top 10 catamaran manufacturers

Top 10 Cruising Catamaran Manufacturers: For Families, Comfort and Performance!

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Cruising steadily and relaxing without a care in the world may sound like a fantastic idea. However, you need the right boat and the right support from the builder. I believe that catamarans are the way to go, but which brand should you go with? Today I have chosen a little bit different perspective on how to evaluate the best catamaran brands.

Leopard, Nautitech, and Catana are some of the best cruising catamaran manufacturers. They offer safe and easy to handle cats with impressive speeds. Leopard boasts the best family-friendly vessels, Antares is environment friendly, and Nautitech offers impressive performance.

If you’re ready to buy yourself a high-end cruising catamaran, read on. Prepare yourself to spend some money and land the life of your dreams. Pack your sunscreen, lean back, and relax—adventure is on its way!

If you are on the hunt for a catamaran (just as I am), I would recommend you check out my other articles, and maybe they can help you find the boat that suits your needs the best.

Best catamarans under $200k
Best catamarans under $100k
Best catamarans for blue water solo sailing
Best catamarans under 50ft
Best catamarans under 30ft


1. Leopard	95	20%
2. Outremer	72	15%
3. Lagoon	57	12%
3. Seawind	57	12%
4. Fountaine Pajot	45	9%
5. Catana	20	4%
6. Nautitech	19	4%
6. Balance	19	4%
7. Privilege	16	3%
7. Antares	16	3%
Other	63	13%

Table of Contents

1. Best for Families: Leopard Catamarans

As a fine example of build quality, we have the Leopard 48 , which has an excellent design and great handling. The brand is also known for pushing the standards of catamarans well past industry norms.

Leopard catamarans are known for being very sturdy and great oceangoing vessels

This sturdiness and high build quality have made leopard a somewhat pricier alternative than, let’s say, lagoon. But as we have come to learn the recent years (with bulkhead problems on the Lagoons), this price increase is probably something that you will save in the long run anyway.

Looking at the Leopard 42 above, we can see that comfort and space are offered in plenty; there are also other versions, but the most common is for the owner to make their own modifications suiting their specific needs.

2. Best Racing-Cruising Experience: Outremer

Even though Outremers haven’t built nearly as many cats as Leopard they definitely have managed to build a reputation equally as strong. Outremer, even though low in production numbers, comes in 2nd place in this poll of the best catamaran brand.

When you first look at Outremer’s website , you’ll see the words:

“Ultimate Blue Water Cruiser” outremer.com

For many this is true, for those of you who follow the youtube channel La Vagabond, they have an Outremer 45 and beautifully showcase how this vessel operates in all types of conditions.

Outremer is famous for continually improving and producing high-performance cruising catamarans in the ranges of 45 to 55ft. This can be seen by their after sales reputation which is said to be next to none.

Outremer also has an interesting perspective on being environmentally friendly, just read this quote from outremer’s commercial director:

“If you can sail at 5kts, you can sail 95% of the time” Matthieu Rougevin-Baville

Slow windspeed sailing is a priority for Outremer, this means less motoring, less noise, less pollution and opens up for better electric propulsion alternatives?

3. Best Customer Experience: Lagoon

Online shopping for catamarans can be complicated, but when it comes to Lagoon , they make sure you can easily navigate to find the right boat for you. The front page advertises their newest additions along with an educational blog.

“[You should get an] Early 2000s Lagoon. We own a 2001 Lagoon 470. Incredible boat” Jacob, Lagoon 470 owner

When you go shopping, Lagoon reminds you that delivery may be difficult due to the recent pandemic. However, they are committed to making sure you’re still able to enjoy your experience. Their cat variety is nice, but the features are even better.

Lagoon even has something called Club Lagoon, which provides extra benefits, including privileged events and personalized meetings. The main goal of Lagoon is to establish a friendly experience with its buyers. It’s quite clear that Lagoon sees you as more than just a customer.

Lagoon has come in some bad weather for the bulkhead issues of the L450, but to be fair this is only one model of many ever produced. Lagoon still stands as one of the top catamaran manufactures in the world.

They make sure that you feel comfortable and prove they care about you, not just your money. So, if you’re ready for a friendly experience, go with Lagoon!

4. Best Overall Experience: Fountaine Pajot

Fountaine Pajot states that their boats are designed for the best living space to provide comfort to help you enjoy the cruising experience the right way.

“ Fountaine Pajot – been living aboard our Astrea for 6 months and love it. Easy living, fun to sail, rides well. “ Jay, poll respondant

With features such as sunbathing areas, well-designed kitchens, comfortable cabins, Italian-style bathrooms, and more, this brand clearly focuses on making sure you get the best experience. So, if you’re looking to sit back and let the boat speak for itself, get a Fountaine Pajot. Remember that your comfort is their number one priority.

5. Best Reviews: Catana Catamarans

Much like the Nautitech, Catana designs their cat with a somewhat more open and “unprotected” helm oftentimes seen in racing, this allows for great visibility but can be stressful on the crew during long passages.

Catana remains one of the fastest production catamarans out there and you got to love their slogan:

“Performance by Nature” Catana.com

Everywhere you look, on Youtube, websites, or talking to owners, almost all of them love the Catana, some might not favor the helm position (but usually those are people who haven’t actually sailed a Catana) but all love the general feel and look of the boat.

The Catana is one the highest praised catamarans that I have researched but for some reason this doesn’t reflect in the poll.

6. Best Performance: Nautitech

Nautitech has a variety of catamarans such as the 40 Open, the 46 Open, the 46 Fly, the 54, and the 47 Power.

The 46 Open has a reputation for its unique experience with great safety and luxurious interiors. As for the 46 Fly, it’s best known for its revolutionary flybridge on a sailing cat.

“ Nautitech 46. Simple to sail. Great safety. Easy docking single handed. Fabulous access to engines water maker. Calorifier. Fast boat if kept light. “ Alan, poll respondant

According to their website , Nautitech is known as a brand that keeps in touch with the living at sea experience, all while providing immense comfort.

Nautitech was the first to create the idea of “open living” onboard by combining the saloon and cockpit into a large and functional living space. After all, their catchphrase on the opening page is “elevate your dreams.”

While they focus on comfort, the might behind it all sets it apart from other companies. With 200 employees producing 80 boats per year, you would almost assume the quality wouldn’t be as good. That’s where you’d be wrong. It operates at the perfect speed so you and your friends or family can enjoy ocean life.

So, if you want a catamaran with comfort and exciting history, get ready to sail with Nautitech.

7. Best Semi-Custom: Privilege Catamarans

Make no misstake these are not bad boats, but they are somewhat more rare to be seen and as such numbers will always lean towards the more common brands.

If you know what you want it’s a pretty high likelihood that privilege will be able to construct it for you, the brand is known as the midway between custom and production cats. Bringing benefits from both worlds into its own genre of boats.

The list of customizations is impressive and I would be surprised if you didn’t find what you were looking for, just remember, with custom boats comes custom problems , so maybe with semi-custom boats, you get semi-custom problems?

In some ways, this model is the opposite of let’s say Lagoon 380, which has hundreds of identical vessels and a large community of people around it.

Privileges are usually not the fastest cats out there, but if you are prepared to give up a little bit of speed you will most definitely enjoy sailing in great comfort on this masterpiece.

8. Best For Environment: Antares Catamarans

When it comes to vacations, you want to relax, but you still need to focus on safety, and Antares takes that cruising aspect seriously. If you decide to buy a catamaran from Antares (here´s a buyers guide ), you will find that they recommend you “get to know” your boat.

“ As far as actual cruising cats I love my Manta and getting a solid blue water boat under $300k is amazing. But I’ve been on a Antares. Wow. “ Jim, poll respondant

Antares is known for building blue-water capable vessels that are sturdy and excellent for liveaboards.

With a brand new design that focuses not only on space and comfort but also on bringing modern technology onboard and making it environmentally friendly, it’s clear that Antares wants the best experience for its cruisers and for the planet.

They redesigned the electrical system to create a diesel hybrid so you can cruise without having to worry about running low on battery power, all while doing your part in protecting the planet.

Something that is all too common on cruising cats is their poorly sized battery and electrical system making cruisers more often than necessary rely on the genset. With 1800w of solar panels, this is no longer an issue.

A few of their great features include a lightweight cherry wood interior, Corecell construction, and superior steering. This company clearly stands for comfort, relaxation, and safety.

Bonus Boat: Most Popular For Coastal Sailing, Gemini Catamarans

For nearly three decades, their Gemini 105mc has been the most popular catamaran ever built (measured by number of units sold).

According to the website , the Gemini 105mc surprises newcomers with its legendary performance. I would take this with a grain of salt, or two, or maybe a bucket full.

Although Geminis aren’t as beautiful or fast as the other cats on this list, they are much cheaper and smaller . Some Geminis even fit inside a regular monohull slip which will save you tons of money in marina fees.

These are no bluewater I-am-going-to-sail-the-world type of boats, but they are perfect for coastal and inshore cruising whether it be a weekend or full-on liveaboard.

When it comes to their new catamaran line-up, they have the Hull 1227, Hull 004, Hull 012, Hull 106, and the Hull 1223. While the prices may still be high, they offer discounts, and they recently announced they’d have price drops.

The popular Gemini 105mc that has been a legacy since 1981. It’s spacious, light, and airy .

Another interesting model is the Gemini Legacy 35 . While it’s not as popular as the Gemini 105mc, it still has some unique features.

They also have the Gemini Freestyle 37 , which is best known for its flexibility. It can be tailored as a basic family catamaran, day-charter boat, or for single-handed sailing . It also has a low starting price and can be tailored to suit all of your needs for the perfect cruising vacation.

In addition, they have the Gemini Freestyle 399 Power . It’s essentially a power version of the Gemini Freestyle 37. This new catamaran includes several storage areas, comfortable cabins, a vanity unit, a lounge area with seating for up to six people, and air conditioning.

This would be the perfect catamaran for a group of friends or family on a weekend sail.

Bonus Boat: Best Affordability, Manta

This fantastic brand has eight different models that range from coastal to offshore cruising.

Mantas are one of my favorite boats, but as soon as they show up for sale, they are gone.

There is also a Manta owners club which doesn’t seem to be very active at the moment as far as I can tell.

Final Thoughts

As we’ve seen, the best cruising catamaran brands focus on comfort just as much as they focus on safety. With luxurious experiences and tons of opportunities to relax while also experiencing the adventure of a lifetime, who wouldn’t want to cruise away?

Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats .

Books: For getting started, I really like Cruising catamarans made easy . It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.

Communication: Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)

Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd .

To see all my most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource that I made for you!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

Better Sailing

10 Best Catamaran Brands

Shopping for a new catamaran can be intimidating, even as consumers have more resources than ever to help them research from the comfort of their own home before they even contact a yacht broker. The great news is that there are a lot of great catamaran brands on the market right now. For us consumers, the catamaran market has evolved rapidly from what it was only just a few short years ago when monohulls were favored. On the flip-side, this can make it even more challenging to figure out which catamaran brands are the very best.

If you are a beginner in cruising catamarans, this article will help you learn the best brands that are out there with the best reputation amongst boaters. This article will help you get started in the world of catamarans, and I am trying to make it as beginner-friendly as possible. The catamaran brands on this list are mainly production boat companies, but some of them do offer custom designs. However, the added benefit of most of these brands is that there are many options on the used market. You will always be able to shop around for a good deal no matter where you are in the world.

Here are some of the best catamaran brands on the market today:

Lagoon – Groupe Beneteau

Lagoon is a French boatbuilder with an excellent reputation and sells the largest number of catamarans per year. The brand started back in 1984 and was one of the first catamaran brands to really convince people of the concept of multihulls. The philosophy of the Lagoon brand is good design, high-quality construction, and a decent cruising performance under sail. In other words, a Lagoon is the dream of every fan of sailing that looks for a catamaran that can provide everything, whether that is a fun toy for summer sailing trips or a year-round liveaboard yacht. What Lagoon did right, and the reason it has proven to be so popular is that it listened to its customers. That is why every new Lagoon catamaran has more space, more efficient layouts, and is always more comfortable than their previous version. There is no wonder why they have so many repeat customers.

Lagoon makes 9 sailing catamaran models and 2 powercat models, ranging in length from 40 to 78 feet. It also used to make shorted boats like the Lagoon 380 at 37 feet, but unfortunately, it was discontinued. You can find a Lagoon on the used market starting at $150,000 (like a 2002-2007 Lagoon 380) and as high as $5 million USD for their top of the line fully spec’d Lagoon Seventy 7, which comes with a jacuzzi on deck.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Fountaine Pajot

Fountaine-Pajot is a French maritime construction brand that is specializing in catamarans. The company was established in 1976, but it launched its first sailing catamaran in 1983 and its first powercat in 1998. This brand is now famous for building both sailing and power catamarans that have a beautiful and innovative design, superior handling, excellent seaworthiness, and cruising comfort. Also, Fountaine Pajot was one of the first catamaran brands that was manufacturing their boats with environmental protection in mind. So, all of their models have options to include renewable energy sources. Their ECO-Cruising and SMART-Cruising options considerably reduce their yachts’ carbon footprint and provide the necessary clean energy for their sailboats.

Fountaine-Pajot makes both sailing catamarans and powercats, ranging in length from 40 to 67 feet. It also used to make shorted boats like the Lagoon 380 at 37 feet, but unfortunately, it was discontinued. You can find a Lagoon on the used market starting at $100,000-150,000 (like a 1990-2005 Fountaine Pajot Athena 38) and as high as $3.5 million USD for their top of the line fully spec’d Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67, which comes with a jacuzzi on the front deck.

Leopard is a boatbuilder located in South Africa and produces some of the best and most luxurious catamarans. You will find Fountain Pajor catamarans for sale also under the name “Robertson & Caine” because some Leopard cats are built by Robertson & Caine company. Leopards are mainly designed to be luxurious, big, and comfortable, but that usually comes at a cost, both in price tag and sailing speed and maneuverability.

Leopard Catamarans was established in 2000 their partnership with South African builder Robertson and Caine. This company was manufacturing custom-designed catamarans for the global yacht charter company The Moorings. While Leopard was focusing on sailing catamarans in the beginning, in 2007, they started making powercats as well.

Leopard is always designing their boats to have the optimal balance between interior space and performance, sheltered helm cockpit designed for offshore cruising and single-handed sailing, large lounge areas, optimal comfort, and ease of maintenance.

Nowadays, Leopard is making sailing catamarans between 42 and 58 feet and powercats between 50 and 53 feet. You can find a Leopard on the used market starting at $180,000 (like a Leopard 38) in good condition and as high as $2 million USD for their top of the line fully spec’d Leopard 58; however, they are not as luxurious as some of the other brand’s top-of-the-line models.

>>Also Read: 10 Best Catamarans Under 200k

Catana catamarans are a little bit more performance-oriented. They have features that make them sail faster and be more easily maneuverable than some of the other catamaran brands on the list. Many of their boats come with a feature called daggerboard that will help you sail faster upwind, something that most catamarans struggle with. Catana Group was originally called Poncin Yachts and has been building catamarans in France since 2001. It is famous for producing catamarans for owners who most often want to go bluewater sailing around the world comfortably and safely with a high-performance boat. This is not a famous brand, but it grows in popularity very fast. Year by year, I have noticed more and more Catana catamarans in the marinas I visit.

Catana Catamarans are built using foam sandwich vacuum infusion technology combined with carbon and aramid fiber. This combination guarantees the strength of the hull, significant weight savings, and because of this fact, higher speed.

Catana offers new boats from 42 to 70 feet. In the past, they were building boats as long as 90 feet. You can find a Catana on from the early 2000s’ on the used market for as low as $250,000, and as high as $4 million USD for a top of the line full spec’d brand new one.

Nautitech is another catamaran brand located in France; I guess there is a pattern here. They have built a reputation for designing catamarans that are robust, seaworthy, and capable of putting sailing back into the heart of the liveaboard experience without compromising on comfort. Anyone familiar with catamarans can quickly appreciate the innovative nature of a Nautitech cat design. The brand was also the first one to introduce the concept of liveaboard living, which combines the saloon and cockpit into one spacious, functional living area.

Nautitech offers new boats from 40 to 57 feet. You can find a Nautitech on from the early 2000s’ on the used market (Like the Nautitech 40) for as low as $180,000. However, a new top-of-the-line Nautitech 54 can be spec’d up to $1.5 million USD; though, they are not as luxurious as some of the other brand’s top-of-the-line models.

The brand was founded in 1985 in France. Privilège Catamarans offer unparalleled expertise, know-how, and experience that facilitates the construction of some of the best catamarans on the market today. They can provide luxurious liveaboard life beyond coastal borders. Its elegant hull design ensures superb stability and comfort making then one of the best catamaran brands in the world right now. Every catamaran is custom-built according to the owner’s preferences and handcrafted with great craftsmanship and the finest materials.

The company specializes in the design and manufacture of some of the best, and luxurious bluewater catamarans on the water. Every new Privilege cat is built after multiple consultations between the shipyard and the owner. You can decide to either keep the catamaran in its pure and elegant look and also keep the cost as low as possible or to change it to your personal preferences and make it as high-end as you can afford.

Privilège makes both sailing catamarans and powercats, ranging in length from 51 to 75 feet. It also used to make shorted boats like the Privilege 435 at 43 feet, but unfortunately, they are now focusing on larger yachts. You can find a Privilege from the early 2000s’ on the used market starting at $300,000 (like the Privilege 435) but can easily surpass $5 million USD for their top of the line fully spec’d Privilege 745 or 740.

>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Gemini

Gemini is one of the few catamaran brands that make its boats in the US. It is a subsidiary of Performance Cruising Inc., and they have been making catamarans since 1981. Honestly, Gemini catamarans might not be the most good-looking and luxurious, but they are affordable and sail well. For that reason, they definitely deserve a spot on the list with the best catamaran brands.

You can find a used Gemini cat in good condition in good condition from the early 1990s, starting at around 50k and a newer model for as high as 500k. Overall this is a very affordable brand, and you will definitely enjoy one without breaking the bank.

Seawind

Seawind Catamarans is a catamaran designer and builder located in Australia, producing high-end performance cruising sail catamarans since 1982. They have produced some of the world’s best and award-winning designs.

The Seawind brand is especially good for people looking for a catamaran that is not overly luxurious or expensive and is probably looking for a more reasonably sized yacht; however, they do offer a couple of larger, more luxurious models as well.

Seawind offers new boats from 35 to 52 feet. You can find one on from the early 2000s’ on the used market for as low as $150,000, like a Seawind 1000. However, a new top-of-the-line Seawind 1600 can be spec’d up to around $1 million USD.

Sunreef Yachts

Sunreef is the world’s leading manufacturer of luxury sailing and power multihulls. Each catamaran, motor yacht, and superyacht they make is a custom vessel. The company was established in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland but a Frenchman and was the first brand to build a 74-foot bluewater cruising catamaran.

This brand has pulled all the stops when it comes to luxury and comfort. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly liveaboard cat, a luxurious private floating villa, a dazzling party boat, or a fishing expedition superyacht fantasy, their designers will turn your vision into reality. Just be prepared to pay the price.

Sunreef makes both large sailing catamarans and powercats, ranging in length from 50 to 150 feet! You can find a Sunreef from the early the Mid-2000s on the used market starting at $700,000 (like the Sunreef 62) but can easily surpass $15 million USD for Sunreef 102. They also have the Sunreef MM460 CAT on their catalog, which is one of the largest catamarans even created. However, unfortunately, I was not able to get even an approximate price quote on it. If I had to guess, I would say at least $50 million to have one built.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Bali Catamarans is another brand of the well-known Catana shipyard. And it is also the newest brand on the list established in 2014. Catana catamarans are the golden standard when it comes to high-speed cats. However, in 2014, they decided to start a production brand of fast, light, and easily maneuverable cruising catamarans. The Bali Catamarans collection has a unique design mainly; it has no mesh “trampoline” in the front cockpit. It features an open-space interior, a huge refrigerator in the inner saloon, and many other uncommon features.

Bali offers new boats from 39 to 50 feet. You can find a Bali on from 2014-2015 on the used market for as low as $300k (like the Bali 4.0). However, a new top-of-the-line Bali 5.7 can spec’d up to over a $2 million USD.

Final Thoughts

In order to compile the best list of catamarans, I took into account the built quality, comfort seaworthiness but also the number of yachts for sale on the used market. In my point of view, I shouldn’t have put a custom catamaran builder on this list because you wouldn’t be able to find one for sale anyway. For most of these brands, there are many boats for sale on the used market in pretty good condition and at reasonable prices.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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The Power Catamaran Compilation

By Yachting Staff
Updated: December 21, 2018

Power Catamarans have been growing leaps and bounds in popularity, and, in lengths and widths. And for good reason. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient and are fairly intuitive to run. Power cats are popular in the bareboat charter market too, for these very reasons.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Silent-Yachts 55

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Horizon PC60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran , you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open day-boat category with creative designs. Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power ‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition , with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64 , launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Glider SS18

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

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TOP 10 Best Catamaran 2024: Motor and Sailing

This time we put together the list of best catamarans in our opinion: most daring, interesting and exciting models that the yachting industry has to offer. After all the testing that we conducted, we based our picks on overall quality, price to comfort ratio, performance, design and overall impression of driving the vessel.

Aventura 37

Brand: Aventura
Overall length, m: 10.80
Overall length, ft: 33
Width, m: 5.94
Displacement, T: 12.8
Water tanks, l: 2 x 250
Mainsail type: Fully battened
Jib type: Furling genoa
Mainsail area, sq.m: 94
Jib area, sq.m.: 36
Engine: 2 X 20 HP
Fuel tanks, l: 2 x 250

There are multiple reasons we decided to put this particular Aventura model this high in our list.

First of all, this yacht is just gorgeous. STGi shipyard went full out on combining making this spacious yacht look like a luxurious palace on the water with its large windows, convenient bimini and lots of space on upper deck. You get a grill and dining table in the cockpit, with shelves, comfortable furniture and cupboards – like you never left the shore.

It makes sense why this boat got dozens of orders from enthusiastic yachtsmen way before it was revealed at any boating show.

As you enter the saloon, you see how those windows come into play – the interior created by Lasta Design Studio is fully lit with natural light in any weather conditions, providing passengers with most comfortable social spaces. Here you have a coffee table with cushy sofa and fully equipped galley with sink, oven, stove, refrigerator, cutting table and everything else a chef might need. When it comes to cabins, this yacht is surprisingly spacious too – especially the owner’s cabin, which takes the entire right hull.

When it comes to performance and handling the yacht, we can say for sure that the responsive helm is one of the most important things on board. Aventura 37 not only has that, but also a special area for handling the lines with high-quality Harken winches at your fingertips. The helm station has a Garmin charplotter nearby and it’s very easy to look up and immediately assess the situation thanks to great visibility from the helm, except for a small blind zone to the right of the helm.

Multivariance of this boat is, probably, one the most attractive features of this boat: you get 4 different layouts, allowing you to tailor the yacht for your personal needs:

Standard version – 3 cabins & 2 bathrooms;
Trio version – 3 cabins & 3 bathrooms;
Quatro version – 4 cabins & 2 bathrooms;
Charter version – 4 cabins & 4 bathrooms.

Of course, the Aventura 37 is made using the most efficient way possible: Airex foam, fiberglass and polyester are poured into molds to create a sandwich matrix. And with sails from Elvström, mast equipment from ZSpars and yacht rigging from Harken and Spinlock you can be sure that you will get the best yachting experience.

Brand: Excess
Overall length, m: 11.80
Overall length, ft: 36
Width, m: 6.73
Displacement, T: 10.1
Water tanks, l: 300
Mainsail type: Square-top
Jib type: Self-tacking
Mainsail area, sq.m: 50
Jib area, sq.m.: 32
Engine: 2 X 29 HP / 2 X 45 HP
Fuel tanks, l: 2 x 200

Compared to Lagoon 40 this model’s weight was reduced by a ton, interior and exterior optimized and the equipment was modernized. Excess 12 offers a great sail plan with a flattop main, self-tacking jib and optional sprit, allowing you to get to 8 knots without any handling problems in 25-30 knots of wind. Powerful twin Yanmar engines working at 2000 RPM alone will give you 6-7 knots, so this cat is definitely much sportier than most catamaran of this size with high level of comfort on board too.

Starting from the transom, this boat is already optimized towards a large company on board: swimming ladders, davits for tender, spacious cockpit with a dining table, two large photos and bimini allow a family or charter passengers to feel as free as possible on this 12-meter boat. A freezer for drink and ice-cream is a great addition. And if you need more equipment, you can always browse for any additional products at topRik marketplace.

There are two helm station, allowing you to have excellent visibility all around. On the right station you have your lines and devices, with nice wide steps leading to the sidedeck. The sailing wardrobe is provided in two versions: Standard and Pulse, which has additional 5 m² and a mast that is almost a meter higher. Square top mainsail and self-aligning boom are featured in both versions and the mainsail is easier to manage alone thanks to aft mast.

Passing a large sliding door into the saloon, you end up inside a cozy looking living room (or so it seems) with curved edges everywhere to increase safety, big windows and hatches, tons of storage and refrigeration space. The control post here allows the skipper to enjoy his meal and control the route at the same time.

After visiting this boat once, it makes sense that this boat received the Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran for 2020 award. This model will be perfect for those, who don’t want to be restricted in terms of comfort but still want to dabble in sport rigging and handle the boat themselves from time to time. Charter businesses should also pay attention to Excess 12 as it will definitely attract many clients over time.

Brand: Lagoon
Overall length, m: 12.8
Overall length, ft: 39
Width, m: 7.7
Displacement, T: 12
Mainsail area, sq.m: 55
Jib area, sq.m.: 35
Engine: 2 x 45 HP
Fuel tanks, l: 300 (+300 opt.)

The Lagoon brand took the world by storm with its new model 42, taking the inspiration from its predecessors and introducing new design from Patrick Le Quement and VPLP Design with rounded smooth curves of the hull and very straightforward-looking cockpit structure. It doesn’t look like it tries to scare or impress you, but instead invites you on board with its reliable layout, sunbathing lounge at the cockpit, shade from the bimini and wide tri-sliding door between saloon and the cockpit.

Mast was also moved aft here for the same reasons: to ease the handling, allow for more downwind sail choices and improve maneuvering. Self-tacking jib makes driving even easier. It’s not as sporty as some other vessels though – so if you are looking for a challenge, this boat might now be for you. The shipyard’s priority was to make this model as comfortable as possible for its price and segment. And they did a great job when it comes to this!

Just look at this saloon – it looks so classy and noble. You can invite the pickiest business partner in here and be confident that they will enjoy the trip. Control station is incredibly comfortable for the skipper to use from a comfortable sofa, windows are huge and abundant, galley has all you need to prepare tasty meals. Thanks to the number of hatches, the airflow is great too, which will be a boon on a hot day.

Overall, it is one of the best boats out there for a family cruise or charters. The main reason why it got third place is due to a certain lack of storage place that should, in our opinion, come with such price tag. It will still be incredible for those, who want to go on a cruise without worrying much about untangling dozens of halyards manually or constantly working together like a regatta team to squeeze good speed out of it. Solar panels on board are another plus of this boat – they will provide you with additional charge for all your electrical equipment on board, so the circuit needs will be easier to manage.

Aventura 45S

Overall length, m: 13.5
Overall length, ft: 43
Width, m: 7.5
Water tanks, l: 2 x 400
Mainsail area, sq.m: 74
Jib area, sq.m.: 51 / 85
Fuel tanks, l: 2 x 350

This one is so hot it burns – straight out of Lasta Design’s drafting board and onto the yachting market, this vessel is the most modern variation of 13.5-meter sailing elite catamaran with sharp strict lines, very high boards and, as a result, ceilings in the cabins. Compared to model 44, the cheekbone in exterior design is more pronounced, but the wetted area and weight of the boat were reduced. Mast was moved to the saloon, which allows for more efficient sail plan with gennaker, additional asymmetric or symmetrical spinnaker.

The platform at the transom is perfect for swimming, sunbathing or attaching a dinghy. There are wide steps on both sides with solid metal railing, leading to the side decks. As for the cockpit, it has good old dining table with seating on both sides. Bimini will hide you from scorching sun, and the flybridge on top will allow you to enjoy more pleasant weather. Sometimes such flybridges are a safety hazard, but in this case the sofa up there is also surrounded with reliable railing.

The saloon interior is always good on Lagoons, this one is not an exception. Note the lighter interior gamma, interesting solution with a seating place right next to the beam, skylight allowing to observe the sails right from here. This yacht has a lot of possible options: starting from electric winches and davits to air conditioning systems and a whole dinghy directly from the manufacturer. Feel free to use our price calculators for any boats features on our website to estimate the additional price.

Speaking of customization – Aventura 45S is like a Swiss Army knife of yachting, as it comes in whopping 6 possible layouts and has an option for a Comfort pack (additional amenities, such as upholstery and batteries).

We are sure that this boat, if customized right, will fit everyone except those, who prefer complete minimalism and even asceticism on board – this boat just can’t help being flashy and convenient. Don’t forget about the modern solar technologies used by the shipyard, which allow 3 possible version of panels installed – such innovations always make our planet just a little bit happier.

Brand: Fountaine Pajot
Overall length, m: 12.58
Width, m: 7.2
Displacement, T: 12.7
Water tanks, l: 2 x 350
Mainsail area, sq.m: 70
Jib area, sq.m.: 41
Engine: 2 x 30 HP (2 X 50 HP)
Fuel tanks, l: 470

Right away, we are going to mention that this model snatched one of the best yachting awards out there - Multihull of the Year 2018, so it completely deserves a place in this list. Even more so, in 2019 it won another award - European Yacht of the Year.

The reason for that is huge amount of space on board for family, friends or charter passengers. You probably noticed, that the cat looks almost square-shaped, and thanks to 7.2 beam you can throw a party here without any limitations. Great sunbathing area at the bow is one the best social areas we visited – it doesn’t have any steps or pits and just feels so non-restrictive because of pure open space.

Of course, as a cruiser, this model has CE certification A and is prepared to take on a long voyage with its 700 liters freshwater capacity (with enough room for a productive watermaker), 600-liter max fuel tanks and twin Volvo Penta engines (3x30 HP or 2x50 HP). Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design tried their best to marry long-term cruising ability with sufficient performance and Astrea 42 is what came out of it.

The saloon here is extremely smart-looking – immediately put into serene and productive mood. Huge skylight in the roof allows you to always keep your eyes on the sails, large refrigerators ensure that your cooking needs are always satisfied. The full-fledged galley even has a dedicated exhaust hatch for convenience.

As for controls, the starboard helm station provides direct access to all the winches, which are thoughtfully collected in one place, making the boat easy to manage alone with a decent chartplotter. After climbing up to the flybridge, look out for the boom – the head room here is not infinite, but sunbathing area is large enough for several people and will be frequently used in summer. Here you will notice solar panels, so popular nowadays in the yachting community.

The reason why we put this one lower than Aventura 45S is that it has slightly less customization options. And yet it still is very similar in this regard (don’t forget that this list compared the best cats in the world). You can choose between Maestro and Quatuor versions, move bathroom positions, pick between Oceanic and Comfort version – check our price calculator to learn more about all possible options.

Overall length, m: 13.99
Overall length, ft: 46
Width, m: 7.96
Displacement, T: 15.77
Water tanks, l: 2 x 300
Mainsail area, sq.m: 80.5
Jib area, sq.m.: 46.5
Engine: 2 x 57 HP
Fuel tanks, l: 2 x 520

How can bigger Lagoon be lower in the list than its smaller brother? The answer is simple – price. If it would have the same price tag as model 42, we would put it at the first place right away.

But if you can handle such a hit to your wallet, Lagoon 46 is one of the best options out there. French taste and love for quality shows in every single feature on board this yacht: imposing exterior design (Patrick le Quément’s child), truly luxurious interior developed by VPLP, 1040 liters of fuel, 80 m² mainsail area and powerful 2 x 57 HP engines. All that allows for ocean crossings with the comfort of best hotel suites and without worrying about supplies – tons of storage space is also included.

The transom with its cockpit sofa and dining table has an already classic look for Lagoon line-up, but everything is bigger and there’s more room thanks to always 8 meters of yacht’s width.

True to it’s easy to manage approach, Lagoon moved all the winches right to the left side of the helm, with a bimini with skylights covering the skipper from rain. The access to flybridge is provided from both decks and the cockpit. The overall sailing area was increased by 10 m² due to moving the mast aft and optimizing its center of gravity. Even though the yacht is 14 meters long, it can achieve 9 knots of speed with full mainsail and gennaker.

Here's how the interior looks – the cabins are executed in the same manner. The line between high comfort and luxury is crossed here, since the saloon on the picture above is way above normal. Just the ceiling height is already unusual, and when it comes to cabins, this height is even more surprising. As a skipper, you will get a large owner cabin with writing desk, multiple cupboard and drawers, shelves, sofa and large island bed. This yacht also boasts huge number of beds: enough for 12 people, which is great for charter businesses.

We are sure that this model will be a great pick for financially stable individuals who are interested in long-range cruising, huge number of options available, automatic control system and luxury level accommodations.

Overall length, m: 11.39
Width, m: 6.63
Displacement, T: 9.5
Water tanks, l: 2 x 265
Mainsail area, sq.m: 75
Jib area, sq.m.: 49
Engine: 2 X 20 HP (2 x 30 HP)
Fuel tanks, l: 300

Replacing legendary Lucia 40, this model had large shoes to fill – and Fountaine Pajot made sure that the yachtsmen were not disappointed with the new kid on the block.

The threatening sci-fi design of this boat contrasts a lot with home-like sweet beige tones and rounded shapes of the interior. It is not as large as a 14-meter boat but the price is also much more affordable. Cockpit has a lunge, L-shaped sofa around the dining table and a hardtop above. All seating places have usual storage lockers underneath, there is a small refrigerator for drinks in the cockpit and you can even get and additional grill, which is impressive for a 40-footer. There’s not as much space at the bow though.

The saloon provides you with enough comfort to forget that you are at the sea at all, making it easy to hop from one marina to another, relying on 2 x 265 l water tanks and 2 x 30 HP engines, just in case. The control station here doesn’t have a proper seating place right next to it, but this solution reward good eyesight – the screen is visible from saloon and cockpit sofas, so you can just glance at it from time to time, controlling the situation. Overall, the interior is very ergonomic and well worth the investment.

There are 4 possible layouts: Maestro 2, Maestro 3, Quatuor 2 and Quatuor 4. Make sure to visit our full review of Isla 40 or use the price calculator to know more. There are also 3 version of the boat: Grand Large (cheapest and providing basic amenities), Oceanic (has lazy bag, electric winch, pressurized seawater system and more), Comfort (includes previous two version and adds TV/HIFI pack, freshwater pump and more). You can add a washing machine, gas oven, a microwave etc. – if you have any questions regarding possible equipment, feel free to message us anytime.

Some people prefer thrill, some prefer comfort. This one is definitely not for thrill lovers – this convenient boat is made for family vacations, parties on the water, charters and tourism. You will not set a sailing speed world record on it and you don’t really need to anyway.

Overall length, m: 13.94
Displacement, T: 14.7
Mainsail area, sq.m: 77
Jib area, sq.m.: 52
Engine: 2 X 60 HP (2 x 60 HP)
Fuel tanks, l: 2 x 470

This is another powerful, luxurious, yet expensive beast from Fountaine Pajot – Tanna 47 is the winner of prestigious Boat of the Year 2023 award in the category Best Cruising Multihull. It is, indeed, the best is business thanks to 14 meters of length and 7.7 meters in beam, resulting in large amount of space, which is also well organized (you can check out the virtual tour around the boat on our Tanna 47 sales page). This yacht has almost the same features as Aura 51, even though its smaller in size and is more affordable.

Clean and sophisticated design of this yacht is evident in both exterior and interior, which is very fitting, considering various advanced electric devices available (winches, outlets, audio packs, 220V main grid option, 2000W inverter/charger etc.) It is truly the marvel of modern yachting engineering. If other yachts of this size try to be a home on the water, this one wants to be your smart home: everything is automated to the max, with best chartplotters, autopilot, forward scan, second VHF, solar panels and other useful equipment purchasable.

The minimalism and hi-tech feel don’t leave you inside the saloon thanks to predominating white tones, tons of natural lights and very glassy surroundings: you are surrounded by windows, hatches and skylights all around. Galley here is better than most kitchens on shore, with conveniences like garbage disposal section and larger than average table, oven and refrigerator.

With all these futuristic amenities the designer didn’t forget about sailing performance: Tanna 47 is capable of reaching 7 knots with winds of 14-15 knots. The helm location is slightly away from the winches, but the boat can still be managed alone, even though a small crew is recommended. Also, many yachting journalists expressed their surprise after experiencing how good a large boat like this is in terms of handling.

Remember: if you get confused in all the devices of this boat, you can ask us what’s the best for your use case.

Yet another island-named yacht from Fountaine Pajot – but don’t think they are overly represented here, based on our experience and tests, FP just happens to make very good multihulls.

For this particular model the shipyard went with a sleek limited version of flybridge, which allows the yacht to avoid looking like a wedding cake and also reduces its weight and price. Some only prefer a full-fledged flybridge, but this solution will be praised by those who don’t go up the flybridge much anyways, and seek for balance between comfort and sportiness.

Other than that, this boat comes with unusually powerful 2 x 50 HP optional engines (2 x 60 HP as an option), 75 m² mainsail and 49 m² of jib area. With such equipment the cat easily gets to 6 knots and all the way to 10 knots with strong winds. For a cruiser with CE A, this is quite impressive. Helm station is also at the starboard side, between seating area under bimini and lower cockpit deck. You would need to bend over a little to see the left hull, but other than that, the visibility here is more than enough. And since its so close to dining table and fridge, you can always refresh yourself with a drink while driving.

Unfortunately, the winches are quite far from the helm, so you’ll have to leave to adjust them – we at topRik prefer more convenient placement, and that’s one of the reason this yacht is lower in this list than some others.

There is no lounge here, but plenty of comfortable seating, dining and storage space. The design of the cockpit is very inviting, the same goes for saloon and the cabins. But the most special thing about this yacht is, surprisingly, the displacement – it is only 14 tons, achieved by a lighter bridge and hull optimizations. It is no wonder that it was acknowledged as Best Boat 2020 in Best Multihull Cruising Boat 2020 category.

Overall length, m: 16.56
Overall length, ft: 52
Width, m: 9
Displacement, T: 27.7
Water tanks, l: 960
Mainsail area, sq.m: 107
Jib area, sq.m.: 74
Engine: 2 x 115 HP
Fuel tanks, l: 1100

We would like to finish with the largest catamaran out of 10 in this list – Lagoon 55. Even though it’s a great representative of Lagoon multihull range, it’s sheer size and materials used in production make it difficult for most people to afford, with some premium pricing included for bragging rights.

In year 2021 this yacht won prestigious British Yachting Award and since then conquered the hearts of many yachtsmen with its sheer size (16.5 x 9 m) and excellent long cruise capabilities (960-liter water tanks and 100 liters of fuel on board). Sure, for that you have to pay with high displacement, which ends up being 27.7 tons. To move such a mansion a lot of sailing area is needed, and mainsail of 107 m² and self-tacking jib of 74 m² will do the job. You can also replace standard twin 80 hp engines with 115 hp optional ones.

Here we get a full bridge, of course – roomy, comfortable magic carpet flying above the water surface with large sunbathing area, separate galley, perfectly usable control station and comfortable sofas. The hard top has skylights in it, and the area is well protected with metal railing.

The cockpit is incredibly large too, with tons of space for 8-10 people at once. In case of bad weather conditions, it can be protected with a waterproof tent, going around the perimeter. The cockpit too has a separate galley with the refrigerator (that’s the premium we were talking about – galleys for everyone).

Overall, the space is the single most important feature of this yacht, resulting in more free movement and larger number of passengers on board. There are 3 layouts available: with 4, 5 and 6 cabins. You can also choose between Essential and Comfort equipment packs (more information in our price calculator).

If price is not an issue and you want a really large catamaran, Lagoon 55 will definitely be a great choice.

This concludes our top 10 list – we hope it was at least somewhat helpful to you. Good luck in all of your yachting adventures!

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America’s 10 Best Yacht Builders

In America, the yachting industry might not be as established. Yet, today, America’s best luxury yacht builders continue to put out award-winning and state-of-the-art designs. Who are America’s best yacht builders?

From Christensen to Trinity, we countdown the best yacht builders in America and highlight what makes each shipyard unique. Here are our favorites:

1. Christensen

Christensen is one of the most established yacht builders in the U.S., and the company is known for its completely custom yachts. Each yacht the company produces is designed according to owner specifications.

Known for its classic hull design, and upscale finishes, Christensen produces some of the most luxurious superyachts in the U.S. That’s thanks in part to the builder’s in-house design team. Many other builders outsource design. Plus, the builder is known for its exquisite interiors, featuring spacious layouts and the finest finishes. Christensen also regularly wins innovation awards for their efficient and powerful displacement systems and state-of-the-art stabilization.

2. Westport

Since 1964, Westport has been a leader in yacht design and manufacturing in the U.S. And its earned a reputation for developing sporty, classically-styled superyachts.

That wasn’t always the case. Originally, Westport designed and built commercial fishing vessels, but today, Westport focuses exclusively on luxury motor yachts, including 34-, 38-, 40- and 50-meter yachts. Westport’s raised pilothouse and tri-deck yachts feature classic nautical hulls with modern touches. The interiors are sleek and comfortable and known for their spacious outdoor deck areas.

3. Derecktor

Derecktor is one of the country’s oldest yacht builders. It was founded on Long Island, NY in 1947, and during its early years, the company produced commercial fishing and passenger vessels. (Even today, Derecktor manufacturers high-speed ferries for cities around the world.)

Derecktor’s output has changed quite a bit in its 70-year history. Today, the company continues to build commercial vessels, but it’s also a top builder of custom motor yachts. Derecktor produces both explorer yachts and motor yachts, and many of its luxury motor yachts feature explorer-inspired designs. Many Derecktor yachts, for example, feature towering superstructures positioned forward. This opens up an abundance of aft-deck space for outdoor dining areas, beach clubs, and even helipads.

In addition to style, Derecktor yachts are renowned for their performance. They might be sizable. But they’re fast, and the ride is stable.

4. Hatteras

Hatteras is a legendary name in American shipbuilding, known for its high-speed and beautiful motor yachts. Initially, the shipyard focused entirely on sportfish yachts – something they’re still known for today. Yet, the company’s line-up of motor yachts offers the best of the best in luxury yachting.

Hatteras offers a full range of superyachts, including the 100 RPH, a stunning 102-foot raised pilothouse motoryacht, and the M90. Hatteras certainly shows its sporty roots in all of its designs; Hatteras exteriors are sleek and streamlined, sharing design details with its sportfish line.

At Trinity , size is the name of the game. The Gulfport-based shipyard produces yachts up to 123 meters (400 feet), including some of the largest luxury yachts ever built in the U.S.

The yachtbuilder has many signatures. For example, classic nautical architecture is one. Trinity produces some of the most inspiring superstructure designs that feature sleek lines and an abundance of glass. When you charter a Trinity yacht, you’ll have plenty of places to relax, as most of their designs incorporate an abundance of deck space. In the past, that’s include beautiful sky lounges and sprawling aft-deck dining/bar areas.

Below deck, Trinity yachts delivers spacious layouts. The yachtbuilder is know for their opulent owner’s suites and staterooms, as well as stunning salons.

6. Broward Marine

Founded by legendary boatbuilder Frank Denison in the 1950s, Broward Marine has been a leader in superyacht design throughout its history. For example, in 1954, Broward launched its first luxury superyacht, ALISA V. At the time, the 96-footer was a behemoth – similar in grandness to today’s megayachts of 150+ feet.

The Alisa paved a path for the company, which shifted its focus exclusively to luxury motoryachts. In the 1980s, for example, Broward was quick to respond to the trend of the superyachts; Broward sold some 80 yachts in the 1980s, an impressive sales feat.

Under new management in the early 2000s, the company continued its focus on stunning megayachts in the 100- to 160-foot range. Broward yachts are grand in scale, with stunning tri-deck and raised pilothouse designs, and they’re also some of the first to feature farmhouse kitchens. Today, the company focuses primarily on refits, but many of their majestic yachts are still available for charter.

7. Hargrave

Hargrave has been producing yachts since the 1950s, and throughout its history, the shipyard has built a reputation for inspiring yacht designs. In fact, the company initially only focused on design. Founder Jack Hargrave, the famed nautical designer, worked closely with other top U.S. yacht builders including Burger and Hatteras, helping to launch numerous brands.

In 1997, the company transitioned from design to designing and building its own luxury yachts. The company quickly made a name for itself. Hargrave has won numerous awards for its sporty tri-decks and sportfish-inspired motoryachts. Hargrave yachts feature contemporary interiors, matched with sleek profiles.

A Horizon yacht has a distinctive look. The company’s yachts have stately exteriors with tons of classic nautical architectural details. Inside, too, Horizon yachts have a lot of character. Most Horizon yachts feature sprawling windows, creating light and airy interior spaces.

Today, the company produces yachts in the 56- to 150-foot range, and their offerings include power catamarans, tri-decks and raised pilothouse motor yachts.

If you’re looking for a power cat, that’s a Horizon specialty. The company’s PC Series features a range of mid-sized power cats up to about 80 feet, with numerous concept yachts in the works. Yet, Horizon does it all. You’ll find Horizon yachts in just about any style, from Fast Displacement yachts (FD Series), to customized tri-decks (CC Series).

The Burger Boat Company is one of the most historic shipbuilders in the U.S. Originally launched in 1863, the company has built more than 500 yachts in its history (more than 250 of which are still in operation). The company was a pioneer in steel yacht building, but today, Burger primary builds aluminum yachts.

Burger produces a range of custom tri-deck motor yachts, ranging from 112- to 214-foot motor yachts. Burger boats have a distinctive look and feel. They have spacious deck areas, like the wrap-around deck on its current 214-foot tri-deck concept, as well as innovative exterior lounge areas.

10. Delta Marine

For more than 50 years, Delta Marine has been producing world-class motor yachts from its headquarters in Seattle. The boatbuilder is known for its sleek exterior designs. Delta Marine yachts feature clean, flowing lines throughout, and the company produces a range of raised pilothouse and tri-deck motor yachts.

Plus, the interiors are completely custom. As such, no two Delta Marine yachts look the same, and the interiors are as unique as their owners. Delta yachts are also well-known for their performance. Many feature performance-minded hulls, and feature state-of-the-art displacement systems.

Plan Your Next Luxury Yacht Charter with Worldwide Boat

Worldwide Boat offers exclusive access to vessels from America’s best luxury yacht builders. Want to hire a Trinity Yacht for your next vacation? We can help.

Plus, our charter brokers are experts on each builder’s specialties. Contact your broker today to learn more about any of our exclusive charter yachts .

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The Top 10 Best Yacht Builders In The World

Here is our list of the best yacht builders on earth. Deciding which shipyard will build your luxury yacht is a complex and deeply personal choice, depending on many factors including the level of customization you want, your budget, the location of the shipyard, and the ‘feel’ you get for the yard’s vision and people.

Our list of the best yacht builders is naturally subjective and will not feature every well-known brand. Our short selection includes a range of shipyards, from manufacturers of the some of the most iconic custom-built superyachts to hugely popular production yacht builders.

Here are the best yacht builders on earth, sorted by region.

Usa – best yacht builders.

Westport is one of the dominant players in the American yacht-building market, with a hugely popular range of tri-deck and raised pilothouse motoryachts built from composite materials. Their models range from from the 112′ to 164′ (34m to 50m) series, allowing the yacht owner to customize the interior layout without the high cost and long timescale of fully-custom construction. As the largest American yacht building company in operation, Westport has a proud history of high quality yacht manufacturing dating back to 1964, with over 100 superyachts and over 170 fishing vessels launched from their Pacific Northwest Shipyard. Westport yachts are extremely popular in the US brokerage and charter market and have a reputation for holding their value well. View current Westport yachts for sale .

Christensen Yachts prides itself on the construction of American-built custom and semi-custom superyachts from fiberglass, including well known yachts M/Y CASINO ROYALE, M/Y SILVER LINING and award-winning M/Y ODESSA. Founded by superyacht owners, Christensen has a loyal following of yacht owners, many of whom are repeat customers. Currently producing yachts at its Vancouver, WA yard between 100’ to 165’ (35m to 50m) in length, Christensen was bought out in 2015 and is in the process of building America’s largest superyacht facility in Tennessee, which will construct vessels up to 70m. View current Christensen yachts for sale .

Northern Europe – Best Yacht Builders

German superyacht builder Lurssen is the builder of the largest superyacht in existence, the 590’ (180m) M/Y AZZAM, which was completed in an astonishingly quick three years. Known for superb build quality and large projects across its superyacht, naval vessel, as well as its’ yacht refit and management divisions, Lurssen is a family-run shipyard with a prestigious yacht building heritage spanning back to 1875, when it constructed the first ever motoryacht. Lurssen is the builder of 5 of the top 10 largest yachts in the world. View current Lurssen yachts for sale.

Feadship, Netherlands: For some yacht owners, the only name worth knowing is Feadship. This prestigious brand is synonymous with Dutch superyacht quality, and has a legion of steadfast and loyal fans. Dating back to 1849, Feadship creates fully custom yachts from a ‘blank slate’ beginning, priding themselves on creating supremely unique, innovative yachts that stand the test of time. There are 450 bespoke yachts currently afloat in the Feadship fleet, including M/Y HASNA, a 239’ (73m) with a revolutionary layout. Read more on Dutch yacht builders . View current Feadship yachts for sale .

Amels’ vast and high-tech superyacht facility is the largest in the Netherlands, producing iconic, high-value yachts up to 330’ (100m), including their 2017 flagship yacht, 272’ (83m) M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN. Amels offer a fully custom yacht building service, as well as their exceedingly popular Limited Edition Series, whereby the yacht owner retains control over interior and exterior design but the yacht is built on a proven platform, thereby slashing the build time. Amels also builds support yachts through their parent company, DAMEN, a heavyweight in global shipbuilding. View current Amels yachts for sale .

Dutch yacht builder Heesen is known for its aluminum and steel superyachts and innovative use of technology, as seen in the revolutionary fast displacement hull form first seen in the multi-award winning M/Y GALACTICA STAR, and the hybrid propulsion utilized in the 2017 launch of M/Y HOME. With a fleet of over 170 yachts launched since inception in 1978, Heesen is known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in superyacht design and engineering. Heesen builds motoryachts between 100’ to 265’ (30m to 80m) in length at its Oss shipyard. View current Heesen yachts for sale .

Now owned by Lurssen, Blohm + Voss is a yachting powerhouse in its own right, constructing magnificent large superyachts including the iconic MOTOR YACHT A and 531’ (162m) M/Y ECLIPSE, currently the third-largest yacht in the world. The vast Blohm +Voss facility in Hamburg, Germany creates striking custom motoryachts and sailing yachts. View current Blohm +Voss yachts for sale.

Mediterranean – Best Yacht Builders

Benetti is a powerhouse of luxury yacht building, with a very healthy order list and a boat- building pedigree stretching back to 1873. Since 1960, Benetti has been constructing superyachts in Italy, including iconic yachts MY KINGDOM in 1980, then the largest yacht in the world at 280’ (85m), right through to recent launches such as the award-winning M/Y 11.11. Benetti is part of the Azimut-Benetti Group, the largest producer of luxury yachts in the world, building semi-custom and fully custom yachts between 100′ and 330′ (30m and 100m) long. Known for their Italian style and long history of yacht construction, Benetti has a loyal following of yacht owners who return to the yard each time they upgrade. View current Benetti yachts for sale .

The creators of one of the most well-known yachts on the planet, S/Y MALTESE FALCON, Perini Navi enjoys a superb reputation as a sailing superyacht builder, and also entered the large motoryacht market in 2007 under its Pichiotti brand. Perini Navi yachts are known for their superyacht luxuries and interior volume, as well as the technically brilliant sailing systems that allow these large yachts to be operated by a small crew. Perini Navi dominates the sailing superyacht market with its range from 130’ to 200’(40m to 60m), constructed at their three shipyards in Viareggio, La Spezia in Italy and also in Istanbul. View current Perini Navi yachts for sale .

UK – Best Yacht Builders

Sunseeker is one of the most instantly recognizable names in the yachting world, building performance luxury yachts known for their speed and sleek looks. Once better known for their smaller sport yachts, Sunseeker is now a major player in the superyacht market, with customizable yacht models from 75′ to 155′, as well as constructing the Predator range with a top speed of 45 knots. Built and engineered in Dorset, UK, Sunseeker is Britain’s most famous luxury yacht builder, creating the hand-finished yachts regularly featured on James Bond films. View current Sunseeker yachts for sale .

Worth Avenue Yachts has extensive experience with each of these yacht brands. To find out more about the relative advantages of these shipyards or the other high-quality shipyards that we recommend, please contact us for an expert discussion.

Top 10 luxury yacht builders 2023

The design and build of a luxury yacht is a truly personal experience. Whether customising a design to be built, or striving to create a completely new concept altogether, superyacht owners will seek to work with a yacht builder that truly understands their vision, and can translate their dream design into a real vessel.

As Royal Huisman proudly state, “If you can dream it, we can build it!”

Those buying a new superyacht will therefore have many questions to ask themselves before settling on a suitable yacht builder and shipyard facility to carry out the project. Thankfully for these prospective owners, there are a number of luxury superyacht brands that have the ability to turn the biggest mega yacht dreams into reality.

Yachting Pages lists the world’s top luxury superyacht builders and their shipyard facilities , from A to Z, identifying some of the best superyachts in the world along the way.

Best luxury superyacht builders

1. amels, netherlands.

Located in Vlissingen, Amels operates the largest superyacht boatyard in the Netherlands, and is known to be one of the best superyacht builders in the world.

Amels has been operating for over 100 years and offers both Full Custom and Limited Editions, ranging from 55 to 83 metres (180 to 272 feet) LOA. Built on a proven platform and delivered in half the time expected of standard construction superyachts, all 20+ Limited Editions projects have so far been delivered on or ahead of contract, with 55-metre (180-foot) Galene among the most recent to emerge from the yard. With several new projects currently under construction, Amels is likely to be among the top superyacht shipyards for many years to come.

2. Benetti, Italy

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Viareggio, Benetti is the world’s largest builder of superyachts by number built, with a production capacity of 100 units per year.

Most famous for building Sir Philip Green’s 90-metre (295-foot) Lionheart in 2016, 2019 was its breakthrough year with its first 100-metre+ (328-foot+) deliveries of Lana, Luminosity and IJE. This gave Benetti 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th spots on the Top 10 Largest Superyachts Delivered in 2019 . Luminosity is widely believed to be valued in excess of €200,000,000 and is listed with Fraser and Burgess (as of November 2020).

3. Feadship, Netherlands

The home of full-custom superyachts, Feadship is one of the few shipyards worldwide that works to create completely custom yachts. It has worked with superyacht owners since the 19 th century to create one-off luxury motor yachts that are truly unique.

Feadship currently has four shipyard facilities in the Netherlands, with expansion underway at its Amsterdam facility in Western Harbour to offer the ability to build motor yachts as long as 160 metres (525 feet). To date, there are over 250 Feadship yachts in navigation, including 99-metre (324-foot) Madame Gu, 99.95 (327-foot) Moonrise, 101-metre (333-foot) Symphony and 110-metre (361-foot) Anna.

4. Fincantieri Yachts, Italy

Fincantieri Yachts specialises in full-custom luxury pleasure yachts over 70 metres (230 feet) with no upper limit to the size or volume that it can produce. The builder currently has a range of concepts and projects, including 70-metre (230-foot) superyacht Blanche.

Having manufactured in excess of 7,000 vessels in its 230-year history, Fincantieri has a network of 18 shipyards across four continents, two design centres and a research centre, making it one of the largest Western shipyards in the world.

5. Heesen Yachts, Netherlands

Heesen Yachts is known as one of the world’s luxury yacht builders, specialising in custom superyachts in the 30- to 65-metre (98- to 213-foot) range, but with the additional capability of building vessels of 80 metres (262 feet) and above.

With a focus on quality and innovation, Heesen has created many custom yachts with no two yachts the same. Founded in 1978, it was the first Dutch shipyard to employ aluminium for yacht hulls. In its 42 years, it has delivered more than 170 yachts, with aluminium, steel, displacement, semi-displacement and revolutionary fast displacement yachts making up its fleet. Its most famous vessels include the 65-metre (213-foot) Galatica Star, 70-metre (230-foot) Galatica Super Nova and 55-metre (180-foot) Serenity.

6. Lürssen, Germany

Based in Germany, Lürssen is one of the world's leading shipyards for large luxury yacht building, with a focus on excellence in custom-built superyachts. A family-owned shipyard for four generations, it can claim the accolade of building the world’s first motor yacht back in 1886.

Responsible for building more than 13,000 vessels since 1875, Lürssen currently has eight shipyard facilities in Northern Germany, each specialising in a specific size of yacht ranging from 60 to 220 metres (197 to 722 feet) in length. Together these facilities offer 1,125,000 metres squared of space for new builds, as well as refit, repair and maintenance services.

Lürssen builds some of the largest luxury yachts in the world, including the iconic Azzam, the world’s current largest superyacht at 180 metres (590 feet) LOA.

7. Nobiskrug, Germany

Having just celebrated its 115 th anniversary, Nobiskrug began shipbuilding long before the term ‘superyacht’ was even coined. Drawing on its extensive experience in seagoing vessels, the shipyard turned to yacht building in 2000 with the completion of its inaugural superyacht project, the 92-metre (302-foot) Tatoosh. It has since delivered an impressive portfolio of innovative custom-built superyachts, pledging to work on a single project for a single client to build superyachts ready for the 22 nd century. A big statement of intent.

With two facilities in Northern Germany, the boatyard can currently build vessels ranging from 60 to 426 metres (197 to 1398 feet) in length. Over 1000 in-house employees work across the two sites, where they have developed and built numerous award-winning superyachts, including one of the industry’s most talked about vessels, 142-metre (466-foot) Sailing Yacht A.

2020 saw the launch of 80-metre (262-foot) Artefact. At 2,999 GT, Artefact is now the largest 80-metre superyacht by volume in the world and is one of the world’s first superyachts to meet IMO Tier III emissions regulations.

8. Oceanco, Netherlands

Oceanco specialises in building sophisticated custom yachts ranging from 80 to 140 metres (262 to 459 feet) in length. Offering a highly personal service to clients, Oceanco is positioned with state-of-the-art yacht building facilities in the Netherlands, and a design, sales and marketing office in Monaco.

The builder celebrated its first launch in 1992, and almost 30 years later its portfolio now includes well-known superyachts such as the 95-metre (311-foot) Indian Empress, 82-metre (269-foot) Alfa Nero, 88.5-metre (290-foot) Nirvana and 91.5-metre (300-foot) Equanimity.

9. Perini Navi, Italy

The Perini Navi Group is made up of four independent companies that operate in five specific markets: sailing yachts up to 60 metres (197 feet), large sailing yachts more than 60 metres, racing sailing yachts, fast cruising sailing yachts and Picchiotti motor yachts.

To date, the group has launched 58 sailing yachts and four motor yachts. Its track record for innovative sailing yachts has seen it set the standard for excellence in the sector, launching more yachts over 50 metres (164 feet) than any other builder. It's responsible for the iconic 88-metre (288-foot) three-masted schooner Maltese Falcon, which currently holds the title of the sixth largest sailing yacht in the world, and other award-winning sailing yachts, such as the 73-metre (239-foot) Nautilus, 70-metre (229-foot) Badis I and 64-metre (210-foot) Spirit Of The C’s.

Perini Navini's superyacht Maltese Falcon

10. Royal Huisman, Netherlands

Established in 1884, Royal Huisman is the only shipyard with two entries in the top 10 largest sailing yachts ever built. The 2020 launch of 81-metre (266-foot) Sea Eagle II was its tenth sailing yacht over 50 metres (164 feet) and its biggest yacht since 90-metre (295-foot) Athena in 2004, which was then the largest sailing yacht in the world. Despite being renowned for its luxury performance sailing yachts, Royal Huisman’s largest delivery in 2021 is expected to be “Project 403 PHI”, a featherweight 55-metre (180-foot)+ aluminium motor yacht under 500GT.

Discover how to choose your luxury yacht builder or alternatively search for superyacht shipyards .

Tried & Tested

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A Definition

Catamarans are vessels (power or sail) with two parallel hulls of equal size. A catamaran gets its stability from a wide beam (some cats like Looping and the old Lagoons accentuate this).

In general, the ratio of length to beam is around 2:1. Some yachts are more narrow (e.g. the Outremer 51) and some are wider (such as the Nautitech 40). On katamarans.com, we focus on sailing cats.

Different to Monohulls

This is different from a monohull which gets stability from a ballasted keel. Catamarans typically have less volume in the hulls, a lower displacement and a shallower draft than monohulls of a similar length. The hulls slip through the water faster (less resistance), and a broader platform means that heeling and pitching are reduced. Less energy is lost generating a wake.

The Polynesians built the first multihulls.

At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of catamarans that we have reviewed on Katamarans.com. Browse by page, or filter the results using the search tool provided.

Where we have specific information on individual boat manufacturers, we will list them here.

Multihull Manufacturers

An A-Z of Builders

Atlantic Catamarans Chris White Chris specialises in the design of high-performance cruising catamarans and trimarans. Examples include the Atlantic 57 , the 47 and the 72. Chris White has developed some innovative designs such as the MastFoil rig – effectively 2 genoas for ease of handling.

Aventura Cruising cats that are built in Tunisia. The range includes a 37 and a 45-footer.

Balance Catamarans A successful South African brand that manufactures the 526, the 482, the 442 and others. There’s a long waiting list if you order one of these boats! These blue water cruising yachts have been designed to be fast, safe and can be sailed shorthanded. They are simple to maintain, carry a decent payload and are comfortable to sail and live aboard. It’s proving to be a popular combination.

Bali Launched by the Catana Group in 2014, Bali has become one of the most successful manufacturers of cruising cats in the charter and owner markets. They are known for innovative features like the aft pivoting “garage” door, solid foredecks and wide open living spaces. And big fridges. The Catsmart, the baby of the range at 38-foot and twin aft helms, was launched in 2023.

Catana Historically one of our favourite performance cruising catamaran manufacturers, they now focus more on their Bali brand. This company launched the Catana 471 back in the day, and its latest model is the 50-foot Ocean Class.

Dazcat A UK-based performance manufacturer with many Fastnets under their belt. Along with Marsaudon, Dazcat produces some of the fastest-performance cruising catamarans on the market. They are now moving into the performance cruising market with their Ocean Cruiser 55 – a stunning design with a forward helm and two raised twin aft helms.

Excess Part of the Beneteau Group, Excess began building sportier designs than sister company Lagoon with lower booms and aft helms. They are targeting a similar market to Nautitech. They first launched the 12 and 15 in 2019 with adapted Lagoon molds. The newer models, the 11 (2020) and 14 (2022) are 100% Excess Designed.

Fountaine Pajot This French yard has been building catamarans since the launch of the Louisiane 37 in 1983 and is one of the most successful manufacturers in the market. They have evolved their designs over time using customer feedback and the latest technologies. Fountaine Pajot is leading the production yard development of eco-powered yachts with the Aura 51.

Gemini The Gemini Legacy 35 has been built in the US since 1981 (now Annapolis): a family-friendly cruising catamaran that continues to be popular. Over 1,100 have been launched. She is famous for her narrow beam, decent sailing performance and shallow draft. LOA 35’4″, LWL 33′, Beam 14′.

Grainger Designs Highly regarded designer of performance catamarans including the Raku Sailing range, from 32′ to 66′ LOA for fast efficient construction from Panel Kits.

Gunboat From Peter Johnstone to Grand Large Yachting, Gunboat is surely the biggest catamaran brand out there and a Gunboat 68 is on many people’s wish lists while they are filling out their lotto numbers. With Grand Large, they are going large with the launch of the Gunboat 80. They have also launched a 72′ flybridge cat and will be producing a Gunboat 70.

HH The 66, the 55, the 50, the 44 and now the 52. These luxury yachts, manufactured to a high standard, are snapping at Gunboat’s heels. The range goes from the HH44 to the HH88.

ITACatamarans An Italian performance yard who have launched some great designs including the 14.99 (Yacht Design Collective) and the 15.49.

Kinetic Kinetic is building two luxury performance models: the 62 and the 54. Kinetic is a niche manufacturer from South Africa who is gaining a good reputation for product quality.

Knysna Yacht Company Another excellent boutique South African manufacturer who are most famous for the Knysna 500 SE .

Lagoon The market leader in catamaran production; they control over 30% of the market. They also compete with Sunreef in the luxury market working closely with VPLP.

Leopard Born from their charter partnership with The Moorings, Leopard is now one of the largest cruising catamaran manufacturers. Strong, sturdy cruisers from South Africa.

Lightwave Yachts Australian manufacturer of the Lightwave 46.

Marsaudon Composites Marsaudon is about speed with no compromise from the L’Orient yard. This range of French performance cats, from the 42 to the 57, is now marketed under the ORC brand (Ocean Rider Catamarans). The latest design was developed by Marc Lombard. In 2023 they ran into financial difficulties. Let’s hope they find a buyer.

McConaghy Manufacturers of luxurious multihulls from the McConaghy 55 to the 100.

Moon Yachts Polish luxury builder who has launched the Moon Yacht 60 (Sail & Power)

Nautitech The Nautitech range has an excellent blend of performance and comfort. They build a 40, a 44 and a 46, soon to be replaced by a 48-footer.

Ocean Explorer Luxury performance yachts built in Finland and designed by Germán Frers.

Outremer Fast cruising cats, these boats have been designed to travel long distances quickly and safely. The Outremer 51 is their most successful model but the 52, designed by VPLP is replacing that. The 45 is also popular thanks to “Sailing La Vagabonde”. The 55 is also selling like hotcakes.

O-Yachts Designed by Eric Lerouge and Dan Levy and built in Latvia, O-Yachts is a boutique shipyard building high-quality performance cruisers like the Class 6 and Class 4. The Class 6 is famous for its “Spine”.

Privilege A French luxury cruising catamaran manufacturer with a long history in the industry. Marc Lombard is an established partner in the design of this brand. Their closest competitor is probably Sunreef, but Privilege would argue that their yachts are better designed for long passages. If you want to circumnavigate without compromising on comfort, this is your yacht.

Prout The UK brand that arguably invented the cruising catamaran market, Prout went bust in the early noughties, but their yachts live on. The Snowgoose 37, Prout 45, Quest 33 and Event 34 are all popular designs. They are not the fastest (especially upwind), but they are solid, safe and sturdy cats.

Seawind Cruising cats that sail, Seawinds are now produced in their factory in Vietnam. The range includes the popular 1260, 1600 and 1370 which have proven very popular with buyers.

Schionning Designs Schionning offers kits and advice to help you build your dream catamaran. Schionning owners either self-build or hand the design over to an affiliated shipyard such as Noosa Marine. These are highly customised performance catamarans such as the Arrow and G-Force Series. They are now based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Slyder A small German manufacturer who specialises in electric powered yachts.

Sunreef The market-leading luxury catamaran brand. Sunreef Yachts seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and they are investing heavily in Solar Power. It’s sunny in Dubai!

Vision Yachts Another impressive South African Yard that builds the elegant Vision 444, a blue water sailing catamaran that’s strong, sails efficiently, is spacious and forgiving: an all-round yacht pitched at the likes of Nautitech with a high level of finish and attention to detail.

Wharram Designs The classics. Unique self-build boat plans inspired by the canoes of the Polynesians.

Windelo Probably the market leader in eco-cats. Windelo takes a no-compromise approach to building their sustainable yachts including using innovative materials designed to minimise their carbon footprint. They have developed an impressive electric power management system for the 50 and the 54.

Top 10 – Best Catamarans

What are the ten best multihulls ever produced? This is a hard list to pull together and remember that these are our personal favourites. We could probably debate this all day. So, in no particular order:

Gunboat 48 Gunboat (now owned by Grand Large) doesn’t make sub-50-footers anymore. That’s a shame. Gunboat only made six 48s, they hold their value well.

Nautitech 40 Open We are biased here as we used to own one, but this 40-footer is a great sailor with lots of living space for the money. The newer 44 is a significant upgrade, but it was the 40 that moved the dial for Nautitech.

Marsaudon ORC 57 Wow factor 10! This is your boat if you want to sail fast and in comfort.

Lagoon 380 The Ford Escort of the catamaran world. Or should we say the Peugeot 208? Lagoon was never able to replicate its success in this size. Maybe the Excess 11 will take over?

Outremer 45 It was a close call between the 45 and the 55, but Barreau’s classic design nudges it for us. The 51 is also a great boat. We might switch this to the 52 if we get the chance to test one.

Prout Snowgoose 37 The classic that continues to cross oceans. Here is the catamaran you want to circumnavigate safely on a sub $100k boat. There are two versions, the original and the Elite. The earlier boat is the better sailor if you keep the weight off, but the Elite will soak up more weight.

Leopard 46 (2006) This Morrelli and Melvin design has aged well. These are solid and seaworthy boats that remain popular on the second-hand market.

Privilege 495 (2004) Marc Lombard nailed it with the 495. These are also still very popular on the second-hand market.

Catana 471 The high tide mark for Catana, in our opinion, along with the 431. Another great design from Barreau. Plus it’s very pretty.

Balance 526 A very popular South African blue water performance cruiser. There’s a long waiting list for these yachts and for a good reason. If you like a protected helm, the “Versa-Helm is an excellent solution.

Types of Catamaran

At katamarans.com, we group boats as follows:

Performance Catamarans Yachts that have been designed for speed with safety. Famous examples include the Gunboat 68, the Outremer 55 and the Atlantic 57.

Cruising Catamarans Yachts designed to maximise the living space while maintaining acceptable performance. Lagoon, Bali, Fountaine Pajot and Leopard dominate the market, but there is plenty of choice with other manufacturers such as Nautitech, (more performance), Excess, Seawind and Aventura.

Luxury Catamarans The “Mercedes S Classes” of the multihull world. Privilege, Sunreef and the larger Lagoons dominate here. Some of the performance brands are also luxury boats of course: Gunboat, McConaghy, HH and Kinetic are examples.

Classic Catamarans Designs that have gone down in history as classics, these boats are still sought after today. This section includes Prout, the older Lagoons, Catana and Outremer.

Custom Catamarans One-off designs and builds, either in the luxury or the racing sectors. for example Hemisphere: the largest catamaran ever built.

One of the more significant trends in the industry is the development of eco-friendly yachts. You can argue that all sailing cats are eco-friendly as they aim to be powered by the wind (most of the time), but there is much work to do in this area.

Windelo leads the pack: they design and manufacture light boats that are designed to sail in 4-5 knots of wind, with electric engines for the marina, plenty of solar and hydro-power-generation and they use recyclable materials in the construction.

Other manufacturers who are working hard in this area include HH, Outremer, Excess, Fountaine Pajot and Sunreef.

Pros and Cons of Catamarans versus Monohulls

Catamarans have many advantages over monos. But there are some disadvantages too, of course. You can’t have everything.

✅ Higher cruising speeds. Generally speaking, a catamaran will have a higher Sail Area to Displacement ratio than a comparable monohull and will be faster at wider wind angles.

However, fixed keel cruising cats are not as efficient upwind, so your VMG will be lower (Velocity Made Good) going upwind. Dagger-board cats, however, can match or exceed monohull speeds upwind. Performance cats can sail at windspeed and even up to 1.4x TWS in some cases.

✅ More Living Space Perhaps the biggest advantage. Even performance cats with narrow hulls have a large living platform up in the saloon and cockpit. Monohulls cannot compete here.

✅ Less Heeling Catamarans do heel, but not to the same extent as monohulls. That means a more comfortable sail for everyone (notably less frequent sailors). Sailing flatter on long passages is less tiring.

✅ More Stable at Anchor. If you have ever sat on a catamaran anchored in a bay with a swell next to a monohull, this point needs no further explaining.

✅ Quieter Under Power On night passages, you can cruise on a single engine and keep one of the hulls quieter for whoever is off watch.

✅ Cruising in shallow waters With a shallower draft, you’ll be able to get into anchorages (in the Bahamas for example) that a monohull can only dream of. This is particularly true of daggerboard cats. With the boards up, your draft will be a metre or less.

✅ Manoeuvrability Most catamarans have twin engines (though not all). That makes them highly manoeuvrable in tight spots. Most cats can turn 360 degrees within their own length.

✅ The Nets One of our personal favourites. The trampolines are good for lounging, jumping off the boat, dolphin watching, you name it. Not all catamarans have nets, however.

✅ Sugar Scoops Getting on and off a catamaran with gear via the sugar scoops is generally easier. That includes diving, swimming and so on. Although modern monohulls with swimming platforms are just as convenient.

❌ Larger Marina Fees Most marinas charge extra for catamarans versus the same-length monohulls. That is because they are beamier. The additional cost can be anything between 50-100%

❌ Higher Maintenance Fees. There are two engines. And two rudders. And more heads. And that all means more maintenance costs. At least you only have one mainsail!

❌ Less Efficient Upwind (Not always) Most catamarans are happiest on a beam reach or a broad reach. Thanks to their speed through the water, the apparent wind moves forward and sucks your catamaran along: they make their own wind. Close-hauled, most cruising cats do not point as high as a monohull. 55 degrees to true is probably your limit before you start sliding. This is not an issue on performance cats with daggerboards, however. The gap is most noticeable in lighter winds.

❌ Wave Slap This depends on the catamaran, but some designs (particularly older models with lower bridge deck clearances) suffer from wave slap, especially heading upwind into a chop.

❌ Different Motion Although catamarans are more stable than monohulls, they do have a different motion underway and one that not everyone likes. With no keel, they tend to pitch more and shorter boats tend to “hobby-horse”, if there is too much weight in the bow and aft.

45 feet seems to be the sweet spot when this becomes less of an issue. Good designs make a point of centralising the weight as much as possible. Dazcat and Outremer are good at this. You’ll notice that performance cats like Outremer and HH have long nets to keep the weight off the bow – this gives a more comfortable ride.

❌ Increased windage This is especially true of manufacturers like Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot. Sunreef also suffers from this. That’s the trade-off you make for more living space. If you look at some of the earlier Outremer and Catana designs, they look very low-slung compared to modern designs, almost like spaceships. Except there wasn’t much space inside the ship!

What is the Fastest ever Catamaran? Strictly speaking, this would be Sailrocket 2, as it has two hulls (although she flies one most of the time). This speed yacht smashed the 500m world speed sailing record, hitting over 65 knots (75+ MPH) in Namibia in 2012. However, this boat has such a radical design that it’s difficult to pigeonhole her into one category.

A History of Catamarans

So who built the very first catamaran? The Polynesians and Micronesians used double-hulled craft in the 1700s and probably before to travel between the islands. James Cook spotted a number on his travels.

If we are talking about modern catamarans, which are more the focus of katamarans.com, we’d have to say that Californian surfer Hobie Alter can lay a claim, although Hawaiian surfer Woody Brown built an ocean-going catamaran called Manu Kai (“Sea Bird”) with the Hawaiian Alfred Kumalai in the late forties so we should probably give him the medal.

The Wharram Legend One man who towers above everyone else in this regard is Englishman James Wharram , who was inspired by Polynesian designs and built the first modern catamaran to cross an ocean. His 23’6″ yacht was called Tangaroa , and she made her first Atlantic crossing in 1956. Wharram then improved the design, launched Rongo, and sailed back to England via New York in 1959. “Two Girls, Two Catamarans” is an excellent account of his travels if you want to delve deeper into his story.

And it was UK companies that were at the forefront of the production multihull industry in the early days, notably with Prout. Their main competitor was a builder called Sailcraft (run by Reg White), who built the Iroquois 30 and 30 Mk II, and the Cherokee 35.

Catalac, another UK builder, was also building cruising catamarans from 8 to 12m at this time, and there were smaller yards building yachts such as the Heavenly Twins 26 and the Hirondelle 23. Tony Smith built trimarans called Telstars and later moved to the States, where he started Gemini.

France Of course, no history of 2 hull boats is complete without a mention of the French builders who now dominate the industry. A robust ecosystem developed along the Atlantic Coast to supply yachts for ocean races like the Route du Rhum that were attracting more and more interest.

The French boating industry signed up some of the top naval architects around, designers such as Marc Lombard , Gerard Danson, Erik Lerouge, Christophe Barreau, Michel Joubert & Bernard Nivelt, and Marc Van Peteghem & Vincent Lauriot-Prevost. They soon turned their hand to production catamarans fuelled by an eager market ready to sail to the French Overseas Territories in the South Pacific and a favourable tax law for boat owners.

Fast forward to today, and Lagoon controls around 30% of the production market, with Fountaine Pajot and Bali holding a decent slice of the rest.

South Africa South Africa has also developed into a manufacturing hub for multihulls. Several factors have driven this. Prouts were made here after the company went bust in 2001, and Robertson & Caine teamed up with the Moorings to produce a charter boat that helped develop a brand called Leopard.

The very first Gunboats were made in South Africa, spawning a highly successful performance ecosystem along the country’s south coast (Balance, Kinetic for example).

Future Manufacturing Centres And where is the future? All of these markets continue to develop, including the UK (with the likes of Dazcat and Broadblue), and new manufacturing centres are building up around the world in Tunisia (Bali, Aventura), Turkey, Italy (ITA Catamarans), Poland (Sunreef), Vietnam (Seawind), China and the Philippines (HH).

But I can’t see France losing their dominant position any time soon; they have too big a lead. Even Gunboat is French these days, you have to hand it to them, they are doing a great job.

Where does the word “catamaran” come from? Why do we call yachts with two hulls catamarans? The word comes from a Tamil word “கட்டுமரம்” which is romanised as “kattumaram”. A kattunaram is a Tamil single-hulled raft made from 3 to 7 tree trunks lashed together (often made from fibrous palm trees) used on the Coast of Southern India and Sri Lanka, but the word has evolved in English to mean any boat with two hulls.

Which is faster? A catamaran or trimaran? Generally speaking, a trimaran of similar length can hold more sail safely, so that they will be faster (on average). However, there is a space penalty to pay which is why catamarans dominate in the cruising and performance cruising markets. Some trimaran designs like Rapido and Dragonfly also offer folding floats which will save you money in the marina.

Which manufacturer holds the largest market share? Undoubtedly Lagoon, who has had great success over the years: they control more than 30% of the market. The competition is heating up, with Bali making significant inroads into the charter market and customer demand for owner-operated boats is drifting to more performance. Manufacturers such as Nautitech and Seawind are carving out a profitable niche between the two.

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10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

10 Best Sailboat Brands | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 20, 2023

‍ There's no denying that sailors are certainly a passionate bunch. We’re so passionate about our boats that we always try going for the best sailboats. To make it a lot easier for you, here are the best sailboat brands.

Owning a sailboat is an indulgence that many of us only dream about but very few ever have the privilege of sailing the seas in what they can actually call their own.

While there's nothing wrong with renting a sailboat, the honor of owning one is certain what many sailors dream of.

With a perfectly crafted sailboat as company, gliding through the water, waves, and wind brings some sort of unmatched comfort and peace.

Add this to the fact that sailing takes you far away from the daily hustles and bustles that we've become accustomed to in our daily lives and you'll see why the life of sailing is very appealing to the masses.

But without a proper sailboat, all this fun and the good life of sailing are thrown out of the window.

Contrary to the widespread opinion, owning a sailboat isn't beyond anyone's reach. It's something that we can all achieve. But before getting into that, it's important to know some of the best sailboat brands.

The best sailboat brands will make your life as a sailor a lot easier and more fun. The best sailboat brands have, for decades if not centuries, mastered the art of woodworking. They've dedicated their skills and immense amount of their time to designing and manufacturing nothing but the best quality of sailboats in the industry.

So if you've been looking for the best sailboat brands from all over the world, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss the best of the best, something that will give you a perfect getaway from your normal life.

Table of contents

‍ Must-Have Features for Your Sailboat

Before highlighting the best sailboat brands, it would be appropriate to jog your mind a little with some of the features that must be available in your sailboat.

Choosing a sailboat can sometimes be a matter of compromises. In other words, it's sometimes sensible to accept that a sailboat cannot have all the features that you desire.

As such, it's all about going with a sailboat that has the features that matter to you most.

For this reason, let's look at the most basic features that can make the difference in both safety and comfort while improving your sailing experience.

A Safe and Comfortable Sailing Cockpit

You'll most definitely be spending a huge amount of time in the cockpit. Whether you're keeping watch, trimming sails , helming, or just enjoying the scenery, there's no better place to do all these than from the cockpit. That being said, a good cockpit should have the following.

Have a good depth for safety reasons and adequate drainage
Should give you a quick and easy access to jammers, cleats, and other important parts of the winch system
Should have a seat or seats that are about 35 cm high, 50 to 55 cm wide to provide ideal support
The seats should be adjustable to offer maximum comfort and allow you to change your position

GPS Chartplotter

Use a GPS Chartplotter once and your sailing will never be the same without it. It not only allows you to map a course but is also a great way of ensuring that your sailboat exactly follows that course. It also gives you constant updates on ocean conditions, weather conditions , and potential hazards such as deadly currents and sandbars.

A GPS Chartplotter is also an important safety device that can help you in some very critical situations while out there on the water.

For instance, it has a man-overboard button that is essentially meant to allow you to receive coordinates of the exact location should someone fall off your boat.

Electric Winch System

This is an amazing addition to any sailboat. It allows you to sheet a jib even in high and strong winds with a simple press of a button. It also gives you the chance of trimming a mainsail easily while still carry out other essential tasks in the sailboat.

An electric winch system can be of great importance, especially if you're short on crew. This is because it can free up some crew members to carry other important tasks. In other words, it can make duties that would otherwise require more crew members a lot easier.

More importantly, an electric winch system can maintain safety even in the roughest of conditions, thereby preventing you and your crew from getting injured. In essence, an electric winch system will make your sailing a lot safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable.

Reverse Osmosis Watermaker

This is a very valuable accessory, especially if you're going on long sea voyages. You can spend days on end without drinking clean and safe water.

As the name suggests, you can use this accessory to turn seawater into purified drinking water. It uses the reverse osmosis method that's essential not only in removing bacteria and parasites from the water but also in turning the water into purified and safe drinking water.

Even though this device is pricey, it's a great way to mitigate the over-reliance on huge water tanks. All you have to do is to ensure that it's properly maintained and you'll have an endless streak of safe drinking water no matter where you are.

Wide and Clutter-free Deck

While the deck is often an overlooked feature of a sailboat, it can be the difference between a great sailing experience and a stressful one. In essence, the deck of a sailboat should be wide enough and clutter-free.

This is significant as it can enable you to quickly access different parts of your sailboat with hindrance or getting tangled. As you can see, this is particularly important in improving safety and reducing stress.

With that in mind, make sure that the deck is organized in such a way that you can have easy access to sails, masts, and winches.

You should, therefore, avoid sailboats with decks that are designed in such a way that you have to climb on top of the cabin just to access these features. Needless to say, this can be quite unstable and very dangerous especially when conditions are rough.

The Best Sailboat Brands and Why

1. hallberg-rassy.

Hallberg-Rassy is a Swedish yacht maker that's very well-known in the blue water cruising circles for making some of the highest quality and sturdiest sailboats. For many sailors, this is the number one sailboat brand as it offers absolute comfort, utmost safety, and good and easy handling.

This brand is not only synonymous with sturdy construction but you won't worry getting soaking wet while out there on the water. This is because it has a well-protected deck and cockpit, finished with nice woodwork, and has a powerful engine with a big tankage just to ensure that you can go on long voyages.

When designing its sailboats, this brand has made it a norm to add some features that stand out from the rest. For instance, the bowsprit is an integral feature that makes sailing a Hallberg-Rassy quite easy and much enjoyable. This is because it grants easy access to and from the deck. Its electric anchor winches facilitate smooth maneuvering. Even more, its large steering wheels makes it much easier to control the boat even in the roughest of conditions. In essence, this brand has features that provide good control and an extra sense of safety.

Although this brand has evolved over the years, you'll easily recognize it even from a distance. And why is this? A Hallberg-Rassy never goes out of style. This is a unique sailboat brand that has always stayed true to its principles and concept. No matter which part of the world you go, Hallberg-Rassy will remain the undisputed king of blue water cruising.

2. Nautor's Swan

For over 50 years, Nautor's Swan has endlessly raised the sailing levels by designing and manufacturing new sailboat models that not only push the boundaries but also meet that many requirements and demands of sailors across the world. Thanks to its wide range of seaworthy, timeless, elegant, and highly-performing sailboats, the Nautor's Swan remains one of the best if not the best sailboat makers in the world.

Based in Jakobstad, Finland, this brand has severally set the industry standard with its speedy and sleek models such as the Swan 48, Swan 65, Swan 98, Swan 78, and Swan 120. These models have one thing in common: they never compromise on safety. As a brand that puts safety first, it ensures that its models are made of foam-cored glass fiber and reinforced both with carbon-fiber and epoxy. In essence, Nautor's Swan is widely revered for its unmatched seafaring and safety records.

Additionally, Nautor's Swan models are incredibly responsive. You can easily tell this just by the feel of the wheel. This brand has models that will gracefully slice through the biggest of waves with ease. That's not all; the interior of these models that are very comfortable even when the going gets tough. This is, without a doubt, a brand that strives to create self-contained worlds with each model.

3. Beneteau

This is perhaps the most selling sailboat brand in the world. For over a century now, this brand has based its models in a combination of simplicity and performance. This is a brand that will serve you just right across all latitudes and in all circumstances. Whether you prefer the Oceanis Yacht 62 or the Figaro Beneteau 3, this brand will never let you down on all fronts.

This brand revolves around a simple concept of creating a link around the world. From the deck space to its design and light, this brand does everything possible not just to uniformly transform life at sea but also to open doors to new horizons in a very luxurious yet practical way. Its models are designed with clear deck plans, stable hulls, simplified maneuvering and interior materials and equipment that can be easily personalized.

Whether you're looking for a racing sailboat or something that's designed to explore and enjoy the world in the company of friends and family, Beneteau is a true combination of sensations and simplicity. This is a brand that brings to the seas fun, simplicity, smartness, toughness, safety, intuitiveness, as well as dazzling reinvention.

4. Amel Yachts

Based on the ethos of designing and manufacturing comfortable, robust, and easy-to-handle boats, this French brand has, for over five decades, offered sailors and other sailing enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore the seas with the utmost quality, comfort, and more importantly, safety.

Using 100% French know-how, this brand has brought to the sailing world some of the best boats such as the Santorini, the Mango, the Super Maramu, and the Maramu. We would be doing this brand total injustice if we said that they're distinctive. Truth be told, there's nothing comparable to an Amel model. Well Amel was and still is, the ultimate standard by which other sailboat models are measured.

From items such as electric winches and furling, to generators, Watermaker , and washing machine down to the simplest of items such as towels. Spare filters, bathrobes, deck brush, and a boat safe, the Amel is in reality with what the real life of a sailor is and should be.

Although some may say that Amel still has room for improvement in terms of specifications and personalization, it cannot be denied that the Amel is a serious brand that designs and manufactures complete boats. With this brand, you'll be guaranteed of a higher degree of reliability, safety, and an edge of fun while out there on the water.

5. Hinckley Yachts

Based in Maine, United States, Hinckley Yachts is a brand that has been building robust, luxury, and safe sailboats for more than 90 years now. In its sailboat class, you'll find several sailboats that have classic shapes, inner strength, dramatic lines, and features that are absolutely essential in dealing with the challenges of the North Atlantic.

This brand has been successful in integrating impeccable craftsmanship with new technologies to ensure that their models always stand out while articulating advanced sailing practices, timeless aesthetic, robust construction, and the utmost safety. Whether you choose the Bermuda 50, the Sou'wester 53 or any model for that matter, you'll never be short of advanced performance based on the best design and technology.

In terms of features, this brand provides sailboat models with modern performance hulls. These hulls are constructed with inner layers of carbon, outer layers of Kevlar, and are aligned with computer-designed load paths. Every feature is designed without compromising comfort.

To this end, this brand offers you a perfect combination of both fun and sail. This brand offers more than just sailing. Instead, it offers a unique sailing experience that's combined with the pure joys of sailing in the blue waters with an ease of ownership and maneuverability.

6. Oyster Yachts

If you've been looking for luxury more than anything else, Oyster Yachts provides you with numerous solutions. This British brand is widely known for manufacturing a wide range of luxury cruising sailing yachts. Its sailboats are among the finest in the world and are immensely capable of taking you to some of the far-flung places in the world without having to worry about high winds and hellish waves.

Whether you choose the iconic Oyster 565 or the immense Oyster 595 you never fall short of experiencing the new world like never before. These are models that will enable you to own your adventure, choose your destination, set your courses, pick your anchorage, and stay safe at all times. If you want to hold the wheel and pull the sail while feeling the tang of salt spray on your face, Oyster Yachts is the way to go.

This is, unquestionably, a brand that's meant for you if you want to explore the seas in comfort, luxury and utmost safety. From craftsmanship, sailboat design, to hull, deck, and keel configurations, everything is designed to allow you to circumnavigate the world in comfort, elegance, and style.

7. Tartan Yachts

Based in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, there's arguably no better to begin your sailing adventures than with a sailboat designed and manufactured by Tartan Yachts. With several award-winning designs and construction, this brand is widely known for providing easy handling, great performance, and an ultimately stable platform.

This brand always strives to deliver a unique and the best possible experience to every sailor. As a brand, Tartan fully understands that every sailor has his/her unique sailing needs. As such every component of their models is designed with engineering levels that guarantee optimum performance, excellent on-deck visibility, and luxurious interior.

From the Tartan 5300, the Tartan 4300, the Tartan 345 to the New 365 and the Fantail, this brand makes it a priority to ensure that its models are among the strongest, lightest, and more importantly, the safest in the sailing industry. In essence, this brand can be ideal if you appreciate performance. It has rewarding sailing features both in narrow water lines and wider passages. Add this to its easy handling and you'll have a top-notch performer in virtually every condition.

8. Catalina Yachts

As one of the most popular boat manufacturers in the world, this American brand is widely revered for building the sturdiest boats that can hold up perfectly well in real-world conditions. These are generally family-oriented boats that are intelligently designed to ensure that your entire family can have fun out there on the water.

Some of the models include the cruiser series such as the Catalina 315, the Catalina 385, the Catalina 425 while the sport series include the Catalina 12.5 Expo, the Catalina 16.5, and the Catalina 14.2 Expo. As the current winner of the "Boat of the Year" Cruising World, you'll rarely go wrong with a Catalina model.

It offers a wide range of sailboat sizes that suits your lifestyle. This brand makes it a priority to ensure that all their models are not only safe but offer the best ownership and sailing experience. If anything, this brand is widely known to have one of the most excellent resale values in the sailing industry.

9. Island Packet Yachts

From the IP 525, the IP 439 to the IP 379, the Island Packet Yachts is a brand that encourages its customers not to keep the world waiting. This brand is meant for sailors who want to explore the world in utmost comfort and safety.

The first thing you'll notice in an IP sailboat is its large aft deck. This is not only perfect for sunbathing but can also serve you well if you want an impromptu dinner with friends and family while out there on the water. The living space is also large enough to carry most of your belongings, which is an added advantage especially if you've been planning to spend longer periods in the seas.

With modern evolution and refinement, as well as proven features, this brand is known to offer sailors maximum comfort, luxury, and safety. You'll have better access to the cockpit, have enough space, and are excellently designed to provide superior seafaring and the best features to enable you to spend extended periods when cruising.

10. Sparkman & Stephens

For more than 90 years, Sparkman & Stephens has been at the forefront of the belief that sailboat excellence goes beyond hull lines and deck plans. Instead, this brand believes in excellent naval architecture, innovation, sophistication, and beauty. This is a brand that has laid the foundation of sailboat as a sport not just in America but all over the world.

These models have graced the world for decades and bring immense pleasure to their owners in terms of innovation, performance, and excellence. Though rooted in tradition, the brand has pushed sophistication, technology, and sailing experience to a whole new level. You'll be a proud owner of the Sparkman & Stephens model.

There you have it; these are the best sailboat brands in the world. Although there are several other sailboat brands to choose from, the-above described brands stand shoulder above others in terms of quality, safety, performances and luxury.

Hopefully, you're at a much better place when it comes to choosing a sailboat that suits your lifestyle, needs, and budget .

Happy sailing!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Top 15 French Sailboats (and Catamarans) for 2022

France is undoubtedly one of the homelands of sailing. Monohull or multihull, every year the French shipyards present models that are successful all over the world. This is why we decided to select our top 15 French sailboats (and catamarans) for 2022; we choose them between the new ones and the slightly older ones. And you? What’s your favorite model?

Top 15 French sailboats for 2022: monohulls

Allures 51.9.

The Allures 51.9 innovates with its full-beam aft owner’s cabin. This model disrupts the codes of the yard also outside with its cockpit of 6 meters long with sunbath and swim platform for comfort; the navigation space can be protected by a hardtop to navigate in any security. The boat has a length of 51.9 feet (15.8 meters) and a beam (width) of 15.4 feet (4.7 meters). It is equipped with a fixed keel and a composite hull, which provides good stability and seaworthiness. The Allures 51.9 is available in a variety of configurations, including a three-cabin layout with a spacious owner’s cabin and two guest cabins, or a two-cabin layout with a larger owner’s cabin and a smaller guest cabin. It is also equipped with a well-equipped galley, a large saloon, and a navigation station. The boat is designed to be comfortable and easy to handle, with a simple sail plan and a self-tacking jib. The Allures 51.9 is a popular choice for sailors looking for a high-quality, reliable, and seaworthy yacht for extended cruising. Allures official website .

With this 15-meter unit , the La Rochelle shipyard opens the Amel concept to a new category of clients, thanks to more accessible dimensions. While they are not abandoning the emblematic ketch design of the La Rochelle shipyard, Amel has chosen the sloop for this unit. However, this is not a new format as such, as a number of sloops have already left the shipyard in the past. Among the innovations on this new model, the choice of a straight, powerful bow is a break from the shipyard’s habits. The waterline is extended to improve performance, making the front part of the boat more spacious. The addition of a bowsprit makes it possible to tack an additional sail such as an asymmetric spinnaker or a code-0. Amel official website .

Beneteau First 36

The Beneteau First 36 has a mission to bridge the gap between high-tech development in the world of racing and mainstream racer-cruisers. To be specific, even the standard version of First 36 will fully plane in a moderate breeze. Positioning six winches, steering wheels, and other deck gear was thoroughly tested on several mock-ups and a full-scale testbed sailboat to enable the sailing experience promised on the previous page.

Details like an offshore hatch on the foredeck or removable cockpit benches show the priority of sailing functionality over style used throughout the design process. Standard aluminium rig and cast iron keel were chosen to keep the boat accessible. Yet, Sam Manuard brought his experience and focused on perfecting the shape and design of these two key ingredients for a great sailing experience. The draft of 2,25 m was chosen as a compromise between performance and ease of use. Beneteau official website .

dufour 32 sailboat top 15 French sailboats

The new Dufour 32, designed by Umberto Felci, has been developed in the same spirit as all the latest models in the Dufour range: it’s a sporty, innovative yacht that is easy to handle, both with a crew and single-handed. All the spaces have been completely redesigned to create a multitude of playful and intelligent uses. For the first time on a 32-foot sailboat , you can now enjoy an aft sunbathing area … sheltered by a fabric shade that can be adjusted in moments. The inflatable and removable aft door of the cockpit folds down to complete this large friendly space. Dufour official website.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380

Designed by naval architect Marc Lombard with interior styling by Piaton Bercault, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 complete with the award-winning walk-around deck, follows the same design trend of its predecessors the Sun Odyssey 410, 440, and 490. On the interior, while the design features the hallmarks of this line, careful consideration was given to the perception of space and the simplification of lines, with the objective of creating sensations of peace and calm. Jeanneau official website .

For this fast cruising yacht , the shipyard has once again entrusted the Finot-Conq naval architecture firm to apply the very successful design of the Pogo 36 to a larger model. As for the hull, the Pogo 44 features a wide, chine hull, which guarantees high performance in planning and comfort when sailing at all speeds. The bow has a large volume, which is reminiscent of the Pogo 3. The keel of the Pogo 44, still made with a vacuum infused Monolithic Fiberglass veil and a lead ballast, receives the same hydraulic system as the Pogo 12.50 or Pogo 50. Pogo official website .

The French yard is well known not only among ocean sailors but also to those who love short-handed sailing and are looking for seaworthy and easily driven boats, both safe and comfortable. This last aspect is where Fora Marine has made great progress in the last few years, shedding some of the spartan image that characterized their products for many years.

What has not changed, and what is still the RM range’s defining characteristic, is the twin-chined hull, made of Okumé plywood impregnated with epoxy resin (the deck is in fiberglass sandwich). Below the hull, the yard offers two options, a single deep keel or double shoal draft keels. The RM are designed by Marc Lombard , probably one of the architects most able to transform the fashionable chine into an important element in cruising design. A chined hull, when properly drawn, gives both better hull shape and interior volumes. RM Yachts official website .

Top 15 French sailboats for 2022: catamarans

The new Bali 4.4 offers interesting living spaces, both inside and outside. With an optimized sail plan, sailing should gain in performance. The French shipyard is constantly developing its range and, after the 5.4, the fleet’s flagship, and the recent 4.2 and 4.6, the Bali 4.4 joins this renewed family. The Bali 4.4 replaces the 4.3 and 4.5 from the Bali catamaran range. With the same origins (designer Olivier Poncin, architect Xavier Fay and Lasta Design for the interiors) the Bali 4.4 has the DNA of the last models with slender bows, a silhouette lightened by the presence of long hull portholes and vast living spaces. The latter are divided between the spacious rigid forward cockpit between the two hulls, the flying bridge with its saloon and solarium, and finally the tilt-and-turn door joining together the cockpit and saloon. Bali official website .

Excess 15 (bluewater sailing configuration)

Beneteau excess 15 catamaran top 15 French sailboats

The bluewater sailing configuration of the Excess 15 consists of twin Deep Blue 50 kW electric saildrives in cooperation with ZF, two Deep Blue high-capacity lithium-ion BMW i3 batteries, and a full energy management system for harvesting green energy and charging the boat’s batteries while underway. On the yacht’s long test sail, the hydro generation system easily provided enough electricity to power one hundred percent of the onboard hotel loads at a cruising speed of seven to eight knots. Adding solar photovoltaics, planned for phase two of the Excess 15 with Deep Blue Hybrid project , will extend the system’s range and provide even more hybrid power and comfort on board. Excess Catamarans official website .

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40

The 12m Isla 40 embodies the spirit of French yard Fountaine Pajot and is distinguished by invigorating lines. The catamaran features inverted bows and a particular saloon where the chart table is accessible from the entrance. Her performance is complemented by optimal liveability with the option of three or four double cabins plus the possibility of a skipper’s cabin if required. Olivier Racoupeau Yacht Design , in collaboration with the engineers at Fountaine Pajot, has designed this new model, taking inspiration from the strengths of the other models in the range, and giving this 40-foot catamaran even more space and storage. Fountaine Pajot official website .

Garcia Explocat 52

The Garcia Explocat 52 is custom made with aluminum hulls and structures and fiberglass composite deck roofs. Aluminum shipbuilding has been Garcia’s strength for over 40 years. In Normandy (France), the Garcia shipyard has built more than 300 monohulls, catamarans, and trawlers up to 102 feet in length. Garcia Explocat 52 is specially designed for owners who want to walk in high latitudes and / or in the tropics. In addition to the three versions offered, the aluminum structure allows the yard to customize the yacht to meet all the expectations of the owner. Available in 3 or 4 cabin versions, each Explocat 52 is uniquely adapted to fit your cruising dreams. Garcia Yachts official website .

With nearly 6,000 units produced since the French shipyard began in 1987, Lagoon remains by far the world leader in the multihull market. To celebrate this international success, the shipyard launched last year the Lagoon 55. Designed by the VPLP team on the naval architecture side, this 16.56-meter long and 9-meter wide multihull was designed by Patrick le Quément for the exterior and Nauta Design for the interior. This 55’ model is equipped with an extra-large 25 m2 (269 sq ft) cockpit, including a large dining area; two large loungers at the stern, a comfortable deck chair in the shade of the roof; as well as a bar area perfectly equipped to ensure comfort on board. Lagoon official website .

Nautitech 40 Open

The redesigned roof enhances the streamlined silhouette and “Open Concept” of this award-winning yacht. The remodeled structure with large windows has optimized the helmsman’s 360-degree view from both helm stations. A skylight window in the cockpit roof provides the helmsman a clear view of the mainsail’s trim. The lounge area with a U-shaped sofa can now be found on the port side. And for those who don’t want to lose touch with the office on long trips, a desk can be included in the lounge area, if so desired. Nautitech official website .

Outremer 55

The Outremer 55, a liveaboard catamaran, is easy to maneuver, whether short-handed or even solo. The Outremer 55 features twin helms but they can be switched from on deck in a new double helm seat with full outdoor visibility for fun sailing, or switched down into the cockpit for fully protected sailing in bad conditions. The Outremer’s design team from VPLP have used CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to reduce drag ad forward resistance, while allowing for higher carrying capacity hen blue water cruising. At just 13.5t and combined sail area of 172 sm (Mainsail & Genoa) sailing in light winds will be a joy, but if needed the twin 60hp diesel motors are ready to engage. Outremer official website .

Windelo 50 Adventure

Designed in partnership with the architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, this fast blue-water cruising catamaran features an electric propulsion system that includes great hydro-generation facilities, solar panels, and the possibility to work under generator when it’s a necessity. With the development of an eco-composite in basalt fiber and PET foam, this is definitely an eco-friendly boat. Behind the mast, the forward cockpit has two helm stations protected from the wind and spray, a good view of the sails and the bows, and all the running rigging at hand. At anchor, the cockpit can be well protected from the elements and opens up to the stern. The self-tacking facilitates maneuvers also with limited crew; the lifting daggerboards are placed at the center of the hull to optimize their hydrodynamic performance. Windelo official website .

So, this is the selection of our top 15 French sailboats (and catamarans) for 2022. And you? What’s your favorite model?

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Catamaran (Over 50’)

By Cruising World Editors
December 15, 2021

During and in the four days immediately following the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, Maryland, the Cruising World judges inspected and sailed on 27 boats vying for recognition. Learn more about the boats in our 2022 Boat of the Year »

Are they really all-around cruising sailboats, or are they luxurious and large party platforms that are best-suited for crewed charter vacations in tropical settings? That was once a fair, probing question to ask of the builders knocking off long, tall, beamy vessels balanced on a pair of cabin-filled hulls. But no longer. Despite their respective girths and displacements, not to mention a wide variety of windspeeds and sea states, this quartet of full-size cats performed admirably across the board in this year’s BOTY sea trials. Yes, they now truck along like good, honest sailboats. All that room is icing on the cake. At the end of the day, however, it’s how that space is utilized that separates the king and the contenders.

Destined almost exclusively for the charter trade, the judges believed the Voyage 590 would truly excel in that role, so much so that they ultimately recognized it with a special award as the year’s Best Charter Boat. But that didn’t mean they did not consider it an innovative, exciting vessel on its total merits. “It’s a ‘techie’ boat, and they’re doing a lot of cool things with lithium batteries and 24-volt systems,” judge Ed Sherman said. “In terms of systems integration, they’re using high-end inverters to help out with things like variable-speed air-conditioning systems so they won’t have to run generators for extended periods of times. It’s pretty cool stuff. And under power, it’s one of the quietest boats we tested. High marks all around!”

Lagoon Catamarans, as most multihull sailors know, was one of the era’s true pioneers in the evolving world of cruising cats. Their new Lagoon Sixty 5 is another vessel that, not unlike the Voyage 590, will find plenty of duty in the serious business of having fun: in other words, the charter business. And it would be hard to find a better vessel for doing precisely that. The focal point of the boat, on multiple levels, is the epic flybridge, a feature that Lagoon first explored on a big cat with the firm’s 620 but which they have fully realized on this massive 67-footer. It utilizes a pair of steering stations, which are handy indeed given the beam of the yacht. The overhead Bimini sports a glass window for trimming the mainsail, a welcome and innovative addition. Sofas, wet bar, grill, fridge: all combined, they ask an important question, one that strikes to the heart of the boat’s clear purpose. Why would you ever go below?

In many respects, Fountaine Pajot was unquestionably another pioneer in the realm of production cruising cats, and it’s been fascinating to watch the company evolve. Tim Murphy has had a ringside seat for much of that decades-long evolution. “It’s been interesting to watch their trajectory over the years,” he said. “They started out as a very performance-oriented manufacturer. So, a lot of their thinking is about keeping weight out of their boats and creating cats that are going to perform well. Now they’re more in a market that’s moved in the direction of accommodation, and we’ve watched them transition in that direction. But speed and elegance remain important, as shown here.” A key selling point in the Samana 59 is the versatility offered in the several optional interior layouts. A pair of Maestro versions incorporate a roomy, stellar owner’s suite. But for full-on chartering, who could resist the six (!) double cabins with, of course, a half-dozen accompanying heads.

When all was said and done, though, the judges couldn’t help but honor the efforts behind the Xquisite X5 Plus ; it must be noted that, unlike its competitors in the class, chartering wasn’t part of the design brief. This is a dedicated cruising cat, through and through. And there’s much to like about this 53-foot South African-built product. For judge Tim Murphy, the important details weren’t necessarily the ones you could easily see, but rather the ones you couldn’t. “What I was most struck by on our tour of the boat was actually the service side of the whole equation,” he said. “There are 40,000 man-hours invested in this boat. And you can see it—those are solid hours of labor. One thing that was pointed out were two different marks on the heads of bolts showing they were torqued. And part of the Xquisite program is they spend two weeks with each owner, training them up with systems. All told, this is really one strong product.”

Judge Ed Sherman agreed: “The business model here is exemplary. What they’re really doing is emulating the high-end automotive market. I think they looked at the automotive sector for high-end cars like BMW and Mercedes and said, ‘OK, this sounds good, it looks good, and we’re going to do it, too.’ And they are. So, I think that that aspect of his business plan where they’re training the owners and then doing things like loading the boat up with spare parts as part of the original purchase, I mean, hats off to them. It’s a great way to go. How can you argue against it?”

“I couldn’t find anything that was done halfway,” said Gerry Douglas. “It was done better than you’d expect it to be, just because they wanted the boat to be perfect. And the quality of construction is excellent. It’s an infused hull but with a hand-laminated deck because there’s so many very tight corners and cavities. They didn’t think they could infuse that without adding a whole lot of weight. And I get that. So, they would hand laminate it, which makes sense when you have some of the very sharp corners that exist on that boat. It was all just perfectly done.”

Sometimes coming to a decision is hard. Sometimes it’s obvious. And when the votes were tallied, it was the Xquisite X5 Plus that was the obvious choice as Best Cruising Catamaran (Over 50’) for 2022.

More: Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year 2022 , Fountaine Pajot , Lagoon Catamarans , print 2022 jan , Sailboats , Voyage Yachts , Xquisite Yachts
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