nautitech 40 catamaran review

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Nautitech 40 Open

Description

Test one out yourself – charter a Nautitech 40 Open – browse our available yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. We previously owned one of these boats, and we are trying to make this the most comprehensive owner’s review on the Internet.

The Franco-German Axis Nautitech is now owned by Germany’s Capital Management Partners who also own Bavaria, but their boats continue to be built in Rochefort, France. These catamarans are constructed with a resin-infused technique that results in a light, strong finish. The decks include a closed-cell foam core. The joinery is high quality on these cruising cats – especially considering their price point.

This review is from personal experience- we’ll try and keep it objective! You can also read our Owner’s review that we compiled for a prospective buyer that will give you another angle as we were answering specific questions. We wrote this up following the boat delivery from La Rochelle to Barcelona.

1 Minute Summary

– For her length, the Nautitech 40 Open is one of the lightest catamarans in her class (Cruising Catamarans) – As long as you don’t overload her, she gets going quickly and is fast – The reefing system is traditional – it is done from the mast. – There is lots of living space up top thanks to the Open concept and twin aft helms – The saloon is smaller than many of her competitors. However, the aft cockpit area is big. – There is less space down below. That is your trade off for slender hulls and faster performance – The boom is low. She is a seaworthy boat in a blow thank to a low centre of effort on the mainsail. – It is also very easy to get to the boom and mainsail. – Nautitech build their boats using foam composite rather than the balsa wood used by many of the competition. – The after sales service can be slow and frustrating. This isn’t a problem that is peculiar to this brand, but it would be an easy one to fix for happier customers. Come on Nautitech!

• Marc Lombard’s Open design gives you a big living space for a forty foot catamaran, the most in her class with the exception of maybe the Bali 4.1. Once you slide those doors open, she has plenty of space under way and at anchor.
• She’s light for a production cruising cat and accelerates quickly compared to other brands. The Nautitech 40 Open is a good compromise between speed and comfort. She’s nippy!
• She points well upwind for a fixed keel cat. You won’t match a dagger-board cat upwind, but the performance upwind isn’t bad, she’ll certainly get you off a lee shore. I can only really think of Seawind as a match for Lombard’s hull design. She’s comfortable at 50-55° TWA with not much leeway. In lighter winds, 60° TWA probably give you the best VMG especially with a Code 0.
• For a 12m boat, she is very seaworthy in heavy conditions. In a real blow, the 3rd reef takes you down to a small centralised mainsail (with no jib) and she handles waves well. With the 2nd reef in and 60% solent you are good up to 35 knots apparent.
• The boom tucks in low over the coachroof which gives her a low centre of effort and means it is easy to access the mainsail and reefing lines. That is one of the reasons why she feels so seaworthy in a blow.
• That helm position is easy for docking if you reverse her in. The person at the helm can throw the lines if he or she wants to and you can keep an eye on everyone if you are under way (important with kids). You are in constant contact with the cockpit from here. I tend to sit facing aft on the steps by the helm and back in.
• At the same time, Nautitech have done a great job of making you feel safe aft under way with those aft helms. There’s a bench that runs along the aft beam and the helm seats are substantial- when you are tucked into one, it feels very secure and there are decent clip on points under the helm seats.
• The flip-side to those aft helms is visibility to the opposite bow. If you can afford it, go for the option of throttles on both helms so that you can easily switch sides. I generally just nip up to the deck every now and then.
• The aft helms can get wet in a blow or in bad weather. If you are offshore, this just means heading inside to helm from the nav station (great visibility here), but you might have to get your wet weather gear on if there is rain coming into the marina. For sailing feel, however, you can’t beat them.
• All the reefing is done at the mast. OK, it’s not far to hop up there, but I would have preferred a similar set up to the bigger 44 where all the lines run aft to the helm. Although the longer I have the boat, the more I like the simplicity of the system, there’s less friction on the reefing lines, less to go wrong. It’s interesting to note that the Marsaudon 57 has the same set-up (bigger sail though!)
• With narrower hulls designed to slip through the water faster, the cabins are not as big as a Lagoon or Fountaine Pajot. That’s your compromise. Personally speaking, I find the cabins very comfortable- they’re big enough for me. I went for speed over fatter hulls, Lombard is a master shaper.
• With so much space given over to the aft cockpit, the saloon is smaller than many other 40 footers. That works well in warmer climes, but if it is colder I would recommend the clear enclosure. Once these are down, it’s cosy.
• I sometimes find it difficult to gauge the position of the mainsheet traveller on the bimini. There is a window in the roof, but t can be difficult to judge without popping up a step from the helm. I have just marked off the centre… not really a big deal.
• The Nautitech after sales service isn’t what I would call efficient. They take a pretty hands off approach – everything is done through the dealers, so it is important to choose your dealer well. The better their relationship, the better the response. I had a faulty heating system which took me a year to fix. This included the Coronavirus lock down period, but still, I expected a faster resolution. Nautitech are not alone in this regard though, I just wish they’d up their game on this front, it would be an easy fix. Keep your your existing customers happy and they might buy another Nautitech in the future.

Charter a Nautitech 40 Open

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Find Nautitech Catamarans for charter including the Open 40, Open 44 and Open 46.

This is a cruising cat, but with an eye on performance compared to other boats like the Lagoon 380 and the “Open” concept has proved hugely popular.

She’s Light Nautitech have kept an eye on the weight of the boat (she’s only 8.5 tonnes light) and as long as you don’t go crazy on the gear, she accelerates quickly.

19 Knot Surf Our top speed on our boat so far is 19 knots (OK we were surfing, but even so). In decent conditions, you should hit the early teens. In light winds, we’ll go 6 kts on 10kts of wind just with the mainsail and self tacking solent.

Order the Bowsprit The Nautitech 40 Open comes in all sorts of configurations- it’s worth ordering the bowsprit as this opens up all sorts of options for head sails to complement the efficient square-top mainsail.

We run the 70 sq.m gennaker off there and there is also an option for a 55 sq.m code 0 if you want to point higher. We have heard from other owners that the Code 0 comes out of the bag frequently. We also have a parasailor on our wish list for when we make it to the Trade Winds.

There are also two winches and clutches on the aft beam to help with the traveler and raising the tender.

The main halyard also comes aft to the starboard side and you can order an electric winch as an option to help you raise the mainsail. Or you can use the winch at the mast, a handy back up.

You Reef from the Mast All the reefing lines and the topping lift are managed from the mast which means getting out on deck to shorten sail. I am thinking of reorganising the running rigging on our boat and lead all of the lines back into the cockpit like the bigger boat, the 44.

Or that’s what I thought when I first bought her. I have to admit, the longer I have the boat, the more I am warming to the simplicity of this system. There’s less friction, shorter lines and it’s easier to get tension on the halyard once the reef is strapped in. You need to be organised though to minimise the time you spend at the mast.

There’s a handy winch on the mast for your reefing lines and gennaker halyard and another clutch for the main halyard so that you can manage this from the mast if you like (can be handy if you are sailing single handed). I have added some frictionless rings below the mast winch for the reefing lines to improve the angle that they come onto the winch as I was have problems stripping lines on the clutches.

One thing I have noticed is that there are plenty of places to clip on, and a nice sturdy rail on the coachroof aft. There’s a deep well after that to grab onto as you move forward towards the mast- she feels safe in that respect.

The boom is low and very easy to access from the bimini top. There are some open steps by the mast to climb up.

Helm with the Wind in Your Hair Not everyone is a fan of the Nautitech Open helm position- she sports twin aft helms (read our Excess 11 review for another boat with a similar configuration) and there is an option for helm biminis for improved protection. Personally we love this configuration- it’s similar to a Catana (with more substantial helm seats) and gives you a real sailing feel when you are under way. Because the fibreglass sides are high by the helms, you feel secure tucked in here. There’s a point to clip onto under the seat if it gets rough.

Easy to Trim your Sails It’s easy to keep an eye on the tell-tales on the head sail- just as you would on a Hobie 16. If the weather turns nasty, you either helm with the autopilot in the saloon or tuck in under the bimini close to the helm. Make sure you order the electric winch at the Starboard Helm. Raising the mainsail with that is easy, although I always raise the sail manually to be begin with until the first couple of battens are clear of the lazy jacks.

There is an option for having throttles on both helms. The standard configuration just has them on the starboard side (this is what we went for: the budget ran out.)

She Accelerates Quickly Because she’s relatively light, she gets going quickly and Lombard has shaped those hulls so that they slip through the water nicely below the waterline. Don’t load her up too much though. Narrower hulls means less living space down below, so she’s not as spacious as a Lagoon in the cabins (there’s your compromise). In the cockpit, it’s a different story with that Open concept and the twin helms aft.

Docking the boat is a breeze as well, although, to repeat myself, try and go for the option of having those throttles on both helms if you can afford it. Because you are so close to the transom, one person can theoretically helm and throw the ropes. It’s easier with 2 of course.

She Goes Through the Wind Well She tacks easily and as you come off the wind, she’s fast ! There’s a Youtube clip showing a 40 doing 20 knots doing the rounds (we saw over 19 knots surfing on our delivery trip).

And when you hit those numbers in that helm position, you’ll have a smile plastered all over your face.

A Nippy Boat On average, you’ll see 7-9 knots. The nice thing about her is that she gets moving nice and quickly in light winds and this is where that gennaker option comes in handy. If the wind hits 7 knots, you should be sailing. In a freshening breeze, you should see low and even mid teens on a reach.

Sailing Close to the Wind Upwind, she points well for a fixed keel catamaran- a Seawind is probably the only boat that can match her. She’ll point happily at 50 to true but you are probably better off pointing at 55 (more speed, less leeway). The sweet spot seems to be around 40 to 45 degrees AWA.

In lighter winds the performance drops off, unless you have a Code 0 in your sail locker of course. If your budget ran out on the gennaker, just stick the leeward engine on at low revs to point higher and you will get where you need to go. That would be about 30 degrees apparent, 45 true.

At the end of the day, if you are going to be close hauled all day, every day on a multihull you are best off with dagger-boards, but the 40 Open is no slouch close to the wind, especially if there is a decent breeze. In lighter air, the performance does drop off when compared to a dagger-board cat like an Outremer but that is the case for any fixed keel catamaran.

The Nautitech 40 Open comes with 30 HP engines as standard, but I would recommend the upgrade to the 50s (used to be 40s). One engine will push you along at around 6 knots at 2200 RPM in calm conditions. With both engines going, she’ll move comfortably at 7 depending on the sea state.

If the waves are building, it’s often advisable to power up both engines to help you punch through the waves for a more comfortable ride if you are heading upwind.

Living Space

A Big Interconnected Space The design of the Open 40 is all about giving you more space in the cockpit and less in the saloon, so this boat is particularly suited to warmer climes like the Med. Below decks, the configuration is either three cabins (Owner’s) or four Cabins (charter version).

Slender Hulls with a Chime The hulls aren’t as spacious as a Lagoon (there’s your speed/space trade off), but they are very comfortable and there´s still far more space than you would get on a monohull, although Lombard has sculpted chimes into the hulls (they flare at the top) like the Catana 53 which gives a good performance/comfort balance.

All the cabins have huge windows through which you can watch the world go by.

Option for Night Watch Bed There is an option for a telescopic table in the saloon (port side) which we have gone for. This gives you a night watch berth if you need it.

Why No Double Sink? The galley is to starboard and is nicely designed with everything to hand. We would have liked to have seen a double sink, or a sink and a half. There’s room. The other thing that we find annoying is that the galley tap is very short which means you get a lot of splash back against the doors. We are going to fit a tap with a longer arm.

When you are cooking at the burners, you are facing aft connected to that large outdoor cockpit area. The doors can be thrown wide open to connect the two spaces into one joined up area: hence the name, the Open. The position of the cupboard behind the burners is not great. You have to watch yourself here is you are cooking and leaning over the hob to get stuff out of the cupboard.

There is an option to go for an additional fridge in the aft cockpit and a freezer in the starboard hull, both of which we would recommend.

Construction

The big difference between Nautitech and some of the competition is the use of foam composite , versus balsa core. The hull, deck and roof are built with a fibreglass and polyester sandwich infusion. This allows for significant weight savings.

The process used is: VacuTec a vacuum infusion technology. This helps to keep the boat light, reducing the weight by 20% and emissions from the work processes by up to 80%. You get lighter and stronger hulls, and protection against osmosis by isophthalic acid resin in external systems.

Nav Pack Options

Nav-Pack Cruise 2 x B&G Triton Displays (1 x per helm station) with Speed-, Depth-, Wind-Transducer 2 x B&G Zeus 9” chartplotter (stb & port helm stations) Chartplotter functionality on B&G Zeus 9″ at nav station B&G Autopilot, B&G Autopilot control unit (stbd helm station) B&G V90 VHF incl. Antenna (nav station) B&G AIS Transmitter/Receiver B&G H50 wireless VHF unit (stb helm station)

Nav-Pack Advanced includes Nav-Pack Cruise plus additional 1 x extra B&G Autopilot control unit (port helm station) NMEA Connector for PC at nav station B&G Forward scan

Other Options B&G 4G Radar antenna

Nautitech 40 Open Brochure

View the Nautitech 40 Open Brochure

Nautitech 40 Open Polar Diagram

Issues to Monitor on New Boats

All new boats have teething problems- that is not a problem that is unique to Nautitech. We logged the following issues on our own Nautitech 40 Open, or through the Nautitech Owner’s Facebook Group, so hopefully this will help you to isolate any problems at the handover stage and minimise the work later. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with any of these problems (but you would probably be the first boat owner that happened to 😉 ) The bottom line is, these are niggles, not serious problems. Some of them have been corrected on later models (eg sun damage on the grey roof. They switched to white)

• Batteries. Our boat was fitted with Genois batteries: 5x LPC12-75 for the service batteries and 2x LPC12-100 for the starter batteries. Within 18 months, they were dead 4 hours after fully charged, and that was with light use, due to Covid (mostly connected to shore power). Horizon Yachts have had similar issues with the batteries supplied by Nautitech, and we are still battling to claim the warranty. My advice would be to insist on another brand of battery. You can actually fit 6 service batteries in the trays in the port hulls. The standard upgrade take you to 5.
• Noisy steering – the steering became very noisy on our boat on our delivery passage sailing across the Bay of Biscay. I mean really noisy, like a cat screeching every minute. It was difficult to isolate, but it turns out that the rods that connect the helms under the aft cockpit run through plastic tubes. These weren´t secured properly, and the rods were playing the tubes like a violin. Played by a terrible violinist I might add. An easy fix, once we had isolated the problem, but check the workmanship around the steering.
• Stripped reefing lines. The teeth on the jammer at the front of the boom which secure the reefing lines were very sharp on our boat. If lines are flailing about in heavy weather, this can strip the reefing lines. Make sure you lead the lines through the block you should have been given before wrapping them around the winch. If you don’t do that, the angle will be such that you may strip the lines on the edge of the casing – also very sharp. Check closely around the front of the boom and file stuff down if you need to. We now run our reefing lines through frictionless rings below the mast winch has solved the problem.
• B&G Autopilot disengaging. This seems to only happen in “Nav” mode when you are navigating to a waypoint. We never resolved that one. Faulty wiring somewhere? Software?
• If you ordered the heating system, check the air inlet and exhaust. There should be a bend in this to make sure that seawater does not get into the diesel burner. Ours wasn’t installed properly and failed in big seas crossing the Bay of Biscay. Nautitech fixed this on the guarantee, fair play.
• Sliding Door. Check this closely. We had a problem with the door jumping out of its tracks mid passage in waves – pretty dangerous! On closer inspection, Nautitech had only used one screw instead of two on the plastic wedge which the door comes to a rest on in the open position. Check the door doesn’t slide a little when it is locked- often this is just a case of small adjustments.
• Manual bilges – check the pump handles (at the back of the cockpit benches) work and are properly sealed. Fill up the bilge manually with a bucket of water and pump it out yourself to test the bilges.
• You can test the auto bilges at the same time. We had alarms going off with water running back and forth on our passage as the levels weren’t set correctly. Again, an easy fix, but do it on the handover.
• Owners have reported issues with the bilges running continuously. You should check the fresh water pump (Marco) first to make sure there are no leaks coming from there. Then check the hoses. If there is a loop at the outlet the pump won’t clear all the water  and some is left in the hose. Also if the non return value on the pump has failed it will run back out of the pump and the pump will start up again. Bottom line is, test all the bilge pumps extensively during the handover. When you take the boat speed paddle wheel out to clean, you will get a bit of sea-water in the port bilge. Pump it out manually to make sure the bilge is dry.
• Sun damage on the coachroof (grey strip) on older models. Many owner’s have reported UV damage on the grey strip running around the coachroof. Our boat was no exception: after only 18 months the finish is faded and mottled with the sun. Nautitech are sending out a wrapping to sort this issue. You can also polish them back, but I think the problem will reoccur. Newer boats come with a white coachroof, solving the problem.

In Conclusion

Any boat is a compromise, and we think the Nautitech 40 Open is a great sailing boat at a reasonable price, but they could do with improving their after sales service. Lombard has done a great job of designing a boat with so much living space (the Open concept) that is this quick. The hulls are narrower than other boats in her class, but there is plenty of room upstairs thanks to that big joined up space.

View the Nautitech 40 Open Brochure .

What are good options to go for? We’d recommend upgraded engines (now 50HP) if you can manage it in your budget, plus folding props (giving you an extra knot), electric winch on starboard helm, bowsprit with gennaker, radar, the fridge in the cockpit, freezer in starboard hull, additional service batteries (insist on another brand rather than “Genois”), solar, inverter, Fusion audio system and the salon dining table (lowerable).

What are the “nice to have” options” If you can afford it, go for the throttles on both helms, the anchor windlass control at the helm, freezer in starboard hull, heating system. The Explorer version is the pack to go for if you can afford it. The full aft cockpit enclosure is great too, they have extended it right back to the bench on the transom in the newer boats. The teak looks nice but adds weight. Same with the outside teak table.

What’s the Main Difference Between the Nautitech 40 Open and the 44 Open. Well, the length obviously, but these 2 designs are very similar. In the larger model, all of the lines come aft to the helms which is a plus. The aft cockpits are a similar length (the 44 is beamier), but the saloon in the 44 feels much bigger – it’s probably around twice the size. You can configure the 44 with an overlapping genoa instead of the self-tacking solent. You cannot do this on the smaller boat.

How High Does a Nautitech 40 Open Point into the Wind? You are not going to point as high as a daggerboard cat in light winds, but for a fixed keel cat, the Open 40 points very well into the wind, especially with the weight off and with clean hulls. In a decent breeze (13kts and over), she will point as close to 30 degrees apparent but your speed will drop and you will be losing about 10 degrees on leeway. To maximise your VMG, drop off another 5 or 10 degrees (so 40-45 degrees AWA or around 55-60 TWA and your speed will come up and the leeway will drop off a bit. Sheet in tight and put some twist in the main with the mast track car to windward.

What is the Top Speed you Have Hit on the Open 40? We hit 19.2 knots off the coast of Portugal (surfing). You should hit low teens on a beam reach in the right conditions with the gennaker up.

What size tender can you fit on the Nautitech 40 Open? We have a 3.10 Gala with an 8HP Yamaha Engine (in hindsight I should have gone 9.9 HP). This is about as big as you want to go, although I know another owner has fitted a Brig 330 which is 320 long, but it was tight.

How much does a Nautitech 40 Open cost? What is the price of this catamaran? At the time of writing, the base price was just over €310,000, slightly more for the owner´s version. But then you have to add on all of the options (eg Comfort or Explorer version). Once you add extras like a water maker, heating, engine upgrade, navigation system and so on you can easily add on a extra €100k – 150k or more.

Technical Specification

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Nautitech 40 Open – For Charter

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Nautitech 40

• By Jeremy McGeary
• Updated: November 29, 2006

Competition is fierce in the world of catamarans, so to stay in the game, a builder has to stake out market territory. Nautitech Catamarans is laying claim to that segment of multihull devotees interested in the sailing as well as the après-sail aspects of cruising. Telling first impressions of the Nautitech 40 are the fine-entry, high-freeboard bows and the twin steering stations, one on the stern of each hull.

On the water in Miami, twin 29-horsepower Volvo saildrives provided typical cat agility for maneuvering around the marina, but we learned quickly not to be shy when applying power to counter the effect of a locally gusty crosswind on the high freeboard. Motoring out of Government Cut into the eye of the wind, the boat was unfazed by the mix of tide rip and boat wakes.

Under sail, the helm stations came into their own, giving the helmsman wind-on-the-face input to back up the instruments. Sailing upwind in a fluky, light southeasterly breeze, we saw steady speeds above 6 knots with bursts to over 7 in the puffs. The tacking angle was about 100 degrees, limited by the sheeting angle of the genoa, but with fixed shoal-draft keels, footing off is likely more profitable than pinching anyway.

The long, deck-mounted traveler permits incremental adjustments to the powerful roachy mainsail, and the double-ended mainsheet can be tended from either helm. Because main and genoa share the same winches, tacking entails a little ballet with the sheets and stoppers. Doubling up on the winches would simplify maneuvers and provide more options for handling such add-ons as a preventer or a light-air funsail.

Boathandling arrangements are simple and seamanlike. The main halyard and reefing lines are tended from the mast, and it’s an easy step up to the cabin roof to stow or deploy the sail. No centerline nacelle or strut breaks the trampolined expanse between the bows. Hefty cleats integrated into the crossbeam anchors stand ready for bridles or mooring lines.

Inside the house, the saloon provides a second large social area. Considering that the boat can be set up with four double cabins, the galley is small, but from its location on the aft bulkhead, the cook can converse with the crew through a large sliding window.

Even indoors, the saloon has a pleasant, outdoorsy, summer-cottage feel due to the light through the wraparound windows and reflected off large areas of white fiberglass.

Down in the hulls, wood paneling lends a warm tone to the sleeping quarters. Space is a little tight down here, a measure of the slippery slender hulls, but by judicious use of the bridgedeck volume, the designers have created comfortably sized cabins with queen-size athwartships berths. In the charter version, there are two in each hull. In the owner version, which would make a commodious liveaboard vessel, the starboard hull is devoted to a suite: A huge fore-and-aft berth fills the stern, a large head and separate shower occupy the forward part, and, in between, there’s a settee, a desk, and copious storage for clothes. Two extra crewmembers or children can be accommodated in small cabins in each bow.

A simple layout below, clean-cut lines above, and neatly sculpted details everywhere suggest that the Nautitech 40 will appeal to sportif catamaran sailors, while their children will find the one-piece trampoline irresistible.

Nautitech 40 Specs

LOA: 39′ 4″ (11.98 m.) LWL: 37′ 9″ (11.50 m.) Beam: 21′ 4″ (6.50 m.) Draft: 3′ 11″ (1.20 m.) Sail Area: 936 sq. ft. (86.9 sq. m.) Displacement: 16,280 lb. (7,385 kg.) Water: 158 gal. (598 l.) Fuel: 71gal. (269 l.) Engine: Two 29-hp. Volvos with saildrives Designer: Mortain & Mavrikios Price: $376,598 (FOB La Rochelle, France)

C.A. Marine Group, (954) 627-6862, www.nautitech-catamarans.com

Jeremy McGeary is a Cruising World contributing editor.

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Nautitech 40 Open Review

Immediately next door to the Excess 12 (reviewed last week) at the 2019 United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis Maryland was the Bavaria/ Nautitech 40 Open and 46 Open. We spent some time with Flo Tarjan of Aeroyacht in Stonybrook, NY on Long Island taking a tour of both yachts. She was fairly insightful having raised her family aboard a few Nautitech boats herself. Her husband Gregor, the founder of Aeroyacht, is an insightful author and authority on multihull sailing yachts worth reading. Follow along for our experience and impressions in our Nautitech 40 Open Review.

The Cockpit:

As with most of the cats at the show, we boarded from the sugar scoops. Thanks to the hard chines, the sugar scoops are generously wide and flat despite the narrow hull beneath and feature only a single step up into the cockpit level. The bridge deck seems a bit low and the thought of waves washing over the cockpit floor did cross my mind as we entered. However, there are floor drains across each entryway behind the helms and a large full-width trough across the saloon door to catch anything that made it past the helms.

Entering from the starboard scoop, we stepped up behind the starboard helm station. Access was clear and lead us via a left turn into the spacious, if not huge for this size yacht, cockpit area. Nautitech has differentiated this cat in two ways from the bulk of the competition and the size of the outdoor seating area is one of them. The “open” concept is to push the saloon wall forward and make more outdoor space rather than indoor space. However, with the saloon door open, the boundary feels a bit vague.

The cockpit space is large and simple with two long benches running almost all the way from the saloon to the helm stations on each side. The distance between is more than enough to situate the long table and another row of folding chairs while still having room to walk past. The cockpit area is enclosable with optional canvas and extends the indoor area outside in all but the coldest weather. There is also a bench seat across the back of the bridge deck between the sugar scoops.

There are two helm stations positioned a bit further forward than the Excess 12. Each helm has a dedicated seat with permanent backrest that looks and feels more substantial as well. Visibility forward is good with tall windows in the saloon offering views diagonally to each bow.

The cockpit and sugar scoop decks are covered in a synthetic teak flooring that provides an attractive and low maintenance surface. A big plus in our minds even though we have heard that it gets hot in mid day sun. There are linear LED lights across the roof that are carried into the saloon to enhance the one-space look and feel and provide ambiance lighting at night.

The Saloon:

The saloon is the weak point of this cat. I understand the philosophy was to assume the outdoor table to be part of the saloon in the “open” concept but it just feels lacking. A lot of compromises are made to squeeze the galley and a small seating area/nav station into this space. The nav station is a convertible table system that doubles as a small dinette or a small couch all-in-one. It is a cute and clever execution with a fold-out table should you have to cram everyone inside for some reason. But, it feels strange.

The galley is adequately equipped but, like the Excess 12, lacks anywhere to brace yourself while preparing food at sea. There is a small cooktop and oven next to the companionway and across the way another countertop for food prep, although it is partially in the stairwell to the guest hull. A slip sideways will send you down into the hull.

There are no lips or rails on the countertop either to prevent items from sliding off in rough seas but there is workable space to carry out the task. The door to the cockpit opens past the sink, nearly to the cooktop, and there are very large windows all around the saloon making it very bright and “open” feeling. It is obvious they have made a clear effort to blend the indoor and outdoor spaces. Lastly, there does not seem to be any good place to mount a television for you to watch our videos. You’ll have to manage on your tablet.

The Guest Hull:

To starboard is the guest hull with two staterooms, one forward and one aft as is typical. There are a shared head and shower with central access at the bottom of the stairs with a small but separate shower stall divided with a curtain. The styling and fixtures are adequate and suit my tastes. However, there is a significant difference in some of the qualities compared to the Excess 12 that this boat seems to be competing with.

For example, my eyes were immediately drawn to the round plastic cover below the shower hose in the photo above. Functional, I’m sure, but a more elegant solution must have been available.

The forward berth, despite the narrow hulls, seemed more easily accessible than on the wider Excess 12. Despite being narrower at the bow-end, having the bulkhead a few feet from the aft end of the bed makes it much easier to climb into.

The aft stateroom also features a climb-in bed arrangement thanks to the narrow hulls. But the bed is fairly wide and there are adequate storage compartments in the rooms and in the hallway connecting the two berths. The double windows provide a great view out of the bed and provide a lot of natural light combined with the overhead hatch. These double windows are a welcome upgrade from prior model years. Vents for fresh are built into both the hatch, side windows, and a porthole to the rear.

The Owners Hull:

The boat is available as both a 4 cabin charter layout and a 3 cabin owner’s version. Like most boats at the show, the one we visited was the owner’s version featuring a large master bath forward and extended master bedroom aft.

Being a fair amount narrower below decks than the Excess 12, the Open 40 has a bit less storage although laid-out similarly with a desk/vanity and hanging lockers.

Forward is the owner’s head with a separate shower enclosed by glass doors. These doors felt a bit flimsy and the transparent plastic/rubber closer between the panes feels a bit cheap. However, these are probably the sorts of details that contribute to the relatively low weight of this catamaran.

There is a sliding door to close off the owner’s hull from the saloon, but there is not enough room it seems to have shelving in this door as seen on the Excess 12. A reasonable desk/vanity area resides at the bottom of the stairs with a large hanging locker just forward. A minimal bulkhead separates this area from the master bed aft. The same large double windows and hatches illuminate the master bedroom with plenty of natural light and the owner’s hull overall feels bright and roomy despite the narrow hulls.

The Deck and Topside:

The side decks are easily mounted from just ahead of either helm station with just a few steps. The shrouds on the Open 40 are just a bit forward of the cockpit giving wider boom swing for downwind sailing than the Excess 12 but a steep enough not to hinder passage to the foredecks. The side decks are generously wide but are encumbered by raised hatches that could be a tripping hazard in rough seas.

Forward we found some nice features and some shortcomings. There is a rain gutter that doubles as a handhold along the roof leading forward but no rail to clip onto. Again, A rail might be a possible option to be added. The lines for the sheet and traveler of the self-tacking jib run through deck organizers and then down the inboard length of the side decks. In general not that invasive, but near the front of the saloon, they do stick out far enough to be a tripping hazard.

There is a large trampoline area between the sponsons and there is a nice overhang covering the attachment of the tramp that gives a nice clean look. Port and starboard sail lockers are large enough to have a small bunk in each if necessary.

The mast is set at the very front of the saloon with two sturdy step ladders to port and starboard giving easy access to service the mainsail. One can hold onto the various rigging or winch while mounting the roof. The dual helms leave the boom swinging close to the roof further increasing access and lowering the center of effort. Two skylights permit viewing the main trim while standing watch in the saloon.

Comparison to the Excess 12:

The Excess 12 seems like the logical boat to compare the Open 40, and not just because it was next door. They have a lot in common, at least from a marketing perspective. They are both marketed as small “sporty” cruising catamarans. Lagoons, however, have never been known as being particularly sporty. What makes a catamaran fast has as much to do with hull design as anything else so we should expect there to be some big differences between these two.

Length overall is similar, with the Nautitech being 10″ longer than the Excess at 39’4″. We find a similar story in beam, the Nautitech 6″ wider at 22’8″. Mast height is quite a bit higher on the Nautitech and just 9″ over ICW limit at 65’9″ compared to the Excess and nearly a full 5′ taller.

The main on the Nautitech comes in 14% larger than the Excess 12 at 678 sqft (assuming the Pulseline option on the Excess gives you a bigger main). The jib on the Open 40 is 14% smaller at 301 sqft. Total upwind sail area on the Nautitech is 979 sqft and 4.5% greater than the Excess 12.

The optional headsails are large and many for the Nautitech. While the Code 0 is 22% smaller at 592 sqft (55m), the optional gennaker reacher is 753 sqft (70m), gennaker runner 1044 sqft(97m), and asymmetric 1022sqft (95M). Presumably, some of these optional sails would also be available for the Excess 12.

Displacement is the big differentiator based on what we can see from spec sheets. We know anecdotally that the Nautitech has finer and narrower hulls and this, in turn, leads to lower hull volume and therefore displacement. But we see this born out in the published displacement values. The Nautitech comes in a whopping 21% lighter at 18,739lbs vs. the Excess 12 at 22,712lbs. That’s nearly two tones lighter on the Nautitech Open 40.

Engine power is near enough the same as not to matter unless one specifies the 45HP option on the Excess 12. Fuel capacity is slightly larger on the Nautitech by 8 gallons. Freshwater is substantially larger on the lighter Open 40 at 114 gallons vs a mere 79 on the Excess 12. There isn’t much room to squeeze a water maker on to these boats either.

Holding tank size is not published for the Nautitech, but this can be an issue for liveaboards. I’ve read on some advertisements there may be two tanks at 30l (60l/15.8gal), one tank per head. This is a bit small compared to the Excess at 160l/42gal meaning more trips to the pump-out.

Overall Impressions:

With such a huge difference in displacement and hull shape, we can expect a huge difference in sailing performance. Add to that an increase in sail area in favor of the Nautitech and we should no doubt expect a much more spirited ride in the Open 40. This does come at the cost of carrying capacity and space below decks.

We found the dual helms a bit more reassuring on the Nautitech being better separated from the sugar scoop by distance and a permanent seating arrangement. One is still isolated from a closed cockpit with weather canvas up with either boat and only protected from three sides.

We found the mast layout and roof access much more logical on the Nautitech and even with the raised hatches and deck organizers (the dome vents on the Excess aren’t much better) we preferred the Nautitech’s design.

Another feature not talked up much is that the Nautitech construction is nearly wood free. There are a lot of technical arguments supporting balsa core construction. I have read a lot of them. There are foam detractors like this yacht surveyor . A properly executed balsa core, comparing thickness and weight, is stronger and stiffer and should be just as tolerant of accidental water intrusion. That said, perfect never happens. Balsa cores are also more brittle and delamination from strain or impact likely.

Synthetic foam cores, while not as rigid and sometimes heavier to compensate, have a superior impact and stress tolerance. Should an unintended penetration happen with a foam core, far less damage likely apart from freeze expansion (both suffer similarly). Being wood-averse, the foam core is a huge advantage in our opinion. Modern foam cores like the Divinycell used by Nautitech have very high heat distortion temperatures (257F) and balsa like strength(or even stronger) with the toughness needed to survive impacts and strain damage.

Lastly, the price is nice. The Nautitech base price is in the low $400k range delivered to the east coast and low fives nicely optioned for cruising. That’s a bit more money than the Excess 12, reported at mid $350k range base and mid $450k range nicely optioned. I was honestly expecting it to be a bit more given the performance factor. But, it is a small cat targeted at the lower end of the market.

In summary, I like this boat more and more as time goes by. However, another 6 ft on the water makes a huge difference. Stay tuned for our review of the Nautitech Open 46 coming next week. We hope you have enjoyed our Nautitech 40 Open review and found it useful. Please let us know your thoughts on the boat and if you feel we left anything out.

2 comments / Add your comment below

Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.

Not everyone is a fan of the Nautitech Open helm position- she sports twin aft helms (read our Excess 11 review for another boat with a similar configuration) and there is an option for biminis for improved protection. Personally we love this configuration- it s similar to a Catana (with more substantial helm seats) and gives you a real sailing feel when you are under way. Because the fibreglass sides are high by the helms, you feel secure tucked in here. There?s a point to clip onto under the seat if it gets rough.

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Nautitech 40 Open Catamaran Review

Nautitech 40 open.

The market for catamarans is rapidly growing and with it the expectations of luxury boaters. In order to survive the fierce competition, each builder needs to know his competitors and make improvements where they make mistakes.  Nautitech Catamarans understands this concept and is consistently gaining attention and praise from multihull cruisers all over the world.

The Nautitech 40 Open is another demonstration of the company’s willingness, please. Just from the outside, the Nautitech 40 Open showcases twin steering stations located on each hull’s Sterns and high freeboard bows.

Exiting from the Government Cut , the catamaran was unshaken by wave currents and the wakes of faster, larger vessels and it arrived safely into the marina.

The deck-mounted traveler is long and allows the mainsail to be adjusted. From both helms, the mainsheet can be operated with ease. The genoa and mainsail use the same winches. This should be no problem for experienced sailors, but tacking may take time for novices.

Once they’ve mastered the stoppers and sheets, the operation will be a breeze. For captains who wish to implement additional handling mechanisms all it takes is doubling up the winches. Then they could add a light air “fun” sail or a preventer if desired.

The boat handling configurations are very seaman-like and simple to get the hang of. The reefing lines and primary halyard are accessed from the mast.

All it takes is a simple step up to the roof of the cabin to deploy or put the sail away when ready. No strut or centerline nacelle interrupts the trampolined area in between the bows. For mooring lines and bridles, the crossbeam anchors are there and are equipped with heavy cleats.

The living area inside the Nautitech 40 catamaran is large. The saloon is an excellent spot for passengers to spend time conversing and planning out where they’ll visit on their next stop.

The galley is relatively limited in size since the four surrounding double cabins take up so much room. Luckily since the gallery is small, the aft bulkhead has a sliding glass window.

Where chefs can get a good view of what’s happening in the living area and talk with the others in there. The saloon is designed to feel open and airy, and Catamaran reviews show that boaters love this design concept.

The panoramic windows let in a lot of outdoor light, and the beams are reflected by the white fiberglass.

The bedrooms in the hulls are accented by rich wood paneling that feels warm and inviting. By utilizing the bridge deck, the manufacturers have designed sleeping quarters big enough to fit queen-sized beds.

The charter design has two athwartships berths in both hulls. There’s also an owner version that was created for people who want to use the catamaran for more than just quick trips.

For boaters who want to live in their Nautitech 40, the starboard hull is converted into a private suite. The stern is taken up by a spacious fore and berth, and there is a bigger head and master shower in the forward area. In between these areas, there is a desk, settee, and closet space to make life aboard far more feasible.

Visitors can still join in on nautical ventures in this version of the catamaran. Two additional passengers can have their sleeping arrangements in the miniature cabins inside of both bows.

Specifications

The LOA of this fantastic catamaran is thirty-nine feet and four inches. It’s LWL measures thirty-seven feet and nine inches.

The beam twenty-one feet and four inches long and the draft are three feet eleven inches. The sail area comes out to be nine hundred thirty-six square feet. Its displacement weight is sixteen thousand two hundred eighty pounds. It can hold one hundred fifty-eight gallons of water in its tank.

The fuel tank can contain up to seventy-one gallons. The cruising power is supplied by two twenty-nine horsepower Volvo engines.

The Nautitech 40 Open catamaran was designed by Mountain and Mavrikios. Buyers can expect to pay around three hundred seventy-six thousand six hundred dollars for this yacht that is getting so much positive attention in catamaran reviews. To see a brochure please click here .

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A catamaran for sailing and living fully

The 40 Open has been designed for lovers of sailing and good life. This luxury catamaran combines sailing sensations and absolute comfort on board, so that you never have to choose between the two. Whether you are an experienced skipper or a beginner cruiser, the 40 Open will take you and your family on a journey of discovery at sea. Beautiful moments of sharing on the horizon.  

A neat design bathed in light   Like the 44 Open, this catamaran has an open living space with the deck, the cockpit and the saloon all being on the same level. A cozy and beautiful atmosphere full of conviviality. This is where the concept of the "Open" lies. Beautiful volumes, natural light and comfort are the main characteristics of this outstanding catamaran which can accommodate up to 8 people. The 40 Open is the perfect illustration of the French expertise in catamarans.

The details that make the difference

• Natural light in every room
• An elegant interior decor

The double helmstation, NAUTITECH's DNA

Double steering station, the choice of performance :

• - ideal position to keep an eye on the sea and sails
• - more sensations at the helm 
• - best position to dock along a quay or pontoon

A word from the architect

"In a nutshell: the Open 40 is the catamaran of choice for a round-the-world trip thanks to its great maneuverability and size. It is a boat designed for all those who love to sail while enjoying life on board, a balance made possible by the aft helm station".

Marc Lombard, 

Architect of the 40 Open

Welcome on board

Discover the Nautitech 40 Open with some data

Technical data

3 cabin version

You can choose the three-cabin version with its huge owner’s cabin on the port side. It comes with a separate shower, a big bathroom and loads of storage space. 

4 cabin version

Or the four-cabin version, with two shared bathrooms

Premium partner for high quality

Happiness only comes with satisfaction, and satisfaction is only possible if the quality is right. That is why we only work with reputable partners. All of them market leaders in their fields. That way we leave nothing to chance when it comes to equipment and accessories for our catamarans, sailing yachts and motor yachts. You’ll find a selection of our many partners here.

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Go sailing around the world, explore the oceans or live extraordinary moments on board a 40 Open?  

Discover the stories of Gérald & Marie Claude aboard Harmony Two, of Pascal & Madelon aboard Zebulon and Silvina & Jacques aboard El Gaucho. They share their most memorable experiences with us! 

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Aeroyacht Multihull Specialists are ambassadors and flagship dealers for the award winning line of Nautitech cruising catamarans.

Find out why the multiple award winning Nautitech 40 Open catamaran is a fresh, new concept in cruising catamarans. The French catamaran builder’s long experience in manufacturing and engineering sailing yachts to a very high standard are manifested in their newest creation. The Nautitech 40 Open catamaran, easily singlehanded and is an ideal boat for long range cruisers and liveaboards. You can even order your boat with a slightly shorter mast, enabling her to transit through some of the lower ICW bridges.

The Nautitech 40 Open has significant advantages over other catamarans. Below are some of the most notable ones:

Largest Social Space of any 40′ Catamaran

Unlike a traditional catamaran whose cockpit is about the same size as the salon, the Nautitech 40 Open combines these two spaces. This innovation results in a much larger than average cockpit and a combined social area. An ingenious convertible awning system quickly transforms the cockpit into an enclosed space (which some customers heat in winter and air-condition in the tropics).

Most Advanced Hull Design

The new Nautitech 40 Open has advanced hulls designed by French star architect Marc Lombard who created some of the world’s fastest ocean going catamarans. Her hulls have built in chines. Consequently the boat has a slim waterline which slice through the water, yet provide a large luxurious interior and structural rigidity. The added benefit is a faster and drier ride.

Best Helm and Sailing Experience of any Cruising Catamaran

The unique twin helm stations provide superior views without any blind spots. Unlike charter cats which one “drives” from a precariously elevated flybridge the Nautitech 40 Open lets you feel the boat. Inspired by racing yachts you get true sailing sensations and singlehanded docking is a snap. Hold the twin carbon wheels and feel the mechanical steering with fingertip control. You will be sailing this boat with the helm feedback of a high performance sailing monohull rather than a camper. Finally a catamaran which puts sailing back into cruising catamarans. The added benefit of twin steering station is redundancy and with the large sun blocking mainsail raised – you will not need a Bimini to protect you from the sun. In bad weather the exquisitely equipped inside steering station will have you in full autopilot control with full weather protection. Why suffer standing outside?

The Nautitech 40 Open catamaran is known for its speed (see the Nautitech Open 40 video sailing at 20 knots) and high quality interior joiner work. Engineered and built in France the interior craftsmanship is above standards for yachts of this size.

Unsinkable due to Closed Cell Foam – no Balsa

The Nautitech 40 Open catamaran is built using the most advanced composite technology to the highest international offshore standards. Because of the low cost,95% of today’s production catamarans are built with a wood core (even in the bilge areas!) which tends to rot. Not the Nautitech 40 Open- which uses closed cell, high density foam as core. This makes the boat virtually unsinkable and osmosis resistant. Solid composite bilges, sacrificial keels and a series of strategically placed watertight bulkheads make this one of the safest offshore cruising catamarans available today.

Another advantage over other cruising catamarans are the design and execution of the 40 Open underwater appendages. The aerodynamically optimized keels have a higher aspect ratio and less resistance. This results in more lift and sailing characteristics indistinguishable from dagger boards but without the hassle of operation and safety concerns. The deep, high aspect ratio twin rudders are well aft and closely spaced to the hull for optimal rudder and autopilot control.

We are not the only ones who have recognized these magnificent vessels. In October 2015 the Nautitech 40 Open won, as the very first catamaran ever -the two most coveted industry awards in the same year !

Owner Comments:

This is what Gregor Tarjan (owner of an Open 40 and founder of Aeroyacht Ltd.) had to say after a test sail: “The 40 Open works so well as a sailing machine because of a combination of compounding features:  her narrow waterline, chine for stiffness, closely spaced bulkheads and light weight to large sail plan. Pair that with a closed cell foam core, reliable fine appendages and mechanical F1 type helming and you have the perfect performance cruiser – a “true Swiss Army Knife of sailing yachts”…as the press has called this boat”

Discover the greatest handling, best looking and superbly built line of Nautitech catamarans:

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Nautitech 40 Open Catamaran

Nautitech Catamaran marks a whole new era in the design of the new Nautitech 40 Open. One of the major changes to Nautitech 40 Open is that the mast is located much further aft than on most catamarans which, according to the designers, improves performance and considerably reduces pitching. The interior and exterior living areas are designed with continuous horizontal and fluent lines to merge inside/outside living spaces into one for more spaciousness and improved safety.

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Nautitech 44 Open review: space and performance?

• July 26, 2022

Offering space and a comfortable interior while keeping a cat light enough to perform is a tough brief. Does the Nautitech 44 Open deliver, asks François Tregouet?

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

It’s been more than six years since the Nautitech yard in Rochefort launched an entirely new design, but this Nautitech 44 Open marks the company’s return to the forefront of the multihull scene.

It shares the Open layout of Nautitech’s past models, but embodies the brand’s new strategy to address owner-operators rather than the charter market. We were able to judge the concept during an early sea trial on the Bay of Biscay.

The Nautitech 44 Open was developed in just 14 months during the middle of the pandemic and owes a great deal to the dozen owners and dealers consulted to define their ‘ideal’ catamaran. The feedback from this working party convinced the yard to focus on cruising owners and to go for a more performance-oriented design than the market average.

Marc Lombard’s design team has succeeded in expressing this externally by using fine bows, a narrow waterline and controlled volumes. The line of hull windows is more tapered than in the past, and the nacelle is less pronounced and voluminous than typical production cruising cats.

Nautitech’s Open concept, which was initiated nearly 10 years ago on the Nautitech 40 Open, allows the length to be contained by merging the interior and exterior into a single volume. So the true saloon is located outside, protected by a long, rigid bimini and coachroof windows that extend beyond the sliding bay window. Not splitting the saloon/cockpit function saves space – and weight, which is crucial on a multihull, especially at this size.

Good performance, a covered saloon. Photo: MULTImedia

Transformative

The chart table and L-shaped bench seat on the port side, and the galley to starboard, are thus able to benefit from the entire interior space. Facing forward, the chart table is a proper indoor navstation, while the bench seat can be transformed into a watch-keeper’s berth. Strategically positioned between control screens and cockpit winches, it will be ideal for night passages.

The galley benefits from a large 144lt fridge and optional 75lt freezer, anticipating the demands of owners wishing to sail with complete self-sufficiency wherever possible. Designer Christophe Chedal-Anglay, known for his work on the Gunboat 68, has incorporated a clever bar unit in the centre of this living space, which works very well to distribute guests, and naturally becomes a focal point for discussions.

Aft helms remain key elements of the Open concept. Photo: MULTImedia

In the three-cabin version we sailed, reflecting the emphasis on owner-sailors rather than the charter market, the port hull is dedicated to the owner’s cabin with aft double berth, separate heads and large washbasin and shower room forward.

On the starboard side double cabins forward and aft are separated by heads and washroom spaces – the yard preferring to offer more volume to a heads and shower/washbasin area on one side instead of duplicating identical bathrooms.

Photo: MULTImedia

A ‘SmartRoom’ concept allows for a forward cabin to be fitted out to suit a choice of uses: office, dressing room, technical room, workshop or stowage.

On deck, Nautitech remains faithful to its double aft helm stations which are protected from the sun by two small biminis. They remain exposed to the apparent wind and spray, but the view of the sails is excellent and the view forward is better than you might think. The blind spots forward are very small – apart from when the removable cockpit enclosures are in place, which will likely only be in port or at anchor – and a step to the side immediately remedies this.

A central bar area divides saloon and desk/chart table, and gives the interior a social heart. Photo: Nautitech

When manoeuvring in marinas, a camera mounted under the radar antenna and pointing towards the bows, gives the helmsman an accurate and useful picture of the distances available.

Nautitech continues to improve the comfort, design and ergonomics around the aft helm set up. The winches are within easy reach, and well separated from the lounging area, and the moulded dash binnacle elegantly accommodates all the necessary elements (engine controls, plotter, repeaters, etc.).

Access to the deck to go forward, to take care of the anchor or lower the gennaker, is a formality thanks to the two teak steps and the handrails integrated into the coachroof and around the deck.

The main saloon is outside aft, but there’s also a dinette inside. Photo: MULTImedia

Handy performance

The sporty first impression that the fine bow sections give is confirmed once at sea, where they are also noticeably dry. Nautitech has managed to keep the Open 44 to the designed light displacement of 10.9 tonnes. However, the standard configuration with a self-tacking jib giving 110m² sail area proved to be a minimum in the 10 to 12 knots of cold wind we encountered.

Narrower hulls than many of today’s cruising cats, but still plenty of comfort. Photo: MULTImedia

I’d have liked to have tried the overlapping genoa, which increases the sail area to 133m². Once the Code 0 was unfurled, however, the boat came to life. We reached 8.4 knots at 55° to the apparent wind in only 12.8 knots of breeze. Of course, if you bear away a little, the pace becomes even faster, and we regularly exceeded 10 knots at 110° to the wind.

The extensive design resources used for the first time, with three digital models tested in virtual reality, have clearly had an effect. The helm is direct and offers just the right amount of feedback to steer accurately but without too much effort. The new hexagonal shape of the Goïot steering wheels quickly overcame our conservatism, as their shape allows an easy understanding of their degree of rotation. Switching from one side to the other without rushing to get the best angle of vision on the telltales is straightforward, as the boat is so stable.

There was no slamming when going through waves thanks to good speed under sail and a comfortable bridgedeck clearance. And when returning to port, powered by the two optional 50hp engines (30hp as standard), the Nautitech made 7 knots at 2,000rpm. French tradition dictated that we would be home in time for lunch!

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The non-slip surface lacks a bit of texture to offer good grip in wet weather, but this is one of the only minor niggles we found with this well-founded Nautitech. The ‘Open’ concept involves a smaller coachroof but, conversely, a very large exterior saloon. And in this context we can say that the 44 Open keeps its promise to improve the comfort-performance compromise, a factor cherished by the brand. The abolition of the inside-outside boundary serves to limit displacement and help deliver attractive performance. That lack of boundary is underlined by the continuity of the lighting between the two areas, while inside, the quality of the finish has improved and the layout is intelligent. With its smart positioning between industrial yards which are very influenced by the charter market, and specialists with more radical (and expensive) choices, Nautitech has created a ‘sweet spot’ with this new model, which will appeal to many multihull enthusiasts.

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Nautitech 40 : A different approach to cruising catamarans

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The Nautitech range has long been a favourite with private owners and charter companies alike. Now Bruno Voisard has launched the latest generation : an entirely new boat, with some particularly interesting features and good performance. We fell for this attractive boat right from the start…

I have arranged to meet Sébastien, the Nautitech’s skipper, at 6 o’clock on this freezing March morning in La Rochelle’s Bassin des Chalutiers. The boat’s deck is covered with frost and very slippery, and the stars are still twinkling in the night sky, confirming the forecast of an easterly wind for our planned circumnavigation of the Ile de Ré. The footbridge swings up to let us pass, and once through the lock gates and lifting road bridge, we moor the boat on a pontoon in the town centre for just long enough to have a coffee and take some photos. The boats’s silhouette is attractive and very high off the water. At the stern, the davits are made up of two robust stainless steel tubes, and on climbing aboard via the ‘sugar scoop’ sterns, we immediately remark the twin wheels, offset to the sides and leather-covered as standard. However, only the port side wheel has the controls and instruments for the engines. Whilst not sailing, the helmsman’s seats fold into the sterns; once under way, by lifting them up and inserting the locking pins they are ready for use. The cockpit is very well protected, being completely enclosed - ideal for those sailing with children. The table is offs...

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