HH44 Parallel Hybrid
The HH44 sits in a sweet spot at the center of the two axes of ideal yacht design: performance versus comfort; safety versus innovation. Despite the sporty look of its reverse sheer bows, elegantly sculpted cabintrunk and a sailplan with options to spare, the boat also offers the comfort and quality sailors have long come to expect from veteran builder HH Catamarans. Construction is in carbon and epoxy, deck hatches are mounted flush and lines are led to the helms under the deck in the interest of freedom of movement. An enclosed aft cockpit makes for a secure space for both living aboard and operating the boat. Closeable, drop-down transoms and unobstructed side decks, which serve to reduce tripping hazards, complete the safety package. On the technology side, the HH44 boasts a parallel hybrid propulsion system, providing owners all the benefits of electric power (like silent motoring and hydro-regeneration when under sail) with the peace of mind that comes with a reliable diesel engine. To help power the electric systems, up to 3.2kW of solar panels can be added to the cabintop, thanks to the boat’s helms being positioned at the aft corners, thereby freeing up space.
LOA 49ft 8in BEAM 23ft 6in DRAFT 4ft 7in (board up) 9ft 9in (board down) DISPLACEMENT 20,701lb SAIL AREA 1,350ft2 HH Catamarans, hhcatamarans.com
Fountaine Pajot Tanna 44
Slowly but steadily, Fountaine Pajot has gone about creating a look and performance package all its own, and the signature aesthetic is readily apparent in the French builder’s latest design, the Berret-Racoupeau designed Tanna 44. Falling in the middle of the Fountaine Pajot range, the Tanna 44 offers the same sharp lines, tumblehome bows, angular looking cabintrunk and reverse sheer that are now synonymous with the brand, and the combination looks especially good in a 47ft LOA. Like the as yet unnamed Fountaine Pajot “New” 51, the Tanna 47 can accommodate a large area of solar panels offering increased self-sufficiency underway while minimizing the boat’s environmental impact. Living space abounds, with an elevated flybridge lounge, for example, twice as large as the company’s Saona 47. A large, high-aspect main and overlapping genoa forward promise plenty of power under sail.
LOA 45ft 8in BEAM 25ft 4in DRAFT 3ft 11in DISPLACEMENT N/A SAIL AREA 828ft2 Fountaine-Pajot, fountaine-pajot.com
Neel 43
Though the smallest of Neel’s trimarans, the Neel 43 is no less impressive. As with the rest of the Neel line, the boat doesn’t lack for either accommodation or storage space, with eight berths (three doubles and two singles forward in each ama) and a large “garage” set low in the central hull for containing things like the engine, tanks and tools. Also like its predecessor, the 43 features what Neel calls its “cockloon,” a versatile living space that allows for free movement between the indoor and outdoor spaces, all well protected by a hardtop. The hulls and deck are constructed in a vacuum-infused composite sandwich with carbon-fiber reinforcements in high-load areas. A narrow central hull, svelte amas and a powerful rig all promise the same kind of sparkling performance Neel has long been known for.
LOA 43ft BEAM 24ft 6in DRAFT 4ft 11in DISPLACEMENT 18,000lb SAIL AREA 1,096ft2 Neel Trimarans, neel-trimarans.com
Xquisite 60 Solar Sail
One of a pair of new 60ft Bill Dixon-designed “Sixty Solar” models, the Xquisite 60 Solar Sail has been expressly designed for easy singlehanded sailing. At the same time, it is also designed to be as gentle on the environment as possible, with an eco-friendly parallel hybrid propulsion system, 10 kW of solar panels and a state-of-the-art Li-ion battery bank. All-electric sail controls allow crews to effortlessly fine-tune the powerful rig, which includes a boom-furling main. Similarly, the raised helm station to starboard looks to be a great place to either stand watch underway or survey your surroundings when on the hook. The long list of options and amenities includes everything from a scuba package with electric dive compressor to a pre-equipped tool cabinet, outdoor kitchen with electric grill, underwater lights, carbon fiber dinghy davits and a “water-toy garage.” Good times afloat aboard a great-looking boat.
LOA 61ft 9in BEAM 29ft 2in DRAFT 5ft 5in DISPLACEMENT 22,900lb SAIL AREA 2,324ft2 Xquisite, xquisiteyachts.com
Bali 4.6
Of the four new designs currently being launched by France’s Catana/Bali, the Bali 4.6 falls in the middle in terms of LOA, representing a boat that will be well within the abilities of most cruisers while offering plenty of space to relax in. Aesthetically, the boat, which was designed by Xavier Faÿ, is trademark Bali with its tumblehome bows, chines (which serve to reduce wetted surface while also increasing interior volume) and reverse sheer. No need to worry about hitting your head on the boom aboard the Bali 4.6, what with all the clearance. Similarly, the boat’s self-tacking headsail makes coming about simplicity itself. A pair of low-aspect keels serve to promote tracking ability under sail, and the deck and hulls are infused with a PVC foam core to provide the best mix of rigidity and lightweight. Along these same lines, the nacelle and inner half-hulls of the boat are built in a one-piece mold for maximum rigidity. Belowdecks, the Bali 4.6 can be specified with anywhere from three to five cabins.
LOA 46ft 9in BEAM 25ft 2in DRAFT 4ft DISPLACEMENT 30,464lb SAIL AREA 1,722ft2 Bali/Catana Group, bali-catamarans.com
Nautitech 44
Designed with the help of input from a dozen “ambassadors,” or owners/skippers already sailing the Nautitech 40 and Nautitech 46, the Nautitech 44 is configured, in the words of its builder, to be a “perfect owner’s boat.” To this end Nautitch has implemented a number of interior and exterior updates, including what Nautitech is calling its “SmartRoom”—a multi-functional space in the forward starboard cabin meant to fill the needs of distance cruisers who might want a washing machine, workshop, storage space or all of the above. The Nautitech 44 offers an attractively sophisticated yet homey aesthetic, with much attention given to creating a feeling of light and space, most notably in the builder’s new “cinemascope” window design. On deck, Nautitech has kept its signature double helm stations aft, with all lines easily accessible for convenient checking and replacement. Four configurations are available, offering two to four cabins with or without the SmartRoom.
LOA 42ft 8in BEAM 23ft DRAFT 4ft 9in DISPLACEMENT 22,046lb SAIL AREA 1130ft2 Nautitech, nautitechcatamarans.com
Bali 4.2
Designed by Xavier Faÿ, the Bali 4.2 looks to be a whole lot of fun for families and smaller crews. With its moderate size and sailplan, which includes a high-aspect, square-top main and self-tacking jib, the boat should be predictable and forgiving under sail. An A-sail can also be flown from a sprit for extra horsepower in lighter conditions. Belowdecks and topsides there is a wealth of space for lounging or enjoying a good book. The boat’s tumblehome bows and truncated transoms in combination with a sporty reverse sheer make for a nice look. Passage through a doorway at the front of the saloon means accessing the forward cockpit couldn’t be easier. With the door open the also boat feels much larger than its LOA. Belowdecks there’s room for up to four cabins. Hulls and deck are infused with a PVC foam core.
LOA 39ft 9in BEAM 23ft 3in DRAFT 3ft 8in DISPLACEMENT 28,672lb SAIL AREA 970ft2 Bali/Catana Group, bali-catamarans.com
Xquisite X5 PLUS
Following up on its SAIL magazine “Best Boats” winning X5, South Africa-based Xquisite Yachts has been busy of late working on no less than three new projects. The first of these, the X5 Plus represents an evolution of the already outstanding X5. Chief among the changes relative to its predecessor are lighter displacement and a more powerful rig in the interest of speed. Other upgrades (based on feedback from existing customers) include everything from a state-of-the-art electrical system to more handholds—all with an eye toward ensuring the best sailing experience possible. Amenities include a dedicated tool cabinet; a forward-facing nav area that also serves as excellent watch-standing station on passage; a raised outside helm station to port; a large galley; and a wealth of saloon and helm windows.
LOA 53ft BEAM 26ft 2in Draft 4ft 5in Displacement 35,274lb SAIL AREA 1,550ft2 Xquisite Yachts, xquisiteyachts.com
Lagoon Sixty 5
The Sixty 5 is an epicureal sailor’s dream, bringing the comforts of life ashore aboard a sleek, elegant catamaran. Billed as a having been designed with family life in mind, the Sixty 5 appears to be somewhat more comfortable looking than those boats sporting the euro-loft aesthetic that’s so dominated luxury yacht design in recent years. There will certainly be no shortage of places to hang out in, with several distinct lounging areas. A large pocket door creates an easy transition between the interior and exterior on the main level, while a hydraulic platform connects the transoms as a kind of bonus recreation space. Below, a choice of six- and four-cabin versions are available. Above, twin helms, an elevated lounging space and a galley/dining space all fit on the boat’s expansive flybridge.
LOA 67ft 5in BEAM 33ft DRAFT 5ft 1in DISPLACEMENT 88,200lb SAIL AREA 2,884ft2 Lagoon, cata-lagoon.com
MHS Winter 2022
