battery bank near the keel aiding stability, while the hot water, water maker and other systems are also lowset here as well. Also good is the placement for the optional generator set in the central forward part of this room, and all electrics are elevated to avoid water incursion.

Further aft via a watertight door is the engine, a 60hp Volvo saildrive, which is dwarfed by the free space around it so is easy to work on for servicing.

The NEEL 47 looks an ideal boat for our shoal waters and beyond, so perhaps an ex-factory handover and Mediterranean cruise is in order before shipping your own one back to Oz?

MORE INFORMATION Contact Multihull Solutions T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 75

A

Quiet PLACE Gordon and Louise Fraser are living the dream on their Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 sailing catamaran Paikea.

Caroline Strainig asked them about their experiences.

FEATURE STORY

G

ordon and Louise Fraser are working like a seasoned boating team as they head out from their marina berth at Manly near Brisbane on their Fountaine Pajot Salina 48 sailing catamaran.

Louise has the mooring lines neatly organised, casts off and steps back onboard with time to spare, while Gordon calmly pivots the boat around and manoeuvres Paikea out of what is a tricky berth. The couple don’t have to talk – after many years of boating together, even hand gestures are superfluous most of the time.

The hassle-free departure sets the scene for yet another lovely afternoon on the water, one of hundreds the couple has enjoyed since buying their 14.6-metre cat in 2011.

They own a real estate agency at Toowong in Brisbane, and escaping on Paikea to explore Moreton Bay is their favourite way to chill out and enjoy the on-water lifestyle.

“And see, we can still handle enquiries if we have to,” Gordon laughs, after answering a business call as we motor out of the Manly leads.

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Above: Paikea tied up in the marina for the 2011 Auckland Boat Show.

FROM MONO TO MULTI Gordon and Louise had watched catamarans sitting calmly at anchor for many years while their 13-metre flybridge monohull cruiser pitched and rocked before making the decision to swap to a multihull.

They opted to switch to a sailing cat, even though they were not sailors, so they could add another element to their adventures.

They fell in love with the Fountaine Pajot Salina 48, and – as they wanted one as soon as possible – Multihull Solutions offered them a model already on the way from the shipyard in France. The catamaran in question was being imported to be showcased at the 2011

“While it was hard at the time, it did give me huge confidence in the boat.”

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boat shows in Australia and New Zealand and would be kitted out with every conceivable option, including a washing machine, water maker and generator.

Five days of sail training was included as part of the package. Gordon could also get more sail-handling experience helping two professional crew deliver the catamaran to the various boat shows.

It was a deal too good to pass up, and months later the Frasers took delivery of their new dream boat, which they called Paikea, a Maori name in honour of their Kiwi roots.

BAPTISM OF FIRE The couple had several weeks getting to know their new catamaran on Moreton Bay from its home berth at Manly before Gordon and his two professional crew mates headed off to Sanctuary Cove, Sydney and Auckland on the major boat show circuit. Louise went along for

FEATURE STORY

the coastal-hopping trips but left the Tasman crossing to Gordon and the crew, choosing instead to fly and meet the boat in Auckland.

Gordon could already navigate and handle their previous flybridge cruiser well, but says he found crewing on a large boat in challenging offshore conditions for days on end was something different again.

“Five days out, crossing the Tasman on our way to New Zealand with still 500 nautical miles to go, we encountered a 40-knot-plus storm,” Gordon recalls.

“We were running with it, clocking up to 24 knots surfing down enormous waves, and the noise was horrendous. The waves were taller than the mast. One of the crew told me to look back at the waves when I was helming. I told him I didn’t have to because I could hear them coming!”

Another amusing moment – well, at least with the adventure safely behind them – was when one of the crew asked him where the sea anchor was stowed.

“I told him we didn’t have one,” Gordon said. “He just looked at me and quipped that we’d have to make do then because there weren’t very many shops out in the middle of the Tasman.”

Thankfully, using the motors in reverse worked as a de facto sea anchor, and they made it safely to Auckland. This was despite the satellite phone location texts Gordon kept sending to their family indicating at one point that Paikea was 13 metres below sea level!

“While it was hard at the time, it was a great learning experience and did give me huge confidence in the boat,” Gordon said.

“One of the professional crew who had been sailing for 30 years said he had never been through a storm like it, and he would take the boat anywhere in any conditions.”

Another experience Gordon will never forget is navigating Paikea through Sydney Harbour at night with all the Manly ferries whizzing past.

“That was just so special, doing the navigating and motoring into the boat show with all the lights around,” Gordon said.

STILL IN LOVE

Top: Gordon and Louise Fraser loving the cruising life on Paikea.

Middle: Louise enjoying a meal in the cockpit with sons Scott and Tom. Bottom: Gordon cooking up a seafood storm on the cockpit BBQ.

Eight years on, the couple say they still love the features that attracted them to the Salina 48 in the first place.

“For me, it’s the massive cockpit and saloon with the saloon settee facing forwards, so people can see where we are going rather than be looking out the back,” Gordon said.

“And the space. You can have up to 25 people onboard at boat shows and there is still room to move.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 79

FEATURE STORY

“Anchored out enjoying a barbecue in some beautiful and peaceful spot, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

“I have looked at monohulls at boat shows and think this cat has as much space as a 70foot monohull. It’s a great family boat.”

Louise loves the galley, two fridges, oven, and barbecue, which make entertaining a breeze. The layout is also a favourite aspect; Paikea is the Maestro version, which has the starboard hull devoted to a massive owner’s stateroom and ensuite, while the port hull has two guest cabins and two heads, ideal for hosting their three children and six grandkids.

The sail plan also ticks all their boxes. The helm station has room for two or three to sit comfortably, and just about everything on the boat – apart from reefing – can be done using the one electric and two manual winches on the cabin top just forward.

OTHER ADVENTURES Work restricts how far Gordon and Louise can escape to most of the time, but they did make it up to the Whitsundays one winter and regularly spend days at a time on the boat.

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Their favourite getaway spot is Lucinda Bay on Queensland’s Moreton Island, an approximate three-hour hop from Manly, which is usually much quieter than Tangalooma and the Sandhills. For a quick escape, they can’t resist Horseshoe Bay on Peel Island, an hour-long motor away.

They rarely go to restaurants when they are out on the boat. “Eating out, off Paikea, sort of defeats the object of getting away from it all,” Louise said.

“But anchored out enjoying a barbecue in some beautiful and peaceful spot, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

As we motor back into the marina at Manly at the end of our afternoon outing, both Gordon and Louise admit that sometimes they don’t even have to leave the marina for Paikea to weave her rejuvenating magic.

“Even just sitting here relaxing in the marina is pretty special and a world away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” Gordon said.

Above: The Frasers’ favourite spot – Lucinda Bay on Moreton Island.

A version of this story was originally published in Boat Gold Coast magazine in 2019.

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STAYING

Shipshape No matter what type of boat you have, routine maintenance is the key to keeping it in top condition, maximising your safety and preserving its resale value down the line.

Multihull Solutions chief operating officer Nod Crook shares some important tips.

R

egular maintenance is imperative to ensure you know your boat well, are aware of any potential issues or faults and know how to fix them should a problem arise. On a cruising vessel, the systems are significantly larger and more complex than on a smaller boat, and they require more regular and thorough checks.

Not everybody is a certified mechanic, electrician or fibreglass expert, but with the right tools, diagnostic gear and a little know-how, even a novice can complete their own effective maintenance routine.

This will ensure your boat performs to its optimal level, alleviates issues down the line, helps achieve a higher resale figure in the future, and delivers you a far more enjoyable cruising experience.

WATER MAKER MAINTENANCE

Even if you are freshwater flushing your water maker after every use, this doesn’t remove living matter that has previously collected on their prefilters, which will soon become dead and smelly in a warm climate.

If not being used for more than a few days, it’s best to change the water maker’s prefilter with a new/clean one, wash the old one, dry thoroughly and store for re-use. If this practice is followed, along with regular flushing, then membrane chemical cleaning shouldn’t be needed.

If wintering your boat, you should still clean its membrane(s) at least once a year.

This prevents bacterial fouling and will increase the amount of water you have available for washing, drinking and cooking.

It will also save you money as the semipermeable polymer membrane can cost up to AUD$1,000 to replace!

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AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

Your boat’s AC units are often hidden from sight and can easily be forgotten. Marine growth easily occurs in an AC system, which can quickly lead to problems. This is preventable by keeping filters clean and free of debris. Not only will this help you avoid expensive repairs in the future but will give you better airflow and air quality.

FRIDGE COMPRESSORS

It’s important that your refrigerator runs efficiently when cruising. With most cruising boats running a 12v individual fridge compressor, the cooling fins and fan can quickly gather dust and decrease your fridge’s performance. As part of your regular maintenance routine, check these stay clean to keep your fridge operating effectively and power consumption to a minimum.

MAINSAIL TRACK

When the time comes to drop your mainsail, you need to be sure everything is working as it should. It’s important that the mainsail car track is cleaned and degreased on a regular basis. To thoroughly clean the track, climb the mast and inspect not only the car track but also the car ball bearings and/or slides.

Degreasing and cleaning should be done from top to bottom and sprayed with a dry lubricant or silicone spray.

HOLDING TANKS AND TOILET HOSES

From time to time, clean the holding tanks using a tank cleaner. This will prevent any nasty odours from occurring and will decrease build up inside the tank. Also, check the sanitary hose as this can be the cause of a stale odour. Over time, even the best

FEATURE STORY

quality hose starts to permeate the smell, and replacing it can make a big difference.

Changing the hose also reduces the chance of excessive calcium build-up, which can lead to toilet blockage.

TAPS AND SHOWERHEADS

If not routinely addressed, the heads of all your taps and showers can become blocked and suffer from calcium build up. Improve their performance and reduce the amount of work required by the fresh water pump by regularly descaling and cleaning your taps and shower heads.

BILGES

By keeping your bilges clean, you can easily find the source of any leaks in your vessel, significantly reduce the chances of pests coming aboard and also prevent bad odours forming. Regular cleaning prevents the bilge pumps from blocking in case you ever need to use them in an emergency.

ENGINES

To prevent corrosion, dirt build up and to regularly inspect, it’s good practice to have clean engines. You can wash the engine down with water and detergent. Once dry it is recommended you spray with WD40 or a similar product.

ANCHOR WINCH

The anchor winch is mounted in a highcorrosion environment. Regular preventative maintenance should include removing the drum and gypsy to clean all parts and reassemble with marine grease. The motor, gearbox and electrical terminals should be inspected for corrosion or salt build up. Once clean, spray with a thick corrosion inhibitor.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 83

IN GOOD

Company

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BERTRAND DUQUENNE PHOTOGRAPHY

W

hile some participants join a rally to gain blue-water experience with the peace of mind of having fellow sailors nearby and organisers taking care of logistics, others jump onboard purely for the sheer fun and adventure.

Cruising rallies typically adhere to a more relaxed philosophy than competitive regattas. Each event has its own distinct personality and pace influenced by the regional culture and incorporating authentic experiences that can’t always be accessed when cruising independently.

Social activities are a highlight of every event with many featuring a mix of onboard gatherings, land-based functions, theme nights and presentations. While some functions include drinks and meals as part of the registration fee, there are also many nights where entrants can dine at leisure at local resorts or onboard their own boats.

John Hembrow, organiser of the popular Down Under Rally series, believes cruising rallies provide an alluring combination of adventure, camaraderie and convenience.

“They are a chance to discover some of the world’s most incredible cruising grounds while enjoying individual and group support before, during and after the rally, as well as the opportunity to benefit from the rally organiser’s local knowledge of the area and having access to the contacts the rally has made in these locations,” John said.

FEATURE STORY

There’s no slowing the popularity of cruising rallies around the world as more boaties embrace the concept of exploring stunning destinations in the company of other like-minded sailors.

“Our participants feel more confident knowing they are voyaging in company rather than ‘going it alone’, and they also really enjoy meeting like-minded people, making new friendships and becoming part of a community,” he said.

There are a number of rallies operated throughout the Asia Pacific region that are ideal for people looking for a unique weekend or week-long getaway, while other events are bigger in scale, such as the Down Under Rallies between Australia, Southeast Asia and South Pacific destinations.

In addition to the tangible sense of community and camaraderie, an added bonus of these rallies is the assistance provided to understanding the requirements and procedures related to obtaining inward and outward clearances in foreign countries, as well as the customs of the people who call those nations home. This alone is invaluable for new sailors embarking on their first cruise abroad.

Mediterranean Escapade The 2020 event in May and June is expected to draw a strong contingent of participants who can either participate on their own boat, charter a cat, or just book a berth or cabin for the rally. Proudly hosted by Multihull Solutions and Mariner Boating onboard an exclusive fleet of Fountaine Pajot charter catamarans, the Mediterranean Escapade takes participants from Kusadasi to Marmaris,

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sailing the spectacular Greek Islands of the Aegean Sea and the Carian coast of Turkey.

The rally will be held over the two best weeks of the Mediterranean summer incorporating some unforgettable destinations, including Kusadasi and its ancient city of Ephesus, the rugged beauty and excellent restaurants of Samos, and Arki which produces the best feta in Greece. Participants will also experience the fantastic views of the Turkish coast from Pserimos, the 11th century monastery in Patmos that is the spiritual headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Church, the bustling carpet markets of Datca, and much more. multihullsolutions.com.au/events

Sail 2 Indonesia Rally The Multihull Solutions Sail 2 Indonesia Rally is one of Asia Pacific’s most popular cruising events. Kicking off each July, the fleet spends four memorable months sailing from the Torres Straits in Far North Queensland through the Spice Islands to its final destination of Batam in the Riau Island group.

The rally is the easiest way to circumvent the dreaded Indonesian bureaucracy that deters most sailors from visiting the region, with the organisers – Island Cruising Regattas Ltd in conjunction with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Cairns Cruising Yachts Squadron – handling all red tape for the event.

Power and sail monohulls and multihulls over nine metres and under 25 metres in length are welcome to enter, and the east-to-west migratory track affords an unforgettable opportunity to experience the great diving, lush rainforests, exotic wildlife and colourful culture of the world’s biggest archipelago. Its modest entry fees also make the event one of the most affordable cruising rallies around. sail2indonesia.com

“Cruising rallies provide an alluring combination of adventure, camaraderie and convenience.”

Go East Rally – Australia to New Caledonia This ‘destination’ rally departs Queensland’s Gold Coast each May with the objective of helping participants sail safely and enjoyably to New Caledonia. It is the ideal event for those who would like to make the voyage to the Pacific (often for the first time) in the company of other vessels. With comprehensive information sessions provided in the lead up to departure, participants are able to make the crossing with the security

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of knowing they are in safe hands throughout the voyage. The rally does not sail to a schedule, and once participants arrive in New Caledonia they are free to forge their own paths. Some sail on to Vanuatu, others head south to New Zealand or north to the Solomon Islands, while many just enjoy exploring the region at leisure before finally returning to Australia under their own steam. downunderrally.com

Go West Rally – SW Pacific to Australia This unique rally was designed with the goal of encouraging westbound international cruisers, in particular those who are on a circumnavigation, to visit Australia and spend time discovering the unrivalled cruising grounds that the east coast and Tasmania offer. This is achieved by providing the owners of these vessels with a professional and informative introduction to Australia. The organisers have an ocean of experience with sailing to, and cruising in, Australian waters and work closely with Australian Border Force and Biosecurity to ensure all participants are fully aware of what is required – and how to prepare for - arrival in the country. The event is all about choice, so entrants can do everything, just some of it, sail in company or sail alone it is entirely flexible. Over the past five years, more than 200 international vessels have

FEATURE STORY

Above: 2019 Go West Rally participants at Bundaberg Port Marina.

Opposite top: Sundowners in Lifou.

Opposite left: Enjoying a meal in the Loyalty Islands.

Opposite right: Bozuk Buku in Turkey.

joined the Go West rally to Australia, enjoying the numerous discounts provided from Down Under Rally partners on everything from antifoul, marinas and hardstand fees. No matter what level of involvement, all participants still get the benefits and discounts associated with being part of the event, with the savings more than covering the cost of registration. downunderrally.com

NC2V Rally - New Caledonia to Vanuatu The NC2V rally provides participants of the Go East rally with the opportunity to continue onwards to Vanuatu. The rally organisers arrange for permission for clearance into Vanuatu in locations that are not official ports of entry, allowing participants to see and experience more of Vanuatu. Departing New Caledonia each August, the rally showcases the best of Vanuatu to participating yachts, including the rich, friendly welcome from communities in the outer, more remote islands and the spectacular, untouched scenery.

Vanuatu has two very accessible and active volcanoes, amazing waterfalls cascading from high cliffs into the sea, unique cultural spectacles, numerous pristine and unspoiled bays and anchorages to choose from, as well as great fishing and diving. downunderrally.com

Loyalty Islands Rally - Fiji or Vanuatu to the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia This rally provides participating vessels heading to New Caledonia with the opportunity to make the most of their time there by helping obtain full clearance into the country in the Loyalty Islands. Normally, vessels are not permitted to stop anywhere in New Caledonia without first having cleared into the country in Noumea on the western side of the mainland. The rally organisers fly in officials from the mainland on a specific schedule rate and location to exclusively perform the clearance of participating rally vessels. All costs associated with obtaining this clearance are included in the rally entry fee. After clearance has been granted, vessels are then free to either cruise the islands in the company of other rally participants or explore the region at their leisure. The rally is open to all vessels sailing to New Caledonia directly from Fiji or Vanuatu. downunderrally.com

MORE EVENTS AND RALLIES W: multihullsolutions.com.au/events

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7

Top Tips for the

WHITSUNDAYS

Thinking of sailing to the Whitsundays or chartering a yacht there? Caroline Strainig asks Mercedes Ireland from Cumberland Charter Yachts for her advice on making the most of this beautiful Queensland region.

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W

hen it comes to special cruising destinations in Australia, the Whitsundays in north Queensland is hard to beat: a world-heritage-listed marine and national park comprising 74 islands, magic beaches, dozens of anchorages, sheltered sailing and the Great Barrier Reef. Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and shark attacks have resulted in some negative publicity, but the region is bouncing back.

Mercedes Ireland from Cumberland Charter Yachts has lived in the Whitsundays for 19 years and cruised its waters extensively.

Not surprisingly, given the attractions of the area, she isn’t in a hurry to go anywhere.

“I just love the Whitsundays. It is so unspoilt and there are just so many places to sail to, all within an hour of each other,” she said. “It really is a boating mecca.”

DESTINATION

1

When to visit Mercedes says the best time of year to visit and when most cruising yachts flock to the area is from May through to October.

“The days are crisp with bright blue skies, 10-15kts of breeze from the southeast, which is perfect sailing weather, and it’s cool at night,” she said.

“From July to September you can encounter sightings of humpback whales as they migrate from the Antarctic to give birth to their young in the warm, calm waters of the Whitsundays.

However many times I see them, I am still awed – they are just so majestic in their natural habitat.”

During the summer the weather can be warm and humid with northerly winds prevailing in November. The peak charter season is the September school holidays and the Christmas and New Year period when you should expect to pay premium rates.

If you are chartering and would like to save on high-season prices, Mercedes recommends going between July and September as they offer mid-season rates. If you don’t mind taking the chance of the odd afternoon thunderstorm and humid days, you can save by visiting between November and early December, or January through to early April.

2

Book ahead Mercedes advises booking well in advance if you plan to holiday in peak periods and also if you have friends sharing your charter yacht with you.

“Booking in advance will increase the likelihood of finding the perfect boat to charter, at the time of year and for the number of nights you want,” she said.

“Leaving it to book until the last minute can mean finding the perfect boat, but it might be restricted in its availability and then everyone has to renegotiate the time of year to travel, how long for and arrange time off work.”

3

Must-visit anchorages Mercedes’ personal favourite anchorages are Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island, Nara Inlet and Butterfly Bay on Hook Island, and Whitehaven Beach (south) on Whitsunday Island.

At Hill Inlet you can pick up a mooring in Tongue Bay, dinghy ashore and walk up to the Hill Inlet lookout, an easy 20-minute stroll.

“The view from there is absolutely breathtaking,” Mercedes said. “The champagne swirling of the aqua-blue water and white-as-snow sand is a sight you’ll never forget with Whitehaven Beach stretching for seven kilometres down the beach. Give

yourself plenty of time to take in the scenery – and take your camera!”

Nara Inlet on Hook Island is a fjord-like inlet and an excellent all-weather anchorage with great holding ground for your anchor.

“Streams fall from the mountainsides after rain forming waterfalls and exuding a very calming ambience,” Mercedes said.

“If you adventure a little further to the far end of the inlet, you can find a larger waterfall with rock pools to swim in after some rain.

“You can see incredible phosphorescence in the water at night, and there is an Aboriginal cave with ancient paintings dating back over 9000 years.”

Butterfly Bay on Hook Island is named after the shape of the bay and the fact you can see swarms of beautiful butterflies flying around during the day.

“This anchorage is a great stopover. Head in for a snorkel, fire up the barbecue and sit back with a cold one in your hand as you watch the sunset,” Mercedes said. “It’s definitely one that’s hard to go past.”

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is famous for its fine, white silica sand that squeaks when you walk on it. This is also one of Mercedes’ favourite chill-out spots, where she says you can usually find a quiet place on the long beach with no one around.

4

Watch the wind and tides The Whitsundays’ cruising grounds are protected by the outer reef barrier and islands so are considered partially smooth waters, but it is still a good idea to pick your anchorages to go with the wind and tides.

“In summer you’ll have spring tides, which are the largest movement of water between high and low tide, so currents can get quite strong,” Mercedes said.

5

Where to eat out/reprovision You can alternate anchoring out off an uninhabited island with a visit to an island resort, but some restrictions do apply.

Hamilton Island is the main reprovisioning and refuelling port and most visitors stop in for a mid-charter top up. You can book a marina berth for $25 per hour for up to four hours and then $125 for five-plus hours or overnight. You can fill up tanks with fuel and fresh water and provision at the IGA, bakery and bottle shop. You are free to use most of the island’s facilities and activities and dine in the many restaurants.

Daydream Island Resort reopened in May 2019. The resort welcomes day visitors and it’s free to use the facilities and dine in the restaurants.

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DESTINATION

Below: Hamilton Island is a convenient place to reprovision and enjoy the resort facilities.

Top right: The famous swirling sands of Hill Inlet.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is the newly revamped upmarket resort which opened in July 2019. You can arrange to meet or drop off a charter boat here, but sailing guests are not permitted to stay overnight and visits are for the day only.

You can visit Elysian Resort on Long Island for lunch or dinner but only by reservation and subject to availability. You can book a mooring for while you’re ashore.

This unique resort has a strong emphasis on giving people the opportunity to reconnect with the natural environment.

Palm Bay Resort on Long Island is a small boutique getaway and the only self-catering resort in the Whitsundays.

Moorings are available by prior arrangement with prices starting from $50 for four hours. Should you wish to access the resort facilities, the cost is $100 (overnight mooring) for the first two people and $15 each person thereafter. Smart casual attire must be worn.

The main town of Airlie Beach has two marinas and is a great spot to base yourself for a few days before or after you explore the area, or to reprovision mid cruise and enjoy the restaurants and nightlife.

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6

Safety and hazards Mercedes said the highly publicised shark attacks were extremely sad but have to be viewed in context.

“More than 400,000 holidaymakers visited the Whitsundays last year with a majority doing day or overnight boat charters to immerse themselves in what the Whitsundays is famous for – swimming, snorkelling and beachcombing around the islands,” she said.

“During our briefings we advise charterers not to swim at particular locations and always advise people to use their common sense.

This includes not swimming in murky waters or between dusk and dawn, keep all food scraps in the bin provided and avoid throwing them in the water.”

During the summer months marine stingers can be another hazard, and it’s a good idea to hire a fine stinger suit to wear over your swimming costume as a precaution.

7

Don’t miss the new snorkel trail Last but by no means least, Mercedes said to add the new snorkel trail to your itinerary. This features six giant underwater artwork sculptures, including a dramatic sixmetre turtle at Blue Pearl Bay!

PHOTO CREDITS: TOURISM & EVENTS QUEENSLAND

Top: Stunning views from Hill Inlet Lookout.

A CORAL SEA ADVENTURE IS CALLING Nothing beats the adventure and exhilaration of the sea, but the stunning facilities and service at Coral Sea Marina Resort come close.

As the only Platinum Anchor accredited marina in Queensland and with a vibrant resort village, it has become the beating heart of the Whitsundays. Need to berth your 12 metre catamaran? Easy. Want to dine on the ocean’s edge? No problem. Feel the need for Jetski speed?

Done. Wish to relax and unwind on the deck of Ocean Club? Simple. You’ll love every moment, because this is where the adventure begins.

Let the adventure begin - you’ll love every moment...

STAY, PLAY AND EXPLORE AT WWW.CSMR.COM.AU

The Tank 92 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

BOAT REVIEW

ILIAD 70

Commander With its dominating silhouette and commanding performance, the new ILIAD 70 evokes the might of famous regimental tanks. But its luxurious style and space make it more a vessel for unforgettable escapes, reports JOHN CURNOW for PowerBoat-World.com

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 93

Above: Enormous flybridge for entertaining.

Opposite top: Incredible space and storage.

Opposite below: Idyllic foredeck lounge.

C

learly there were distinct notions of the famous M1 Abrams, courtesy of the forward-only vision out of the bridge through a ‘slot-type’ arrangement, as it were.

You cannot see the bows – a term also used by tank commanders – for the expansive coachhouse roof of what is the Owner’s Stateroom blocks them. Equally, looking out aft is absolutely precluded, given where you are, perched up on a mezzanine deck at the forward end of the main saloon.

Now, the fact that the ILIAD 70 certainly weighs into the same class as the 50-tonne tank is about where all the comparisons end.

She is not cramped, nor outrageously hot, and certainly not deafeningly noisy. Best of all, there is no stench from either petroleumbased products, or far worse, expended rounds. Good, huh?!

So, what you do get, also immediately, mind you, is a sense of just how magical a spot it will be for passage making, which is exactly its intended purpose. You even have a delightful lounge to port that will be the daybed par

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excellence as you go from here to there, with there being a long, long, long way off.

The reason is simple: you can have up to 4000nm of range. At a more sprightly 10 knots or so, you’ll be burning just 30l/hr as you chew up 240nm days and still be looking at an overall range of over 2000nm before having to bunker once more and fill her 7,600-litre tanks. And that’s what the ILIAD premise is all about. So, QED right there.

Of course, in more populated waters you’ll be helming from up on the flybridge with commanding views of all before you, and for that matter, all behind you as well. Should you have a cast of thousands on board, then at least half of them will be able to enjoy the bar, lounge and conversation pit in close proximity to you. One or two could even score a great spot right beside you.

The mighty ILIAD 70 comes hot on the heels of her smaller sister, the ILIAD 50. The 70 is a vessel as effortless as she is imposing, rewarding as she is voluminous, and quite captivating, perhaps something akin to an opera singer. Think Montserrat Caballe…

BOAT REVIEW

“I think the hardest part of ownership would be telling all the people who would want to join you that you are full up.”

As mentioned, the silent, long-range running, along with the fully customisable solutions inside the existing hull and deck format, is really what the ILIAD brand has been built around. At displacement speeds, the whole experience is completely effortless.

If ever there were an argument for buying a five-million-dollar passage-making vessel of stupendous proportions, then the ILIAD 70 would have to be it. Add in the economy already mentioned and full vinylester resin infused hulls using 80-100kg/m3 mat, and you could pretty much end this report right here.

Yet, that does not do a lot to describe this, Hull #1 of the series, or the brand itself.

The all-important ILIAD ingredient is its customisation option.

“We put in about 30 to 40 per cent more labour to account for our clients’ individual customisation wishes,” said ILIAD Catamarans CEO Mark Elkington.

This is something you recognise on every ILIAD, but perhaps in the 70, by virtue of its scale, you can’t ignore it. The five bathrooms have great-looking black stone. You also get to choose what’s normally an observation lounge and lower helm station as your Grand Stateroom, should you wish. This means the mezzanine disappears, and the second tier of windows fills the atrium with light.

This model has four additional Staterooms and heads with a laundry also in the starboard hull. There is a skipper/crew cabin in the port fo’castle that can easily be a teenagers’ snug, and the starboard fo’castle is the owner’s head. The ILIAD 70 is certainly sumptuous, and the whole craft also offers that very rare quality on a boat – your own space and privacy. I think this is what I was most compelled by, from foredeck lounge to party bar up top, or retreat into your cabin for maximum chill out.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 95

Top: Generous saloon with luxury finishes.

Centre: A galley to rival the finest apartments.

Below: A foredeck lounge to enjoy sunset cocktails.

Opposite top: A master cabin like no other.

Opposite below: The ILIAD 70 has room for all the mod cons to enjoy carefree extended voyages.

Should you want others to join you, whom they’ll tell you are essential when you have this much magic on offer, then the galley will accommodate three chefs working away and not offer any clashes. Toys, like various sized tenders and road bikes, can go up top where a heavy-duty crane ensures that ‘effortless’ remains the word of the day. If you’re an inside kind of person, then the whole lot can be enclosed and air conditioned so your room with a view can handle everything from the tropics to the Northwest Passage.

Talking of passage making, it was clear that the new owner of Hull #1 wanted to do longdistance cruising at around 10 knots, which is quite fast. Screw selection was critical to this, so as to get the best RPM out of the Volvo D11 725s driving the 59kg 740x750mm screws at the end of the inline shafts. The four-bladers are an alloy of copper, aluminium, manganese, iron, nickel and zinc, with trace amounts of tin and lead.

It all means they are pushing the superefficient hulls with a minimum of fuss, which is why they can do it at 1200 RPM. This equates to the 30l/hr combined, which, for 60 tonnes wet ship, is totally commendable. Given, too, that Hull #1 holds slightly less fuel at 6,700l overall due to client requirements, it is an important item to note. Another noteworthy aspect is that this ILIAD is insured with Pantaenius, not only because they can provide genuine offshore cover that can go around the globe with you, but because it is the most comprehensive, which is critical when you are talking about these sorts of sums.

However, like everything, there is a trade off. The client did not want top end so much, so this boat does not offer as much of a dual purpose as the ILIAD 50 we had tested. The whole equation and balance at something like 17 knots is just not there as it was with the very first ILIAD. She will go on to 21 knots, but it is all just information at that stage, as there is nothing at all to be gained up there, save for getting away from a fierce storm or something like that.

You know, I reckon a pair of 10HP outboards would clip the ILIAD 70 along nicely in flat water and with no breeze, for she is that slippery. Tank testing saw to that aspect, but as for my tip, well, I think we can assume it is probably best left in the ‘don’t try this at home’ category.

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BOAT REVIEW

“The ILIAD 70 is as effortless as she is imposing, rewarding as she is voluminous, and quite captivating, perhaps something akin to an opera singer.”

Anyway, a change of screws will return the craft to her twin state of mind, but then at 10 knots you’ll do 38l/hr, so you can now see where the original statement came from. Still, it is very hard to argue with 30l/hr at almost 11 knots, as we have here, and provided that is where you are going with your boat. This ILIAD 70 also stands up magnificently against explorer craft with their single diesels and 7 or 8-knot passage speed (or less for some).

Equally, I would have gone with underwater exhaust, for at cruise speed the ILIAD 70 would have been almost electric. Between the double glazing and the extra distance from helmer to engine room afforded by her increased LOA, peace may have found a new name. Waterline exhausts burn the topsides on long runs. I mean, you can have a funnel if that’s what you choose, but I reckon we have moved on from all of that. Still, it is what the customer wanted, and so the golden rule gets applied - happily.

Ultimately, what you are left with is the sensational fit and finish, the ability to make it your own in any way you want, more than enough space for any ardent Trekkie to conduct a whole new series, along with some of the best style and grace going around in this very popular segment. The ILIAD 70 is also very price competitive when you consider all you get, and the fact it would be a much larger monohull that would offer the same.

Applying the ‘would-I-have-one?’ test, you do feel very compelled because of all of the above – as well as shallow draft – meaning you can get into some terrific anchorages. I still think the hardest part of ownership would be telling all the people who would want to join you that you are full up.

I guess you can just contemplate that from the tranquillity of some Pacific atoll, or see what might be written on the underside of your eyelids…

ILIAD 70 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

21.08 m | 69.1 ft

Beam:

9.15 m | 30.01 ft

Draft:

1.25 m | 4.29 ft

Displacement (light):

45,000 kgs

Water Capacity:

1,200 L

Fuel Tank Capacity:

7,500 L

Certification:

CE Cat A - Ocean 12+

Builder:

ILIAD CATAMARANS

Architect:

Riccardo Bulgarelli

ILIAD 70 PERFORMANCE Speed (knots)

RPM

Fuel (litres per hour)

7

900

12

10

1200

30

17+

2100

from 150

MORE ILIAD 70 INFORMATION T: 1300 855 338 or +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 97

LEADING the

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Field

FEATURE STORY

The Boat Works isn’t just the largest shipyard and marina facility in the Southern Hemisphere, it is now arguably the world’s cleanest and greenest as well.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 99

R

ecently doubling in size to 54 acres, The Boat Works at Coomera on Queensland’s Gold Coast has firmly established itself as Asia Pacific’s premier one-stop shop for boat owners, buyers and sellers.

With the shipyard on track to welcome the first superyachts to its new purposebuilt facility by 2020, The Boat Works will create thousands of jobs in the marine and service industries, and superyacht visitation expenditure will have flow-on benefits to the broader community.

The facility has become renowned throughout the region with its state-ofthe-art facilities, largest concentration of marine trades in Australia and its ability to store boats up to 110ft, with 100-tonne and 70-tonne marine lifts handling boats up to 110-feet long and 26-feet wide, plus a unique 45-tonne hydraulic submersible Sealift.

The existing southern yard currently operates at full capacity with a haul-out rate of 50 vessels out of water per week, over 60 marine trade professionals, and an onsite chandlery superstore all set within the epicentre of the Gold Coast’s Marine Precinct.

Service capabilities extend to all aspects of vessel refit, repair, restorations, maintenance, berthing and dry storage.

Multihull Solutions’ Gold Coast Sales Centre is also located within the precinct and has a dedicated team on hand to manage all aspects of buying and selling from the marina and from their innovative Out-of-Water Boat Show facility.

Boat owners and sellers are spoilt for storage options at the Boat Works site with the largest out-of-water dry marina, expansive hardstand area with optional covers, and spotless workspaces, including 15-metre high prestige sheds with screens, making it perfect for DIY maintenance or enlisting the services of myriad onsite specialists.

Included in the new marina development are purpose-built multihull berths to accommodate wide-bodied catamarans up to 18m in length.

The Boat Works has carved out a reputation for being a destination in its own right with restaurants, laundries, client lounges, BBQs, ensuites and courtesy cars making for an enjoyable and convenient experience. Its new architect-designed waterfront premises will be occupied by professional offices, restaurants, bars, a swimming pool, boutique shopping and mixed retail businesses. Plans comprise a function centre for events, such as seminars, conferences and weddings.

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Above: The facility has doubled in size.

Right: A vast range of storage options and haul-out facilities.

With easy access to the Gold Coast’s glittering beaches and within an hour’s drive of Brisbane’s CBD, the facility has become a firm favourite for new and returning clients from all over the world lured by the sublime river views and soon to also overlook the splendour of superyachts on the marina.

Driving The Boat Works’ physical expansion and continued services development is the shipyard’s underpinning commitment to ecoresponsibility.

Shipyard owner Tony Longhurst said The Boat Works was dedicated to providing a unique, environmentally friendly facility within a government-gazetted marine precinct.

“We have created the world’s cleanest and greenest shipyard and marina,” said Tony.

“We’re committed to maintaining the health of our waterways, operating sustainably and with minimal impact on the environment.

FEATURE STORY

“We’re committed to maintaining the health of our waterways, operating sustainably and with minimal impact on the environment.”

“The innovations we have implemented throughout the existing facility and the new superyacht yard are a testament to our aim of minimal impact and improving water quality.”

The Longhursts are one of Queensland’s pioneering marine families, investing in Coomera since the 1970s with the past 20 focused on the Gold Coast Marine Precinct.

Passionate environmentalists and staunch defenders of the future of the region’s waterways, the Longhurst family backs up their commitment with impressive experience and academic credentials. Carolyn Rose, Tony’s sister, is an ecologist/environmental

scientist and explains that The Boat Works has taken a multi-pronged approach to ensuring the site’s air, water and soil is even better than when the facility was first opened.

“To reduce our carbon emissions, we have installed a 100kw solar panel system in the south yard with a similar system to be installed in the superyacht yard,” Carol said.

“We recognise the benefits mangroves have on protecting the shoreline, and we encourage their establishment by installing walkways to the marinas, which slows down the effect of boat wash and protects the banks from soil erosion,” she said.

To protect the river, The Boat Works has installed rainwater tanks and stainless steel grates to catch debris, along with water filtration, wastewater recycling and biogarden systems to improve water quality.

“We know our clients appreciate the clean yard and great service, and that extends into the overall enjoyment of their boating experience in the surrounding Gold Coast waterways,” Carol said.

The Boat Works occupies over 500 metres of prime waterfront land within the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and has retained a dedicated 200-metre area as a ‘marine sanctuary’, preserving the thriving natural mangrove ecosystem and ensuring run-off and wastewater are fully recycled onsite.

“Mangrove regeneration is a crucial part of building fish-friendly marine infrastructures that protect the shoreline and encourages natural habitats to flourish,” said Tony.

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FEATURE STORY

Above: The facility’s marine lifts can handle boats up to 110’ long and 26’ wide.

Right: Newly planted bio-gardens.

“In this new marine sanctuary we are thrilled to see around 50 juvenile mangroves already coming through. At high tide, it’s teeming with fish,” he said.

Other green initiatives include the creation of a dedicated shipyard team who use ride-on sweepers to collect any plastics, contaminants and debris onsite further eliminating the waste into the stormwater and improving water quality. Fox Evo-Systems filtration and environmental water systems are employed throughout the site ensuring the diversion of contaminated run off away from the stormwater and waterways.

Each of the superyacht sheds, work bays and hardstands are constructed on slopes to collect all run-off water, which is then treated

“We are confident we have designed, and are building, the cleanest shipyard and slipway on the planet.” to be reused or goes to sewer. Bio-gardens have also been planted throughout the new superyacht refit facility along the new 20-berth marina and dry-storage marina with all water going through bio-gardens before it reaches the river.

“No other shipyard in Australia or the world has implemented these processes,” said Tony.

“We are confident we have designed, and are building, the cleanest shipyard and slipway on the planet.”

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During the recent ASMEX and Marinas19 conferences on the Gold Coast, delegates undertook shipyard tours with The Boat Works welcoming 60 international delegates.

The visitors were unanimously positive in their impressions of the vision for the new superyacht facility and The Boat Works’ environmental commitment.

Marieke Derk of Superyacht Publications was impressed with how well the facilities are laid out and maintained. “‘Greenliness’ is becoming a factor of increasing concern with superyacht captains and owners, and The Boat Works is making sure that their new superyacht extension will be one of the greenest we have come across so far,” Marieke said.

Seabin COO Mahi Paquette and marine ecologist David Turton also recently visited The Boat Works to demonstrate the V5 Seabin ‘trash skimmer’, which intercepts floating debris, macro and micro plastics.

David compared the extensive bio-gardens adjacent to the new 30-berth marina to a similar initiative in San Francisco, praising them as “a simple and effective system to filter and improve water quality.”

Tony Longhurst said The Boat Works’ aim is simple: “We want to reduce impact on the environment and preserve natural resources.

We’re constantly in search of ways to be green, and we welcome state governments, waterways, fisheries and local councils to work with us to better enhance and improve eco-innovations here at the facility.”

CONTACT THE BOAT WORKS A: 1 Boatworks Drive, Coomera QLD 4209 T: +61 (0) 7 5500 0000 E: admin@theboatworks.com.au W: theboatworks.com.au

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FEATURE STORY

Going

GREEN

Innovation, cutting-edge design and the latest technology are just three of the ways Fountaine Pajot is helping the push for eco-friendly cruising. Caroline Strainig asks Multihull Solutions chief operating officer Nod Crook about how boat building is keeping up with the times.

W

hen Michael ‘Nod’ Crook is not helping clients with the handover of their new boat or conducting sea trials, he’s at the beach with his family or hitting the hills for a day of mountain biking.

Like all boating enthusiasts, Nod is passionate about the great outdoors and is a great believer in protecting and preserving the natural environment for future generations. This is one of the key reasons he takes great satisfaction in selling and servicing Fountaine Pajot’s catamarans, a company that shares this philosophy and is committed to developing environmentally friendly yachts that also boast stunning design, build quality and performance.

GLOBAL LEADER Nod says when he started working for Multihull Solutions at its inception, Fountaine Pajot was already one of the marine industry’s global leaders when it came to production catamaran technology.

“The power catamaran range was already boasting excellent long-range capabilities with impressively low fuel burns,” he recalls.

“The sail range also had the best power(sail area)-to-weight ratio of the brands. What this meant cruising-wise was that the boats were less dependent on using fossil fuel in lighter wind conditions.”

Nod loves the fact the innovation has continued almost non-stop since then.

“Fountaine Pajot was one of the first catamaran producers to implement the infusion technique for manufacturing the

hulls, which reduced the amount of waste materials and fumes being released during construction,” Nod said.

“The shipyard has also adhered to strict recycling and disposal processes in all facets of production, which has made the yard a very clean environment compared to some other manufacturers.”

He said equipment like holding tanks now comes as standard in every Fountaine Pajot model, and hydro-generators, wind generators, solar panel installs and water makers are all options, helping to reduce emissions and make for greener cruising.

BATTERY IMPROVEMENTS The largest change he has noticed over the past few years has been the improvement in battery storage and charging technology.

“We are starting to configure boats that can charge sufficiently from solar, wind and water with minimal input from engine alternators,” Nod said.

“Water makers and some air-conditioning units are now designed to run on 12 volts DC. Most 220-volt AC appliances can now be run through large inverters, powered direct from the batteries.

“We are definitely beginning to see a decline in the need for a diesel generator to be fitted to larger cruising boats, which will mean almost no carbon footprint for the purist sailor in the not-too-distant future.”

SMART CRUISING OPTIONS A recent innovation Nod particularly likes is the Smart Cruising battery monitoring option,

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 105

Below: Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts have the most efficient semi-displacement hulls to date.

Far Right: Solar panels are now being fitted on many boats.

“Making sure their yacht will be environmentally friendly has definitely become a major focus for buyers when deciding on their new multihull.” which enables you to monitor all of the power equipment onboard individually, to help make as little impact on the environment as possible, and, as an added bonus, save fuel.

Fountaine Pajot is also working closely with Volvo testing an electric propulsion catamaran, which, if successful, will be added to the range in the near future. Lithium batteries – currently available as an after-build option – may soon be available as a factoryfitted selection.

MORE EFFICIENT HULLS Yacht design is also playing a major part.

Nod says the new Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts range boasts the most efficient semidisplacement hulls to date.

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“The boats are very light and, combined with the efficient hulls, have outstanding seaworthiness and fuel economy,” he said.

The same is true of the sail range. The hull of the new Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 sailing catamaran, for example, creates 10 per cent less drag than the previous model, due to a small chine in the aft section and a redesigned transom, which means better performance and more efficiency.

In the sail range the boats now all include full cockpit hardtops, which make a perfect base for a large solar panel installation to power the boat indefinitely at anchor.

“With the new technology in more efficient panels we are able to easily install 2000w of solar to a cruising catamaran,” Nod said.

Top: The optional parasail delivers better downwind performance, reducing motoring time required.

Right: Fountaine Pajot is working with Volvo testing an electric propulsion cat.

Increased storage for black waste and general waste also allows owners to spend prolonged periods in remote cruising grounds without having to dispose of rubbish or pollute the anchorages.

EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING Nod says the design of the new catamarans and the options available today make it very easy for a client to equip their yacht to be a much more environmentally friendly vessel than in years past. He said this is something clients are actively seeking and legislation is increasingly demanding.

“Most of our clients are already running the best power solutions and are recycling as much as possible at home,” Nod said.

“They want to do the same onboard their new home on the water.

“Making sure their yacht will be eco-friendly has definitely become a major focus for buyers when deciding on their new multihull.”

Nod said the changes over the last 25 years have been reasonably steady in keeping with the progress in technology, but he thinks even more major advances might happen in the future. He hesitates to even try and guess what will be next but is very excited to see what eventuates.

“The next generation’s acceptance of change and the recent acceleration in renewable/green energy options will make for some exciting changes we haven’t even thought of yet,” he said.

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BOAT REVIEW

ALEGRIA 67

Her

Majesty This remarkable new model is put to the test and proves that cruising catamarans no longer have to compromise luxurious comfort to achieve exhilarating performance.

By Marco Pinetto for YachtingMedia.com

F

inding oneself fantasising about leaving on a catamaran for long, comfortable luxury cruises around the world is a thought common to many of us.

This type of boat has undeniable qualities that make it the best option to achieve our dream that, almost always, takes for granted that cruising sail-powered catamarans pay the price of the comfort they offer with sailing performances that cannot be considered as ‘inebriating’.

That’s at least what we thought until we got our hands on the wheels of the new Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 that, in a wholly unexpected way, surprised us both in terms of sailing performance and ability to sail close to the wind.

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BOAT REVIEW

AN EXTRAORDINARY SEA TRIAL The day chosen for our sea trial is perfect.

The sun shines high in the sky, the sea is slightly rippled and the 10-knot breeze that channels between Miami and Key Biscayne is fresh. These conditions are just perfect to test a sailing catamaran since it’s exactly within this wind range that we can truly appreciate its qualities.

I climb onboard and, before casting off, I make a full inspection of the catamaran, accompanied by Domenico Furci who, nice and helpful, will assist us during the test.

When visiting a 67-foot catamaran it is normal to expect large, spacious and functional spaces, but here onboard the Alegria 67 reality really exceeds imagination.

When I get to the bow, I have to rub my eyes to believe what I see: a Jacuzzi, perfect to accommodate two people, is integrated into the foredeck. I had never seen one on a sailboat of this size, not even on a catamaran.

I wonder whether all the amenities and gadgets I’m discovering in every corner of the deck, all destined to make the stay onboard more pleasant, can adversely affect performances with their weight.

The main fuel of the catamaran is wind, and we are really at full load. The Alegria 67 is just back from the boat show and is therefore loaded with all the material necessary for the exhibition, along with what the owner needs for the long cruise he will take right after our test. But, as I told you before, I will be obliged to swing around soon.

We cast off and I climb up to the flybridge.

From here, you can steer the boat easily; all rigging is led between the twin helms, easily accessible from both the port and the starboard side. Rigging is also supported by four electric winches, all grouped and positioned close to gears.

We put out to sea and head for the centre of the bay where the wind seems to be more stable. While we approach and before hoisting sails, I take the opportunity to detect power performances. The economical cruising speed is 7.6 knots at 1,800 rpm, while the fast one is 9.5 knots at 2,400 rpm.

These figures are really interesting, especially if we consider the load we are carrying.

Just the time to open the lazy bag installed on the V-boom – a simple operation you can perform by climbing on the hard top – and we haul the mainsail with the help of the winch. I push the electric furler button next to the steering console and unroll the genoa.

We have no difficulty in unfurling the sails, which is another indisputable sign of how the Alegria 67 allows for very simple steering

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Top: A spacious cockpit to entertain 12 guests in style.

Centre: A Lounge deck with day beds aft of twin steering stations.

Bottom: The full swim deck makes for easy fun at anchor.

based on the easy sailing principle. Now, it’s time for us to stop the engine and test the various points of sail.

I start with the most congenial one for a multihull: close reach. I maintain a 50-degree angle to the apparent wind and, in a flash, the Alegria accelerates and reaches a speed of 8.7 knots. A great performance with a true wind blowing at about 10 knots! The wheel is direct and sensitive - I didn’t expect that on a boat of this size. Steering the boat at this point of sail is definitively fun and easy.

I luff gradually and start to haul sails aft. I find out that it’s an operation I can perform myself thanks to the special configuration of equipment and the help of electrical devices.

The mainsail sheet has an electric winch, while the traveler is adjusted by an Antal electrically operated sliding system.

I sail close to the wind and push the apparent wind toward points of sail that are less friendly to multihulls. At 45 degrees,

I lose only half a knot of speed and it’s at this moment that I start to realise the Alegria 67 is not only a comfortable boat but sails very well, too. I decide to go beyond, and, at 40 degrees, the catamaran surprises me again with a speed of 7.3 knots.

I exaggerate and hug the wind more and more. The Alegria astonishes me since she sails close to the wind at 35 degrees, with a speed of over 6 knots and a true wind of just 10 knots!

We try to tack and we have to roll the jib to do that. The foresail stay has been already fitted out in order to make the boat prepared for any contingency during the next cruise.

No harm done, I push the furler button, release the sheet and, within a few seconds, the jib disappears.

I sail close to the wind, the mainsail tacks and, finally, I re-open the jib. For a few seconds, I keep an angle between 50 and 45 degrees, just the time to create more

Above: The foredeck jacuzzi fit for royalty.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 111

apparent wind and the boat sails fast, which is another uncommon characteristic for a catamaran of this size.

I bear away until 80 degrees of apparent wind. Running on the quarter and with only the genoa, I record a speed of 6.7 knots.

Satisfied with the performance, I turn the autopilot on and enjoy navigation.

I leave the wheel with a smile; this Alegria 67 has completely won my heart. She is fast, easy to steer and reactive, a genuine ‘cruising machine’ that is as beautiful as she is able to really sail.

EXQUISITE INTERIOR The design studio of Berret–Racoupeau has not only designed a fast and spacious yacht.

The Alegria 67 is also a boat where excellent performances equally match an exquisite interior design that is able to engineer every single square centimetre of the many huge spaces available.

The result is a project that perfectly reconciles the large areas onboard with the privacy needs of the owner and guests.

The beautiful forward area is a clear example of this concept. Here, a Jacuzzi and a cozy dinette are positioned below the deck level. The result is a space that, whilst it doesn’t sacrifice the forward view when

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ALEGRIA 67 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

20.36 m / 66.80 ft

Beam:

9.84 m / 32.28 ft

Draft:

1.7 m / 5.58 ft

Displacement (light):

35 tonne (approx)

Main Sail Area:

130 m2 / 1400 ft2

Genoa Area:

100 m2 / 1040 ft2

Standard Engines:

2 x 110 HP - 2 x 110 CV

Optional Engines:

2 x 150 HP - 2 x 150 CV

Fuel/Diesel Tanks:

1200 L Maestro version 1 Owner’s suite + 1 private bathroom 4 double cabins (or 3 + 1 twin bed) + 4 bathrooms

Layouts:

6-cabin Charter version 6 double cabins (or 5 + 1 twin bed) + 6 bathrooms * Both versions available with option to have galley up or down.

Naval architect:

Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design

Builder:

Fountaine Pajot Catamarans

BOAT REVIEW

“This Alegria 67 really is an extraordinary catamaran.

Fast under sail and meticulously designed, she is practically perfect.”

Above: Exquisite owner’s suite occupying its own entire hull.

Right: Available in a range of layout options.

Top left: A boldly modern and spacious saloon.

Centre left: Gourmet galley can be up or down.

Below left: Spacious and airy designer ensuite.

sailing, gives moments of precious privacy both in port and at anchor.

The aft cockpit and the dinette, separated only by a long glass sliding door, compose a unique huge loft overlooking the sea. A rectangular table, positioned on the left of the cockpit, can seat 12-14 people and communicates directly with the galley on the same side.

This central position serves both exterior and interior areas with a solution that, in addition to being blatantly beautiful, is functionally perfect, because it is placed at the very centre of the social life aboard.

Those who wish to cook in the open can enjoy a big plancha grill equipped with BBQ, sink and refrigerator, placed aft and perfect to let smoke and smells out when cooking at the anchor.

Giving priority to the owner - although this Alegria 67 has five guest cabins and two crew ones - is certainly a key point of the project. In the version we have tested, the master cabin and its huge bathroom take up the whole central section of the starboard hull. Just to give you a term of reference, suffice to say that the same section on the port hull accommodates two double cabins, both of excellent dimensions and equipped with ensuite bathrooms.

Moreover, the master cabin has two entry points. The first is from the dinette, while the second gives instant access to the forward lounge and the Jacuzzi. Once again, this configuration confirms the exceptional nature of the work carried out by Berret– Racoupeau architects.

In the cabin, we find a comfortable sofa on the left and a large double bed placed diagonally on the right. Moving aft, we enter the bathroom whose first part, equipped with a vanity top with double wash basins, is indeed an open space. This area has surprising dimensions and is equipped with a walk-in closet and two compartments that, closed and separate from each other, act as shower cubicle and toilet respectively.

The aft section of the two hulls accommodate two VIP cabins that, equipped with a queen-sized bed and ensuite bathroom, benefit from exceptional privacy, because each of them has independent access to the outside.

Particularly noteworthy is the tender platform that, cleverly positioned on the transom, can be raised or immersed into the water thanks to a special hydraulically operated mechanism. Convenient to launch the tender, this solution also gives more functionality and fun to the sunbathing platform that becomes a real beach area when opened over the water.

CONCLUSION At the end of our tour, we finally sit and take stock of our visit. This Alegria 67 is a really extraordinary catamaran.

Fast under sail and meticulously designed to fully enjoy the sea in all conditions, she can only be considered as practically perfect.

Her only flaw? She is going on her next cruise without us!

MORE INFORMATION T: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au W: multihullsolutions.com.au

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 113

High FIVE It can be tempting to go overboard when outfitting your boat for the adventure of a lifetime. SUELLEN TOMKINS shares her tips on what she couldn’t live without after cruising for six months on her Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 Evolution.

A

fter the euphoria of ordering Wild Heart, our Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 Evolution, had somewhat settled we faced a whole new set of decisions: exactly what options did we want to include on our new catamaran?

Although we previously owned a monohull, we had bought it secondhand, so the previous owner had predetermined the inclusions. So, specifying factory-fitted options on a new boat was uncharted territory for us. Now, the biggest challenge was balancing what we wanted (and needed) within our budget.

It is really tempting to tick all of the optional extras boxes. Choosing between factoryfitted and after-market options was also tricky, especially as we wanted to get sailing as soon as possible.

What kept us on track during this decisionmaking process was prioritising sailing and safety options - like an extra winch - over ‘glamour’ options, such as blue underwater lights. Ultimately, choice of inclusions depends on everyone’s personal preferences, circumstances and lifestyle.

We opted for a ‘keep-it-simple’ (KIS) approach. We wanted to maximise our sailing time by minimising any potential lengthy customising at commissioning after the exfactory pickup in France. We also wanted to experience cruising on the boat before investing in any further customisation. In short, we chose to: ●

●

●

●

Stay within a predetermined budget, including making allowances for last-minute spending to complete the catamaran fit out; Opt for factory-fitted options where it made sense from a cost, warranty and performance perspective; Select straightforward, tried and tested exfactory installation options to be done at the time of commissioning; Make sailing and safety inclusions an expenditure priority.

I won’t delve into the technical details of different equipment as that’s discussed

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with Multihull Solutions during the ordering process, plus there’s a wealth of information available online. My list of must-haves is about those items that make cruising and living aboard more comfortable and enjoyable.

1

Solar and Generator Power This may not sound sexy but this is off-grid power generation, which keeps us independent of marinas. We chose the factory-fitted option of 4 x 100W solar panels and an ex-factory Fisher Panda 5000i 5kw backup generator. We have two fridges, a freezer and no air conditioning, so this is sufficient for our needs. As technology rapidly evolves, we may increase the solar panels in the future, but it works for us for now.

2

Watermaker We had the factory-fitted Aquabase 60L/hr version installed and are very happy with it. We have ample water onboard for drinking, showers and dishwashing and don’t need to go ashore for fresh water. The watermaker also allows us to do a highpressure washdown to keep the cockpit clean and salt free. Between the power generation and watermaker, we are self sufficient and can stay offshore as long as the food lasts, which translates to all-important freedom.

3

Sena SPH10 Headsets Otherwise known as ‘marriage savers’!

These lightweight Bluetooth headsets can be paired with each other and to other devices. It took us a while to start using them as we had so much happening during our first few weeks at sea. Once we did, we realised how useful they are for two-handed sailors.

The headsets are brilliant when berthing stern-to or portside-to with reduced visibility for the helmsperson and for anchoring in high winds. With clear communication and no yelling, the stress levels drop significantly!

These are also invaluable if you need to talk to each other from different areas of the boat when troubleshooting.

FEATURE STORY

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 115

FEATURE STORY

Left: A dinghy with highpowered motor gives more freedom to explore.

Top right: An inflatable SUP. Bottom right: Enclosures are ideal for protection in wet weather.

4

Toys There are several items I’ve grouped in this category. Things like snorkel and fishing gear are pretty much a given on a boat. What’s critical is a good dinghy with a reliable, high-powered motor allowing you to anchor off and tender in to go ashore and explore. A higher horsepower motor makes a difference to how far you can travel.

Also, exercising while cruising can be challenging, so this is where an inflatable stand-up paddleboard (SUP) comes in handy.

They are a great option to stay active, explore your anchorage or go ashore without the dinghy, plus they’re convenient to stow.

5

Enclosures and Sunscreens These enclosures make such a difference to being able to stay warm, dry and comfortable, especially in bad weather. We had sunscreens installed in the aft cockpit and around the windows, offering much needed shade in the Mediterranean summer and privacy in marinas.

“The biggest challenge was balancing what we wanted within our budget.”

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One last item, which didn’t quite make the High Five but is right up there, is our coffee machine. It’s my little luxury in the gallery.

We have a Nespresso on the bench selected for size and convenience. As not every country has suitable pods (think Croatia and Montengero), we have been known to have guests arrive carrying a substantial resupply. In the future, I will consider using refillable alternatives. There’s nothing like contemplating the morning over a coffee, watching the anchorage and marina come alive. It’s my favourite way to start the day.

Then there’s the tech gear, which I haven’t covered in this story, like cameras, GoPro, apps and software. This is a topic in itself for another day. On a side note, we did include a television and music system but found we rarely used them. However, they are a great addition to the entertainment options onboard, especially on rainy days.

Living on Wild Heart during our first season in the Mediterranean, we felt we had everything we needed to make onboard cruising life comfortable and fun.

Our choices meant Wild Heart is full of creature comforts and we have the freedom to anchor away from peak period crowds, which was a significant plus during the busy European summer holidays.

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LICENCE

Chill

T0

Want to cruise or charter in Australia or overseas? Charter companies and regulatory bodies are increasingly asking for some sort of qualification, reports CAROLINE STRAINIG.

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FEATURE STORY

Y

ears ago, you used to be able to cruise almost as free as the wind with authorities leaving yacht owners largely to their own devices.

Today, all the joy of adventure is still there, but updated rules and regulations help by ensuring we have the basic knowledge to keep us safe on the high seas.

In Australia you are now required to have a marine licence to skipper a good-sized yacht or fast tender, although the criteria differs between states. In Queensland, for example, you must have a marine licence to operate a boat with an engine power greater than 4.5kW (6hp), but in New South Wales the requirement only kicks in when the boat or tender can go 10 knots. ACT rules are the same as New South Wales. The Northern Territory does not require a licence.

Reciprocal rights do exist and some other qualifications are accepted in lieu of doing the normal boating course and test, but this varies so check the rules in other states if

you are planning to cruise there. See the information box at the bottom of this story for each state’s various regulations.

CHARTERING IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia many charter companies still do not require any sort of licence or qualification if you can cite relevant boating experience on the pre-charter questionnaire.

Charter boats are normally covered under commercial regulations so the normal licence requirements do not apply, but it is a good idea to double check with the charter company you plan to book with. They are the ones who will be able to give you accurate information on what is required in their particular cruising area.

CHARTERING OVERSEAS

Requirements overseas also vary, but you are more likely to be asked to have qualifications as a pre-requisite for chartering.

Dream Yacht Charter, which has bases in many countries, reports the International Certificate of Competency (ICC) is the preferred qualification, and for some destinations you may also be asked for an in-depth resume of your experience.

However, just a state boating licence will still be adequate in other countries.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 119

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY (ICC) If you hold a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Day Skipper Practical Course Completion certificate or higher, then you are automatically qualified for the ICC and can apply for it. Otherwise, you will have to complete an on-water assessment or do the necessary training at an RYA sailtraining school, such as Sunshine Sailing at Mooloolaba in Queensland next to the Multihull Solutions head office.

If you want to cruise or charter on Europe’s inland waterways you will also need a CEVNI endorsement for the ICC as proof that you understand the signals and regulations in use.

This is a simple online test.

CRUISING ON YOUR OWN BOAT Again, the ICC is the widely recommended qualification for those who want to voyage internationally, and British websites recommend no sailor should venture overseas to Europe without it.

Even so, its validity can vary between countries, and you can also be asked for an in-depth resume of your sailing experience to show you are not a danger to others on their local waterways. You may also be requested to produce a radio operator’s certificate.

Multihull Solutions clients contacted while researching this story reported differing experiences. One owner who had cruised all the way back from Europe and around Australia said they had never been asked to produce a licence or any form of qualification, but others report they are increasingly being asked to show some sort of accreditation.

Lucia 40 owners Lauren and Connan James said they were stopped once in Portugal by the Costa Guardia who actually appeared out of nowhere while they were sailing along the coast about five nautical miles from shore.

“They pulled alongside us and asked us to stop, tied their huge boat to ours and requested to see our passports and all documentation, including the crew list and qualifications of the skipper,” Lauren said.

“At that time, Connan only had the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Boat Master certification, which they accepted. They also wanted to see a radio operator’s certificate.

Then when we arrived in Greece, we needed to show his RYA ICC.” Fellow Lucia 40 owners Martin and Sonia Beamish have had similar experiences.

“You will get asked,” Martin said. “We had no issues for the first two summers of cruising in Europe, but last year were asked to show our qualifications every time we checked in with the coast guard in Greece and Turkey.

“We have always just presented our NSW boating licence, and so far they have been happy with that,” he said.

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Above & right: Certifications give confidence and let you cruise the world carefree.

Opposite top: The James’ sailing Tigger off Sardinia.

Opposite below: Learning the ropes with Sunshine Sailing in Mooloolaba.

FEATURE STORY

OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Your boat will obviously need to be registered with your state waterways authority, and if you are cruising overseas it will need to be registered as an Australian ship. Visas and the EU Value-added tax (VAT) regulations are just two other issues to be aware of with regular trips out of the EU when cruising in the region needed in order to reset the VAT clock.

If you plan to fish in Australia, some states also require that you hold a recreational fishing licence.

INSURANCE Insurance-wise, the NRMA broker contacted while researching this story knew of no requirement for a yacht owner to have any sort of licence as a prerequisite for insurance, although people in the boating industry we contacted thought it was a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ this situation would change.

YOUR LICENCE TO CHILL

“Isn’t cruising all the more fun when you have the confidence provided by some formal training and qualifications?”

So, there you have it. While a licence to chill may not be mandatory everywhere, it is in some locations with the trend increasingly so.

And, after all, is that really such a bad thing?

Isn’t cruising all the more fun when you have the knowledge and confidence provided by some formal training and qualifications? We’ll let Lucia 40 owner Lauren James have the last word: “Personally, I feel anyone who is doing this should have some formal training on the rules of the sea, and that includes the partner of the skipper,” Lauren said.

“It’s important that someone else has enough knowledge to not only drive the boat but be aware of safety rules, such as who gives way, as well as understanding navigation lights and sound signals.

“If there’s only two of you on board, you both need to be able to safely manage your watch, and that means understanding what’s going on out there.

It’s also empowering to have knowledge so you can be a partner in the journey and not just a passenger.”

AUSTRALIAN STATE MARINE LICENCE INFORMATION QLD: NSW: VIC: SA: WA: TAS:

qld.gov.au/transport/boating/licences/recreational rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/licence vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/licence-and-permit-types/marine-licence sa.gov.au/topics/boating-and-marine/marine-publications/sa-recreational-boating-safety-handbook transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/recreational-boating.asp mast.tas.gov.au/recreational/licences-registration

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 121

DITCHING the

Doubts

So, you’ve finally committed to undertaking a cruising adventure, but a nagging apprehension is taking the edge off your excitement. SUELLEN TOMKINS shares her experience on overcoming these pre-trip jitters.

FEATURE STORY

“Limits, like fear, are often an illusion. Take the steps to manage those doubts and let yourself fully enjoy the thrill of adventure that lies ahead.” Michael Johnson

Y

ou love your boat, are busy making lists and can’t wait to see what adventures lie in wait. But that little voice keeps whispering, what if?

What if I can’t cope? What if I don’t like it?

What if something goes wrong at sea?

You’re not alone if those doubts are keeping you awake, particularly if you’re relatively new to cruising. Sailing actually came to me later in life when I met my husband. I had a lot to learn but quickly discovered I loved the challenge of sailing and excitement of being on the water. Since then we have owned two yachts, enjoyed several sailing charter holidays overseas and spent a season in the Whitsundays aboard our own boat.

That said, being a sailor later in life means I tend to worry over the unpredictable aspects of cruising, like changing weather conditions and uncomfortable sea states, unfamiliar destinations, manoeuvring and berthing in foreign marinas, seasickness, night watches and sleep deprivation, and the potential for conflicts onboard with partner or crew.

However, the lure of adventure overcomes fear, and we took our most exciting leap into the unknown, buying a Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 Evolution called Wild Heart. We have just completed a 4000-nautical-mile journey from La Rochelle in France to Croatia during our first Mediterranean season.

A fear of the unknown can be healthy, allowing our instincts to stop us making terrible mistakes. But I’ve now learned that anxieties about trying new things can be overcome by getting better educated, being more involved onboard and gaining more experience before taking the plunge.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY Be curious. Know where you are going and plan for your destination. In preparing for a passage, I make the anchorage selection and plot the course using a variety of resources, from destination-relevant websites, pilot guides and paper charts, to weatherrouting software. Sometimes I check Google Earth for a bird’s eye view and Navily for anchorage reviews from other cruisers (some of which are particularly hilarious thanks to Google Translate!)

PICK SOMETHING AND MAKE IT YOURS This can be an activity that you’re particularly interested in or one where you can use your strengths and skills. There are loads of jobs on a boat, so you have lots of choice from things like canvas work, budget management, provisioning, managing customs and immigration clearance, overseeing the boat technology, and berthing or anchoring, to name just a few.

BECOME A VALUED CREW MEMBER, NOT A PASSENGER Take an interest and participate in all aspects of boat management. Developing a solid all-round knowledge of your boat will enable you to participate in the decisions and choices of cruising life. Your viewpoint will be heard and considered, and many of your concerns and anxieties will be alleviated through active involvement and understanding.

BE SAFETY SMART Safety is a critical component on any boat.

Work to implement and understand your boat’s systems, procedures, equipment and safety gear that can be used in emergencies.

Knowing you have the skills and have also implemented contingencies to deal with any potential critical situations is very reassuring.

DEVELOP YOUR SEA LEGS While uncertainties are always a part of sailing life, the best possible way to manage any unease is to be thoroughly informed and prepared. Well before you depart, enrol in a Competent Crew course and other short courses to build your knowledge and skills, become familiar with essential knots, and even participate in some social twilight sailing events for extra practice.

Establish whether you are prone to sea sickness, and spend time finding which remedies are most effective for you. These could range from simple actions like watching the horizon or nibbling dry crackers, to using natural treatments (eg. ginger and aromatherapy), over-the-counter medications and devices (eg. patches and wrist bands), or prescription medication.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 123

Boat

Show CALENDAR 2020/2021

Thailand Yacht Show January Now Phuket’s only boat show that unites the country’s marine industry around a single event held in Thailand’s premier yachting destination. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/ thailand-yacht-show-2020

Boot Düsseldorf January Attracting 250,000 visitors from all over the world, this premiere boat show features 1,800 exhibitors creating the ultimate maritime wonderland in the middle of the European winter. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/bootdusseldorf-boat-show-2020

Singapore Yacht Show March Asia’s leading yacht and luxury show held at the award-winning ONE°15 Marina in Sentosa Cove. This on-water exhibition epitomises luxury lifestyle with world-class yachts, glamorous parties, high-end entertaining and an enviable range of prestige products and brands, including supercars, fine dining, fashion, art and more. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/ singapore-yacht-show-2020

Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo March A free, family-friendly event held at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club with a range of exhibitors showcasing an extensive array of marine products and services for the experienced and casual sailor. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/ pittwater-sail-expo-2020

124 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

FEATURE STORY

Above: The Multihull Solutions team at Cannes Yachting Festival.

Left: Out-of-Water Boat Show at Multihull Solutions Gold Coast.

Left centre: The Exhibition hall at the Nautic Paris Boat Show.

Left Bottom: Sydney Boat Show in Darling Harbour.

Save the dates in your diary to view the world’s best boats at these leading marine events.

Multihull Solutions Gold Coast Open Day March Held at Multihull Solutions’ Gold Coast Sales Centre in The Boat Works marine precinct, this free show has an array of new and pre-owned multihulls on display as well as information sessions and delicious food to enjoy. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/multihullsolutions-gold-coast-open-day-2020

La Grande Motte International Multihull Boat Show April The 2020 show in France will be the 11th edition with no less than 50 boats, 150 exhibitors and an expected 17,000 visitors in attendance. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/la-grandemotte-multihull-boat-show-2020-france

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show May One of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier marine events. More than 40,000 visitors attend the Gold Coast show each year to explore the expansive displays and enjoy the lively restaurant and entertainment precinct. multihullsolutions.com.au/events/sanctuarycove-international-boat-show-2020

Sydney International Boat Show July / August Australia’s biggest boat show set on Cockle Bay Marina in Darling Harbour and over two levels of exhibitors at the Convention Centre. Experience five days of dynamic entertainment, events and displays. sydneyboatshow.com.au

Auckland On-Water Boat Show September / October Set on Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, this show caters for all manner of boating enthusiasts with hundreds of exhibitors to explore. auckland-boatshow.com

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 125

FEATURE STORY

Above: Singapore Yacht Show in Sentosa Cove’s ONE°15 Marina.

Right: Boats on display at the Pittwater Sail Expo.

Cannes Yachting Festival September Europe’s leading in-water boat show showcasing 600 boats in the two ports of Cannes: Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto. cannesyachtingfestival.com

Annapolis Boat Shows October Discover the world’s leading brands and latest products at the United States’ oldest in-water boat shows, including the United States Sailboat Show, United States Powerboat Show, Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show and Bay Bridge Boat Show. annapolisboatshows.com

Nautic Paris Boat Show December This famous boat show turns Paris into France’s largest port for nine days. More than 200,000 visitors attend the show, which is set on over 130,000m2 of exhibition space. salonnautiqueparis.com

126 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS AND BOAT SHOWS W: multihullsolutions.com.au/events

EXPERIENCE UNRIVALLED SAILING & CRUISING IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST LAGOON! At 24,000 km2 in size, New Caledonia’s vast lagoon is one of the largest marine reserves in the world and, in the opinion of the Down Under Rally, it is the Best Kept Secret In The Pacific!

There are so many islands, isles and islets dotted in the lagoon of New Caledonia that experts have given up counting them! These islands are sheltered from the ocean swell by miles of barrier reef and offer protected anchorages of which there are literally hundreds, and with so many to choose from, yours will often be the only boat there!

In recent times, the Down Under Rally has successfully helped more than 200 yachts & their crew (both catamarans & monohulls) power & sail and prepare for the voyage to New Caledonia and beyond. For the vast majority of those vessels and their crew members this was their first multi day/night ocean voyage.

If sailing to and cruising in New Caledonia, Vanuatu or even Fiji from Australia is on your bucket list, contact the Down Under Rally...we can help turn your cruising dreams into cruising reality and help you start MAKING SOME MEMORIES!

CRUISERS RALLY AUSTRALIA TO NEW CALEDONIA

LEARN SKILLS - GAIN CONFIDENCE TURN YOUR CRUISING DREAMS INTO CRUISING REALITY Along with rewards, adventures and discoveries that come with offshore cruising there are also some unique challenges.

Gaining some insight into these challenges will allow you to be better prepared to manage them when they arise.

For all those interested in making offshore passages with the view to spending time cruising in different countries and/or remote locations, the goal of the Down Under Rally, with regards to this course, is to provide you with the information, skills and confidence to achieve your cruising goals!

“By attending this course,

you are investing in both your cruising safety & enjoyment.”

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS - MAKE SOME MEMORIES

www.downunderrally.com

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www.catamarans-fountaine-pajot.com @fountainepajot