Why aren’t there more catamaran super yachts? Actually, there are. There are more catamaran super yachts than ever. However, vessels in this category are usually custom, private and built for specifications of privacy.
Anything above (78 feet, 24 meters) is generally considered a “catamaran super yacht.” Why Aren’t There More Catamaran Super Yachts? There are. The top three I found are Hemisphere (145 feet, 44 meters), Lagoon Seventy8 (78 feet, 24 meters) , and Sunreef 80 (78 feet, 24 meters).
Amongst those in the know, catamaran super yachts do exist, but no one really uses those terms. Owners don’t talk in terms of “super” or “mega”. People brag, but those who have a valid reason to own a yacht, don’t really talk about the size.
The yacht industry is far more diverse and customized than is publicly known. Everybody wants something different. Which is what you see in reading these descriptions about why aren’t there more catamaran super yachts. Everything is custom. Here’s why aren’t there more catamaran super yachts.
Super vs Mega
This is not my definition, this is generally how media describes this segment of the market. I searched and I found several “catamaran super yachts” in production. I will name the ones that are public, and then I will show some images and specifications. Here’s the catamaran super yachts I found.
The Top Three
The top three catamaran super yachts are the Hemisphere, at 145 feet (44.2 metres), this is clearly the largest in existence, The Lagoon Seventy8, the latest Lagoon flagship at 78.74 feet (24 meters), it’s not small, and the Sunreef 80 Power, reaching 78 feet (23.80 meters) in length. These three vessels are the largest catamaran super yachts in 2022.
Why Aren’t There More Catamaran Super Yachts? Here They Are:
Hemisphere:
Hemisphere, the world’s largest sailing catamaran was recently completed by the Pendennis Shipyard. This boat was built custom for American owners and was a long time coming. Since the late 1990s. The owners chartered a variety of yachts, both sailing and motor, mono and multihulls, big and not so big. In the end, this gave them invaluable experience. From this, they understood what it was they wanted from their own boat.
The owners enjoyed several charters between 2001 and 2003. Led by Captain Gavin Bladen onboard a Caribbean catamaran. They both are passionate divers. This is when they decided they wanted their own sailing catamaran. Bladen, a diving instructor, was also keen to move on to a larger boat.
After searching without success for an existing boat, they decided they would build. They selected naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP); the multihull specialists responsible for Jules Verne record holder Groupama 3, 33rd America’s Cup winner BMW Oracle and the 136.15 feet (41.5 meter) sailing catamaran Douce France.
145 feet or 44.2 Meters!
In the end the new boat grew to 145 feet (44.2 metres,) which was just under the 500 gross tons limit and entering a whole new regulations world.
The Hemisphere is the largest sailing catamaran, a catamaran super yacht. Hemisphere represents the upper limit of super yachts. The Hemisphere is the largest and also the worlds most luxurious sailing catamaran.
Hemisphere has been built beyond super yacht standards by Derecktor shipyards, Connecticut USA. The Hemisphere will first cruise the Caribbean, then the Pacific, and then a world cruise.
Ultimate Yachting Experience
Hemisphere will offer the ultimate yachting experience. This vessel offers the highest level of service with the latest technology available. Hemisphere is the largest private sailing catamaran super yacht in the World. The vessel has won five different industry awards, including interior finishing.
In suitable weather Hemisphere travels up to 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph), with a top sailing speed of 20 knots. VPLP collaborated with Michael Leach Design for designing the interior. The yacht has over 1300 square feet of deck space, which includes the wheelhouse, flybridge, and salon.
The Lagoon Seventy8:
The SEVENTY 8, the new Lagoon flagship, is making her grand entrance at Lagoon. This yacht, over 78.74 feet (24 meters) in length, designed by the great names of naval architecture, VPLP, Patrick Le Quément and Nauta Design, and signals an entrance into a Motor Yacht world in which luxury and comfort are the watchwords.
The harmonious lines of her coachroof show with timeless elegance, create a world free of compromise, in which space is true luxury.
On deck: Wellbeing and comfort
• The SEVENTY 8’s massive flybridge can be customized: Jacuzzi, large folding dining table, sunbathing area forward, and a hard top / bimini with a roof which opens electrically.
• Next, the helming station with an ergonomic seat enables enjoyment of the experience of navigating the vessel while admiring the immensity of the ocean.
• A 322 square feet (29.91 square meters ) forward platform, a positive dance-floor, offering unrivaled space for relaxation and freedom.
• And an aft cockpit, with a view over the open sea, with a lounging space to port, a large aft seat as well as a dining table.
• A Tenderlift platform, which links these two transom skirts and affords an exceptional bathing deck.
• Connected spaces that become as one, like a “walk around” which invite you to explore this grand Motor Yacht.
Below decks: a luxurious world
• Well-balanced finishes, refined interior paneling and the meticulous choice of materials by Nauta Design create a timeless elegance.
• A huge saloon equipped with modern furniture, and complemented by large glazing units and exceptional headroom, provides unrivaled panoramic views.
• Exceptional communication between the exterior and interior spaces: among the large panoramic windows, the central one is a door, providing ventilation of the saloon and the cockpit, providing free communication with the forward cockpit.
• A real owner’s suite, private from the rest of the vessel, with access to the sea and your own private beach!
• Large portholes for the cabins enable natural light that provides a magnificent view outside.
• A wide choice of layouts for living on board: up to 5 cabins, each fitted with an island bed, ample storage and private bathrooms.
• Crew cabins in the forward hulls or with the aft galley option.
Did you say “custom” ?
For the more demanding, 269 square feet (24.99 square meters) of fully configurable space will enable you to create your very own SEVENTY 8. This option is only available in the forward galley, as the customizable space is in the aft.
Sunreef 80 Power:
The new 80 Sunreef Power, at 78 feet (24 meters), is a universal multihull yacht for long cruises with ultimate comfort. This takes luxury and seaworthiness to a new dimension. This dynamic and elegant craft enters the Sunreef Yachts range and redefines the authentic power catamaran super yacht design. The yacht’s dynamic hull and superstructure expand the living spaces, offering infinite options for a bespoke layout and décor.
With bold styling, the 80 Sunreef Power incorporates classic stainless steel portlights, teak sole decks, high bulwarks and subtle yet refined lighting.
The massive garage combined with an aft platform allows the 80 Sunreef Power to take her dinghy, numerous water toys and jet-ski anywhere. The yacht’s bow terrace is a vast, soothing retreat. This gives you amazing amounts of space for sunning and lounging.
The Sunreef Flybridge
The Sunreef 80 Power’s immense flybridge has enough room for a spa pool, a wet bar and generous seating.
One of the best features of the Sunreef 80 Power is the master suite. This can be set up in the bow section of the main deck. This includes a double bed facing the bow terrace, a bathroom and walk-in shower, dressing area and desk. The skylight glazing bathes the suite in soft sunlight. This space can also be used for a lounge with seating and access to the foredeck.
The main saloon opens out onto the aft cockpit. This combines the yacht’s interior dining space with the outdoor relaxation areas. This is where even more seating is available next to the wet bar. The saloon can also house a large galley, depending on the layout you select and can include an elevated station for interior navigation.
The Sunreef Hulls
The immense volumes in the hulls of the Sunreef 80 Power give plenty of room to tailor every unit’s layout to the most specific requirements. The crew quarters along with the galley and crew mess can be accessed directly from the aft cockpit for more privacy on board.
Multiple layout configurations are available. You can set up luxurious guest cabins for a supreme level of boating comfort.
On a Catamaran, Is It Saloon or Salon?
The interior social space used like a living room in a house is a Saloon or Salon. Yachting always seems to use the word “saloon”, while MotorBoating likes “salon” in their articles. The word comes from the French word “salon,” and it originally had the same meaning, “living room.” Later, these words diverged. Saloon came to mean “hall,” especially one on a boat or a train. In 1800’s America of the Wild West, the term came to mean “public house or bar.”
Conclusions
In conclusion, I found no shortage of catamaran super yachts. In fact, with the current boom in billionaires, there will be more super yachts soon. The three I have listed above are the largest. They are representative of the growing popularity and size of the catamaran design.
The catamaran design is efficient, fast and stable. It has continued to gain favor ever since the Prout brothers introduced their modified canoe in the early 1950’s. Their first catamaran won the first race, and most of the ones to follow, and the modern catamaran industry was born.
Catamaran Super Yachts are Gaining
These boats all use conventional modes of powering their vessels. Diesel is ubiquitous in marinas and will continue to power most of the powered catamarans for some time. Sailing continues to be enjoyable and relaxing, even if done by a crew. Sailing vessels will continue for the foreseeable future.
However, electric, with solar, power is also growing and making inroads. Electric will assist both diesel and wind as the solar gain increases and the batteries become more efficient. This is because electric engines are clean, don’t need lubrication, and last seemingly forever.
I hope this article helped you see some of the new boats coming on the horizon. I enjoyed writing this article. Please give me feedback if you have a question and I will try to answer it.
Sources:
https://www.sunreef-yachts.com/en/80-sunreef-power
https://www.cata-lagoon.com/en/seventy-8
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/salon-or-saloon-140931.html
https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat
https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/planing-or-planning-saloon-or-salon.6567/