Multihull Solutions magazine

INTRODUCTION

these two and three-hulled boats and subsequently experience more comfortable and enjoyable cruising.

We have long since outgrown our little dog box and now have a network of sales centres across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia that are run by some of the industry’s finest and most experienced people.

However, when I think about growth and success, I don’t think in terms of office space, number of employees or revenue. Instead, I think of the remarkable culture of our entire team.

The respect, sincerity and friendship that each member exemplifies in their dealings with each other, our clients and the industry, represents the bricks and mortar of our entire operation and makes me extraordinarily proud.

I think of the world-leading shipyards we represent, particularly Fountaine Pajot and NEEL Trimarans, with whom we have shared an exciting journey of innovation and change, and I appreciate that the genuine relationships we have developed with these industry trailblazers is unquestionably unique.

But above all, I think of the thousands of wonderful clients we have had the honour of meeting and assisting over the past decade and the friendships we have maintained with them long after each boat has

INTRODUCTION

I

n 2018, Multihull Solutions marks its tenth anniversary. In an industry that is often buffeted by waves of adversity, this achievement calls for celebration.

Our journey began with a small but passionate team who recognised that the future of cruising lay in multihulls.

Working from a poky ‘dog box’ on the marina in Mooloolaba, Michael ‘Nod’ Crook, Patrick Gilot, Richard Kilburn and I formed a plan to draw on our independent experiences and skills and create a company that would transform the way people viewed

been handed over. Our company was built on helping people realise their dreams, and the honour of not just achieving this goal each year but being able to call so many of these clients ‘friends’ is what continually motivates us to keep improving.

In the coming years, the marine industry will experience further change. Advances in technology, design, eco-friendly power, and construction techniques will see revolutionary models being released that leave any argument about a multihull’s equality or superiority over monohulls in their wake. It’s an era we are thrilled to be part of.

I give my sincere thanks to the incredible team at Multihull Solutions and to Asia Pacific’s marine community that has been extremely supportive from the outset. I am so proud of what we have achieved and cannot wait to see what is in store over the next ten years.

Enjoy this special edition, and we wish you fair winds and safe boating.

MARK ELKINGTON Managing Director

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kate Elkington ART DIRECTOR Amanda Woods amandawoodsdesign.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Caroline Strainig, Kevin Green, Tim & Sandy Armstrong, Michael & Marita Lysaght, Natalie & Mike King, Mel & Tony Conaghan, Lindsay & Cathie Crutch.

PRINTING EPM, 1/84 Wises Rd, Maroochydore QLD 4558 COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 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 Parade, Mooloolaba, QLD Australia 4557 Tollfree: 1300 855 338 T: +61 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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MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 3

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Contents

74 38

07 08 22 28 32 37 38 44 50 56 60 62 67 68 72 74 80 82 87 88 92 96 106 112 116

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS CONTACTS: Get in touch with your nearest Sales Centre FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW: Multihull Solutions celebrates ten years SAILING AT ITS LEVEL BEST: What makes a multihull better than a mono?

RUNNING ON INSTINCT: The revolutionary vision of NEEL Trimarans founder Eric Bruneel TRIPLE THE FUN: The remarkable NEEL 51 voted 2018 European Yacht of the Year KEEPING UP WITH THE KIWIS: Catering for New Zealand’s love affair with multihulls HOME AWAY FROM HOME: The MY 44 proves why it is voted best in its class COUP DE MAITRE: Fountaine Pajot continues to set the pace for the cruising cat market SAONA 47: The stylish catamaran turning heads and scooping awards across the world ILIAD: An innovative new range of power cats delivers the power of affordable customisation A SLICE OF PARADISE: The beauty and benefits of yacht syndication OUT TO CHARTER: Expert advice on investing in the yacht charter industry NEBO: The new app streamlining voyagekeeping for cruisers CREATURE COMFORTS: Considering all the options when fitting out your multihull WATERTIGHT SUPPORT: Finance and insurance tips to keep you covered KIDS AHOY: The trials and tribulations of extended cruising with children SLUGGISH SAILING: How to get the wind back in your hair RALLYING THE TROOPS: The rising popularity of social rallies and regattas BITTER BARGAINS: Navigating the pitfalls of buying a pre-owned multihull from abroad READY SET SELL: How to get the best outcome when it’s time to sell your boat DIVING IN THE DEEP END: Cruising the world with no prior sailing experience SCOUT AROUND THE WORLD: A NSW couple embark on the adventure of a lifetime A SAFE HAVEN: Plan a pitstop at some of Asia Pacific’s finest marinas SAILING THE SOLLIES: Exploring the dramatic Solomon Islands by cat BOAT SHOWS WITHOUT A HITCH: Essential tips on surviving the boat show mayhem

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 5

SALES CENTRES

CONTACTS

AUSTRALIA

ALL OTHER STATES

HEAD OFFICE MOOLOOLABA SALES CENTRE

Toll Free Sales Enquiries: 1300 855 338 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au

PO Box 15, 33-45 Parkyn Parade Mooloolaba Queensland 4557 Phone: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164 Fax: +61 (0) 7 5444 3792 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au Toll Free Sales: 1300 855 338 New Sales (mobile): Mark Elkington: +61 (0) 401 045 228 Brokerage Sales (mobile): Ant Kovacevic: +61 (0) 499 877 298

GOLD COAST SALES CENTRE The Boat Works, Building J, Office 1A 1 Boat Works Drive, Coomera Gold Coast, Queensland 4209 Phone: +61 (0) 7 5665 9148 E: info@multihullsolutions.com.au Toll Free Sales Enquiries: 1300 855 338 New Sales (mobile): Anna Wallace + 61 (0) 475 553 888 Brokerage Sales (mobile): Kelvin Gorrie: + 61 (0) 430 941 585

BRISBANE SALES Phil Day: + 61 (0) 477 111 339 E: phil@multihullsolutions.com.au

SYDNEY SALES New Sales (mobile): Ian Jones + 61 (0) 411 193 090 E: ian@multihullsolutions.com.au Brokerage Sales (mobile): Don Macintosh: +61 (0) 447 356 711 E: don@multihullsolutions.com.au

NEW ZEALAND WHANGAREI SALES CENTRE Marsden Cove Marina 48 Rauiri Drive One Tree Point Ruakaka, New Zealand E: info@multihullsolutions.co.nz Phone: +64 (0) 9 432 7032 Sales (mobile): Ross Davies: +64 (0) 21 418 420

ASIA PHUKET - BOAT LAGOON MARINA SALES CENTRE 20/86 Moo 2 Boat Lagoon Thepkasattri Rd Koh Kaeo, Muang Phuket, 83000 Thailand Phone: +66 (0) 76 238 117 E: info@multihullsolutions.asia Sales (mobile): Andrew de Bruin: +66 (0)8 1894 1530

PHUKET - AO PO GRAND MARINA SALES CENTRE Unit 120, Ao Po Residence, 113/1 Moo 6 Paklok, Thalang Phuket, 83110 Thailand Phone: + 66 (0) 98 010 9726 E: info@multihullsolutions.asia Sales (mobile): Kevin Quilty: +66 (0)8 98 010 9726

PHUKET - YACHT HAVEN MARINA SALES CENTRE Unit CH08, 142 Moo 2 Yacht Haven Marina Tambon Maikhao, Thalang Phuket, 83110 Thailand Phone: +66 611 755 729 E: info@multihullsolutions.asia Sales (mobile): Charles Robinson: +66 611 755 729

SINGAPORE SALES 141 Middle Road #05-06 GSM Building SINGAPORE 188976 Phone: +66 (0) 76 238 117 E: info@multihullsolutions.asia Phone: +65 6805 0337 Sales (mobile): Andrew de Bruin: +66 (0) 8 1894 1530

NEW CALEDONIA NOUMEA SALES CENTRE 7 Rue de la Dunkerquoise Nouméa, New Caledonia 98800 E: franck@multihullsolutions.com.au Phone: +68 7 987 316

FRENCH POLYNESIA TAHITI SALES CENTRE Sail Tahiti Yacht Club de Tahiti BP 11457 Mahina 98709 Tahiti E: david@multihullsolutions.com.au Phone Sales: David Allouch: + 689 873 288 45 Nikki Puttergill: +689 87 24 28 75

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

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 7

PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT MURRAY – SEA YACHTING

FEATURE STORY

little THINGS

BIG grow FROM

THINGS

Back when monohulls dominated the oceans, one small marine business sensed that change was in the wind and has since grown to become Asia Pacific’s leading multihull specialist.

T

he marine industry is a fickle creature and many businesses have risen and fallen on its changing tides. A strong product is obviously the foundation stone for staying afloat, but these days it takes a lot more for a business to grow and expand with each passing year.

For Multihull Solutions, the journey to its status as Asia Pacific’s top multihull sales company has been akin to undertaking one’s first ocean voyage: the early days delivered plenty of learning experiences, at times there were rogue waves and buffeting storms, but a superb crew has helped ensure the vessel stayed watertight and the course true.

2018 marks the tenth anniversary of Mark Elkington founding Multihull Solutions.

Back then, a tiny mobile office on Queensland’s Mooloolaba marina served as headquarters, but while the business might have been a new name in the marine

industry it was no fledgling player.

Elkington had been Australia’s exclusive agent of Fountaine Pajot catamarans for the previous 20+ years, handling the importation and sales of the shipyard’s sail and power range through his role as founding director of Sunsail Australia on Queensland’s Hamilton Island and his affiliated EBS, European Marine and EC Marine operations. He had seen the French company evolve from a manufacturer of reliable and efficient vessels to the veritable powerhouse it is on today’s world cruising scene.

“Twenty years ago, the market was significantly different to what it is now,” Elkington said. “Multihulls were still a relative novelty, and in the nineties less than a tenth of our Sunsail charter fleet was made up of cats. Whitsunday anchorages were populated with cruising monohulls, and there were no multihull divisions in big regattas like Hamilton Island Race Week.”

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 9

“In the late ’90s we saw a shift in attitude towards multihulls from many diehard monohull enthusiasts.

More people started requesting a catamaran for their charter holiday.”

Despite an ocean of lucrative opportunities to sell monohulls, he instead invested his energies into further researching the new era of power and sail catamarans being produced by Fountaine Pajot and other shipyards, promoting their attributes to Australian cruisers. Regular visits to the factories, numerous conferences in Europe, an active marketing campaign to Sunsail clients and rigorous sea trials of new models that he imported to Australia gradually began to reap returns.

“In the late ’90s we saw a shift in attitude towards multihulls from many diehard monohull enthusiasts,” he said. “More people started requesting a catamaran for their charter holiday

because of the stability, space and comfort they afforded, and they were pleasantly surprised to discover how surefooted the boats were and how well they performed.”

It was during these early years that Elkington forged a strong and enduring relationship with Fountaine Pajot’s founder Jean-François Fountaine and then managing director Eric Bruneel, and he rallied to convince them that their designs, while ideal for cruising in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, were not always as suited to the unforgiving conditions of the Asia Pacific region.

“We had built interest and loyalty in the Fountaine Pajot range with local cruisers but had to do regular modifications to the boats when they arrived in Australia. For instance, many of the earlier models had no fixed biminis, barbeques or large fridge spaces, which was a deal breaker for cruising in the southern hemisphere.”

As Fountaine Pajot sales across the Asia Pacific continued to grow, the shipyard became even more receptive to Elkington’s feedback. Since 2006, some of his suggestions started to become standard features across a number of models, and the latest MY power range has particularly incorporated much of his input.

HEAD OFFICE | QLD TEAM Mark Elkington

Michael (Nod) Crook

Patrick Gilot

Managing Director

Service Manager

They say the key to a successful career is doing something you love, and Mark took this advice early in his life after learning to sail dinghies as a boy in Western Australia.

He studied at the Fremantle Maritime College, bought his first cruising boat at 20, was appointed Safety Officer for the 1987 America’s Cup, moved to Hamilton Island to manage a fleet of luxury vessels, and was inaugural President of the Hamilton Island Cruising Yacht Club. As one of the founding directors of Sunsail Yacht Charters in Australia in 1994, Mark was responsible for the development of the Hamilton Island base and its fleets, overseeing the highly successfully importation of Fountaine Pajot catamarans into Australia. He imported the first Lagoon Catamarans, worked on the interior redesign of the Perry 43, and assisted the growth of Catana in the region.

Before multihulls consumed his days, Mark kayaked over 2500kms to raise money for childhood leukaemia and sailed more than 10,000nm in various offshore races, including the Sydney to Hobart. In between, when the wind dropped, he ducked ashore to get married and have three children.

Nod has been taking things apart and putting them back together from a young age. Fortunately he discovered the engineering industry early and brings more than 15 years of specialist marine engineering experience to Multihull Solutions. Originally an aircraft engineer in England, Nod moved into superyachts, completing two seasons in the Med and US maintaining the 50m MY Michaela Rose. Since then, he has taken apart and reassembled most of Australia’s east coast, commissioning a large variety of imported and domestic production boats. And from a glance at his sailing history, it’s clear he knows what he’s doing; Nod has completed several Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings, is an AYF Offshore Yachtmaster and sailed on the PHS Division-winning yacht in the 2008 Sydney to Hobart. An integral member and shareholder of the team, Nod always enjoys helping clients take ownership of their new boat, from initial commissioning through to final handover. He has taken delivery of his three children over the past years and is busy working out how to make them go faster.

Brokerage & Business Development Manager

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Born in France, Patrick studied and lived in Europe as well as South America and USA and is subsequently fluent in French, Spanish, English and German. He started sailing Lasers when he was young in his hometown of Marseilles then later cruised the Mediterranean on various multihulls.

Catamaran manufacturer Catana recognised his value when he worked as one of the company’s agents in Florida and soon appointed him as the company’s export sales manager in 2003. In this role, he travelled the world and played a major role in the launch of the new range, as well as managing their after-sales service and brokerage issues. He then became Catana’s Australian agent, representing the company with his outstanding product knowledge and experience with the international multihull market. His sales skills, technical knowledge, industry experience and multilingual talents strengthen the Multihull Solutions’ team immeasurably.

When he’s not working, Patrick is a volunteer surf lifesaver and our nominated BBQ maestro at all team social events.

FEATURE STORY

Wayne Dickenson

Rachel Crook

Ant Kovacevic

Chief Financial Officer

Marketing Manager

Sales Consultant

Understanding why Multihull Solutions chose Wayne Dickenson as their CFO is simply a matter of numbers. Born and bred in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, Wayne ticked the first box with his love of the outdoors, having represented his school, district, and Country NSW in school rugby. 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 GM for a major Bathurst dealership. Wayne also satisfied our ‘world experience’ criteria, having travelled through Europe, Russia, India and Nepal in his faithful VW Combi.

He then moved to the Sunshine Coast with his family, operated his own finance business for five years, worked at Sunstate Motorcycles as Financial Controller for six years, owned several motorbikes on which he explored the region, and now spends a vast portion of his weekend ferrying kids to sporting commitments. After finding leftover time to go camping or renovate their house, Wayne returns to his waterfront office where he has rapidly become the number one asset for Multihull Solutions.

New Zealand-born 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 manifests itself in regular sessions of netball, touch football, mountain biking, yoga, surfing, camping, and of course, boating. Before moving to the Sunshine Coast, Rachel spent four years as a reservation consultant for Sunsail Yacht Charters on Hamilton Island, exploring all of the 74 stunning islands by yacht. She also sailed from Tonga, Greece and Thailand during her holidays 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 and successfully completed a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) on the side. Now in charge of all marketing activities for the company, Rachel continues to impress our team and clients with her dazzling multitasking skills as she also juggles adapting to being a new mother and ever-patient spouse of our Service Manager, Nod.

Every successful team needs a good all-rounder, and Multihull Solutions certainly found that in Ant Kovacevic.

Previously employed as an award-winning sales executive and office manager at Ensign Ship Brokers, Ant is also a highly qualified naval architect. His knowledge of boats – inside and out – is second to none, and his outstanding sales abilities were acknowledged at the 2012 Top Performance Awards for the category of Most Vessels Sold and Most Vessels Listed. Ant has travelled the world in his capacity as a naval architect across the spectrum of the marine industry and is passionate about helping people realise their own dreams of enjoying life out on the water.

Top (left to right): Michael ‘Nod’ Crook, Wayne Dickenson, Katie Ritzema, Rachel Crook, Mark Elkington, Patrick Gilot and Ant Kovacevic.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 11

QLD TEAM (CONTINUED)

Katie Ritzema Client Services Katie was born with saltwater in her veins.

The vivacious Kiwi virtually exhausted the marine qualifications on offer in New Zealand, sailing through an astonishing list of certifications, including a Diploma of Marine Studies, Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (Environmental), RYA Day Skipper, National Power Boat Cert II, PADI Dive Master, STCW, NZ Boat Master, NZ Restricted Radio Operators License, as well as serving time as a Royal NZ Navy Limited Service Volunteer. Her industry experience includes stints as a snorkelling instructor and lifeguard on the Great Barrier Reef, superyacht crew in the Med, a Port Douglas catamaran tourism operation, and tour guide for a New Zealand adventure tour company.

Vanessa Stewart Accounts Manager Many people don’t develop a real work ethic until after they’ve backpacked in Asia, downed pints in an Irish pub, sponged a car deposit off their parents, and then tried and quit several jobs because “they’re still trying to find themselves”. While these people were nursing hangovers and wondering how they were going to pay that week’s rent, Vanessa Stewart was carving a career before she had finished school.

This dynamo was only 14 when she started a school-based traineeship at Pacific Ford on the Sunshine Coast, completing Business Management Certificates 2 and 3 in the process. Vanessa’s commitment and drive led to the car dealership offering her a full-time administration job after high school graduation. She spent almost seven years with the company, during which time she also had her first child with husband Chris, bought and cleared a block of land, then built their first home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland (at this stage, it should be noted that Vanessa was not yet 22!) Shifting gears, Vanessa moved to the finance department of Sunstate Motorcycles where she spent a further nine years until Multihull Solutions heard about her legendary skills and persuaded her to join the team. Now with two daughters, Vanessa has become a valuable member and wasted no time transforming our systems, improving efficiency, and making us all feel rather tired just watching her!

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Top: Nod Crook (right) celebrates the handover of a Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 in France with new owners Martin and Sonia Beamish.

Right: Andrew de Bruin accepts the award for Fountaine Pajot’s Best Asia Pacifc Dealer.

“Fountaine Pajot’s management team has become far more open to new ideas,” he said.

“Australia had never seriously figured in their international sales plans in the early days, but they were very enthusiastic about the possibility of growing this market with us.”

With an established list of clients looking for new boats and a general market turning its attention to the attributes of cruising catamarans and trimarans, Elkington formed Multihull Solutions in 2008 with Richard Kilburn (who departed after three years to cruise with his family), Service manager and shareholder Michael (Nod) Crook, and Brokerage and Business Development manager Patrick Gilot.

Despite his strong affiliation with Fountaine Pajot, Elkington was adamant that the new company would offer a variety of multihull brands to ensure it met the individual needs of every client. When Eric Bruneel left Fountaine Pajot after 25 years to launch his revolutionary NEEL Trimarans shipyard, Multihull Solutions was his first choice as the region’s exclusive agent. Other brands that Multihull Solutions originally represented included Sunreef Yachts, TAG, Dolphin and Catana Catamarans to cater for the high-end luxury buyers and serious cruising racers. However, these brands struggled to find a place in this now widely educated market.

FEATURE STORY

“Choice is one of our company’s key founding principles. We are unbiased when it comes to brands, and our key objective has always been to offer our clients recommendations on the right boat for their particular needs. Whether this was a Catana 47, an Outremer 45 or a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 – they’re all such different catamarans designed for different types of buyer and use. We will still never favour a brand if we feel it doesn’t deliver what our clients are really looking for.”

This philosophy has led to more than 40 per cent repeat and referral business and contributes to why Multihull Solutions is the fastest-growing multihull company in the southern hemisphere with annual sales now exceeding AUD$60M. The first years of operation were testing for the team, having launched just as the global financial crisis plunged international markets into economic uncertainty. The sale of luxury goods, including boats, slowed to a trickle across the world and the Australian dollar lost more than 25 per cent of its value within months.

“It was a stressful time for many of us in the marine industry,” Elkington admitted. “A lot of excellent brokers shut up shop, and we had moments when we wondered if we had any future.”

To adapt to the downturn in new boat sales

“We are unbiased when it comes to brands and always offer our clients recommendations on the right boat for their particular needs.” during this period, the company established its now thriving Brokerage division, offering only quality pre-owned multihulls from a broad range of the world’s manufacturers.

But as the dust settled and the market stabilised, sales of new multihulls began to resume, slowly at first and then with a vengeance. The business grew quickly to respond to the surge in demand for both new and pre-owned multihulls, employing new sales staff, expanding its head office infrastructure and increasing its network of sales agents to include representatives in New South Wales and Western Australia.

New Zealand was also a hotspot with many Kiwi buyers crossing the Tasman to inspect the company’s boats in Queensland, and so in 2009 Multihull Solutions opened its first national office in Auckland’s Westhaven Marina, a move

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 13

FEATURE STORY

“We have met so many fantastic people through this job. Catching up with our owners at boat shows and social cruising rallies often feels more like a family reunion than work.” that has since evolved into representation by dedicated multihull cruisers Ross Davies and Judith MacDonald.

The multihull movement had also taken hold in Asia, and with several world-leading shipyards nominating Multihull Solutions’ as their preferred choice of exclusive agent in the region, the company opened its first sales office in Phuket in 2013. Based at the beautiful Boat Lagoon in Muang, the southeast Asian operation was established by former Lee Marine Thailand sales manager Andrew de Bruin. Employing his decades of experience in the region’s industry, de Bruin soon had orders flowing in and two additional sales centres were more recently opened in Phuket’s Yacht Haven Marina and Ao Po Grand Marina to cater for the demand for multihulls upon which to cruise the stunning Andaman Sea and greater surrounds.

Back in Queensland, the company had formed a partnership with The Boat Works at Coomera on the Gold Coast and established another regional sales centre. Adjacent to the new office, Multihull

Top: Open Day at Multihull Solutions’ Gold Coast Sales Centre located in the heart of The Boat Works.

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Solutions also opened Asia Pacific’s first ‘Outof-Water Boat Show’ enabling buyers to inspect an extensive range of pre-owned catamarans for sale on the hard in state-of-the-art facilities, conveniently supported by The Boat Works’ impressive stable of marine services.

By this time, the company had accrued many loyal clients who warmly embraced Multihull Solutions’ unique culture and were enthusiastic about opportunities to engage socially with other owners. With their long history of sailing in the islands surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, Mark and Nod decided to launch the inaugural Whitsunday Rendezvous. This week-long social rally was a roaring success with a fleet of owners bringing their boats north to enjoy an informal itinerary of idyllic cruising, hotly contested beach games, a now-famous Prawn and Punch beach party on Whitehaven Beach, hilarious themed events and an unforgettable presentation dinner. It spawned the creation of other social rallies around the Asia Pacific region as well as the birth

Left to right: Phil Day, Kelvin Gorrie & Anna Wallace.

Phil Day Sales Consultant Sailing is in Phil’s DNA having grown up messing around on a Heron dinghy on Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake, then building his own Pacer in his teens, followed by a 27’ cruising Wharram catamaran. Over the past 30 years, Phil has owned more than ten multihulls ranging from small trailer tris to cruising cats and flatout racing machines. He still loves to dabble in boat building using both traditional methods and latest high-tech composites and work on engines, rebuild masts or wire and set up electronic components. Phil also has a slight competitive streak and has taken out wins in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, Australian Multihull National Championships, the Kings Cup (Thailand) and Surf to City, sailing both catamarans and trimarans. But his real love is the cruising where he has met up with many likeminded multihull owners over the years. His current boat is the well-known Rhythmic, an 11m Pescott Whitehaven catamaran. Phil has been selling multihulls in Australia since 1997 when catamarans were considered strange vessels owned only by kaftan-wearing free spirits. He shares with our clients a breathtaking knowledge of the multihull industry and the multitude of designs now available.

GOLD COAST/BRISBANE TEAM

Kelvin Gorrie Sales Consultant Enriching the team’s multinational constitution, South African-born Kelvin Gorrie joined the Multihull Solutions with literally oceans of experience. Raised near the sea, Kelvin immersed himself in watersports while he completed qualifications in engineering surveying, YachtMaster, Master V/Med 3/ STCW95 and Dive Master tickets. Having scaled the peaks of engineering and marine studies, Kelvin put theory into practice by sailing the entire South African coast and Indian Ocean islands before completing the build of a catamaran. Pausing to get married to his wife Tiffeny, he then embarked on

an envious array of adventures, including sailing as delivery skipper across the Atlantic to the eastern Caribbean, captaining a charter catamaran in the British Virgin Islands and two Horizon motor yachts, managing a charter yacht company in the BVIs, overseeing the build of a 70ft MY in Taiwan, and delivering more yachts to the US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The couple dropped anchor in New Zealand where they started a family and Kelvin worked for Nautical Structures. After deciding to cross the Tasman to the Gold Coast, Kelvin now uses his remarkable knowledge to help other multihull enthusiasts realise their dreams.

Anna Wallace PA to Mark Elkington Client Services Anna is proof that children should always listen to their parents. When afraid of the Sabot her father had given her in grade one, he ordered her to “get in that boat and sail it, kid.” So she did and never stopped. Anna progressed from Sabots to Wrights, supersabs and 16ft skiffs, then in 1987 made it her profession working and cooking on yachts in the South Pacific and around the world for years. She has crossed the Indian Ocean via the Suez to France twice from Brisbane, completed numerous Atlantic crossings, and almost sailed around the world (“just not the bit between Hawaii & Fiji!”). Anna came ashore to establish a catering business in the Brisbane but was poached by Multihull Solutions who immediately recognised her exceptional organisational and client services skills.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 15

Left to right: Ian Jones, Don Macintosh, Louise and Gordon Coates.

NSW TEAM Don Macintosh

Ian Jones

Gordon & Louise Coates

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

Don Macintosh saw his first multihull at the Earls Court Boat show in London; he fell in love with a Prout on display and vowed he would one day own a cat. While he always had a passion for sailing, it wasn’t until he moved to Australia in 1987 that he began turning his dream into a reality. He juxtaposed his love of the sea with a career in IT and operated his own successful IT services company in North Sydney until 2011, which instilled in him an ethos of delivering outstanding client service.

Finally in 1998, 26 years after seeing the Prout, Don bought his first catamaran.

Onboard Windswept, a 40ft Crowther round-Australia race competitor, Don racked up thousands of offshore miles over the years as he cruised and raced in events including the Brisbane to Gladstone. He also crewed on the famous 56ft catamaran Raw Nerve setting the race record in just over 18 hours (only recently broken by the 60ft Orma trimaran Team Australia) and also setting the Sydney to Lord Howe world speed record (still current). Don was so impressed with this speed machine that he purchased Raw Nerve and renamed her Windswept 2, refitting the cat as a “moderately quick” bluewater cruiser on which he and his wife hope to sail the South Pacific in the future. Amid all this, Don also accrued a variety of yachting accreditations including Master 5 and MED 3 certifications.

Ian Jones may well have found the secret to a balanced modern life having developed an affinity with both the beauty and power of nature and the machinations of engineering and computer intelligence. Growing up in the UK where he and his brother sailed their British Moth, Ian studied mechanical engineering before working as a design engineer for a major UK armaments company. He travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East while participating in volunteer work before heading south to New Zealand where he resumed further studies as well as working as an industrial engineer and computer intelligence consultant, getting plenty of sailing time on the water in between.

While in New Zealand he got married and was busy raising two sons while setting up his own software company, which he then transferred to Australia in 1986. For the past 30 years Ian has held a range of corporate positions with Sigma Data, Digital Equipment & Pitney Bowes, and also held private ownership of Frontline Systems, an IT and software company.

More recently, he has worked in companies involved with robotic automation and aids to navigation and has also developed an interest in his family’s eco-accommodation business. His passion for sailing in Australia was cemented on Sydney Harbour while participating in the CYCA and RPYC offshore club racing scene.

Company ambassadors | Multihull owners

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Gordon and Louise Coates really like multihulls. In fact, they like them so much they have become official ambassadors for Multihull Solutions! The couple have been avid multihull enthusiasts for many years after both growing up sailing and then racing dinghies when they first met.

Gordon spent most of his adult life in the air, first working as an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer with Qantas before advancing to become a captain on the Airbus A380. After 42 years with the airline, he handed in his wings to pursue his passion on the water. Louise has worked part time as an optical dispenser while she and Gordon raised their three daughters.

The couple bought their first Fountaine Pajot catamaran, an Orana 44, in 2006 and have since visited the Fountaine Pajot factory in France three times. On Gordon’s retirement, the Orana 44 was sold in order for them to purchase a new Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, and for the next few years they sailed around the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas and onto the east coast of the USA. Due to family commitments, their cruising life has had to be put on hold. In the meantime, they are enthusiastically fulfilling the role of inaugural Multihull Solutions ambassadors, helping clients with any queries about how to realise their cruising dreams.

FEATURE STORY

of the Multihull Solutions Owners Club, which has grown to become a uniquely loyal, dynamic and supportive collective. The genuine relationships formed between the team and its clients are what continue to drive the company today.

“We have met so many fantastic people through this job,” said Nod. “Catching up with our owners at boat shows and social cruising rallies often feels more like a family reunion than work.”

Over the past eight years, Multihull Solutions’ sales success across Fountaine Pajot’s sail and power range has not gone unnoticed in France. The team has quietly managed to outsell agents in the previously dominant markets of Europe and the US. For a remarkable four consecutive years, Fountaine Pajot awarded Multihull Solutions the coveted ‘Worldwide Distributor of the Year’ title in honour

of achieving the highest sales of the shipyard’s sail and power catamarans within their expansive international network of distributors.

“It has been a lot of work but it helps that we represent the world’s best boats,” Elkington said. “However, the real secret to our success is undoubtedly our people. We have an unbelievable team that isn’t just extremely experienced in multihulls and the wider marine industry, but they are genuinely great to work with.”

“We have well over 200 years of combined experience across our team, and it’s growing all the time. There is certainly a unique culture within Multihull Solutions, and I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to build this company surrounded by such support, enthusiasm and expertise. We can’t wait to see what the next ten years brings!”

PACIFIC TEAM Ross Davies & Judith MacDonald Sales Consultant | Client Services - New Zealand A lifetime yachtie, Ross Davies first began sailing dinghies as a child with his father and younger brother, graduating to P-Class, keelers and multihulls. Along the way he built and refurbished a number of vessels, including his current 15m cruising catamaran. A career in sales has enabled Ross to be self-employed for much of his working life, and his extensive industry experience is a wonderful advantage for those seeking advice on buying or selling a multihull in New Zealand. In contrast, Judith MacDonald was a latecomer to the world of sailing, her strong aversion to water creating significant problems for her in early years. Eventually, she decided to confront her fears and learnt to sail in her mid fifities. Having finally overcome the public nudity of a wetsuit as well as tipping out of a dinghy and living to tell the tale, Judith realised she had found a sport she thoroughly enjoyed. Together they have raced trailer yachts in windy Wellington, sailed a catamaran in Australia and survived a Tasman sinking. Now Ross and Judith are now enjoying the pleasure of cruising aboard their catamaran based in Whangarei while assisting New Zealand clients with all aspects of buying, selling and enjoying multihulls.

Left to right: Ross Davies, David Allouch & Franck Vincent.

David Allouch

Franck Vincent

Sales Consultant - Tahiti

Sales Consultant - New Caledonia

David Allouch made his career as an entrepreneur in finance and media before buying a catamaran in 2013 and heading off to explore the world with his family.

He has always held a passion for the sea and managed to incorporate this into his military service where he completed a stint as watch captain on an oceanographic research vessel. Over the years David competed in many solo and crewed inshore and offshore races around France. His professional history as a CEO instilled a comprehensive appreciation of the world’s financial markets, and he is a highly qualified advisor for anyone interested in purchasing a multihull in the Pacific region.

Franck Vincent might be Multihull Solutions’ most intriguing recruit yet.

He has clocked up thousands of miles as a sail trainer in the Med, participating in numerous races aboard a range of multihulls. In addition, Franck was most recently a Special Forces Officer in the French Army where he mastered disciplines in combat, parachuting and jungle survival techniques plus an extraordinary aptitude for problem solving. This combination of experience and skills makes him a perfect addition to our New Calendonia team based in Noumea, and we look forward to many more friendly challenges on the water (although we think we might let him win!).

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 17

Why choose Multihull Solutions?

MARKET EXPERTISE Our team exclusively handles multihulls and has decades of experience with the design, construction and performance of boats produced by the world’s multihull manufacturers. Our knowledge ensures we can provide advice on the most suitable multihull to suit your requirements and budget. We also offer expert advice in manufacturing, importation, exportation, relocation, insurance and finance. Our Brokerage division has an excellent sales record of selling preowned boats throughout the Asia Pacific region.

CHOICE Unlike most multihull dealers we are not limited to representing a single manufacturer. We are importers and distributors of a diverse range of multihull brands and offer unbiased information so you can make an informed decision about the right boat for you.

ASIA TEAM

Left to right: Kevin Quilty, Charles Robinson, Yui Anongnat and Andrew de Bruin.

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LOCATIONS

We have an expansive network of Sales Centres across the Asia Pacific region for your convenience, also offering unprecedented levels of exposure to qualified buyers if you wish to sell your boat.

SECURITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Multihull Solutions offers complete confidence for buyers and sellers with the security of our marine accreditations and licensed brokerage status, as well as local holding and trust accounts to ensure peace of mind afforded by secure financial transactions. We are a Boating Industry Association Accredited Broker (Australia) and a member of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association.

Multihull Solutions always acts to protect and serve the best interests of all clients, using legally compliant contract documentation and operating an approved trust account to protect client funds.

Andrew de Bruin General Manager, Asia Andrew de Bruin discovered early that you actually can mix business with pleasure, and he built his impressive career around sailing and selling yachts in the world’s most exotic destinations. Starting out as a charter yacht skipper in Greece and Turkey, Andrew returned to Australia and spent several memorable years as Operations manager for Sunsail in the Whitsundays. A move to Sydney Harbour followed where Andrew was appointed Service manager for Beneteau YachtsVicsail before he set sail for Singapore on his own 36’ yacht Awatea. From there, he spent several years undertaking numerous regional and international yacht deliveries, and was then recruited to manage the daily operation and major refit of the sailing vessel Star Gazer while based in the Gulf of Thailand, Malacca Strait and Andaman Sea. In 2002, Andrew embarked on a ten-year position as senior broker with Lee Marine Co. Ltd where he supervised a team of yacht brokers across three offices in Thailand. Due to Andrew’s expertise and the fact he is an all-round good bloke, he was Multihull Solutions’ first choice to represent them in the Asia Pacific region. It didn’t hurt that Andrew is also a qualified event and sound technician as he ensures the music at our team Christmas parties can be heard for miles around!

FEATURE STORY

AFTER-SALES SERVICE

DYNAMIC COMMUNITY

Multihull Solutions is not just a sales company; we take a long-term approach to our client relationships and offer complete and honest service before, during and after every sale. Our dedicated Service team provides ongoing advice along with comprehensive warranty and service programs to ensure you are always completely satisfied with your boat, no matter how long you own it.

Our Multihull Solutions Owners Club is a vibrant community of like-minded multihull enthusiasts.

Many of our owners have become lifelong friends through the various events we stage, including Open Days and exclusive VIP functions at major boat shows. Our sailing rallies are an annual highlight of our Owners Club social calendar, with our biennial Whitsunday, Moreton Bay and Pittwater Rendezvous attracting more and more enthusiastic participants each year.

Our Service division assists with all aspects of multihull ownership and operation, including: • • • • • • •

Sail training; Insurance and ocean passage cover; Shipping and transport facilitation; Vessel management and maintenance; Refitting and custom design; Warranty issue management; Relocations, deliveries and much more.

Kevin Quilty Sales Consultant No one knows the southeast Asian marine industry like Kevin Quilty. Not long after moving to Phuket in 1992 as a flotilla skipper, Kevin assumed the role of general manager of Sunsail-The Moorings’ yacht charter operations. He spent the following 20 years valiantly ignoring the spectacular scenery and instead focussed his energies on building a highly successful business with his achievements including the establishment of new Sunsail bases in Phuket, Langkawi (Malaysia), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Samui and Koh Chang (Gulf of Thailand). Kevin also established Asia’s first RYA sailing school and increased the region’s charter fleet to 40 yachts by 2013. Somehow he also managed to find time to serve as chairman of the Marine Alliance of Thailand helping eliminate the import duties on yachts, which subsequently helped create Asia’s marine industry boom. Despite spending most of his life around boats and attaining Ocean Yachtmaster Instructor accreditation, Kevin is equally passionate about all sports and is an enthusiastic footballer, cricketer and golfer. However, these achievements are almost inconsequential because when Multihull Solutions discovered that Kevin was once a drummer who toured the UK, we employed him immediately. Now our company band is almost complete.

TRAINING AND TUITION If you are new to cruising, wish to brush up on your skills, or get to know your boat more thoroughly, we offer a range of flexible training options for both power and sail vessels with qualified and friendly instructors to help you develop confidence and gain competence when you are out cruising on your new boat.

Charles Robinson

Yui Anongnat

Sales Consultant

Administration Manager

Charles has a CV that reads more like a Lonely Planet guidebook. Having worked in engineering and sales for the oil and gas drilling supply industry for almost 25 years, Charles has been based in England, South Africa, Dubai, Azerbaijan, Iran and Algeria. Wherever and whenever possible, he pursued his love of sailing off the many picturesque coastlines around the world. Considering he spent his infant years bouncing over waves in his parents’ Coot dinghy in Zanzibar and was given a Marine ply Lateen Sail 10’ kit by his father as a seventh birthday present, it was only natural that Charles developed a lifelong passion for sailing. He sailed Mirrors, Enterprises and Bosuns as a sport at school, then moved into Hobie sailing with his wife in Cape Town in the early ’90s. The couple continued their love of Hobies when Charles was transferred to Dubai, and they competed in the 2007 World Championships in Fiji. Moving to Perth in 2009, Charles enjoyed some great sailing, though noticed a lack of catamaran cruising and racing on the west coast. He is remedying that with his role at Multihull Solutions, where he worked tirelessly to convince the west of the numerous benefits of multihulls before relocating with his family to our Phuket Sales Centre where he is continuing to spread the word.

There’s nothing more important than local expertise when expanding a business into a foreign country. Multihull Solutions hit the jackpot when Yui applied for the Administration Manager position of our inaugural Phuket operation. Brimming with energy, effervescent humour and a wealth of business qualifications and experience, Yui helps the Multihull Solutions Asia team oversee the daily administration of our fast-expanding Thailand operations.

Yui has completed Bachelor and Masters degrees in Business Administration and has applied her impressive knowledge to previous positions in Thailand’s hospitality, tourism, property development, marine and media industries. In her intial interview, she claimed to enjoy spending her spare time reading, gardening and playing badminton, but over the past few years, we have been working on making sailing one of her favourite hobbies as well.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 19

FEATURE STORY

10

Reasons to Buy From

FRENCH POLYNESIA

It’s not hard to think of a reason to visit the enchanting islands of French Polynesia, but it’s also the perfect place from which to buy your new boat.

1

A stress-free buying experience: Our Tahiti representatives make the entire sales experience easy. All sales documents are in English and your deposit is securely held in our Australian escrow account.

2 3

A marine paradise: French Polynesia boasts some of the world’s best anchorages. Most atolls are scarcely inhabited making it an idyllic playground for visiting sailors.

Your own trip advisers: We help you find the best accommodation, collect you from the airport and organise all transfers so you can inspect as many boats as you like. We can also recommend tours and activities, or you can just spend your spare time relaxing in paradise.

4

Technical expertise: From hiring a sea trial skipper to organising a professional survey, Multihull Solutions takes care of all the technical aspects of your purchase process.

We can also manage the preparation of your boat for its long-distance voyage using our expansive network of highly qualified contractors.

5

Learn the ropes: If you want to brush up on your skills or learn the ropes from scratch, we have an array of certified skippers to help you gain confidence and competence aboard your new multihull.

6

Smooth deliveries: If you wish to have your new boat delivered and imported to anywhere in world, we can take care of everything from appointing qualified skippers

20 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

and crew to managing the intricacies of the importation and customs processes.

7 8

Easy importation: We provide information and details of customs contacts so you are aware of relevant import taxes and duties that may apply to bringing your new boat home.

Preparation for provisioning: We have loads of information on marinas, dry docks and provisioning resources in Tahiti and its surrounds so you can effectively plan your voyage when it’s time to depart.

9

An extended tropical holiday: There’s never any rush to leave Tahiti’s spectacular waterways, and foreign boats are permitted to stay in French Polynesian waters free of taxes for up to three years! That’s plenty of time to explore its hundreds of stunning atolls and islands.

10

Cruise one of the most beautiful regions in the world: While French Polynesia is the jewel in the Pacific’s crown, when you choose to purchase a multihull from us in Tahiti you will also be able to experience the majestic beauty of all the South Pacific isles from Polynesia to Fiji, Tonga, Cook, Vanuatu, all on an idyllic downwind journey to Australia. It’s every sailor’s dream come true!

For more information on buying your next multihull from Tahiti, visit multihullsolutions.com.au/sales-centres/tahiti.

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Sailing AT ITS

LEVEL BEST Monohull or Multihull?

One hull or two or three? What’s the best boat for you? Caroline Strainig delves into just a few of the reasons why multihulls are becoming the vessel of choice for more and more boat owners.

FEATURE STORY

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 23

FEATURE STORY

B

uying a boat is something that’s a very personal decision with everything a balancing act and compromise depending on your wish list. However, a multihull comes out on top in many categories. Here are just a few reasons why multihulls continue to dominate today’s cruising market.

DRAUGHT Most people know that multihulls draw less than most monohulls, but what does this mean in real terms? A multihull’s shallower draught enables you to anchor closer in to shore in more sheltered places, which can make for a safer and more peaceful night.

In strong winds, I love to motor in past the monohulls, find a nice spot in the lee of an island, drop anchor and then sit back and relax as I watch the monohull people anchored further out bouncing up and down.

I know it’s mean, but I just cannot help it.

Multihulls can also access other places that a deep-keel monohull cannot, such as the shallow entrance to a coral lagoon. You can even beach some multihulls that have been designed to do so, which is a bonus for maintenance. Being able to anchor closer in or beach your multihull also means you don’t always need to take a dinghy if you want to go ashore.

Some cat owners I know love beaching their boats and letting their children run wild on the beach nearby while they relax on deck. It’s a win-win for everyone. The children can make as much noise as they want, and the adults can relax in peace while still able to keep an eye on their offspring.

SPACE AND COMFORT Over the years manufacturers of all types of vessels have responded to the ever-increasing demand for “space, space, and more space,” but monohulls still lag far behind multihulls in this respect because of the bigger building platform multihulls offer. You just cannot go past a multihull if you want the on-water equivalent of an apartment.

In fact, one couple who bought a Fusion 40 from Multihull Solutions, Gary and Joey Angove, were going to buy a waterfront unit overlooking the marina where they kept the boat, but decided not to after living aboard the boat for a short time.

“Why would you?” Joey said, as she relaxed in the saloon. “I cannot think of a more perfect setting than here.”

New multihulls like the Fountaine Pajot Ipanema 58 are pushing that comfort envelope still further again with a sunbathing bed on the flybridge, a 25m2 cockpit with an abundance of lounge seating including a daybed, and a foredeck with dual relaxation stations that is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink as the sun goes down.

24 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

Top: A multihull’s trampoline is the ultimate kids’ playground.

Middle: Galley-up layouts on multihulls make entertaining easy.

Bottom: A cat’s seamless transition between indoor/outdoor living.

“One delivery skipper I know loves telling the story of how a rose bowl left on the table survived an offshore voyage intact.”

SPEED As we saw in the America’s Cup, sailing a racing multihull can be exhilarating, sailing right on the edge. Who wasn’t screaming “Go, go, go!” as New Zealand raced America with both boats full of Aussie crew.

A cruising multihull might be a little more sedate, but a modern catamaran built with a good compromise of space and sailing performance and not overloaded still has a tidy turn of foot, enough to leave many cruising monohulls in her wake.

Fast passages also make for safer passages because you can outrun bad weather more easily, and today’s multihulls continue to boast impressive speeds when given the chance.

FLATTER It’s an irrefutable fact of life that multihulls sail flatter than monohulls. One delivery skipper I know loves telling the story of how a rose bowl left on the table survived an offshore voyage intact. However, before you start dreaming of sailing along in pancakelike conditions while you paint your toenails and sip a glass of sauvignon blanc, pause for a moment.

Yes, they do sail flatter but let’s not pretend they don’t have any motion, and if you get seasick in rough conditions you might well still get seasick. I’d be silly to try and pretend otherwise. However, flatter is better, most of the time.

Top: A cat comes out on top for comfort and safety.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 25

Above: The Fountaine Pajot Saba 50.

Opposite: A multihull provides the comforts and space o/f home, making it easier for everyone to embrace the cruising life.

SAILING You know how they tell you in Thailand that everything is “same, same but different?”

Well, it’s the same when it comes to sailing monohulls and multihulls. Some multihulls can have a fractional time lag in answering the helm compared to a monohull, but one quickly adapts and after a few hours on the helm, you won’t even notice it. And, while “that heeling feeling” is absent, you still get the thrill of sailing fast, which can often be quite deceptive.

We were cruising along on a Hélia 44 Evolution in light winds, and it was only when I looked out over the stern and saw the water rushing past that I realised just how fast we were actually going. Within seconds, we were having fun trimming sheets to see if we could get the boat to go even faster, which we did.

Even the gung-ho racers were happy.

Some monohull sailors complain the signs that the boat is overpowered are not so obvious. However, the signs are there – just more subtle. Monohulls will show they

26 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

are overpowered by heeling excessively, rounding up, and generally telling you off in no uncertain terms. Multihulls have very high initial stability by comparison so they complain less until they are very overpowered.

But they do still heel slightly and start to bury a bow and the steering will become heavier.

You just need to get to know your boat and listen to her own unmistakable warning signs.

COST As any monohull devotee is quick to tell you, multihulls are more expensive foot-for-foot waterline length. They can also cost more to berth in a marina because they take up more space. But change that equation to interior volume and deck space and the difference fades away. And, if you can afford more space and comfort, why shouldn’t you have it?

With some sailing couples, one partner is joining the other’s dream, so giving them a floating home that doesn’t feel cramped increases the chances that your dream will also become theirs.

FEATURE STORY

SAFETY Devout monohullers like to think their boats are the safest thing afloat, but the cruising cats of today bear no resemblance to those high-speed racing cats we see on the TV coming a cropper when pushed to the extreme. It would be very rare for a cruising cat to overturn nowadays. Yes, you can have more windage than a multihull but the twin engines counter that with unequalled manoeuvrability. Oh, and if the proverbial does hit the fan and you hit something or something hits you and you are holed, you have two or even three independent watertight flotation areas instead of one.

Fountaine Pajot and NEEL Trimarans construct all their cats to be unsinkable. That’s comforting to know as the water gurgles in.

So, there you have it: just a few of the many reasons multihulls are becoming the number one choice for cruising sailors, and why more and more monohull sailors like me are crossing over to enjoy what multihull owners claim is sailing at its level best.

“With some sailing couples, one partner is joining the other’s dream, so giving them a floating home that doesn’t feel cramped increases the chances that your dream will also become theirs.”

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 27

FEATURE STORY

Running on

INSTINCT Visionary entrepreneur, ambitious racer, unconventional leader: NEEL Trimarans founder Eric Bruneel is bucking the system and turning the traditional notion of cruising multihulls on its head.

W

hen NEEL Trimarans launched its first trimaran, the NEEL 50, in 2009 it ratcheted multihull cruising up a notch and made the marine industry stop and take notice. Its revolutionary design combined the speed potential of a lightweight trimaran with the space and creature comforts of the world’s leading cruising catamarans in a package like none the world had ever seen.

With the slogan “Just Makes Sense” blazoned over the central hull, NEEL thumbed its nose at design conservatives as the tri sliced through the water in preliminary sea trials reaching nine knots in just 12kts of wind and later recording almost 20 knots in stronger conditions. But the catchphrase was more than a marketing tag to describe the shipyard’s range, which has since produced four models, including the new NEEL 51 (which recently won the 2018 European Yacht of the Year) and its new Evolution range.

It encapsulated the remarkable journey of founder Eric Bruneel from the dusty floor of one of the world’s leading multihull manufacturers to the lofty pinnacles of industry innovation.

The Frenchman was born in landlocked Lyon where Bruneel’s parents instilled in him a love of the outdoors and an interest in music. He became proficient with the flute and attended a local conservatory, and he still plays piano when the opportunity arises.

Bruneel graduated from university with a degree in accounting but spent his spare time on the water where his inquisitive nature saw him analysing boat design and performance under various conditions. At the age of 20, he built his first boat and crossed the Atlantic

28 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

on it a year later. He spent many years racing in big events and honing his understanding of how multihulls behave in both racing and cruising modes.

In 1983 Bruneel joined Fountaine Pajot, bringing with him the concept of the Corneel 26, a day cruising catamaran with modest accommodation that went on to be awarded Boat of the Year by several marine magazines.

Outside of the factory Bruneel was busy finishing the construction of his 50-foot trimaran Trilogic, which he designed for entry into the gruelling Singlehanded Transat race.

Leading up to the event, he worked with meteorologist Jean-Yves Bernot to collate weather data and calculated that shorter, sturdier rigging would be ideal for this bruising contest.

“I knew that the Singlehanded Transat was going to be sailed mostly upwind in rough conditions,” said Bruneel. “So I decided to remain conservative by choosing a smaller rig that saved weight and was easier on the skipper with fewer sail changes. We calculated the trade-off in lost sail area and performance and found that it would be less than one day.”

It was a tactical decision that paid off.

As 50-knot winds and four weather fronts battered the rest of the field forcing the retirement of many taller-rigged yachts who had headed north, Bruneel kept on a straight southerly course and battened down while studying wind as often as he could to plot the perfect race into Boston. He crossed the line in a time of 14 days, 1 hour, 23 minutes and 37 seconds at an average speed of 8.32 knots.

Bruneel didn’t just complete the passage from England on his first attempt; he won his

With over 30 trimarans ordered since the shipyard’s launch in 2012, this visionary’s practice of ‘disruptive innovation’ has been a defining key to his success.

class and set a new transatlantic record for 50-foot multihulls, slicing more than two days off the existing mark. Bruneel took Trilogic on to victory in the 2005 Rolex Fastnet Race and placed second in the 2006 Route du Rhum.

Back on dry land, Bruneel used his strategic instincts to further develop the success of Fountaine Pajot as the world leader in cruising catamarans. As export manager and later managing director, he took an active part in the design, production and marketing of numerous models, with hundreds of the power and sailing cats now a standard sight on oceans the world over.

In 2009, he struck out on his own to launch NEEL Trimarans with the goal of creating a new aesthetic and standard in naval architecture. The company opened its factory in La Rochelle, and its first model garnered instant attention. Its inaugural trimaran, the NEEL 50, was followed by the 45 and 65, and it’s currently building one boat every two months. The shipyard’s latest innovation, the NEEL 51, has just been launched and is the first cruising trimaran in the world to infuse all three hulls in one process.

NEEL’s innovation lies in the integration of the trimarans’ two outrigging hulls with the connecting platform to create a unified living space, which includes the bridge, a central galley and a magnificent panoramic lounge.

The proportions of the trimarans offer a generous roof area, guaranteeing surprising internal volume. The entire volume of the central hull is devoted to systems – the engine, electronics, electrical wiring and plumbing, diesel and water tanks, as well as long-term supply storage. The large space available in the lazarette and the high headroom ensure easy access for maintenance of equipment and simple optional installation of generators, desalinators or air conditioning systems.

Bruneel recognised early that a trimaran has the potential for even greater stability than a catamaran in heavy conditions.

“On a catamaran the maximum righting moment occurs at 12° heeling. However, on a trimaran, this maximum righting moment does not occur until 32° heeling, therefore in normal multihull conditions of use, this angle is never reached,” Bruneel said. “The trimarans also have less roll motion as the centre of buoyancy is never far downwind like on a catamaran. “All the significant heavy

30 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

FEATURE STORY

Far Left: NEEL Founder and CEO Eric Bruneel.

Left: The original NEEL 45 ‘just makes sense.’

Bottom: The NEEL 65 and 45 set the pace.

equipment is located in the main central hull whereas it is distributed half and half in each hull on a catamaran. This centred weight is a key to the trimarans’ smooth performance and comfort at sea.”

The shipyard’s trimarans have also proven their mettle in the speed stakes. With an average cruising speed of around 10 knots, NEEL’s trimarans can comfortably achieve over 240 nautical miles in 24 hours with speeds of 15-18 knots often reached when the breeze freshens.

“The superiority of the trimaran is even more obvious when sailing upwind,” said Bruneel. “On a catamaran, the forestay pulls from the front beam, the mast compresses a central beam and the shrouds pull the two floats supporting the forestay and mast beam; this platform deforms in many directions.

Consequently, it is then impossible to have a rigid forestay. On a trimaran, the forestay, mast and mainsail tension are structurally bonded to one strong, longitudinal beam: the

main hull. This configuration allows for a rigid forestay and great performance upwind.”

Modest about his own achievements, Bruneel also lets the performance of his NEEL trimarans speak for themselves. The NEEL 51 won the Multihull category of the 2018 European Yacht of the Year awards, and in 2013 the NEEL 45 won SAIL Magazine’s ‘Best Boat’ and Cruising World’s ‘Boat of the Year’ awards, with a judge of the latter, Tim Murphy, declaring that “sailing this boat was the happiest sailing experience I had this entire contest.” The 45 also went on to win the 2015 ARC Multihull division, and NEEL has now built 23 units of this model.

With over 30 trimarans ordered since the shipyard’s launch in 2012, this visionary’s practice of ‘disruptive innovation’ has been an integral key to his success. And with the NEEL 51 shattering more assumptions about multihull performance and design, Bruneel’s razor-sharp instincts are now focused on what is possible in the future.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 31

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BOAT REVIEW

Triple the Fun

NEEL 51 Luxury, innovation and outstanding offshore performance make the new NEEL 51 worthy winner of the 2018 European Yacht of the Year award.

By Kevin Green

A

major attraction of trimarans is their performance, as I experienced while racing through Sydney Harbour on the Orma 60 Team Australia doing 34 knots with one reef in. So, there’s an obvious reason why ocean records are made by ‘tris’ as they have both speed and stability.

To a lesser extent this applies to the cruising varieties like the new NEEL 51.

Trimarans have 80 per cent weight centralised unlike a catamaran that has 50 per cent on the downwind side, NEEL CEO Eric Bruneel told me once as we walked around his La Rochelle shipyard. This centralised weight also allows them to operate in wider wind ranges than similar catamarans as tris

typically can heel to greater degrees than cats, and their 30-foot beam creates immense stability. Performance figures for the NEEL 51 show an average cruising speed of around 10 knots facilitating impressive 200 nautical mile days, but with fresh breezes reaching 15 to 18 knots is achievable.

Of course it’s not just about sailing performance, as the NEEL 51 I spent time on during the boat show at the 2017 La Grande Motte demonstrated, because living space is plentiful as well. Rather than a tiny cubicle in the centre of the Orma 60 that I could hardly crawl into, the NEEL 51 has accommodation in all three hulls which adds up to six cabins and a vast aft deck. Having sailed and raced

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 33

Above: The NEEL 51 was awarded 2018 European Yacht of the Year (Multihull).

both large and small trimarans I must declare a bias for these boats, so I didn’t need a lot of convincing about the merits of the new NEEL 51 when Eric Bruneel took me for a tour.

NEEL is based in the grand old port of La Rochelle, one of the largest yachting centres in western France and home to Fountaine Pajot, Amel, Dufour, Nautitech and other builders. The shipyard is named after Bruneel and also produces race boats so his team is very aware of weight efficiencies, as I discovered when looking closely at their bestselling 45 (which has sold an impressive 23 hulls) and their flagship NEEL 65 trimaran.

The 45 proved its merits in 2015 by winning its division in the famous Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

Interestingly, the NEEL 51 tips the scales at 15 tonnes compared with 23 tonnes for a Lagoon 52, and both have similar sail areas.

Bruneel is the former general manager of Fountaine Pajot and OSTAR winner (on his 55foot Trilogic trimaran), so knows what it takes to build a fast and safe multihull. For instance, only one engine is required unlike two (heavy and expensive) on a cruising catamaran.

“The 75 HP saildrives allow us to cruise at 9-10 knots,” Eric said as we inspected the NEEL 51’s walk-in engine room.

34 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

INTRODUCING THE COCKLOON Looking around the 51, it was clear to me that the company has incorporated much of the earlier 45 and the later 65 design ideas but enhanced them, especially in terms of usable space. Stepping aboard the vast aft deck is the most obvious feature. “We’ve integrated the inside seating seamlessly with the outside seating to create what we call a cockloon,” explained Eric. Some competitors – such as Bali – have similar ideas but none that seamlessly create this vast space for socialising. Sturdy doors drop down to ensure this becomes a seaworthy space when required, and the wetbar means drinks are handily placed. For that run ashore, there’s a single davit and chocks for the dinghy.

EXTENSIVE SAIL PLAN Two steps up from the cockloon is the starboard helmstation with flybridge lounge tucked under the boom. At the helm, a moulded fibreglass seat gives good support – a great idea for an elevated steering position.

The console controls include a Maxpower bow thruster and Raymarine electronics with autopilot near at hand and throttle outboard.

Just in front, separated by the corridor from the cockloon, sits three Antal winches: two

BOAT REVIEW

Left: Seamless transition from indoors to out courtesy of the innovative cockloon.

Middle: A spacious interior with contemporary styling.

Bottom: Enviable views in the owner’s cabin with walk-around access to ensuite.

electric halyard ones and a central manual one for sheets. Overhead, a canvas bimini shields you but 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 are lazyjacks to gather it.

Moving around the NEEL 51 is easy thanks to flat decks with near flush hatches that guide you safely to the bows, which have nets on each side of the main hull to minimise weight and drag. Here you can also see the near-vertical bulkheads around the main saloon, which create volume inside while an outside lip delivers shade.

The NEEL 51 has an extensive sail plan, ideal for variable bluewater cruising conditions. The cutter rig comes with a selftacking 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 a Code 0, which has winches outboard on the amas. All sails are Dacron as standard with a performance Hydranet option. The alloy spars are supported by dyneemavectron shrouds, which minimise stretch and weight aloft.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 35

BOAT REVIEW

TOPSIDE MASTER CABIN Walking through the vast cockloon leads you to the forward galley with stairs down on the portside to the cabins in the outer hull.

The U-shaped galley somewhat restricts the number of users but does keep you safe in a swell. A large amount of Alpi-clad cupboards provide ample storage, including space for the optional dishwasher.

The high standard of equipment includes a four-burner stove and oven plus optional microwave. Double-drawer fridges can hold 190 litres plus 92 litres of cold storage. There’s a deep sink nearby and plenty of worktop space for food preparation.

On the starboard quarter is the spacious navigation station and instruments include a second head for the autopilot here. Just behind is the deck-level owner’s suite, an ideal feature for the newbie sailor or claustrophobes. The double bed with walk-around space at the headboard lies athwartships so occupants have fantastic sea views through the large window. The ensuite ensures privacy and has massive headroom.

The main hull’s bow cabin is reached by stairs near the navigation station, which reveal a spacious and light-filled berth. The cabin has its own ensuite with separate shower, plenty of head space, and opening portholes usher in the breezes.

Down in the starboard hull the aft double cabin has a semi-island bed with hull escape hatch nearby – an essential safety feature – while forward is the ensuite with a shared space for head/shower. This layout is replicated in the port hull.

Alternative layout options include bow berths on each outside hull for additional accommodation for large families or charter operators, or even greater storage facilities for the bluewater sailor.

36 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

VOLUME AND SPACE Construction techniques have advanced for the 51’s build as the three hulls are now infused in one process, which increases structural rigidity and reduces costs. 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 creates ample volume, so the engine room is vast with two-metre headroom. A hatch near the galley has a ladder down to the outer part, which has the battery bank near the keel while the hot water, watermaker and other systems are also lowset. Further aft via a watertight door is the engine, a 75 hP Volvo saildrive that is dwarfed by the free servicing space around it.

The NEEL 51 clearly builds on the proven success of the 45 and is a serious contender in the multihull world, especially when the reasonable price tag is considered.

NEEL 51 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

15.60 m / 51 ft

Beam:

8.9 m

Draft:

1.8 m

Displacement

14,000 kg

Mainsail:

97 m2

Self-tracking staysail:

31 m2

Genoa:

74.5 m2

Engine:

Volvo 75 HP sail drive

Water:

600 L

Fuel:

600 L

Design:

Joubert/Nivelt/Muratet

Concept:

NEEL Trimarans

Above: Ample headroom for working in the engine room and outer servicing hull.

FEATURE STORY

KEEPING UP WITH

the Kiwis

W

ith thousands of kilometres of spectacular coastline, New Zealand is one of the world’s most beautiful sailing grounds.

The sale of multihulls in the land of the long white cloud has soared in recent years and Multihull Solutions has opened a new Sales Centre in Whangarei to cater for the demand.

Located just 90 minutes from Auckland’s international and domestic airports, Whangarei (pronounced fong-a-ray) is nestled amid rainforest-clad hills at the end of a bountiful harbour.

The new Multihull Solutions Sales Centre is set in Marsden Cove Marina, just inside the entrance to Whangarei Harbour and also has a permanent Out-of-Water Boat Show exhibit that allows buyers to conveniently view a range of pre-owned multihulls for sale all in the one location. The fixed brokerage display was developed following the success of the company’s Gold Coast Out-of-Water Boat Show, which has seen thousands of buyers

FOR MORE INFORMATION Multihull Solutions New Zealand Sales Centre T: +64 (0) 21 418 420 E: info@multihullsolutions.co.nz

inspect the expansive array of brokerage boats in Queensland over the past few years.

Boats for sale in Whangarei are also showcased in the Marsden Cove Marina, a world-class facility with 230 berths, Customs services for arriving yachts, fuel dock, retail, boat ramp, coastguard and direct access to the expansive domain of Whangarei Harbour.

The marina is completing an upgrade that includes the addition of a boat haul-out ramp and hardstand to suit all multihulls with a beam up to 12m, allowing sellers to showcase their boat on the hard at a reduced rate.

Run by experienced local cruisers Ross Davies and Judith MacDonald, the new Sales Centre has been inundated with Kiwi buyers hungry for the space, stability and comfort that multihulls afford.

“It’s been a whirlwind since we opened the office with orders on new power and sail multihulls going head to head with the sale of pre-owned boats from our Brokerage division,” Ross said.

“We have also worked closely with the New Zealand government to develop a scheme that assists with the tax burden previously experienced by offshore cruisers on entry into the country who wished to list their boat for sale,” he said.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 37

BOAT REVIEW

HOME AWAY FROM HOME:

the MY 44 The power catamaran market continues to grow and so does the competition among the major builders, but some have been doing it for longer than others as Fountaine Pajot clearly shows in its new MY 44.

By Kevin Green

P

owercats have vast acres of living space and storage while offering economical cruising; just some of the reasons for their strong market growth. Couple this with two independent and widely separated transmission systems that promote easy handling and you can see why both first-time and experienced buyers are shelling out for them.

Living space is perhaps the major feature, especially on triple-level boats such as the new MY 44 by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts, which won the 2018 European Power Boat of the Year Award (35-45ft). Available with up to four cabins it suits both owners and charterers – the latter a most interesting possibility given the majority takeover of Dream Yacht Charter by Fountaine Pajot in August 2017.

The first MY 44 debuted at Europe’s major multihull show La Grande Motte 2017 where I initially inspected it. So when the second hull arrived in Australia it was time to go to sea on this semi-displacement catamaran. Having sailed the entry-level MY 37, it was clear the French builder realised it was onto a good thing with these voluminous cruisers, so the MY 44 has kept this DNA: spacious, highly liveable and with double-digit cruising speeds.

Fountaine Pajot has produced an impressive list of both sail and power cats dating back to 1976 and uses renowned architects and designers, such as Daniel Andrieu and Pierangelo Andreani who penned this MY 44. The French builder currently sells the MY 37 and the new MY 40.

Characterised by very liveable layouts and good ergonomics Fountaine Pajot continues this with the MY 44, which is aimed at the bluewater market – affording a vast range of about 2,000nm in displacement mode at 8 knots – so ideal for that Pacific voyage or weekends exploring the coast.

38 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 39

Above and right: The MY 44 won the 2018 European Power Boat of the Year, with judges saying “this powercat is one of the best on the market.”

USING THE BEAM Aesthetics are an emotive subject, so the box-like shape of the tall MY 44 was fairly confronting to me as I wandered down the pontoon in Sydney. Unlike the MY 37, the MY 44 extends the flybridge aft to cover the cockpit below, which from a practical point of view is good but it does create a slightly topheavy shape.

However, stepping aboard using the teak swim platform clearly shows the benefits of this overhang in the sheltered aft cockpit.

Here, the transom bench and spacious deck are ideal for placing a table, with the adjoining galley just through the door in the saloon. The open plan and uncluttered saloon layout fully uses the MY 44’s wide beam to create plenty of usable floor space down the middle while locating all the furnishings on each side: the starboardside U-shaped galley, the elevated lounge forward and the main steering console also to starboard.

The well-equipped galley contains a fourburner gas hob (electric optional), separate oven and double sinks. The only thing lacking for me was fiddles, as catamarans may not roll but they certainly jump around in large seaways. Cupboard space is at a premium and the lacquered overhead ones are a stylish touch, as is the vertical wine rack.

Thanks to the tall hulls and a deep nacelle, there are four underfloor cupboards which further enhances the bluewater cruising credentials of the MY 44. Another plus for the tropical owner is the enormous Samsung

40 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

fridge/freezer. Stepping up to the lounge gives expansive views all round from either of the comfy couches, thanks to the tall windows that create an airy feel on the MY 44.

For dining, the standard coffee table can be optioned to an elevating dining table for eight guests. At the main helm the double seat allows a co-pilot to join the experience.

The uncluttered layout has the two Garmin screens in prime position angled sufficiently for easy viewing, while the throttles and Volvo IPS joystick sit off to starboard.

BOAT REVIEW

“The only problem with the MY 44 is that it’s so liveable you may not choose to even leave the dock, but when you do there should be no dramas.”

GENEROUS CABINS The MY 44 is available in a three and fourcabin layout plus the optional conversion of the nacelle locker to become a cabin. The three-cabin owner’s layout on our review boat has two double cabins on starboard and suite for the owner to port.

Walking down into the port hull revealed the large owner’s suite, with corridor storage containing the washing machine and main switchboard, then the main suite with kingsized bed and ablutions forward. A 65-foot monohull would struggle to have these features, so the attraction of the MY 44 is plain to see (and something to consider if you find the price tag a little steep).

Volume and headroom is enormous in the owner’s cabin and is ideal for avoiding stuffiness in the tropics, and ventilation and illumination from the opening portlights is good. Plenty of cupboard space and even a small vanity table are other plus points.

Moving forward, the moulded bathroom has a toilet-vanity with separate shower cubicle and storage lockers.

Over on starboard, the hull has two guest cabins with a fairly large central bathroom and the aft one is VIP-standard thanks to its own ensuite and queen-sized athwartships island bed. The more conventional forward cabin opts for a beam-wide bed only but remains airy.

Finally, the nacelle locker can be accessed from beside the main console to become a fourth cabin – ideal for teenagers – with small side windows and large opening skylights.

Alternatively, this would be storage or perhaps a workshop for the bluewater cruiser.

optional wetbar-grill bench and then seal the area off with clears.

Looking aft up top is the L-shaped lounge with bench storage beneath, and at the business end the flybridge steering console nestles behind a tall sprayhood, while overhead the fibreglass bimini shades the skipper – unless he opens the sunroof. The starboard helmstation has similar screens and controls to the main console below so you lack nothing, including clear views all round from your elevated position.

DESIGNED FOR POD DRIVES Designed specifically around the IPS propulsion system, there are no rudders on the MY 44, only the forward-facing Volvo pod drives that swivel. Hull shape is rounded with fine ends and pronounced chine that allows more volume above the waterline.

PARTY BOAT This is where the bang for your buck really kicks in, with fore and aft cockpits, wide side decks inbetween, and then the large flybridge. The phrase ‘party-boat’ sprang to mind as I sat in the forward cockpit, while at the bow an appropriately sized vertical windlass/capstan ensures that the socialising wasn’t interrupted at anchor.

However, given the substantial windage of the MY 44, a second bow roller and rode setup would be a wise choice for the voyager.

Walking aft, those wide side decks would benefit from some handrails before the climb up to the flybridge, which could easily hold a separate party group under the hard-top bimini and be self contained if you added the

Below: A magnificent 15m2 owner’s suite in the port hull, and each cabin features its own ensuite, plenty of natural light and sea views.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 41

The catamaran’s construction is infused vinylester balsa-cored topsides with solid fibreglass around the keel, and the MY 44’s displacement is fairly modest (14.9 tonnes). I was unable to measure bridgedeck clearance, but it went from high at the smooth nacelle front to lowish at the stern.

The vast engine room space will be welcomed by the Volvo mechanic because of its ample head space and walking room around the IPS400 and pod gearbox. Clear filter bowls, electrics sensibly high up on the bulkheads and easy access to sea cocks were notable positives, plus a bank of four 600A AGM batteries for keeping the lights on. In the port side, a compact yet powerful 10 KVA Fischer-Panda generator came with our review boat – a necessary item for running the washing machine and for retrofitting air conditioning.

OFFSHORE FROM SYDNEY

MY 44 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

13.40 m / 44 ft

Beam:

6.61 m

Draft:

1.30 m

Displacement (light):

14,900 kg

Displacement (loaded):

22,500 kg

Engine:

2 x Volvo IPS 400/2 x 300 HP (std is 260HP and other option is 435 HP)

Water:

2 x 350 L

Fuel:

2 x 1,000 L

Builder:

Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts, France

Design:

Andrieu Yacht Design and Andreani Design

PERFORMANCE (during sea Sydney sea trial with seven people and half tankage) Speed (knots)

RPM

Fuel (litres per hour)

8

1,300

8 (long range)

17

3,200

85 (cruising)

20.1

3,500

111 (maximum)

42 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

Easing the MY 44 off the dock was simply done with a sideways twist of the IPS joystick, and once clear and seated in the flybridge bucket seat the drive was smooth and precise thanks to the sharp bows tracking the boat.

There are no rudders to consider, only the twin forward-facing propellers that spun round to a light touch from the wheel, making it very similar to a car. The lack of rudders was only really felt in fast turns where the IPS carves a wide circle (but of course the MY 44 can be spun on its axis with judicious use of the throttles alone). A surprisingly positive response came from the 300 HP Volvos when I put the throttles down, smoothly accelerating to planing speed and beyond to cruise at 17 knots.

Most of the breeze was deflected over the sprayguard so my hat remained in place and the shaded instruments showed a burn rate of 85 litres per hour (l/ph) at 3,200 revs.

Alongside me a prospective buyer enjoyed the ride, and we talked easily as the MY 44 made its way through the inner part of Sydney Harbour before I put the throttles fully down, smoothly taking us up to the maximum speed of 20.1 knots on the calm waters, showing a fuel burn of 111 l/ph at 3,500 RPM. Returning to displacement mode and eight knots (and 8 l/ph) should give you an impressive 2,000 miles range.

Talking to Multihull Solutions managing director Mark Elkington as we drove around, he declared himself well pleased with the MY 44, not surprising considering he’d already sold five to the region since its launch. But I would probably choose the bigger 435 HP engines to gain that extra cruising speed and top speed of 30 knots.

Another feature worth considering for the coastal cruising family is the optional tabs to smooth the ride between 9-17 knots and

BOAT REVIEW

slightly improve fuel economy. However, 20 knots swiftly took me through Sydney Harbour as I sat downstairs at the main console eagerly watching the plethora of small craft on the waterway. Thanks to the open-plan saloon, a quick glance over my shoulder through the panoramic windows warned of an approaching jetboat while the clear view forward also reassured me.

Seeking some swells I motored outside Sydney Heads to get the MY 44 gently rolling among the surges and I felt like carrying on north to my favourite weekend anchorages in Broken Bay where the MY 44’s shallow draft would take me close to the beaches for quick dinghy runs ashore.

Back at the flybridge wheel, as we approached Cockatoo Island I clicked on the IPS joystick to ease us near the quay then turned and went astern towards it. I then invited our guest to do the same – someone with no boating experience – and they did a similar manoeuvre, so intuitive is this Volvo system. The only problem with the MY 44 is that it’s so liveable you may not choose to even leave the dock, but when you do, there should be no dramas.

Opposite: Plenty of headspace in the engine room.

Above: The MY 44 3-cabin layout.

Bottom: The internal console delivers excellent visibility courtesty of panoramic windows.

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44 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

FEATURE STORY

COUP DE

maître

I

t’s almost impossible to find a marina anywhere in the world that does not feature the sleek bows and elegant lines of a Fountaine Pajot catamaran. After more than 40 years of producing almost 4,000 cruising cats, the French shipyard’s range has become synonymous with outstanding performance, reliability, style and comfort.

In 1976, catamarans were still a relative novelty in the marine industry, the existing models delivering sluggish performance and

Fountaine Pajot recently celebrated its 40-year anniversary, but this world-leading French shipyard still has many more masterstrokes up its sleeve.

clunky aesthetics. However, two friends, JeanFrançois Fountaine and Yves Pajot, recognised that multihulls had untapped potential for racing while also offering a far more enjoyable cruising experience than monohulls. The men were no idealistic dreamers; each had already amassed an impressive resume of racing experience that had made them prominent names on the world’s marine scene. Jean-François Fountaine competed in the 1976 Olympic Games while Yves Pajot was a 1972 Olympic silver medallist.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 45

Above: The original Fountaine Pajot shipyard in La Rochelle.

Joined by Daniel Givon, Rémi Tristan and Pierre Fountaine, the men formed Fountaine Pajot in the picturesque town of La Rochelle in western France and embarked on their first ambitious project building 420s, 470s and 505s. Made of composite sandwich construction, these centreboarders set the tone for the shipyard’s commitment to innovation. Then came the IOR prototypes that made big waves on Europe’s racing circuit, scooping world championship titles and taking out the prestigious Solitaire du Figaro singlehanded race.

In 1981, the company launched the 18m The Royale and 21m Charente Maritime trimarans, with both boats exceeding their creators’ hopes as they won numerous major sailing events with Jean-François Fountaine and his friends onboard.

Confident in a multihull’s ability to deliver blistering speeds, the team turned its focus to designing a production model for cruisers that balanced performance with onboard comfort, space and style. Their philosophy was simple: make the boat as light as possible

46 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

with maximum length for speed, resisting the temptation to exploit available volume with unnecessary displacement.

The prototype they rolled out in 1983, the Louisiane 37, bore little similarities to the shipyard’s current designs and JeanFrancois Fountaine admitted the model would make today’s powercat aficionados scoff.

The catamaran featured narrow hulls, a low cockpit, fast engines, and limited headroom in the cabins where comfort was spartan. It didn’t take long to overhaul the design, with the Casamance 43 released two years later, which featuring fixed fins, a large light-filled nacelle directly connected with the hulls and more spacious cabins.

Two further models soon followed, the Maldives 32 and the Fidji 39, the latter designed by architect Oliver Flahault whose work has continued to be a defining influence on the company’s range to this day. In the early nineties the company collaborated with two other yacht design teams: Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau to produce the Marquises 53, and Joubert Nivelt for the Venezia 42. The

FEATURE STORY

Top and below: The company has come a long way since building centreboarders in the seventies, and now is the world leader in cruising catamarans.

“We learned a lot from the racing cats, but our goal for the Trawlers was a balance between wave resistance and seakeeping.”

Venezia marked the introduction of the roof cat as standard, a profile which served as the shipyard’s smiling cat signature for years.

Europe embraced Fountaine Pajot’s designs and the company swiftly turned out five new models in the following four years, including the innovative Taïti 75 day charter catamaran that became a game changer for the commercial charter market.

Emboldened by their success with the sailing range, the shipyard turned its attention to possibilities of power catamarans for the cruising market. Until then, power cats were noisy machines designed just for speed enthusiasts or the fishing crowd.

In 1998 the team launched the Trawler Catamaran concept that answered the call for comfortable and spacious power boats

that could tackle the most rugged of oceans, cruise self-sufficiently for extended periods, and anchor snugly in quiet harbours. Joubert Nivelt’s Maryland 37 and Greenland 34 were the first models off the rank and turned heads throughout the marine industry with their innovative lines, good range and impressive offshore performance.

Then general manager of export sales Eric Bruneel said the transition from sail to power was easy for the company as the team did not prioritise speed. “We wanted to create capable boats that worked well for extended cruising. We all learned a lot from the racing cats in terms of hull shape and construction technology, but our goal for the Trawler range was to achieve a balance between wave resistance and seakeeping.”

World reaction to the new power range boats varied from country to country, but Fountaine Pajot found Americans initially more open to the catamarans’ potential.

“Americans accepted these boats much more than others,” Bruneel said about the early years following the Trawler launch. But it didn’t take long for the company to establish a dynamic international dealer network and the expanding power cat range was soon embraced throughout the world with the range being the official choice of support vessel for the America’s Cup in 2007.

Meanwhile, the shipyard continued to evolve, investing significantly in infrastructure and designs for both its sail and power range, and in 1999 Fountaine Pajot became the first French boatbuilder to obtain the ISO 9002 Quality certification for the entire production cycle on its vessels, a ratification that was recently updated to ISO 9001.

On the factory floor, time brought about technological advances as well with the Lavezzi 40 being the first model to employ infusion techniques to mould its nacelle hulls in 2002. The development saw Fountaine Pajot set a benchmark for environmental sustainability, a philosophy that continues to remain as one of their driving principles.

A few years later, the Mahé 36 was the first catamaran to be entirely vacuum moulded, with infusion techniques applied for the hulls and cost-efficient rotomoulded technology (RTM) for the deck - the largest single piece ever made utilising the approach.

In 2004, the shipyard staked its place as the leader in cruising multihulls with the launch of the luxurious Eleuthéra 60 sailing cat by Berret

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 47

FEATURE STORY

Left: Executive team JeanFrancois Fountaine, Nicholas Gardies and Romain Motteau.

Right: The La Rochelle factory.

Racoupeau and the Cumberland 44 Trawler

by Joubert Nivelt and O. Flahault, and the two models quickly became a reference for the long-distance cruise market.

With new models being launched each year and worldwide sales continuing to boom, Fountaine Pajot made the decision to be floated on the Alternex market (Euronex NYSE) in 2007. The successful move formed part of a broader plan to expand the group with substantial investment in two production sites at La Rochelle and Aigrefeuille, a completely industrialised manufacturing process, the introduction of RTM Eco procedures, and the update of two sail and power catamaran ranges.

The capital raised from this IPO was used to develop the company’s new ‘Flagship’ fleet and double the number of vessels in this luxurious class, which included the Galathéa 65 designed by Berret Racoupeau and the powerful Queensland 55 by Andrieu.

“Fountaine Pajot continues to make a major mark on the export market with record sales and an expansive network of dealers.”

And then, as the international marine industry was pummelled by the GFC, Fountaine Pajot braced itself against the storm and embarked on a bold turnaround plan that saw it survive the economic crisis. Drawing on its principles of innovation and audacity, the company didn’t miss a beat and proudly launched six new models in the new financial year as well as expanding the Eco-Cruising concept that enabled clients to cruise further,

48 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

generating as much energy as they consumed.

While still catering for entry-level cruisers with models including the Mahé 36 and Highland 35, Fountaine Pajot took a giant step into the luxury market when it unveiled its first superyacht, the Victoria 67, in 2012 and the catamaran swiftly became a jewel in the shipyard’s crown with its stunning design and full flydeck. In an overhaul of its power cat image, the Trawler range of power cats was also rebranded to become Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts.

Behind the scenes, founder Jean-François Fountaine was quietly becoming more involved in La Rochelle’s political arena, having already assumed further responsibilities in 2009 as the president of the FIN (Fédération des Industries Nautiques). In 2014 he was elected the town’s mayor and he stepped aside as the shipyard’s CEO, although chose to remain company president keeping a close eye on the company he had built from scratch.

With Claire Fountaine now president of the Board of Directors, Nicolas Gardies at the helm, and Hobie Cat 16 World Champion Romain Motteau as deputy CEO, Fountaine Pajot continues to make a major mark on the export market with record sales and an expansive international network of dedicated sales dealers and service agents.

The 400-strong team celebrated its 40th year in 2016, commemorating the company’s swag of achievements that has resulted in almost 4,000 catamarans sailing on seas all over the world.

And as the shipyard prepares to unveil even more revolutionary designs this year (including the NEW 42, NEW 67 and MY 40) and has employed a further 200 staff, it is clear that Fountaine Pajot has no intention of resting on its laurels.

NEW 67

A New Era

This new model in Fountaine Pajot’s exclusive Flagship Class represents the ultimate in luxurious comfort and performance. Due for release mid-2018, the NEW 67 features an exceptionally large flybridge, an expansive open-plan interior, and a forward cockpit with the option for a spa emulating a lifestyle worthy of the finest homes.

You will fall in love with the NEW 67’s stunning interior, which features softer and more asymmetrical lines that reflect the very latest in international design.

Available in three versions, including a Maestro version with an exclusive hull dedicated to owner’s use.

Cruise in style with Fountaine Pajot.

Contact our team today

AUSTRALIA Phone +61 (0)7 5452 5164 info@multihullsolutions.com.au www.multihullsolutions.com.au ASIA Phone +66 (0)8 1894 1530 info@multihullsolutions.asia www.multihullsolutions.asia NEW ZEALAND Phone +64 (0) 21 418 420 info@multihullsolutions.co.nz www.multihullsolutions.com.au PACIFIC +61 (0)7 5452 5164 info@multihullsolutions.com.au www.multihullsolutions.com.au

Lucia 40 — NEW 42 — Hélia 44 Évolution — Saona 47 — Saba 50 — Ipanema 58 — NEW 67 — Taiti 80

50 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

BOAT REVIEW

The Capable Cat:

SAONA 47 Fountaine Pajot raises the bar with the new Saona 47, its comfort and seaworthiness carving a perfect niche between siblings the Hélia 44 Evolution and Saba 50.

By Kevin Green

N

amed after a Caribbean island - for where the shallow-drafted Saona 47 would be ideal - this cruising cat is garnering plenty of accolades, most recently voted “Best Multihull Sailing Yacht Under 15m” at the Christofle Yacht Style Awards and nominated for 2018 European Yacht of the Year. Defining features include its 9.2m2 lounge deck and a hydraulic swim platform for those long days at anchor. Below decks there are up to five cabins, and all this is contained in a more rounded hull shape and generally smoother aesthetic than its two siblings mentioned earlier.

FIRST LOOK Ambling down the dock at La Grande Motte – Europe’s largest multihull show – to seek out the new Saona 47 was quite an experience because the competition to this cruiser was near at hand. Show debuts included the new Leopard 45 and Nautitech 46 Fly, so there was little room for complacency.

Cruising cats like these and the Saona 47 are distinguished by their volume, having well designed hull shapes with mini keels (rather than performance daggerboards) and layouts that are generally more suited to liveability than purely life under sail.

Given that most boats of this type spend the majority of their time stationary,

liveability is a key point and this is where Fountaine Pajot often distinguishes itself.

The Saona 47 design creates three levels of living space and a completely sheltered aft deck which extends the interior living space, while the sail controls are located on an elevated starboard bulkhead. This layout has proved a popular design for both the Saba 50 and Hélia 44 and continues on the Saona.

Steps from the aft deck lead to the starboard helmstation where the sail controls are separated by a walkway. These steps can also have the liferaft behind for quick access.

This arrangement is a signature feature of the brand. Ideal for crewed and shorthanded sailing, it allows the trimmer plenty of room to work the two electric Lewmar 50s and one manual 55 winch for halyards and sheets.

Lines are tidied away in large bins which avoids the passageway becoming untidy.

Behind the helm lies the main track, which sits at the end of the boom so offers maximum control of the square-top mainsail.

The wide bench seat at the helm comfortably seats two, and the small binnacle allows movement around it should the steerer need to dart forward to trim after switching on the Garmin autopilot. Nearby are steps to the flybridge cockpit – more than a mere sunbed as found on the smaller model – which has ample headroom under the alloy boom when at anchor.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 51

ALL-WEATHER COCKPIT The all-weather aspect of the aft cockpit is a major feature on the Saona 47 allowing diners to enjoy the outside table yet be right beside the interior galley. Wide doors and a sliding galley window create an airy through space, which is ideal for the tropics yet can be closed during inclement weather, while the fibreglass roof allows the entire area to be enclosed with clear plastic if needed.

A practical internal design by Isabelle Racoupeau creates a very liveable space with near-upright outside bulkheads to minimise sun intrusion and maximise volume. The corner lounge has a coffee table as standard but (dining and multifunction table options can be fitted), and the navigation station is large with main switchboard nearby in the corridor to the owner’s cabin. Good practicalities include a swing seat at the chart table allowing more space when needed and large opening front windows that afford plenty of natural light.

The galley is spread across the aft part of the saloon with an island bench that acts as a supporting bulkhead for crew when in a seaway. Clear views aft mean washing up in the double sinks isn’t a chore and there’s a four-burner gas stove with separate oven/microwave. Good for those long cruises is the energy-efficient twin-drawer refrigeration for perishables and there’s ample cupboard space. Our boat also had the optional drawer freezer beneath the starboard pantry.

Some buyers might prefer fiddles on the composite worktops and smoother edges on the bulkheads, but this only slightly detracts from what is a comfortable space with abundant light from the large surrounding windows and skylights.

FIVE CABINS Our review boat was the three-cabin owner’s Maestro version (plus skipper’s bunk) which devotes the entire port hull to a spacious master suite that is sealed off by a sliding door. Alternatively, and with chartering in mind, five cabins can be specified (with five bathrooms). Stepping down into the port owner’s cabin brings you to a vast space with towering headroom reflecting tall topsides. These stairs cover the escape hatches – essential on any sailing catamaran – which can be opened (rather than broken) in an emergency. The owner can enjoy views aft from the rectangular window over the large island bed, plus there’s an opening porthole for that welcome breeze at anchor.

Moving into the cabin’s centre, the vanity desk is dual purpose and surrounded by deep lacquered cupboards with others

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Top: The foredeck has been fitted with decadent sun loungers.

finished in light Alpi wood, while the large television screen swings out for viewing in bed. Forward is the bathroom which has a huge longitudinal shower cubicle and separate electric toilet in the bow. Beyond this is a large bow storage locker for light bulky equipment. Ideally a full-height watertight bulkhead would be incorporated here (and can be fitted), but the lower one is incorporated in this space and still provides positive flotation for the vessel.

The guest accommodation in the starboard hull is an equally comfortable area with spacious semi-island bed and ensuite.

Forward is an athwartships island bed with corridor bathroom. The large cupboard in the corridor can also house an optional washer/dryer, which runs from an 11kw Onan generator. Underbed storage is another good feature in all cabins. Beyond this is a crew cabin in this port bow with single bunk.

BOAT REVIEW

WALKING SPACE Flat topsides are a major attraction for cruising cat buyers, a fact Fountaine Pajot is acutely aware of, which is why the Saona has wide sidedecks with flush hatches and a foredeck for relaxing and entertaining. A smaller trampoline area in favour of larger nacelle creates space for three sunpads, but the practicalities aren’t neglected. A deep central locker houses a vertical Lewmar windlass/capstan which has a short run to the nacelle front where the anchor sits, so there’s no rode to endanger children or unwary guests.

A second roller is also available for a spare anchor while the fibreglass bowsprit proves long enough to give good separation between the Code 0 and the forestay.

Sizeable cleats all around, including midships, are other good features on the Saona. Looking aft, the hydraulic teak-clad swim platform is an option worth having as it doubles as a dinghy bench.

Our review boat (Hull #1) came with a carbon mast and versatile sail plan on cabin-mounted spars. A carbon Maxam mast (from Poland) is attached to an alloy Z Spars boom with guttering and lazy jacks for gathering the Incidences mainsail. The sail is panelled using Hydronet sailcloth – a tightly woven polyester mixed with dyneema – which allows both easy sail handling with longevity and minimum stretch sailcloth. Fountaine Pajot Flagship director Yves de Kerangat told me that you save about seven per cent weight with the carbon mast, which adds stiffness and reduces pitching. Single wire shrouds hold up the rig with large chain plates to spread the load of the squared-top mainsail.

RACOUPEAU-DESIGNED HULL

Top: The spacious saloon has excellent natural light and ventilation.

Middle: The modern galley has an island bench and ample storage.

Bottom: The luxurious master suite comprises an entire hull.

Improving performance is an ongoing facet, even for sedate cruising catamarans, so Fountaine Pajot has collaborated with the iconic Berret-Racoupeau design house to optimise the Saona 47. The more curvaceous topsides are matched by a similarly shaped nacelle and inner gunwhales to reduce wave drag. Hull and deck construction is by infusion to optimise the fibre/resin ratio that impregnates the foam core, while the saloon roof is constructed with advanced injectionmoulded technology.

Underneath, moulded mini keels give directional stability and modestly sized twin rudders control the Saona. The volume in the aft of the hulls was apparent when I opened an engine hatch, which showed the 50 HP four-cylinder Volvo saildrive dwarfed by its surroundings, leaving plenty of space for the Onan generator and filters.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 53

BOAT REVIEW

Above: The Saona 47 has a 9m2 lounge deck and a tender lift that doubles as a swimming platform.

MEDITERRANEAN SAIL The Med is typically a hard taskmaster for sailing yachts as it either blows too much or too little, and our test sail provided the latter with seven knots gently caressing the smooth seas. To cope with these conditions and minimise engine hours, a wide sail plan is required. Our Saona 47 came with a large Code 0 sheathed inside a snuffer for quick deployment and dousing. Once we’d hoisted the Code 0 on its furling line – the halyard is at the mast base – the sock was peeled back to allow the sail to fill, while on the helm I

SAONA 47 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

13.94 m / 46 ft

Beam:

7.70 m

Draft:

1.3 m

Displacement:

13,800 kg

Main Sail Area:

75 m2

Genoa area:

52 m2

Engines:

Volvo Penta 2 x 50 HP sail drives (60 HP option)

Water:

700 L

Fuel:

2 x 470 L

Design:

Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design

54 MULTIHULLSOLUTIONS.COM.AU

eased the catamaran off the wind to about 160 degrees, pushing our speed to 10 knots.

The elevated starboard helm gave me clear views of main and the Code 0 while just in front of me the crew trimmed the sheets.

Being separate from the binnacle prevents the steerer from trimming the sheets, but this layout does allow plenty of room for crew to do their job. So when it came to gybing the Code 0 I concentrated on turning the rather large steel steering wheel while my crewmate trimmed and a third person walked the clew around the forestay as we changed heading.

On port tack trimming was done from a remote winch near the port quarter (while starboard was managed from the coachroof bank of winches).

Wanting to sail nearer the wind, the snuffer sock was easily pulled down over the Code 0, and the long sausage of sail dropped on the foredeck while my crewmate unfurled the genoa, which allowed me to point the cat at 50 degrees apparent with our speed slowing to 4 knots. Shorthanded in these light conditions, the engines would likely be spun up so I did so, reaching a top speed of 8.8 knots with the Volvo 50HP spinning at 2,200 RPM, while dropping the revs to 2,000 still gave a nippy cruising speed of 7.9 knots (but no fuel burn figures were shown).

Our afternoon showed the Saona 47 to be a very capable cruising catamaran reflecting Fountaine Pajot’s vast experience in building comfortable and seaworthy boats.

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LEGENDARY

CHOICE

Homer’s famous poem conjures the stirring deeds, determination and glory of warriors, heroes, kings and gods. And in 2018, an exciting new range of power catamarans evokes the epic’s themes to deliver legendary long-range performance and affordable customisation.

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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 the world’s oceans with impressive speed, comfort and economy.

However, few production and semiproduction power cat manufacturers offer buyers the ability to customise their

BOAT REVIEW

boat to suit their individual needs without radically increasing the base model price.

Consequently, today’s marinas are awash with homogenous power boats that don’t inspire much sense of passion from their owners.

In 2018 and 2019, innovative new manufacturer ILIAD Catamarans will subvert this trend with the launch of a range of remarkable power catamarans that allows buyers to truly personalise their boat to a luxurious standard at a price that challenges the price of the world’s production power cat base 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, 70 and 85. This stunning fleet not only delivers outstanding offshore performance but also provides the option for buyers to customise their vessel and be actively involved in the build process so their boat truly reflects their needs and personal style.

The new range will be launched to the world market with the option for each buyer to affordably personalise an array of features, including boat layout, timber colours, electronics, fabric, engine options and more.

EXPERTS AT THE HELM

Top: The interior is affordably designed to custom requirements.

Middle: The sleek cockpit is spacious and ergonomic.

Bottom: The cabins’ design evokes the style of luxury apartments.

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 for the international market, while Global Marine (led by experienced business and marine specialist Paul Jenkins) is currently developing a strategic international dealer network for the brand.

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

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 57

Right: Standard layout concepts for the ILIAD 50 (top) and 70 (below). A range of layouts is available across all models.

LEGENDARY FEATURES While the ability to truly customise each model is a major feature of the ILIAD range, the 50, 60, 70 and 85 are also a remarkable achievements in power catamaran design.

Global Marine CEO Paul Jenkins 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,” Paul 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.

Over ten engine options are available, and ILIAD Catamarans all come with standard inclusions, including dual control electronics as well as systems for fuel transfer, blackwater and power management systems (minimum 5000W inverter).

Each model also features flybridge hard tops, foam core hull and decks (vinylester resin hulls), Tecma electric toilets, bathroom extractor fans in bathrooms and an ocean of other premium-quality fixtures.

Every ILIAD Catamaran is constructed to comply with all specified international survey regulations, and for maximum peace of mind also includes a five-year internationally supported structural warranty.

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

AT HARMONY WITH THE SEA ILIAD has designed each model to evoke the comfort and style of luxury apartments, with astonishing space throughout their living areas. Conceptualised with long-term cruisers in mind, the cats 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.

Beautifully appointed gourmet galleys are standard across the ILIAD range, complete with the best quality Seimans appliances and rangehood extractor fans. Every cupboard is thoughtfully accessible for guests of all heights, and storage facilities are in

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AVAILABILITY: ILIAD 50: August 2018 ILIAD 60: February 2019 ILIAD 70: April 2019 ILIAD 85: October 2019

abundance for extended cruising. As with the rest of the boat, the galley can be completely customised to add or remove any fixtures or styles the buyer desires.

Continuing this freedom of choice, the flybridges can be left entirely open or can be fully enclosed with fully 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.

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.

BOAT REVIEW

Above and left: The ILIAD 50 combines powerful offshore performance with stunning design and flexible customisation options without the exorbitant cost.

INTREPID VOYAGERS Just like the legendary Achaean ships of Homer’s epic, ILIAD’s cats are designed to face the most treacherous conditions with confidence. Ideal for extended-passage cruisers, each model affords impressive range and speed with competitive fuel efficiency.

The company’s standard recommended engines deliver a long-range cruising speed of around seven knots at a fuel burn of less than 1.5 litre per nautical mile with a range of up to 6000 nautical miles (depending on model).

Well-trimmed fore and aft at all speeds, the cats are able to explore farther than their competitors with the protective grounding skegs making them beachable. The catamarans’ hulls and high bridgedecks have been designed to facilitate a smooth ride in the toughest offshore conditions, making the ILIAD range a true blue-water option that will challenge the loyalties of the most passionate monohull cruisers.

ILIAD 50 SPECIFICATIONS LOA:

15.51 m

Beam:

7.35 m

Draft:

1.25 m

Displacement:

25 T

Water:

700 L

Fuel:

2500 L

Holding tanks:

200 L

Certification:

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

Design:

Riccardo Bulgarelli

Builder:

ILIAD Catamarans

ILIAD 70 SPECIFICATIONS

ASIA PACIFIC LAUNCH

LOA:

21.07 m

Multihull Solutions has been awarded exclusive dealer rights for the Asia Pacific region and already sold an ILIAD 50 and 70.

Paul Jenkins said that interest in the new range has already been overwhelming.

“We have already sold two models and have several orders placed on the 60 and 85.

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

The range will be officially launched at the 2018 Sydney International Boat Show in August with the ILIAD 50 on display by Multihull Solutions.

Beam:

8.92 m

Draft:

1.32m

Displacement:

55 T

Water:

1200 L

Fuel:

6000 L

Holding tanks:

500 L

Certification:

CE Cat. A - 12 Ocean

Design:

Riccardo Bulgarelli

Builder:

ILIAD Catamarans

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 59

A SLICE OF

Paradise T INFO BOX To register your interest in future syndicate opportunities, visit multihullsolutions. com.au and register for the e-Newsletter which provides regularly updates on upcoming programs.

here’s no doubt that buying a boat is a major decision. Not only is it one of the biggest financial investments many people will make in their lifetime, but it also requires a commitment to ongoing maintenance and use. Some buyers have little boating experience and are unsure how much they will enjoy the cruising life, while others have too much going on in their daily life to really get the value out of their own vessel.

Yacht syndication is often the ideal solution for such buyers as it offers the opportunity to own one or more shares of a luxury boat at the fraction of the cost of a new private yacht.

Unlike timeshare arrangements, yacht syndication means you actually own a share in your boat while sharing the usage, maintenance and running costs with fellow owners. Syndicates typically comprise eight shares, with clients able to purchase

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single or multiple shares depending on their usage preferences.

Syndication takes the hassle out of 100 per cent boat ownership and is perfect for those who are time poor but want the luxury and freedom of using their boat knowing it is always ready to step aboard. Typically, syndicate programs are conducted over three years with each shareholder enjoying four to six weeks of cruising per annum. At the end of the syndicate term, the shareholders can choose to continue the program or sell the boat and receive the proceeds of the sale.

Multihull Solutions offers syndicate programs on a range of multihulls based at various locations around the Asia Pacific, with syndicate boats currently operating in the Whitsundays and boats arriving for Moreton Bay, New Caledonia and Sydney. All of its syndicate vessels are comprehensively equipped with every

FEATURE STORY

option needed for carefree cruising, and each program is professionally managed by a dedicated team. Maintenance is done on a strict schedule by qualified specialists and a professional team handles all bookings. All the shareholders need to do is step aboard and sail away!

EXISTING SYNDICATES Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 – Aurora (Whitsundays) Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 – Pacific Dream (Whitsundays)

UPCOMING SYNDICATES Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 – Whitsundays September 2018 Just a couple of 1/12th shares remain in the Syndicate 5-cabin Saona 47, which will be based on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays from September 2018. For an investment of just AUD$118,600 per share, you can enjoy a minimum of four weeks’ cruising per year over a three-year program. Professionally managed and ready to step aboard, this catamaran will be fully optioned with every luxury fitted and is perfect for those that aren’t ready for full-time yacht ownership. All you need to do is bring your swimmers, food and drinks, and you’re away!

Left and below: Limited shares remain in the Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 Syndicate.

SHAREHOLDER TESTIMONIAL

Almost a year into owning a share in Aurora, both the Multihull Solutions syndication program and the Fountaine Pajot Hélia 44 have far exceeded our expectations.

Multihull Solutions put together an ideal set of specifications, equipment and inventory for Aurora – perfectly suited to the location of the boat, the shared use arrangement and the preferences of the type of owners who have joined the syndicate.

The Multihull Solutions syndicate management includes arranging the annual booking roster, managing the quick weekly turnarounds (including any maintenance work required) and full technical support – and the service has been first class. The Hamilton Island Marina is the ideal base for the boat with the ability to fly directly in, grab your bags and be onboard the boat within just a few minutes, as well as the convenience of being able to use the resort facilities and restaurants whilst in port.

In all, a great way to get regular time aboard a well-appointed boat in the Whitsundays at a fraction of the cost of chartering without the hassles (and cost) of sole ownership.

Well done, Multihull Solutions!

David & Mel Gittus Syndicate share owners of Hélia 44 Aurora.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 61

FEATURE STORY

Charter OUT TO

Caroline Strainig talks to Mark O’Donoghue from finance company Finlease about the ins and outs of putting a boat into charter.

I

t sounds almost too good to be true: buy your dream boat from as little as 20 per cent down, get the bank or the charter operator to pay the balance, and have someone else take care of all the maintenance and running costs. You could even potentially receive a return on your investment higher than your savings would earn you in the bank.

Yes, welcome to Charterboat Land! And if it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t, but you do need to do your homework and make sure it is the right investment for you. For some expert advice, I turned to Mark O’Donoghue, the CEO and founder of Finlease.

WHAT INCOME DO YOU NEED? Firstly, can anyone do this? Or do you need a certain level of income? Mark says, as a rule of thumb, a charter boat buyer looking to finance $400,000 via a traditional boat loan would have a taxable income in the order of $200,000 (either individually or jointly with a partner) and sufficient surpluses to service the debt.

“Finance companies do not rely on the actual charter income from the boat when looking at servicing for these loans,” Mark explained. “The income from the charter boat will also vary during the year because of high and low seasons, and potential buyers need to have sufficient surplus cash flow to service any dedicated debts during the times the boat is working less.”

He says it is important to be conservative in terms of expected income when budgeting, which will ensure most surprises are pleasant ones. “And, of course, allow for economic headwinds, whether that is a cyclone, an airline pilot strike or a significant downturn in the economy, even though these are usually only temporary setbacks in the context of a long-term business plan,” he said.

For those with individual incomes under $250,000 the loan can be negatively geared like an investment unit provided it meets the criteria of a business as set out in the specific

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Charter Boat Ruling developed by the ATO. However, for those with individual incomes over $250,000, it is treated more as a hobbytype investment due to some recent changes in tax law.

There are several accounting firms who specialise in this area and Mark suggests engaging one as part of the process.

DO YOUR RESEARCH Okay, so you qualify income-wise. Where to next? Research, research and more research.

Mark says one of the most common mistakes potential charter boat owners make is not doing adequate due diligence up front, including speaking to current owners about their experiences.

“Although a charter boat by nature is an attractive and often emotional asset, it does need to be a business and approached in that manner,” Mark said. By speaking candidly with existing owners, it is a relatively easy task to obtain a full understanding of the charter industry and its nuances and to obtain full transparency on past boat performances and charter boat operator performances.

“Any reputable charter boat operator will gladly provide a list of their current owners so potential charter boat buyers can do this research,” he said.

Multihull Solutions also knows the industry well, can connect you with charter boat owners, and steer you towards suitable companies with whom they have strong relationships. They can also provide you with a wishlist of models those companies are looking for investors to purchase so they can add to their fleets. This currently includes Charter Yachts Australia, Cumberland Charter Yachts, Whitsunday Escape, Sail Thailand and Dream Yacht Charters.

THE CHARTER BOAT INDUSTRY TODAY And what about the status of the charter boat industry? Is there a demand for new boats, and are they getting plenty of work?

“It is not uncommon now for boats in the Whitsundays, for example, to be providing their owners with an annual return in net income in the order of 8 to 10 per cent.”

– Mark O’Donoghue, Finlease.

MULTIHULL SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE 63

Mark said the charter industry has changed since the GFC and the ATO blitz on owners using the industry to finance their hobby rather than running a legitimate business, but this has had a plus side for investors.

“At its peak there were more than 200 charter boats in the Whitsundays, but today there are only 150 boats, and this is an ageing fleet,” he said. “The smaller fleets mean each boat gets more work, which ensures a higher return on your investment.

“It is not rocket science to understand that a smaller number of available boats and an increased demand because of the low Aussie dollar bringing more tourists to our shores results in greater returns for the existing fleets. It is not uncommon now for boats in the Whitsundays, for example, to be providing their owners with an annual return in net income in the order of 8 to 10 percent.”

Mark said the ageing of the fleets is also a significant factor. “In an ideal world, charter operators would like to see the age of the boats in their fleet to be under 10 years and ideally under eight years,” he said. “The entire Whitsunday fleet ages by one year every year, so 18 boats need to be replaced annually to retain an average age of eight years, let alone to keep up with increasing demand.”

Left: The Whitsundays remains a top charter location.

Right: The Saba 50 is ideal for charter.

ACCESS TO YOUR BOAT What about ‘me’ time on your boat, though?

Mark acknowledged there is a price to pay in that the charter boat is not available for convenient use in the same way as a private boat would.

However, he says surveys show the average private boat owner uses their vessel only 30 days a year, and you get more usage than that

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in a charter fleet.

“Another huge plus is that all the maintenance work is organised by the charter company, so all you need to do is turn up and enjoy your boat,” he said. “As any boat owner will tell you, buying the boat is only the first step, and there is ongoing maintenance and work that you must budget for.”

And, of course, there’s that potentially very attractive bottom line. “If the equation is that a private boat costs you on average $30,000 a year compared to a charter boat earning you $50,000 a year, there is a little room to put up with some inconveniences,” Mark said.

“Think about it as the difference between a weekend cottage in the mountains compared to an apartment at Noosa. The weekender needs constant maintenance and often goes months without a visit.

“The Noosa apartment is in a letting pool, earns money when you are not using it, and when you do it is clean and ready for you to enjoy as a guest.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Finlease’s website at www.finlease.com.au is a great place to start your journey. Mark O’Donoghue is also happy to talk to potential charter boat investors and can be contacted at mark@finlease.com.au, or by calling + 61 (0) 2 8404 2000 or +61 (0) 412 320 872.

Multihull Solutions can also provide great background information, help direct you to reputable charter operators, and provide you with a full wishlist of models that charter fleet operators are currently looking for investors to buy so they can add them to their fleet.

Contact the Multihull Solutions team to find out more.

FEATURE STORY

terms of returns is the Whitsundays, although Sydney is also high up there. Trevor Rees from Whitsunday Escape says this is because the Whitsundays enjoy almost year-round utilisation rates.

“The Whitsundays’ charter boats are achieving better returns than any other destination in Australia,” Trevor said. “The region is also perfectly placed if any owners want to do extended trips to the outer reef 15 nautical miles offshore or north or south inside the reef.”

Obviously, if you want extensive weekend or standby usage, you might have to settle for a destination closer to where you live, sacrificing higher returns.

3

Buying a Charter Boat – Choosing a Fleet So, you’ve found your dream catamaran and want to put it into charter, but how do you go about choosing a suitable fleet to put it with? Here are some tips to help steer your through the process.

By Caroline Strainig

1

Share your plan with Multihull Solutions One of the best ways to start your journey is to talk to Multihull Solutions’ staff about your dream. Their expert team can advise you on which models are ideally suited to the charter market, which operators are actively seeking those models, and direct you to fleet operators they have had good feedback about. Their team can even put you in touch with owners who have boats in those fleets and can give you an unbiased opinion.

2

Choose a location There are charter fleets all around Australia, but the cream of the crop in

Research the charter companies The next step is to research the companies on your shortlist in your preferred area. Annie Judd from Charter Yachts Australia in the Whitsundays said choosing the right fleet is all important.

“You need to make sure that you have a really good relationship with the people who will manage your boat because a charter contract usually lasts at least five years, so it will be an ongoing relationship,” she said. The charter company should be able to provide you with information on likely future earnings and past earnings by similar multihulls. Would-be investors should also do due diligence to make sure claims can be substantiated by third parties and talk to other owners who have had boats in the fleet.

4

Not just the bottom line An ultra-high return is fantastic, but don’t choose a fleet operator on just that alone. A high return depends on high usage and keeping maintenance costs and expenses down. If you want the boat as pristine as possible at the end of your charter contract, you want an operator who will work to achieve a happy balance.

5

Usage This is usually negotiated on an individual basis, but generally you get around 28 days a year, which you can prebook. Some charter companies also let you use the boat on a standby basis. However, few owners exceed the 28-day mark, particularly if they must travel far to where the boat’s base. Try and be flexible about peak periods, and if you cannot, be upfront with the charter company so everyone knows where they stand from the word go.

6

Options, options and more options Charterers have an almost insatiable appetite for fuel, water, refrigeration and even air-con, so make sure your catamaran is more than adequately equipped in these

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“An ultra-high return is fantastic, but don’t choose a fleet operator on just that alone.” departments. If you do, it will make your boat much more desirable to potential clients.

Remember, at least some of the people onboard will not be used to cruising with limited access to essentials, such as water.

Sharon McNally from Cumberland Charter Yachts said it’s essential to talk to the charter company before finalising your options because they know what customers want.

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Be conservative in your expectations Take off the rose-coloured glasses when it comes to earnings. Things like cyclones and tourism ups and downs can impact charter bookings. That said, charter returns are generally good now, particularly in the Whitsundays and Asia. Alternatively, take a guaranteed income option that Multihull Solutions can help set up.

“We are getting good utilisation and a decent return; in fact, four owners have two boats each because their investment

is sufficient to justify a second boat,” said Trevor Rees from Whitsunday Escape.

“We’re also not having to look too far for new investors because existing boat owners are buying new boats.”

Annie Judd from Charter Yachts Australia said many of their investors are baby boomers making it part of their retirement plan. “They buy a new boat, put it into charter for five years and sail part-time, then they retire and head off on that dreamed-of blue-water cruise,” she said. “Returns are good now, but that’s not the primary reason they are doing it – it’s a lifestyle investment and should be viewed that way.”

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Enjoy your investment Nothing quite compares to sailing your own boat around some of the finest cruising grounds in the world, so enjoy your investment and all the lifestyle benefits that go with it. And, as Sharon McNally from Cumberland Charter Yachts points out, cruising and boating are even better when your boat operates as a charter boat so you can offset operating costs against the income earned.

LIVE THE DREAM And get paid for it!

• Earn an income for your multihull investment • Available for personal use • Full vessel maintenance and berthing facilities in Airlie Beach, Queensland... the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands • Short or long-term agreements

For details on how we can assist you earn income from your multihull yacht investment call us on (07) 4946 6666. charteryachtsaustralia.com.au

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NRG CYA55013

Join our fleet in the Whitsundays with your catamaran!

15/12/2017 5:22 PM

FEATURED PRODUCT

Streamlined Sailing An innovative new app has just been unveiled that takes the hassle out of manual log-keeping and improves onboard efficiency for cruisers.

N The app is available on iTunes and Google Play, and a Premium version loaded with additional features is due for release in 2018. nebo.global

ewly launched app Nebo has been designed to automate the tedious and time-consuming task of logging sea voyages while also creating a connected and dynamic global boating community.

Using GeoFencing technology, Nebo creates and records detailed electronic voyage logs as the vessel passes through geographical locations. Nebo emails daily PDF reports including weather observations to the user, which can be stored within the app along with any travel photos to enhance the log and preserve precious memories of the voyage.

While the app provides obvious timesaving benefits to boaters, it also presents numerous advantages for others. Nebo makes it easier to lodge and assess insurance claims for incidents incurred at sea, helps family and friends following the cruising adventures of loved ones, facilitates accurate expense distributions for syndicate management companies, allows companies to monitor yacht delivery progress, and assists charter companies and regatta organisers with daily tracking of their fleet.

Users’ voyage reports and images can be instantly shared with individuals, groups or the public on most social media platforms, including FaceBook, Instagram, WhatsApp and more.

Nebo also makes it easier to interact with other app users on the water, enabling cruisers to share local information, request assistance, send a message to an individual boat or flotilla, and stay in touch with new friends long after the voyage is over.

Users can also choose to enjoy all the log-keeping features of Nebo but remain anonymous at sea should they wish.

The developers of Nebo are currently developing the app to include even more useful features in the future. There are plans to incorporate AIS tracking, which will allow cruisers to monitor big ship movements and adjust their course accordingly.

The app will also incorporate an alarm that will warn owners if they are dragging anchor, maintenance logs and automated reminder systems, voyage pre and post-checklists, plus user-generated reviews of cruising destinations and facilities such as marinas and repair businesses.

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Creature

COMFORTS Choosing your boat is just the first step. A world of options awaits if you want to upgrade its features to truly make it your own.

B

uying a new boat is like building a house. It’s easy to sign a contract on a design that has all the basics you need but then get carried away with adding floor-to-ceiling tiles, ducted air con, integrated appliances and more. Before you know it, you have a beautiful home but have blown the roof off your original budget.

With the radical improvement in modern multihull design, safety and performance in recent years, more and more boat owners are also embarking on cruising adventures around the world with no fixed date of return. For such people, adding a number of options to their boat is unavoidable.

While base boat models are always equipped with everything you will need to safely and economically cruise around your local waterways, there is an ocean of choice to add or upgrade features to make life onboard more comfortable or practical for coastal or extended voyages. It’s just a matter of using common sense and a bit of restraint when it comes to choosing what level of comfort and luxury you want or really need. While tempting to load up your multihull with teak flooring, washing machine, additional fridges, icemaker, dishwasher and more, the price you pay for these luxuries can hurt both your bank balance and your boat’s performance.

Multihull Solutions managing director Mark Elkington cautions clients against getting swept up by temptation when they consider all the available options. “It’s reasonable to expect you will pay up to 35 per cent of a boat’s base price if you select all the available options on production boats,” he said.

“Adding upgraded fixtures to a boat isn’t as competitive as shopping around for home appliances, and prices are naturally higher for items of a weight, material and specification suitable for use at sea. It can quickly add up if you want to tick everything on your wish list.”

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Naturally, the more things you load onto your boat, the heavier it will become and it will also require more power to effectively operate appliances. A fully optioned multihull will not perform at the same levels as a base boat you may have trialled before purchase.

Its greater weight will affect displacement and speed, and while this may not be an issue for those planning on short leisurely cruises, it can be a disappointing discovery for others who purchased a specific multihull for its impressive performance.

Mark Elkington also warns against the dangers of overcapitalising. “The money you spend on premium appliances or fixtures may be worth it to you in the short term, but you might not see the return when it comes to selling your boat.

“What is important to you may not be as important to the next buyer. New boats can depreciate quickly and a swag of luxurious options won’t stop this from occurring. We strongly recommend that buyers spend time deciding what options they truly need, rather than what they want.

“You can always add things later, but it’s smarter to get to first spend some time on your boat to understand the requirements of a cruising lifestyle are often markedly different from those on land.”

Multihull Solutions has been very successful with a strong rate of resales – 5-7 per cent above market average – due to advice it has given original owners on how to best outfit their boats without overcapitalising. Below is an overview of the options fitted on new boats by Multihull Solutions:

SOLAR PANELS An economical way to provide power to a boat, and the number of panels you fit depends on the amount of power your boat will draw.

GENSET Really only needed for running big energy items such as air con, washing machine and other high-powered appliances. The generator size you order depends on how much power your boat needs - if at all.

FOLDING PROPELLERS These are essential if you want your boat to perform to its design as they reduce drag.

ELECTRONICS There are no electronics fitted to most base boat models, and you can select from multiple packages to suit your needs (eg. plotters, autopilot, depth/wind speed/direction/boat speed etc). Multihull Solutions can quote to supply any brand that you prefer.

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BBQ A very common option available in different sizes and features and all constructed of marine-grade stainless steel.

FABRIC AND COLOUR CHANGES If you don’t want to go with the base boat’s standard fabric and colour scheme, you can choose from other options that will be fitted in the factory.

TELEVISION You can fit any size screen you like throughout the boat, mounted on the wall or on rotating brackets.

LARGER FRIDGE/FREEZER Refrigerators come as standard fixtures on all boats, but additional fridges and freezers can be added if you need to stock up for extended passages and long-term cruising adventures.

TEAK OR SYNTHETIC COCKPIT FLOORS The standard cockpit finish on most multihulls comprises non-slip composite flooring that is easy to clean and maintain. Adding teak / synthetic teak to the cockpit looks great but comes at significant cost and weight.

AIR CONDITIONING A welcome feature when cruising through tropical areas, but you will require a generator to run it. These can be fitted in the factory or after-market, partial or full boat systems.

BIGGER ENGINES The base model’s standard engines will push the boat along at hull speed in fair conditions, but consider upgrading if you want more power. Most clients choose larger engines to enjoy greater boat speed in head wind conditions.

DINGHY/OUTBOARD There is a huge range of options to choose from of varying size and quality to suit your budget and needs.

UPGRADED SAIL KIT Gennaker/screechers are great for cruising in trade winds for reaching and sailing off the breeze. A spinnaker or parasail is also useful for sailing dead downwind. Different options available from factory-fitted to after-market.

SUN AWNINGS AND CLEARS These are ideal for providing sun and rain protection to the cockpit and helmstation areas. Varying design and material options are available.

Top and left: There is an ocean of options available to customise your boat, including upgraded flooring and finishes to barbecues and watermakers.

CURTAINS, BLINDS AND CARPETS A standard boat comes with synthetic timber interior flooring, curtains in cabins and deck hatch flyscreens with sunshades. You can get carried away by adding other floor coverings, additional curtains and blinds that you might later discover you don’t really need.

WATERMAKER Virtually essential for desalinating sea water on longer voyages but not necessary for coastal cruising because of better access to marina water supplies. Available in different capacities and range in cost from approximately AUD$5,000 to over $25,000.

WASHING MACHINE These draw a lot of power so you need a generator unless you get a small machine that can run from the inverter or only use it with shore power. Available from 3kg capacities.

DISHWASHER Another luxury item that is rarely fitted on sailing cats under 50ft due to the space they need and excessive power they draw.

ICEMAKER A true luxury item that Multihull Solutions rarely fits as they are noisy on smaller boats and not essential if you have a freezer.

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Watertight SUPPORT When considering a boat purchase, evaluating your finance and insurance options may not be high on your list of priorities, yet they should be.

FINANCE Choosing the right finance package can make enjoying your new boat more pleasurable or can help a commercial or charter vessel become a better business proposition. Mark O’Donoghue, principal finance broker at Finlease, recommends buyers invest time researching and preparing their finance options and applications before getting too swept up actually shopping for boats.

“It’s a good idea to get your finance in place and obtain a loan pre-approval before you go shopping,” said O’Donoghue. “We suggest putting in an application for a ‘hypothetical boat’ for a given sum of money. Once it is approved, you can confidently negotiate on a boat knowing the finance is ready to go. This should be an obligation-free service, so if you eventually decide not to take up the finance, there is no charge.”

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Sourcing the right finance solutions is not as easy as simply popping down to the local bank. It can be well worth enlisting the services of a specialist and experienced broker who understands the unique and often complex dynamics of boat finance. There are different ways to finance boats, whether it’s a small second-hand multihull, a large luxurious yacht, or an investment charter boat. So in looking for funding, there are some handy pointers you should keep in mind:

Assess your needs First you need to ask yourself some questions: how long are you are likely to keep the boat?

Will it be purely a pleasure boat or could there be some business use? When it comes to evaluating various finance proposals, your broker should make you aware of obligations, including your minimum commitments, the

FEATURE STORY

“It’s a good idea to get your finance in place and obtain a loan pre-approval before you go shopping. Once it is approved, you can then confidently negotiate on a boat.”

loan’s security and any special conditions.

It’s a good idea not to limit your options by securing your boat loan against real estate.

If you are using your existing bank, chances are the bank will want to ‘cross collateralise’ the loan against your home or other assets.

When you deal with a specialist broker, in 99 per cent of instances the boat should stand as its own security. Also, don’t put all your loans with the one financier. So if you have your home loan with one lender, think about going with someone else for your boat, another for your car and so on.

Once approved Once you have your funding in place and have the paperwork, take a good look at the detail. Always check the payments to ensure that you are getting the interest rate you think you are and read all the fine print. Often boat finance contracts are entered with the borrower having little or no appreciation of the long-term commitments. Before signing on the dotted line, ask yourself, “do I understand the structure of this loan and my repayment commitments? Are there any early termination costs? What is the interest rate and is the loan secured by just the boat?”

Buyer Checklist: Here’s what lenders will be looking for when approving your loan: ● Y our capacity to meet the repayments based on your income. For 100% finance you need to prove that you have ‘tangible’ net worth, ie. equity in property or investments.

Financiers do not want a mortgage but simply need to feel comfortable you have the ability to make good any shortfall between the secondhand value of the boat and amount owed. ● A good credit history ● Stable employment and income Finlease are specialist brokers with over 25 years of expertise in marine finance. Whether you want a loan or lease for a boat to use for pleasure or business, they can search an extensive range of lenders for the solution that’s right for you. Finlease then process the application and manage the whole process to make marine finance easier, so you won’t be left waiting in queues or getting tied up in frustrating knots.

For more information, visit finlease.com.au

INSURANCE Boats can be expensive assets, and if you accidentally damage it or another boat, experience theft or suffer an injury onboard, you could face significant financial costs.

For most boat owners, marine insurance is a necessity. Many insurers will offer boat insurance that includes basic cover for damage or loss with a range of additional options available, including coverage for onboard contents and specialist cover for racing or higher risk activities. Similarly to motor insurance, marine insurance policies will specify either an agreed value or a market value as the sum insured for the boat and equipment you own.

Bluewater / international coverage If you are planning bluewater or offshore cruising, you will probably need to take out additional insurance and meet certain criteria related to offshore safety and communications equipment. The policy might also include restrictions on when you can cruise in particular international waters, depending on known storm seasons.

What am I covered for?

Marine insurance usually includes a component for physical damage, which covers your boat, engines and associated equipment against a range of risks (eg. theft, fire, vandalism, accident and storm damage).

Some policies include an option to take out extra medical coverage in case of injury while others will include medical expenses. If you or a passenger on your boat accidentally injure another person or property, liability coverage will pay associated financial costs. Different policies have different limits to liability coverage, so make sure you understand exactly how much you are insured for before you take out a policy.

Multihull Solutions recommends the following specialist marine insurance providers: Pantaenius Insurance pantaenius.com.au Oceanic Marine Risks Pty Ltd oceanicmarinerisks.com.au Topsail Insurance topsailinsurance.com.au Nautilus Marine Boat Insurance nautilusinsurance.com.au

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ahoy KIDS

Embarking on an extended cruising voyage with children is a dream that many people have entertained. It isn’t always smooth sailing, but the rewards can be immeasurable.

I

n today’s world, where kids are often confined to highly structured routines, the idea of sailing off into the sunset for an unforgettable family adventure can be extremely enticing. Not only do children discover the world and experience the beauty of nature, but a sailing adventure can instil confidence, empowerment and strengthen family relationships.

For those cruisers willing to cast off the shackles of a conventional family lifestyle and tackle the challenges of onboard home schooling, there are still numerous questions and concerns: Is it safe? Will the children be disadvantaged by missing a traditional education? What about their friendships?

Every cruising family’s experience is unique, but Behan Gifford, author of Voyaging With Kids – A Guide to Family Life Afloat, says adaptability is the key to enjoying a successful adventure. She and her husband Jamie left behind their home and careers in Seattle to cruise the world with their three young children, visiting more than 30 countries and sailing every one of the world’s oceans.

“It’s been a voyage of self-discovery,” said Gifford, “a choice of lifestyle that has presented countless challenges—and rewards—and has tightened our bonds as a family. But cruising requires you learn to live without structure, and some people are really afraid of that.”

The family said that each new country they visit offers a new environment, demanding the family embrace an unknown culture, a new language and another way of looking at life, which has bred a level of adaptability they believe will serve their children well into adulthood. The Giffords discovered that cruising life is a learning-rich environment. “Real life makes an excellent classroom,” Behan said.

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On a reef in French Polynesia, where the Giffords spent weeks living and snorkelling, they brought scientists aboard (fellow cruisers with PhDs) who schooled the children in marine biology. “A book with pictures of a thriving reef or a dying one, is no match for the real thing,” she said.

Their initial concern about the impact on the children’s friendships was also quickly put to rest with Behan saying the cruising community is large enough that there are ample opportunities for their children to meet other cruising kids and form long-term bonds with them. “It just takes more work to build relationships and then stay in touch,” she said.

They have experienced a few frightening moments on their adventure, including unforeseen storms and the threat of foodborne illness, but they take care to ensure the food they buy and eat is fresh and healthy.

They have sailed into storms that were not reported on the marine radio and experienced near misses, white-knuckle moments and onboard illness in remote locations. The Giffords, like most cruising families, always question how much risk is too much but state that most boat parents choose to embark on voyages with their kids not because they’re

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inconveniently along for the ride, but because they’ve made an intentional choice to share the journey with them.

The family is close, but there have been stressful moments with everyone living on top of each other. In moments of tension, which the couple claims are rare, a family member might get off the boat and paddle a kayak or play on the beach. They claim cruising is not suited to every family, but for those who believe the world offers a far richer life experience than an office job and a suburban home, the payoffs can be immense.

Newcastle couple Mel and Tony Conaghan decided to discover this for themselves in 2017 when they set sail aboard their Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 Wild Child with their two children, Tommy (8) and Charlotte (13). With no concrete plans in place, the family decided to cruise for as long as they all continue to enjoy the experience.

“Our itinerary is very loose, although I said I would trial it for one year and see how the kids go,” said Mel. “Initially, I was concerned about how we would all go living on board.

What if there is a health problem? Would the kids miss home, their friends, the comforts of everyday life?”

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Left: George Crutch uses his SUP to visit other cruising yachties in Bermuda.

“Cruising is not suited to every family, but for those who believe the world offers a far richer life experience than an office job and a suburban home, the payoffs can be immense.”

The Conaghans had to factor the Schengen Area into their plans so they headed for Croatia and found the Mediterranean to be an excellent training ground for getting the family cruising-ready.

“We have not really experienced any bad weather sailing conditions that have concerned us yet, and the Saona 47 has plenty of room so there’s always somewhere for us to get away from each other,” said Mel. “In hindsight though, I would have added the front V-berth so Tommy had a separate sleeping area off Charlotte’s front cabin, and that would leave one cabin free for crew or occasional visitors.”

The family crossed the Atlantic in November with the ARC and expects to spend a season in the Caribbean before cruising the Pacific. “I’m not going to lie, sailing with children is a big adjustment,” said Mel. “Tommy and Charlotte love the travel and seeing all the new places, but they just miss interacting with other kids their age. I’m hoping that once we cross the Atlantic we start meeting some actual liveaboard cruisers rather than just charterers.

The children are home schooled as they travel, which has been a learning experience in itself for Mel and Tony. “It was quite easy to enrol the children and obtain material, but there have been minor challenges along the way,” said Mel. “We’ve had some really slow internet, but it’s easy to pick up SIM cards with cheap data in the Med. Also, Charlotte still gets seasick, so it’s been difficult to squeeze the work in when we are at shore.”

Mel recommends that families with primary school-aged kids provide teachers with a cruising itinerary and try to consolidate it with the curriculum. “On hearing that we were struggling to keep Tom interested in his work, his school teacher created a whole new learning section on Spain, which made it far more relevant and engaging for him.”

While they still have plenty more places to visit, the children have voted Portugal as their favourite place so far. “They adored Cascais and Sinatra, which is awesome because in a million years I would never have thought about taking them there on a family holiday,” said Mel. “We all really loved the Balearics, and without time constraints and the Schengen we would have happily spent the season there.”

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Lindsay and Cathie Crutch and sevenyear-old son George took delivery of their Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 Sandy Cheeks from the shipyard in La Rochelle in France in late 2016 to embark on an 18-month adventure back to their home port of Brisbane. The family already had some experience with a floating classroom having home schooled George for a term in 2015 while enjoying a bareboat charter holiday in Greece and Turkey. After doing extensive research, the couple settled on using Riverside Distance Education (Maryborough, Queensland) to continue George’s education for the big trip.

“Riverside is more expensive than the public system, but we found them extremely professional, organised and flexible, fitting in with our cruising lifestyle and George’s academic capabilities,” said Cathie. “We were provided with the whole of his Year 3 curriculum prior to us leaving Australia, which included everything we needed: text books, art supplies, readers, etc. We just have to take photos of completed assessment items and return to his teacher in three-weekly blocks or when we receive internet connection.

“It is really important that you don’t rely on internet connectivity as it’s random and not always strong. In some locations, it’s taken hours for me to upload one week’s worth of school assessments,” she said.

Despite the excellent program, Lindsay and Cathie admit George adamantly dislikes home schooling. “When we’re not cruising, he attends a very good school in Brisbane with great facilities and many friends, and we joke that we should have sent him to a bad school so he would think home schooling was a great alternative. Although, we are yet to meet another sailing family whose children like home schooling,” Cathie said.

It’s understandable children resist onboard education when there are so many distractions they would rather be involved in. “One family we met said they often threatened to stop their boat at a distant shore and enrol their 17-year-old son in a landbased school,” she said. “But this threat only worked for a short period of time, so I’m really not sure what the answer is.

“We’ve tried everything from allowing George to plan his own day to changing workstations, rewarding good behaviour, presenting certificates, threatening no iPad, allowing Lachlan (his brother) to supervise, encouraging Andrew (a friend) to supervise; doing schoolwork in the local library or cafe.

We remind him of the beautiful views he has each day, no need for lunchboxes, no urgency to make the school bell.

“But nothing, and I mean, NOTHING works!

Sailing across oceans is easier than home schooling! Even doing three-hourly night watches is easier, but we keep on keeping on!”

Cathie said.

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Top: George takes a friend back to her yacht in Musket Cove.

Middle: George frolicks in the waters off Fiji’sYasawa Island.

Bottom: A sunrise trek to Mount Yasawa.

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Right: The Crutch family enjoys Pirate Race Day to Treasure Island during Musket Cove Race Week in Fiji.

“It’s fortunate George is an energetic child.

He never complains about hiking to the top of mountains, carrying food stuffs, throwing bowlines to marina employees, cleaning Sandy Cheeks or helping other cruisers on their yachts,” she said. “He’s very interested in sailing, helps hoist the parasail, running the sheets for the gennaker; he knows how everything works!

“Luckily he loves to sail, meet other people and have a chat. He happily heads off on our SUP to introduce himself and say hello to other sailors or locals he’s met on land.

The kids call each other up on the 2-way and arrange activities. They snorkel, do acrobatics off the yachts and jetties, play board games, have chess competitions, build sandcastles, go bike riding, do arts and craft, play Minecraft on their iPads, SUP adventures, beach games and build campfires, just to name a few.”

George was excited to participate in a sailing clinic at Savusavu in Fiji when the new national sailing coach came to teach the local kids how to sail Optimist dinghies. “George had passed all three levels of Tackers at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in 2015/16 so was eager to be the ‘captain’ of his own boat once again,” Cathie said.

The family had also elected to enrol George in guitar lessons prior to their voyage, as they realised he was going to miss out on his school’s compulsory music program in 2017.

“The introduction of guitar lessons into his land-based life gave him the opportunity to bring music into his sailing life. We purposely chose the guitar as it seemed to be a portable, achievable option and this has proven to be the case. We often meet guitar-playing adults on yachts, which is a great incentive for George to keep improving.”

While the Crutch family only speaks English, they haven’t found it a problem to date. “We always make sure we download information on the history, currency, language, flag and maps for each place we are about to visit, so George is always learning about the world in addition to his normal schoolwork activities as we sail,” said Cathie.

The family acknowledged that their son didn’t miss home or school for the first eight months of the voyage, but is now eager to return to Australia. “He does, however, miss his family so we were excited that George’s

eldest brother Max joined us for the Panama Canal Transit and his youngest brother Lachlan joined us for seven weeks from Tahiti to Samoa.”

After having successfully navigated their way across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, transited the Panama Canal and crossed the Pacific to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, the Crutch family returned to Brisbane in time for George to start the 2018 school year.

And having swum with turtles in the Grenadines and sharks in the Cook Islands, bathed in a grotto in Tuamotos, had a bonfire with friends in Tahiti, climbed a volcano in Vanuatu and drift snorkelled in Fiji, George is bound to have plenty of stories to share with his friends in the classroom.

Cathie and Lindsay join a large chorus of other cruising parents who claim that, despite the occasional issues and challenges, sailing with kids is a singularly rewarding experience.

As Behan Gifford said, “It brought us closer as a family. And you really can’t ask for more than that.”

FACEBOOK GROUPS FOR CRUISING FAMILIES • Kids4Sail • Women Who Sail (WWS) • Women Who Sail Australia (WWSA)

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Sluggish SAILING Do you feel your multihull is not performing to its specification? Here are a few reasons why you could be experiencing slow performance and what you can do to help find your speed.

TRAVEL LIGHT One key advantage multihulls have over monohulls is their abundance of storage space. It’s tempting to fill this extra space with spare equipment, leisure toys, all kinds of extra supplies, however this will hamper the performance of our boat.

Whether you’re looking to embark on a world cruising adventure, coastal sailing or just short weekend cruises, it’s important to not overload with unnecessary gear and clutter. While you should make sure you have the necessary equipment to be prepared for all conditions and emergencies, overloading adds weight and slows you down. Lighter is always safer.

KEEP IT CLEAN Improperly cleaning and failing to maintain your multihull is going to causes issues far beyond aesthetics. Negligence can lead

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to extensive damage from marine growth, blockages within the engine water outlets and inlets, propeller damage, increased fuel usage and an overall decrease in performance.

Antifouling paint contains biocides that prevent a wide variety of growths and slimes, making it one of the most important parts of any maintenance regimen. Prevention is far better than a cure, so be sure to slip, clean and antifoul your vessel at least annually to prevent marine growth and maintain your maximum hull speed.

PICK YOUR PROPELLERS If you are competing in races or just committed to improving the cruising speed of your multihull, it’s definitely worth considering replacing your fixed propeller with a folding or feathering propeller.

A fixed three-bladed prop, locked in gear, exerts as much drag as hanging a bucket

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over the stern. Folding propellers collapse to decrease drag through the water and allow for much smoother movement underway.

Under sail, the drag of folding and feathering props is tiny compared to a standard fixedblade unit.

Feathering props create about 5-10 per cent of a fixed prop’s drag, sometimes less, while folding props have almost zero drag.

This gives a significant gain in sailing speed, between half a knot and one knot, with the greatest percentage saving at low speeds.

Folding and feather propellers are more expensive than their fixed counterparts, but worth the investment if cruising speed is a factor for you.

GET YOURSELF A SPINNAKER Designed for downwind lighter-air sailing, an asymmetrical spinnaker can significantly increase your overall cruising speed on a cruising catamaran over VMG (Velocity Made Good).

While spinnakers may be known as a staple for racing sailors, they are a beneficial addition to your cruising catamaran sail wardrobe, adding enjoyment to a downwind or broad-reaching leg. Cruising sailors

now have a range of options when buying spinnakers (parasails, code zeroes, kites), but the basic concept is that a spinnaker that is larger and has more shape is better at broad angles, while a smaller, flatter sail is happier at close angles.

KNOW YOUR BOAT Having a thorough understanding of your multihull’s strengths, weaknesses and capabilities will allow you to push your boat to its maximum capabilities without causing damage or being unsafe.

Take the time to understand factors, such as your vessel’s ideal maximum capacity, weight, draft, fuel range, designed use, the best setup for your sails, what the ideal sails are to use in different conditions, and her maximum hull speed.

Knowing your boat is certainly key to performance. Get as much advice as possible and even hire a trained instructor that is familiar with your boat size and design to show you how to get the best out of it.

Enjoy the process of getting to know your boat in intimate detail; it is fun and your cruising adventures will be all the more enjoyable and safer for everyone onboard!

• Complete Interior & Exterior Cleaning • Teak • Stainless • Clears • Carpet • Leather • Engine Rooms

• The Multihull Polishing Specialists • 30 years experience

Ask about our special rates for all MHS clients

and 10% off shed hire at The Boat Works

Proudly associated with Multihull Solutions

Whether you are preparing for “Sale” or “Sail” we can have your vessel looking its best at a price to suit your budget mark@theboatbutler.com.au

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0418 754 385

RALLYING

troops THE

While cruising can sometimes be a solitary occupation, the growing popularity of boating rallies proves that sailors sure love to have fun when they get together.

T

he number of organised cruising rallies has boomed in recent years as both sail and powerboat owners jump on board for myriad reasons.

The events generally follow a relaxed formula that combines laidback cruising and socialising in some of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds. Ranging from a weekend jaunt to four-month voyages, many rallies are open to both power and sail multihulls and provide unforgettable experiences that see participants return year after year.

Each rally is as unique as the main reasons its members sign up: some want to explore new destinations in the security of an accompanying fleet, while others are keen to meet new cruising friends, exchange stories and tips or boost their racing experience with some friendly competition.

Some events are even supported by specific boating manufacturers and suppliers with representatives on hand throughout the event providing a valuable opportunity for owners to learn more about the different features of their boat, and gain advice on maximising performance as well as tips on maintenance and repairs.

Social activities are a highlight of every event with most featuring a mix of on-board gatherings, land-based functions, beach parties, theme nights and awards presentations. While some functions include drinks and meals as part of the registration cost, there are also many nights where participants can dine at their leisure at resorts or onboard their own boats, or make plans with other cruisers.

Some rallies place an emphasis on a friendly racing component with easy courses set to get the competitive juices flowing as a way of reaching the next destination. For others, racing takes a back seat and cruisers are in no hurry to raise anchor each morning.

There are cruising rallies scheduled all over the world at all different times of the year presenting a great opportunity for owners to escape for a week-long holiday or incorporate into extended international cruising plans. For those without their own boat, the rallies are also a great chance to join as crew and discover exotic locations on a shoestring budget.

Discover some of the most popular international cruising rallies, including various Multihull Solutions events that are held each year throughout the Asia Pacific region.

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Top: The ARC Transatlantic Rally is an annual favourite.

Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) The ARC is perhaps the world’s most famous annual cruising rally, attracting more than 200 boats and 1200 participants each November to sail the 2700 nautical miles across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia. Organised by the World Cruising Club, the event was first held in 1986 and is on the bucket list for cruisers from all walks of life, including families with young children, seasoned racers, cruising couples, high-end yachts and backyard kit boats. The ARC is famous for developing friendships made ashore in the two weeks of pre-departure activities and continued over the radio net at sea, and the sense of achievement experienced when cruisers make land in the Caribbean after conquering the Atlantic. Organiser World Cruising Club also offer a range of other rallies throughout the world.

Bay Regatta, Thailand bayregatta.com For those who don’t want to become embroiled in the hotbed of competition that characterises Thailand’s King’s Cup Regatta, the Bay Regatta is the perfect way to join a rally that explores the spectacular scenery of Phang Nga Bay. Departing from Phuket, the rally cruises to a new destination each evening and holds awards parties in a wide variety of different locations as well as options to sleep onboard yachts or at one of the region’s many stunning resorts. Attracting hundreds of novice and seasoned sailors from all over the world, the rally is held in late January or early February each year. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, yachts are divided into seven competing classes based on their designs, including Multihulls, Racing, Bareboat Charter and more.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT MURRAY – SEA YACHTING (OPENING IMAGE AND BAY REGATTA IMAGE)

worldcruising.com

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The advantages of rallies go beyond the social; they also offer safety in numbers and provide a framework to achieve long-held cruising ambitions.

Sail 2 Indonesia Rally sail2indonesia.com First staged in 2014, 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.

Multihull Solutions Pittwater Rally multihullsolutions.com.au/events/multihull-solutionspittwater-rally-2 In 1788 Captain Phillip described it as ‘the finest piece of water I ever saw,’ and Pittwater still remains one of Australia’s most stunning cruising grounds. Flanked by Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Sydney’s famed northern beaches, Pittwater is the perfect setting for Multihull Solutions’ biennial cruising rally. Open exclusively to sail and power multihulls, the casual three-day event is held every second November and incorporates a relaxed itinerary of cruising around Lion Island, meandering up the Hawkesbury and anchoring in Refuge or America’s Bay. Several social functions are scheduled amidst the idyllic relaxation, including a beach party plus a themed presentation night at the Royal Motor Yacht Club. Generously sponsored by numerous leading industry partners, the rally presents awards across a dizzying array of categories giving everyone a chance to walk away with some great prizes.

Multihull Solutions Moreton Bay Rally www.multihullsolutions.com.au/events/moreton-bay-rally The glittering waterways of Queensland’s Moreton Bay are the ideal setting for a weekend cruising with fellow multihull enthusiasts, and this biennial rally crams an ocean of fun and relaxation into its three-day itinerary. Held every second October, the rally invites power and sail multihulls to experience casual sailing to Horseshoe Bay on beautiful Peel Island, frequent stops for social functions, beach parties, bushwalks, themed nights and a healthy daily dose of relaxing downtime. Lose yourself in the natural beauty of this marine wonderland with dolphins, turtles and dugongs regularly keeping the fleet company. The event has a swag of great sponsors with prizes including wine, sailing gear, magazine subscriptions and more that are awarded to entrants who best embrace the rally’s spirit of fun.

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Left: Whitsunday Rendezvous participants: (L-R) Diane (Wild Spirit), Jo and Drew (Lickity Split II), Keith (Wild Spirit).

HOOKED FOR LIFE

We attended our first Multihull Solutions rally in 2012 at Pittwater after having just purchased our first sailing boat, a Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46. We wanted to meet like-minded people and glean muchneeded experience, for we were certainly newbies. The Multihull Solutions team made us feel like part of the family, not to mention the welcome from other participants, many of which have become good friends. After a fantastic day of sailing, the entertainment would start with wine and song and we certainly had a fun time.

Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous multihullsolutions.com.au/events Now enjoying legendary status among Asia Pacific’s cruising community, Multihull Solutions’ Whitsunday Rendezvous has set the benchmark for fun social rallies. Staged every second September, the rally kicks off from the award-winning Abell Point Marina and embarks on a week-long safari around the majestic Whitsunday Islands. The region’s most famous anchorages – and some special ones known only to locals – are incorporated into the cruising itinerary, balanced by a social calendar that takes entertainment to a whole new level!

Between cocktails, participants enjoy fishing, snorkelling and bushwalks to sacred Aboriginal sites featuring 9000-year-old cave paintings. Arguably the highlights of the week include the company’s famous Whitehaven Beach Prawn and Punch party and the hilarious Figurehead competition, which brings out the extrovert in even the quietest of cruisers. The rally concludes with a lively presentation evening on the Keel Deck of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club with awards given and registration forms routinely requested for the next Whitsunday Rendezvous.

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Since our first rally we became hooked and have now participated in the Whitsunday Rendezvous three times.

We have seen some of the most beautiful parts of the region and had many an unforgettable fancy dress party and received some great prizes from sponsors.

If you enjoy good sailing, fun company, daily organised activities, great food and entertainment in some of the nicest places Australia has to offer, you must join the team of Multihull Solutions for their next Rendezvous!

Simon & Christine Griffiths - Fantastique

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Bitter

BARGAINS A new free program is helping pre-owned boat buyers avoid an ocean of hidden pitfalls.

G

one are the days when buyers had to meander round their local marina or scour newspaper advertisements and marine magazine listings in search of their ideal boat. Today, there is a veritable ocean of vessels for sale from all corners of the globe at the click of a mouse.

Fluctuating currencies can also make it easy to be seduced by a bargain for sale somewhere on the other side of the world.

However. while attracted by the idea of nabbing an overseas bargain, many people have seen their dreams fall apart when confronted with the reality of unforeseen handover issues and costs.

Many buyers often don’t realise they face a mountain of challenges when they consider buying a supposedly cheap boat from overseas: the ‘real’ costs of travel to inspect it, the risks of offshore purchasing processes, encumbrances and lies, the expense of replacing old equipment, issues of moving a boat thousands of miles to a home port, unknown and disreputable surveying companies, arranging insurance, duty, tax, gas and electrical conversions, managing breakdowns and dealing with language translation difficulties, and the list goes on.

By the time they get their supposed bargain home, they’ve blown their budget and are embittered by the experience. Suddenly, the dream has become a nightmare.

After hearing numerous buyers experience the perils of purchasing a cheap boat from overseas, Multihull Solutions has implemented an innovative Buyer Broker Program to help clients purchase a cost-efficient boat that meets their requirements, but without having to suffer the pitfalls.

The free program involves a sales representative initially booking a meeting with clients to gain a comprehensive understanding of what type of boat they are looking for and what their realistic budget is.

Through its extensive worldwide network of brokerage partners, Multihull Solutions then produces a shortlist of suitable boat options found in Australia or overseas.

If the client chooses to proceed with the purchase of one of these boats, Multihull Solutions helps negotiate a smooth transaction, assists in tracing the boat’s history with the manufacturers, facilitates the survey stages, and even arranges competitively priced shipping into Australia, as well as negotiates duties, taxes and insurance as required.

The Multihull Solutions Buyer Broker Program also offers the peace of mind of holding clients’ payments in local escrow accounts, rather than with overseas agents.

The selling broker simply shares their commission with Multihull Solutions, so clients don’t face any unexpected costs or fees. The program has already proven to be immensely popular with many clients having negotiated successful purchases of pre-owned multihulls through the company.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BUYER BROKER PROGRAM contact Multihull Solutions on 1300 855 338 (within Australia), +61 7 5452 5164, +66 8189 41530 (within Asia), email info@multihullsolutions.com.au or visit www.multihullsolutions.com.au

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Ready SET

Sell

No matter whether you’re upgrading to a bigger multihull or just not getting enough time on the water, everyone wants to get the best price for their boat when it’s time to sell. By investing a little effort before you put it on the market, you will increase your chances of achieving a great result.

DECLUTTER First, 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 opportunities and enable them to imagine the boat filled with their own personal belongings, not yours.

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.

FIX THE LITTLE THINGS

Savvy buyers will be lifting floorboards throughout your multihull to check for any faults. A dirty bilge is not only smelly and offensive but suggests that other areas of your boat may also not be well maintained.

First impressions are paramount and cosmetic flaws are often the first things a potential buyer notices. So now’s the time to address all those little jobs you’ve been ignoring, such as tightening lifelines, polishing stainless steel, repairing tears in upholstery and fixing gelcoat chips. Buyers typically assess how much work they need to do before they make an offer, and a lot of small faults can give the impression that other more important but less visible areas of the boat may also be neglected.

MAKE IT SPOTLESS 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

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REMEMBER THE BILGE

SCRUB THE HULLS Growth on a boat’s hulls indicates it has not been used for a fair while and may subsequently be neglected. Clean your hulls regularly before and during the boat’s sale campaign so they are sure to sparkle when a buyer comes looking and your boat performs well on a sea trial. Also keep records onboard of the last lift and antifoul conducted.

CHECK YOUR SYSTEMS Be sure your engines, generators, rigging, electrical and all operating systems are in good working order. Attending to any issues

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before you advertise will prevent costly delays or price reductions throughout the sales process.

DON’T EXPIRE Check, replace or repair any safety items that are out of date or need attention, including fire extinguishers, flares, lifejackets, first aid kits and EPIRBS, etc. Most buyers want to buy a boat that is ready to just step onboard and sail away, and they will be deterred if they need to buy new items. Expired, faulty or missing items can also be used as bargaining chips to reduce your asking price.

GET YOUR BOOKS IN ORDER Buyers want to be assured the boat has been well maintained and is correctly registered. Check service logs are up to date and prepare a folder with all maintenance receipts, registration and insurance papers, survey reports, mechanical logs, rigging services and any other relevant documents.

LOCATION IS KEY Just like buying a house, location is everything when selling your boat. Choose the best possible place to base your boat for sale, whether it is in a broker’s marina with excellent exposure and easy access for buyers or at a specialised site such as Multihull Solutions’ permanent Out-of-Water Boat Show at the dynamic marine precinct of The Boat Works on the Gold Coast.

Attending to any issues before you advertise will prevent costly delays throughout the sales process.

AIR IT OUT Whenever and wherever possible, arrange to have someone open and check over your boat at least an hour before a buyer’s inspection to make it feel fresher and airy.

A good broker will ensure this is always done and will check that your boat is in immaculate condition so the buyer gets a great first impression.

BE SURVEY READY Remember that 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 that could turn into future issues, and give a detailed picture of the overall health of the vessel.

It’s an important valuation tool for buyers, so make sure your boat is in the best possible condition pre-survey to reflect the value in its asking price.

Sell with the Best Choosing a broker to sell your multihull is an important decision.

You want to achieve the best result in a reasonable timeframe and enjoy an honest, professional and stressfree sales experience. So don’t look further than Multihull Solutions.

Our Brokerage team is the industry leader with a proven sales record, years of experience, and an ocean of testimonials from satisfied clients.

Multihull Specialists Multihull Solutions exclusively sells multihulls so your boat listing won’t drown in a sea of monohull advertisements. Instead, your boat will be professionally promoted to an extensive market of genuine multihull buyers.

Proven Sales Success With an average of two boat sales every week, Multihull Solutions is defying industry trends and recording outstanding sales results, year after year.

Choice and Unbiased Advice Unlike most multihull dealers, we do not sell just one brand. We list boats from a wide range of reputable Australian and 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 with a great result.

Extensive Distribution Network With easily accessible sales centres in prime marine locations throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, we attract a high rate of walk-in buyers and promote your boat to a huge target market.

We also work with a strong international network of sales agents, including the USA, UK and Europe so your boat is seen across the world.

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Top: Multihull Solutions’ Out-of-Water Boat Show is set in The Boat Works marine precinct on the Gold Coast.

Exceptional Service Our service includes assessment and valuation of your boat, assistance with inventory, photography, administrative advice including information on customs, taxes and duties, utility conversions, and importation and exportation options. We offer suggestions on the best location from which to sell your boat, provide regular feedback on buyer interest, and evaluation reports on the campaign’s progress.

Exposure in our Year-Round Boat Shows We strongly recommend relocating your vessel to one of our successful sales centres on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast, New Zealand, Tahiti or Thailand, which attract a huge number buyers. From here, we can ensure your vessel is well looked after, ready for inspection, and receives any maintenance or service needed.

Comprehensive Sales Website The Multihull Solutions website is Asia Pacific’s premier site for multihull boat

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sales and resources. Our Brokerage listings are viewed by a massive audience, and the individual strategic marketing campaigns we implement ensure continued weekly exposure.

Extensive Online Exposure Throughout Asia Pacific We also list all of our pre-owned multihulls on leading marina sales and brokerage websites throughout Australia, the Pacific, Asia and New Zealand. These leading sites include boatpoint, boatsales, yachthub, yacht and boat, boatsonline, boatsonsale, Trade Me NZ and many more. Updated regularly, these listings ensure your vessel enjoys maximum exposure to the region’s boat buyers.

Worldwide Presence Multihull Solutions is also affiliated with a worldwide broker network and we list all our multihulls for sale on the largest international online brokerage centres yachtworld.com and multiyb.com to provide you with the best opportunities for a successful sale.

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Our team has extensive experience selling a wide range of multihull makes and models.

Quality Buyer Database Our huge and constantly growing database of genuine and qualified buyers allows us to efficiently match your multihull for sale with clients who have registered interest in boats of that particular specification.

Regular e-newsletters are also sent to our database advising of the latest boats listed for sale in our Brokerage division, so your multihull will start attracting interest as soon as you list it for sale.

Professional Marketing Campaigns Multihull Solutions runs strategic marketing campaigns to maximise exposure for our brand as well as our new and pre-owned boat sales. These activities include advertising in premier marine print publications, event sponsorship, production of exclusive glossy sales brochures, high-quality signage, professional window displays and ongoing public relations activities.

Numberous Boat Shows We attend more boat shows in the Asia Pacific region than any other multihull sales competitor, with dedicated Brokerage displays to showcase our pre-owned multihulls to a captured buyer market.

Experienced Team With a wealth of experience in multihulls, we’re passionate about helping you sell your boat to the right buyer for the right price.

A Partner You Can Trust Multihull Solutions offers security for sellers with our Boating Industry Association Australia membership, Marine Queensland accreditation, licensed Brokerage status, and a trust account to ensure peace of mind in secure financial transactions.

GET IN TOUCH 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 Multihull Solutions managing the successful sale of your boat, contact us today.

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Diving in the

DEEP

END

By Caroline Strainig

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F

or most of us, the dream of cruising into the sunset stems from a longheld love of sailing, but for Michael and Marita Lysaght the sailing part of the equation was a last-minute addition.

Long-time powerboaters, the retired Sydney couple decided it was time to purchase their dream boat - a sailing catamaran - and do some extended cruising around the world. But they didn’t let a lack of serious sailing experience deter them from taking delivery of their new Lucia 40 from the Fountaine Pajot factory in France’s La Rochelle and embarking on an ambitious overseas cruise straight away.

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Top: Michael and Marita at Cala Covas in Menorca, Spain.

Michael and Marita said the change from power to sail was made for pragmatic reasons as well as the extra element sailing would add to their cruising.

“We wanted to travel longer distances without the fuel costs of a power boat,” Michael said.

They chose a Lucia 40 because it was a large volume, comfortable boat but still easily managed by two inexperienced sailors.

Initially, they thought they would take delivery in Australia and cruise the east coast, but once Multihulls Solutions offered them the opportunity to pick up their new boat directly from the shipyard in France they changed their minds.

“Our spirit of adventure was immediately ignited when we learnt of that option and we knew there was no other way for us to purchase this boat,” Marita said.

To prepare for their adventure Michael enrolled in some sailing courses in Sydney

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and had obtained his RYA offshore skipper qualification by the time they left for France.

They also booked one-on-one lessons on their catamaran – which they called Let’s Dance – with Alain Girard Sailing in La Rochelle after taking delivery of the boat from the Fountaine Pajot shipyard.

“These lessons were invaluable and probably the best euros we spent in Europe,” Marita said. “Alain quickly realised Michael had some ideas about sailing as opposed to me having no clue. Therefore, he started with me learning all the essential knots while he concentrated on teaching Michael the rigging for the boat.

“Three days of lessons, lessons and more lessons and we were as ready as we could be to cross the Bay of Biscay from France to northern Spain – a three-day passage for our first solo voyage.”

The couple say the sail training did add to the list of tasks they had to do when

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“The team at Multihull Solutions was brilliant with their support and were there in La Rochelle to pick us up and ensure that everything went smoothly with the handover.”

commissioning Let’s Dance, but they were already experienced boaters and found the whole process quite achievable. However, they do recommend paying the additional fee for the handover support package offered by Multihull Solutions.

“The team at Multihull Solutions were brilliant with their support and were there in La Rochelle to pick us up and ensure that everything went smoothly with the handover,” Michael said.

“There was a lot more work involved than we realised, but having them guiding and facilitating the process for us was invaluable.

And not forgetting, language can be quite a barrier in France along with the cultural differences,” he said Marita said they were also grateful for the tremendous support they received from the wider sailing community.

“Not only does the sailing community welcome newcomers and offer wonderful friendships, but they gave us essential information on everything from navigating to weather, boat maintenance tips and where the best places were to visit,” she said.

“No question is too naive for this community. They become like your second family and really made our transition from

power boats to sail boats easy.”

And, having made the change from power to sail, the couple are adamant they wouldn’t go back.

“We enjoy the little bit of physicality involved in sailing, and there’s a definite sense of accomplishment associated with sailing to a destination that you don’t get by motoring, as well as the obvious savings we made on fuel,” Michael said.

Since picking up their Lucia 40 in 2017, they have sailed down the coast of Spain and Portugal, into the Mediterranean and as far as the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca) before returning to Gibraltar to spend winter outside the Schengen zone.

Recently they departed Gibraltar to cruise further into the Mediterranean. Long term, the couple plans to gradually make their way back to Australia.

“Sailing back through the Sydney heads will be an incredible moment – the culmination of an amazing adventure,” Marita said.

Discover more about the Lysaghts and follow their cruising adventures onboard Let’s Dance with their travel blog at letsdancelucia. wixsite.com/travel-blog and their YouTube channel Let’s Dance Sailing.

Left: Let’s Dance is launched in La Rochelle in France.

TRAVEL ALONG You can also read stories of other owners’ cruising adventures at multihullsolutions. com.au/ownersstories

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SCOUT

world

AROUND THE

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Follow the early stages of novice sailors Natalie and Mike King’s journey as they turn the kernel of a cruising dream into a remarkable adventure collecting their NEEL 45 trimaran Scout ex-factory from France and sailing her back to Australia.

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our fifties, so although there was no great rush we became swiftly obsessed with how to turn the dream into a reality. This is the story of how we are making it happen. It has not been a whimsical notion. The last two years have been spent studying books and blogs, searching the net and doing a bit of sailing, all in readiness to depart from France in two years. We know we have a lot more work to do but are inspired by the people before us who have done similar voyages. Today marks the day that all our deliberations have paid off - big decisions have been made and now we put it all into action.

March 12, 2015 The dream started for me two years ago when Mike said he’d always wanted to own a yacht. My interest was piqued immediately; I’ve always loved the idea of sailing and being near the water, but neither of us have had much sailing experience. Our lives are pretty hectic. Mike is employed full time and I run our family business. We also have a farm in NSW and six children. The only way we wanted to own a yacht was to make sure we would have the time to enjoy it.

We decided fairly quickly that our dream scenario would be to buy a new yacht and fulfil the adventure side at the same time: buy it in France and sail it back to Australia. But how could we possibly make this happen? Our two youngest were just finishing high school and we were entering

March 31, 2015 The last two weeks have been an exciting, tumultuous, sleep-deprived fortnight. But in a nutshell, we bought a boat - a NEEL 45 trimaran, which we’ve commissioned to be built in La Rochelle. The deposit has been paid and contracts signed. We pick it up in March 2017 and start our adventure, eventually heading to Australia. We’ve put our business and farm equipment up for sale.

Mike’s employer has granted two lots of six month’s leave so we’re free to sail the Med for two seasons, put the boat on the hard for the in-between seasons and make plans for how we will continue our voyage. We met with Mark Elkington of Multihull Solutions today as they are the Asia Pacific agents for NEEL. It was great to share our excitement and he officially welcomed us to the cruising multihull world. It is starting to feel real!

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Top: Mike and Nat running a marathon from Nice to Cannes.

April 3, 2015 Naming a boat is no easy feat. It has to be a name that encompasses many concepts you feel strongly about and stand the test of time. We both liked the idea of a girl’s name but wanted it to be strong and feisty, see us safely through adventure and times of trouble, but also be soft and sweet when just cruising along. We wanted it to embrace exploration and adventure and be short, sharp and succinct. A lot to ask for in a name!

We deliberated for weeks. To Kill A Mockingbird is one of our favourite books and the characters resonated with us. Scout was feisty, trusting, endearing and warmed our hearts when we read the book at school.

Adding to this is the imagery of a scout going ahead to explore and discover.

On a practical note, the boat’s name usually adorns a trimaran’s centre hull. It’s not a very wide area, so a short name is a perfect fit.

Scout: I don’t think we could have picked a better name.

November 24, 2016 We’ve had a busy 18 months and are on track for our March 2017 departure. It’s been a whirlwind of changes and developments, but

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I can confidently say it is all coming together, perhaps even better than we may have planned. Eighteen months ago, the prospect of what we had to do seemed daunting and our two-year timeframe seemed endless, but time has gone by so fast and everything seems to have naturally fallen into place.

We knew we needed additional training to give us confidence in sailing offshore and handling a larger boat. Mike has attended two live-aboard offshore courses, attained his RYA Day Skipper qualification and gained experience with both passage planning and hands-on practice, while I completed my RYA Competent Crew qualification.

The new year arrived and I also decided to become conversational in French. We have, of course, a French boat and what better way to get to know her and her builders and environment than to learn the local language.

We’ve spent endless days reading blogs and watching informative YouTube cruising videos, plus countless hours researching all the conflicting information on everything from what anchor to buy to what bedsheets are best in the tropics. I don’t think we have turned on the television for 18 months!

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December 1, 2016

January 30, 2017

With two weeks’ annual leave, we visited Scout in La Rochelle for the second time in 18 months. It was great to meet NEEL CEO Eric Bruneel and his team and it confirmed to us that we were right in choosing a NEEL 45. It is a very industrious and impressive factory!

To help with the production schedule of the latest generation of NEEL Trimarans, the new 51, we agreed for Scout to be built earlier than planned and this was done a few

As Australians we are limited to how long we can spend in Europe or the areas designated as the Schengen Zone. We are allowed 90 days in any 180-day period, which is a problem if you want to stay in Europe for more than three months. For us the solution is to apply for long-stay visa in Greece. Today we were granted an extended-stay visa in Greece for eight months to cover the seven months we want to spend in Europe this year. This allows us three months we would normally get in Europe and then an additional five months to spend in Greece. The downside, we have to move from France to Greece in three months. The upside is we get to spend a leisurely four months cruising the Greek Isles without worrying about whether we are complying with the Schengen visa.

“We have lots of mixed emotions, but we’re thrilled to have Scout as our new home and the world waiting for us to explore.” months ago. With the horrendous freight charges between Australia and France, it was also an opportunity to use a generous 60kg flight baggage allowance and move some things onboard. To cap it off, Timothé Bruneel offered to take us out for a sail. It was fantastic! We couldn’t wipe the smiles from our faces for days.

The time in La Rochelle also let us make contact with chandleries, open an account and search local stores for purchases next March. We certainly feel better prepared for our arrival next year and can do some online shopping from home in the meantime.

We had a wonderful time in France. We visited our friends in Champagne and finished the trip by running a marathon along the amazing coastline from Nice to Cannes.

Top: Mike gets the keys to Scout after the official handover with NEEL Trimarans in La Rochelle.

March 2, 2017 We’ve arrived in La Rochelle and the journey is beginning. Lots of mixed emotions, but we’re thrilled to have Scout as our new home and the world waiting for us to explore.

Getting Scout registered before we left was very challenging. An Australian vessel travelling internationally has to be registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

We had been forewarned that it does takes a while and it’s a heads up for those following in our footsteps. Original paperwork has to come from the boatbuilder, and make sure they provide the correct form. Right down to the wire and even with Australia Post losing our original boatbuilder’s certificate, Scout is now registered - one day after we left!

In 30-degree temperatures and with our sailing jackets on to optimise luggage allowance, we managed to get through checkin without any dreaded extra freight charges.

We had chosen to fly into Geneva and then drove to La Rochelle. We found Scout waiting in the harbour for us and did a quick drop-in at NEEL. Timothé escorted us to the boat and handed us the keys. We fell in love with her all over again.

I got straight into nesting mode and started unpacking and adding to a long list of things to buy. Mike sifted through all the manuals and Timothé explained systems to him. I could tell Mike was going to have a lot to digest over the next few days and we were not in a rush to go sailing yet. Besides the weather was not so nice and Timothé said Scout had to be moved that afternoon into the marina, which was a little more private with better facilities.

We took her out for a 30-minute motor around to the marina with Mike at the helm scooting through the loch and under the two raised bridges. Eric Bruneel joined us also. We appreciate how lucky we are to also have Eric and Timothé Bruneel directly involved with the handover of Scout and cannot fault NEEL Trimarans for their excellent service.

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March 12, 2017 We’ve had a ridiculously busy week in La Rochelle, completely underestimating how much was involved in getting a boat equipped. The good news is that it’s just about done and next week we’re going to sink our teeth into some sailing practice. The week started with horrendous weather. La tempête Zeus arrived across France and left a trail of destruction in its wake. The wind and waves in the marina were crazy with gusts over 50 knots. It didn’t dampen our enthusiasm; we just kept doing the things that had to be done.

We were honoured to be invited by Eric Bruneel to inspect his new NEEL 51, which was launched this week. Wow! What a difference six feet makes in a boat. It is huge and very luxuriously appointed. Were we jealous? No, the NEEL 45 is perfect for us.

We managed to get out for a few sails and for the first time by ourselves. Winds ranged from 20 knots to very calm seven knots. Mike is managing well and we’ve had some fairly difficult manoeuvres getting on and off a parallel-parked dock. We’re getting lots of advice and assistance from other boat owners who come to our aid when they see us. I’m sure they’re just terrified we are going to hit their boats, but we are very grateful! The outcome is that we are not ready yet to set off by ourselves. We’re hoping to back up that which has already been learned with another round of sail training in La Rochelle.

March 20, 2017 Another week has passed and for a few reasons we still haven’t been able to make that leap to our first destination. It has, however, been quite pleasant and productive despite the stagnation. We’ve used this time to keep stocking the boat and build our sailing skills and systems. We had two full-day lessons with Alain Girard, which proved invaluable. Alain has shared his systems and sailing procedures with us and we’ve learnt a lot about Scout and how to sail and manoeuvre her, both at sea and docking. We’ve obtained advice on fender management and position, marks on halyards and sheets for the raising of the mainsail and reefs – all things that we had not considered and appreciate now how it will benefit us.

We also bought a Brompton collapsible bike. We chose not to get a watermaker or washing machine installed on Scout, so even just getting bottled water back and forth from a store almost 2kms away was difficult. This bike, which we have called Atticus, is perfect.

It folds to fit into one of our lockers and will be easy to get on and off our tender.

This Wednesday (my 52nd birthday) is our planned departure to Spain. I hope we can celebrate it crossing the Bay of Biscay. Mike checks the forecasted weather patterns twice

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Top: The port of La Rochelle.

Bottom: Mike rests during a rough crossing to Spain.

a day, but they keep changing. It’s going to be a matter of picking it the night before because of the variables in changing weather and swells. Personally, I have loved La Rochelle and enjoyed using my French and getting used to living onboard, but it is definitely time to get going.

March 25, 2017 What a ride! There is no storm, just huge winds, but we are being tossed around like we’re inside a washing machine. I can’t see outside as it is dark and we lost our wind instruments 12 hours ago, so we can’t definitively tell what the wind is doing or where it’s coming from. We are no longer seasick, but this would have to be the worst ride I could ever have imagined. Our outer hulls sound like they’re smashing into the sea, and I can’t sleep.

We are not scared. I feel very secure and safe in Scout. We have no leaks or damage, and I have no idea how this experience rates to other experienced sailors. It is probably

FEATURE STORY

Left: Mike flies the flag for Australia as they prepare to depart France.

“I knew we would have to develop bravery and tenacity when we first considered this voyage, but I never considered patience.” normal for the Bay of Biscay – I just hope it isn’t normal conditions for future legs.

Challenging conditions began once we rounded île d’Oléron. We had one reef in the mainsail, and with the genoa out we sailed at about 9 knots until 1800. We took seasickness tablets before departure and felt pretty good. First night we ended up motoring as there was not enough wind, but still the sea was confused. Our first night shifts began.

Not quite the confident sailor, I was dreading it. What if I did something wrong or missed something critical or the wind changed during my shift? Fortunately, with only the motor powering us, there was not much that could go wrong. The next morning the waves were larger, some at four metres, and I became

seasick. I couldn’t hold down tablets and ended up applying a ‘mal de mer’ patch. They are amazing. They last three days and I have felt fine ever since. They are not available in Australia and I will definitely be ordering more from New Zealand. Time seems to have no meaning or relevance during a passage. Sleep is grabbed when you can, and it is either light or dark. You must be awake for your shift and meals are heated when conditions allow (I’m glad I did all the cooking before I left). I can now only relate to how long we have till we reach our destination.

It’s now 3am and the seas have settled a bit. Still rocking and rolling but none of the huge crashing and banging that was going on at midnight. We have only the jib out and the wind is coming from behind. We are comfortably sitting between 6 and 8 knots.

The chart plotter shows me there is some other crazy sailor beside us about 9 miles away on the same heading. It is comforting to know that someone else is out here and the conditions must not be too bad at all. Maybe we will see them in A Coruña.

Am I enjoying this? It is hard to say. I am not terrified, just uncomfortable. But I did know that was always going to be part of the experience. Yesterday I wasn’t so good but seasickness can dampen anyone’s experience.

Tonight it is different. I am certainly more relaxed during my shift and, in fact, I think I’m enjoying it. During the day, being couped up inside has its limits but now sitting up at the helmstation in the dark, it’s very peaceful.

The wind has dropped off a bit, which is good. Mike was concerned we were going too fast and may arrive in the dark, but we’re going to go wide around the cape into Spain and take our time with hopefully a controlled arrival. Looking forward to tapas and sangria!

PS: The crew of the boat beside us during the passage were at port when we arrived at A Coruña. They are professional crew moving new catamarans to Croatia for each summer.

He said the crossing was one of better ones, and they got caught in the storms which we had avoided. So there you go, I had no idea what was considered a bad crossing after all!

April 5, 2017 I knew we would have to develop bravery and tenacity when we first considered sailing around the world, but I never considered patience. It’s a virtue we’ve had to happily embrace and practise in our first month,

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Below and opposite: The dramatic city of Porto with steep, winding paths to locals’ front doors.

particularly during our time in A Coruña.

We arrived after a 55-hour crossing from La Rochelle and were eager to get off the boat as we approached a marina. A man signalled us in: “Welcome, welcome!” But no, wait! Someone else has to move first. We made another circuit around the entrance and then we were in. “No problema!” A muchused phrase over the next week and sure to become part of our everyday cruising life. Our fellow trans-Bay of Biscay sailors confirmed what Mike had already deduced: we would have to wait another week until we could leave. No problema!

We loved A Coruña and the slower pace of life where everything is mañana (tomorrow).

The marina is right in the middle of the city.

Little laneways are filled with people ambling without a care in the world. I loved practising my Spanish and conversations with the marina manager who spoke little English were fun.

The weather forced us and our fellow sailors, the delivery crew, to stay in A Coruña for the week. If they weren’t leaving earlier despite their strict delivery timeframes, we certainly wouldn’t either. We filled the week walking around the town, getting back into some running and visiting Santiago de Compostela.

But now I’m sitting at our inside helmstation on our way to Porto in Portugal. It is 2.30am.

With our son James onboard, we have two-

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hour watches with four-hour rests. The wind has dropped, it’s a clear night and we’re motoring at six knots. We’ve just crossed into Portugal. Unlike our last crossing there are beautiful lights to guide us on our way.

Narrow coastal cities are beautifully lit yellow and white along the beaches. What I imagine to be steep rising mountains behind have red lights adorning the top. Warm, friendly white lights shine from headland lighthouses.

There are no stars out tonight, but a calm peacefulness with the engine purring and the sound of the waves moving over the hulls. It is magical. I am in no rush to get to Porto. I’m loving this new life: slow, calm and patient.

April 9, 2017 It’s always exciting arriving in a new port: coming round a headland, entering a river, not sure what is round the next corner, excited to explore. And Portugal, with its three ports that we visited, did not disappoint.

Our first destination was Porto. The view as we approached the marina was grand! I knew that Porto was a city of bridges, but there, right in front of our marina, was bridge number one. These bridges set the scene for the rest of our visit. We walked into town 3km along the river, and around each corner were amazed by the view. Porto is set along steep banks up from the river, thus the need for

FEATURE STORY

these six very high bridges. Lots of tourists didn’t dampen our enthusiasm as we explored the sights and indulged in too much seafood and wine. A highlight was stumbling across a local football club with their verandah bar perched over the river. It’s set on a path that is constructed entirely of steps. Walking up the path you pass people’s front doors, see into their lives and wonder how these little old ladies tackle this steep path every day!

We said goodbye to James in Porto and set off for a 24-hour crossing to Cascais. Ten minutes out of Porto, we couldn’t believe the amount of fishing pots everywhere – there was one about every square kilometre! The Minesweeper computer game came to mind as we dodged and weaved our way out to sea. We did have an altercation with one, and the noise as it scraped between our hulls was sickening. We decided to get out as far as possible where we could safely navigate our way south.

A memorable moment was when we

“We exist independently of everything else, but I love plotting our location in relationship to it.”

rounded Cabo Da Roca. This is the most western point of mainland Europe and where the world believed, for many centuries from Roman times, was the end of the earth. It is aptly named ‘Land’s End’. Well, we rounded that cape and thought we had reached the end of the earth. Crazy wind change, high seas – we bashed and crashed for the next few hours into Cascais. We were covered in salt, and Mike was exhausted after the lengthy check-in procedure at the marina.

Cascais is a beautiful town: quaint with immaculate houses and interesting lanes that wind around inlet beaches. The town buzzed with tourists, and I’m glad we weren’t there in the heart of summer. It was a very busy, expensive marina with dreadful internet.

Our next sail was a nine-hour day trip to Sines. It was the first time Mike really got to relax and enjoy sailing Scout. Not only was he becoming used to her, but we had some favourable winds where we could just sail for a change instead of battling to get where we wanted to go. We arrived in Sines relaxed and high on the thrill of our ongoing adventure.

We loved Sines, a small town perched high on a headland with a beach and harbour below it. It’s so high there’s even a lift from the city ridge down to the beach. From the sea, you approach two rock walls and round the inlet into a pretty harbour - another delightful surprise. The weather window forced us to wait here for four days and we couldn’t have picked a better place to rest.

We were regrouping for our next big passage, a 48-hour hop to Gibraltar.

April 13, 2017 We planned to depart Sines at a time that would have us arrive at the Straits at dawn.

Sines has a Customs department so we could check out of the Schengen Zone to head to non-Schengen Gibraltar. This would help us preserve the 90 days we are limited to in Europe. Gibraltar is a big hangout for nonEuropeans also trying to comply with the policy. So we’d have two days’ sailing and perhaps three days in Gibraltar, and another two days’ sail until in Spain again.

The early afternoon began with no breeze.

Although we were motoring it was lovely to be out on the glassy sea. By 3pm we were sailing in perfect conditions: full sails out and comfortably doing 8 knots. Mike was meant to be resting but couldn’t help taking the helm, wanting to constantly trim the sails to learn more about how Scout responds. It was our most delightful afternoon so far, and at this rate we’d in Gibraltar well before planned.

Just over a month into this sailing life and I’m loving it. While discovering different places and cultures is fantastic, I’m mostly loving getting there by sail and learning new skills. I’ve always liked numbers, procedures and maps, and even though I knew would love

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FEATURE STORY

“For the next 90 minutes, I motored directly into the moon’s rising path - a truly memorable moment!”

the obvious wind-in-my-hair analogy, what I enjoy more than expected is increasing my understanding of wind angles, bearings and headings, the difference between true and apparent wind speed, and keeping a log. We have our own little world on this boat and exist independently of everything else, but I love plotting our location in relationship to it.

That evening we made it to Cabo Sao Vincente, the southwestern point of Portugal, where we start turning east towards the Straits of Gibraltar and the Med. We had to go around two headlands to get on this heading and arrived at the first on sunset.

A majestic lighthouse had just turned on its beam. The sun was setting to our right as we made our way around the cape, and as soon as we turned we could see the second headland with a full moon rising over it. It was breathtaking! The wind had disappeared so we dropped the sails and became what we fondly call MV Scout. For the next 90 minutes, I motored directly into the moon’s rising path - a truly memorable moment!

But shortly after, that tranquillity was shattered. We hit a net or fishing pot – what a fright! A loud crash, then a sickening noise from the engine as the prop churned with something wrapped around it. There was also a loud banging as the float attached to the pot hit the hull. Immediately Mike turned off the engine and tried it in reverse, but no luck.

We just couldn’t get free or see it underneath.

No engine, no wind and not much choice but to drift eight hours until daybreak. As a positive, there was no wind, no current, calm seas and we were only three nautical

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Top: Mike and Nat enjoy a paella lunch in Ibiza.

miles from shore. I had always wanted to go to Lagos, and here we were bobbing off the coast. We may even have to pull in there for repairs. There was a full moon and pretty lights illuminating the coast. Mike and I took turns sleeping and lit the boat up like a Christmas tree so no one would run into us.

At dawn, Mike braved the cold and dived under to cut free the float from a fishing net, and we were soon underway again.

We were eight hours behind schedule so decided to motor more than planned and set course for the remaining passage at an average of seven knots.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, although I became completely paranoid about fishing nets and pots and my eyes were always peeled. Mike woke me on Thursday morning at the start of the Straits of Gibraltar. We had both been looking forward to it and he didn’t want me to miss it.

The sea was choppy with currents escaping unevenly from the narrow channel of water between two large land masses. There wasn’t as much ship traffic as I’d anticipated, but there was one of the largest freighters I had ever seen with containers stacked about six high! On our right was Africa and on our left was Europe. At its narrowest, the channel is only 14 kms.

Gibraltar was spectacular on approach.

With the hazy morning it reminded me of Hong Kong: low visibility, steep cliffs, tall buildings and, of course, lots of ships in the harbour. Unfortunately, Gibraltar was not to be. There was no room at the marina, which was unsurprising as it’s popular for those with visa restrictions like us. It was the same just over the border into Spain where both marinas were full. Never mind. We were so excited to be in the Mediterranean that we decided to keep on going. The Costa del Sol was waiting for us!

CONTINUE FOLLOWING SCOUT’S JOURNEY Website: scoutaroundtheworld.com Facebook: facebook.com/scoutaroundtheworld Instagram: @scoutaroundtheworld Youtube channel: Scout Around the World

ASIA CATAMARANS Stealth Designs

True performance cruising catamarans in both sail and power - designed and built to individual needs

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HAVEN

Cruising sailors looking for a pitstop are spoilt for choice in the Asia Pacific region. Here’s a selection of some of the top marinas with facilities and services that rival the world’s best.

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FEATURE STORY

AUSTRALIA

ABELL POINT MARINA, WHITSUNDAYS

Abell Point Marina, QLD Voted 2017 Marina of the Year, this 507 wet-berth marina in the Whitsundays can accommodate vessels up to 80m and has a range of premium services, including a fleet of concierge cars, private helipads, welcome vessel, dockhand concierge and new Ocean Club floating customer lounge. The vibrant marina precinct contains a wealth of marine services, tourism operators and dining options. abellpointmarina.com.au

The Boat Works, QLD ‘Australia’s Greatest Boatyard’, The Boat Works also has an extensive range of marina berths of various sizes making it ideal for travelling yachties needing to do some maintenance.

Home to the Multihull Solutions Gold Coast Sales

Centre, this immaculate facility offers work berths at no extra cost, free power and water, a fabulous restaurant, laundry, ensuites, security surveillance, safe parking and an astonishing array of marine trades all onsite. theboatworks.com.au

Mooloolaba Marina, QLD The setting for Multihull Solutions’ head office, this picturesque marina is located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. A comprehensive range of marine services is available within a short distance, including boatyards, chandleries, fuel, marine mechanics, shipwrights, riggers and sailmakers. The new Pier 33 restaurant and bar is a beautiful spot to enjoy a meal and cocktails overlooking the river entrance. mooloolabamarina.com.au

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Sanctuary Cove, QLD This world-class marina welcomes everything from sports cruisers to super yachts. It is an all-weather harbour with a focus on premium marine services and excellent restaurants.

Multihull Solutions’ Gold Coast Sales Centre is also conveniently located just around the corner. The marina functions as the gateway to both the Coomera River and the Gold Coast Broadwater, and the Gold Coast seaway provides direct access to the Pacific Ocean. sanctuarycove.com/marina

Breakwater Marina, QLD Overlooking Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay, Townsville’s Breakwater Marina has a protected oceanfront, which is perfect for both long and short term visitors. The team has an emphasis on customer service and provides a range of multihull and monohull berths for all shapes and sizes. breakwatermarina.com.au

Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, QLD Australia’s most awarded marina and shipyard with the most comprehensive marine facilities in the southern hemisphere. It features berths for vessels up to 65m, undercover dry-stack storage, haul-out facilities, a 50,000m2 shipyard/hardstand, refit sheds, work berths, keel pit and numerous marine-related trades onsite. Concierge service can assist with immigration and clearance, plus there’s free shuttles to Brisbane and Gold Coast airports. gccm.com.au

Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club, QLD Moreton Bay offers a true boating and social environment. It plays host to events and activities all year round and is a hit with sailors who like to mingle and meet new friends. The marina offers state-of-the-art floating docks with high-tech security features plus fuel facilities, hardstand area and boat servicing trades. Featuring specially designed multihull berths, the marina recently expanded but demand for space is high so book in advance. mbtbc.com.au

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, NSW Boasting a safe all-weather deep harbour entrance and a modern 180-berth floating marina only minutes from the heads and Tasman Sea, NCYC is the perfect east coast stopover for vessels up to 30m. Being a major shipping port, Newcastle is also an official Port of Entry & AQIS clearance destination for boat imports and customs clearances and departures. Access to reputable marine trades is easy as a result of Newcastle’s semi-industrial economy and shipbuilding history. ncyc.net.au

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Top: The Boat Works, QLD. Below: Sanctuary Cove.

Opposite: Phuket Boat Lagoon.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay, NSW With its beautiful setting on Sydney’s magnificent Pittwater, this is widely recognised as one of Australia’s premier yacht clubs.

Permanent and casual berths are available in the marina, which has 218 fixed berths, 49 swing moorings and a 300m floating breakwall. There is access to a range of services from fuel sales, onboard catering, slipway facilities and onsite marine trade services. royalmotor.com.au

St Kilda Marina, VIC Melbourne’s largest marina facilities with berthing options for up to 500 vessels. Located within the vibrant heart of St Kilda, the marina is just ten minutes to the CBD and steps away from a cosmopolitan dining scene. There is 24-hour fuel available and onsite trades include engine repairs, shipwright, marine trimming, detailer and more. stkildamarina.net.au

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NEW ZEALAND Marsden Cove Marina, Whangarei Home to the Multihull Solutions New Zealand Sales Centre where an extensive array of new and pre-owned multihulls are on display, this impressive facility is conveniently just 90 minutes north of Auckland. Set in the heart of some of the region’s most breathtaking cruising grounds, the 230-berth marina also offers a Customs services for international boaties, fuel dock, retail stores and complete tidal access to and from the marina Construction is also underway for a new haul-out service and hardstand facility that will make it arguably one of the nation’s leading marinas. marsdencovemarina.co.nz

Bayswater Marina, Auckland Auckland’s newest and most modern marina boasting 419 full-length finger berths, the facility is located on Waitemata Harbour directly across from the Auckland CBD. Enjoy the internet and lounge facility, power and water to all berths, wifi, advanced CCTV and security system, 7-day ferry service to Auckland, 24/7 self-serve fuel and diesel, plus much more. bayswater.co.nz

THAILAND Phuket Boat Lagoon

Port Geographe Marina, WA Just six kilometres north of Busselton, this marina provides one of the few sheltered havens for boaters on this coast. Featuring 290 berths positioned within a man-made harbour, Port Geographe Marina provides all-weather security with easy access to the Indian Ocean. There’s also a host of marine services either onsite or nearby as well as a well-equipped haul-out and hardstand facility. portgeographemarina.com.au

Derwent Sailing Squadron Marina, TAS With capacity for 271 vessels, this marina is the largest and most technically advanced in Tasmania. With both fixed pile and floating berths, it caters for small yachts through to 30m superyachts, powerboats and multihulls.

The marina is located in Sandy Bay next to Wrest Point Casino and just a 20-minute walk to the famous Salamanca dining precinct. dssinc.org.au

A full-service marina in southern Thailand with 180 berths in the water, 144 on the hardstand and 30 dry stacking bays. The marina is home to one of Multihull Solutions’ Phuket Sales Centres and offers a full service department.

Other facilities include a fuel dock, three travel lifts, a large work area and a concrete boat ramp. All berths feature power and water facilities. Wifi, hot showers and changing room facilities are available at the lively 270room resort. phuketboatlagoon.com

Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket At the gateway to spectacular Phang Nga Bay, this marina has 24-hour access and zero tide restrictions. The 300-berth marina has wide walkways while dockside has shore power to a max of 400 amps, high-tech reverse osmosis water system and high-capacity fuel dock. A state-of-the-art haul-out facility and hardstand are available, and the marina also boasts restaurants, bars, pool, gym, shopping and first-class accommodation. The marina is the site of the Multihull Solutions Thailand Charter Investment office. aopograndmarina.com

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FEATURE STORY

SINGAPORE

FIJI

ONE°15 Marina, Sentosa Cove

Port Denarau Marina, Denarau Island

Evoking the glamour of Monte Carlo, ONE°15 Marina offers world-class facilities with luxurious private club amenities catering to both boaters and non-boaters alike. The marina has 270 wet berths, 24-hour security, 100amp 3-phase power, wifi and chandlery. one15marina.com

Only 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport, Port Denarau Marina is Fiji’s premier marina facility. The fast-developing marina complex is the centre of Fiji’s yachting activity and accessed through a well-marked channel that is 5m deep at zero tide. The basin contains 52 fully serviced berths and 14 swing moorings. Fuel, water, single and three-phase power and wifi are all available at the dock, and the complex contains a 50-tonne travel lift, hard stand area and marine workshops. denaraumarina.com

MALAYSIA Royal Langkawi Yacht Club This award-winning 250-berth marina accommodates superyachts up to 90m and is just 2km from the town centre, which has dutyfree shops, banks, post office, hardware stores and more. Pontoons have power, fuel and water supply plus free wifi. langkawiyachtclub.com

Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu Nestled between the South China Sea fronting tropical islands and the majestic Mount Kinabalu, Sutera Harbour is a 384-acre resort with an easily accessible and well protected marina. Extensive facilities are available for visiting cruisers, but book well in advance! suteraharbour.com

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Musket Cove Marina, Malolo Lailai Musket Cove is renowned for its sheltered yacht club, marina berths, moorings and sailing grounds and regularly attracts cruising yachties from all over the world. Facilities include a trader store, fuelling service and a regular ferry service to Denarau. musketcovefiji.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION on marinas around the Asia Pacific region visit marinaguides.com

Above: ONE°15 Marina.

Top left: Breakwater Marina.

Bottom left: Port Denarau Marina.

THE FIRST GLOBAL 5 GOLD ANCHOR ACCREDITED MARINA IN THE WORLD.

Oysters and champagne at sunset would really float my boat.

Great idea. I’ll call ahead to Abell Point.

THE ‘BLUE CARPET’ TREATMENT GOES GLOBAL. At Abell Point Marina, we go the extra nautical mile to make sure your stay with us is a memorable one.

From the Dockhand Concierge on arrival to our tailored 5-star service, you can expect the famous Blue Carpet Treatment we roll out for our boatie family. Experience our newly launched floating customer lounge by becoming a member of Ocean Club. We are setting the bench so high, we’ve not only attained the world’s first Global 5 Gold Anchor Accreditation, but also Marina of the Year 2017/18.

Come and see why Abell Point Marina is making such a splash – drop anchor in the Whitsundays soon!

ABELLPOINTMARINA.COM.AU

SAILING THE

Sollies

When Sydney couple Tim and Sandy Armstrong embarked on their first international cruising voyage to the Solomon Islands, they experienced an adventure they would never forget.

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A

fter many months of planning, general maintenance and adding new upgrades to our Fountaine Pajot HĂŠlia 44 One Giant Leap, it was finally time to leave Australia and tackle our first foray into international cruising.

We set off from Pittwater on a cold clear morning bound for Newcastle where we planned to checkout prior to heading for New Caledonia. We were glad to be leaving at last as there comes a time when you feel as though you are never going to get away.

The sail from Newcastle to Noumea was challenging as we had lots of wind, no wind, and sometimes something inbetween. Our chosen weather window reflected more our desire to get going than a fast passage.

Noumea provided just a quick stopover

after our eight-day passage. In our short time there, we could summarise the destination as having great baguettes, nice people, expensive groceries, and everything was written and spoken in French. We didn’t expect that!

Shortly after, we set a course for Anatom Island in Vanuatu with a friend onboard.

After two days of great sailing with the wind on the beam we arrived at Anatom at 11pm with another yacht turning onto the transit lines 100m in front of us. They had just come in from Fiji and, like us, were keen to get out of the 30 knot winds and big seas, so neither hesitated to tackle the new harbour at night.

The bay here is wide, deep and beautiful.

This was our first real stop while cruising and what a great stop it was.

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Top: Tim happy with the smallest fish of the day.

Centre: Movie day at Matanga Bay in Vanuatu’s Northern Islands.

Bottom: Buying nala nuts off local children in Solomon Islands’ Western Province.

We spent the next two months wandering around Vanuatu. It is truly a great cruising ground as everything is only about one day’s sail from everything else. The people are fantastic, the government encourages cruisers, the islands are stunning and the water is idyllic: no nasties lurking beneath plus bright coral. Being a diver, this was exactly what I had been hoping for.

The Bank Islands would have to have been our favourite spot. Here, the people are warm and welcoming, willing to trade for fruit and vegies, and always fun to be around. What was best was they recognised that the yachts were of benefit to their villages and took care to make all cruising visitors feel welcome.

One of our other favourite other places in Vanuatu was Port Orly: a great place to stock up on meat at just three dollars per kilo!

But eventually we had to leave this wonderful location and head onto our planned destination of the Solomon Islands.

We had intended to set up a business there but made the decision to instead spend the year doing reconnaissance and planning.

We left the Banks Island group and headed straight for Lata in the Temotu Province.

What a change this was from the pleasant bay anchorages of Vanuatu! Lata was deep and forbidding until we found Shaw Bay and met Titus, the traditional owner of Shaw Bay and a genuine enthusiast of visiting yachties.

Next year we will be helping put down some moorings as Shaw Bay is protected but 12-metres deep on a bed of coral gravel.

The kids there were remarkable, and we ended up staying for a few days enjoying their company. One child, Rose, liked to skip school and swim between the hulls singing.

She had a beautiful voice for a ten year old.

From Lata we travelled to Mosquito Bay in Makira then onto Tevanapupu Island where we anchored stern into the village. The local kids found the sternline great entertainment and played for hours on the line. When we introduced a ball into the proceedings, things really took off!

After a brief stop at Rua Sua Island, we proceeded onto Honiara. We found this to be a beautiful region, but it has a reputation for the locals being slightly aggressive.

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FEATURE STORY

Top: Sandy chats to the local yacht club secretary at Twin Falls, Vanuatu.

“We enjoyed the trip immensely but the Solomons were hard work. However, this was made easier with our Hélia 44.”

We never experienced anything in that regard, but were a little more cautious as we approached Honiara.

Honiara felt like coming home as we had actually lived there for a number of years.

I would recommend getting a mooring here, and a number of expats have them in place for just $100SBD per day ($16AUD).

Definitely do not anchor in the channel into the Police Jetty as it is the only sandy bottom and just annoys everyone!

We were fluent in pidjin and I believe that helped us on our way. There are a number of Solomon Islanders available to sail with you and help with translations, security and pointing out all the top secret spots. Some of the best locals include John from Roderick Bay, Titus from Lata, Ricki from Gizo, and

several others who are all actively trying to encourage yacht tourism.

We do recommend sailing in the Solomons but take lots of chain. We didn’t see another yacht for six weeks in the Sollies, whereas every anchorage in Vanuatu had at least three or four.

There is so much more we could relay about our adventure but we would need many more pages. Suffice to say, we enjoyed it immensely but the Solomons were hard work. However, this was made easier with our Hélia 44 catamaran One Giant Leap. It proved to be a fantastic cruising boat that handled anything and everything we could throw at it. We are already making plans to return next year, and will be seeking even more remote places to discover.

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Boat Shows

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FEATURE STORY

Boat shows are great for buyers to inspect an ocean of boats and even score a bargain, but you can find yourself drowning if you don’t go with a battle plan.

I

f you’re in the market for a boat, it pays to visit one of Asia Pacific’s major boat shows. With a wide selection of models on display and healthy competition between exhibitors, buyers enjoy plenty of choice, access to loads of information and great boat show deals.

But it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the hundreds of boats on display, the bustling crowds and festive atmosphere, so make the most out of your next boat show by preparing in advance.

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It can be easy to lose sight of your priorities and be tempted by dazzling offers on boat models that don’t actually fit your needs.

before speaking to an available sales representative. In the lead-up to the show, book an appointment with a senior sales team member who will be at the event and you’ll have their undivided attention.

GET IN EARLY DO YOUR RESEARCH Do plenty of research on your preferred boat or boats before turning up at a show. With so many exhibitors, boats and sales reps in one place, it can be easy to lose sight of your priorities and be tempted by dazzling offers on other multihull models that don’t actually fit your needs. Make a shortlist of the boats you want to inspect, a list of things you want to check onboard and specific questions to ask the salesperson on the stand.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT Crowds are huge at many of the big boat shows, and if you just turn up unannounced you might have to wait for some time

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If you are serious about ordering a boat at a show, turn up early on the first day.

Most big shows span four to eight days with weekends being the busiest times to visit. Use your first visit to orient yourself with the exhibition layout, do your boat inspections, gather information on special boat show deals, and establish a relationship with the senior sales staff of the manufacturers you have shortlisted.

But unless you are absolutely sure of your purchase decision, do not make an impulse buy. It is wiser to return later in the show after you have had time to objectively review your options, do any additional online research, formulate final questions, and arrange your deposit finances.

FEATURE STORY

Left: The Sydney International Boat Show on Cockle Bay Marina and Convention Centre.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL Many boat shows have restricted parking arrangements, so plan ahead to see where you will need to leave your car for shuttle transfers or what public transport options are available instead. Allow extra travel time and try to avoid the morning peak hour rush.

DON’T BE OBSESSED BY FINANCIAL SAVINGS While boat shows are a good place to score a special deal, don’t focus exclusively on price when making your decision. You also need to consider the boat’s quality, availability for delivery, upgrade options, and much more.

Often, the best deals can be presented as value-adds, such as engine upgrades, free tenders and more. Don’t forget to check what level of after-sales service you would receive as a new boat owner, as this important factor is not always offered by some companies.

A DEAL IS A DEAL Companies often offer boats with significant discounts or exclusive bonus items to entice you to order at the event, but these deals are typically only valid for the duration of the boat show. If you are interested in taking advantage of a special deal, ensure you know exactly how long it is available for. Never assume you will be able to enjoy the same deal a few weeks after the show has finished.

BE PATIENT Sales teams are run off their feet during boat shows and rarely have time to answer emails or phone calls, so be patient if you have tried to contact them with a question. If your query is not urgent or you are not planning on ordering a boat at the show, wait until the dust settles and the team is back in the office when they have more time to talk with you.

GET A BABYSITTER

Above: Multihull Solutions’ Nod Crook, Patrick Gilot, Rachel Crook and Mark Elkington at the Sydney International Boat Show.

Boat shows are becoming more family friendly, and their dynamic atmosphere makes it a fun day out for all ages. However, if you’re planning on inspecting boats and speaking with sales teams, it’s a good idea to get a babysitter and leave the children at home. Then you can more thoroughly check out various boats, speak to representatives without distraction, and not have to wrangle kids from jumping on expensive saloon sofas or falling into the marina!

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2018/19 Boat Shows for your diary boot Düsseldorf January Attracting 250,000 visitors from all over the world, this premiere boat show features 1800 exhibitors creating the ultimate maritime wonderland in the middle of the European winter. boat-duesseldorf.com

Phuket Rendezvous January For four days, the Royal Phuket Marina is transformed into a bustling hub for all things luxury. Inspect an extensive range of boats while enjoying the unique Rendezvous atmosphere with delicious cuisine and entertainment. phuketboatshow.com

Miami International Boat Show February Located across the bay from downtown Miami, this massive boat show at Virginia Key brings power and sail together to create one incredible event showcasing the best in world boating. miamiboatshow.com

Mutltihull Boat Show and Open Day February 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, food and wine tasting. multihullsolutions.com.au/events

Singapore Yacht Show April 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. singaporeyachtshow.com

Annapolis Boat Shows April and 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

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Top: Fountaine Pajot’s Yves de Kerangat and Mark Elkington.

Middle: Patrick Gilot jumps through hoops at Sanctuary Cove.

Bottom: The Multihull Solutions team at the Sydney Boat Show.

FEATURE STORY

Left: The Sanctuary Cove Boat Show is one of Asia Pacific’s most popular marine events.

If you are serious about ordering a boat at a show, turn up early on the first day.

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. sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Melbourne Boat Show

Auckland On-Water Boat Show September Set on Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, this show caters for boating enthusiasts of all types and budgets with hundreds of exhibitors. auckland-boatshow.com

Cannes Yachting Festival September Europe’s leading in-water boat show showcasing almost 600 boats in the two ports of Cannes: the Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto. cannesyachtingfestival.com

Perth International Boat Show

June/July

September

Victoria’s premier boating event located at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre showcasing a huge range of entry and luxury power and sail vessels, kayaks, tinnies, engines, fishing gear and much more. melbourneinternationalboatshow.com.au

This new event is WA’s biggest boat show and combines displays in the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre with on-water displays and a jam-packed schedule of entertainment. perthinternationalboatshow.com.au

Sydney International Boat Show August Australia’s biggest boat show set on Cockle Bay Marina in Darling Harbour and over two levels of exhibitors at the Convention Centre. sydneyboatshow.com.au

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

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