While the Covid-19 crisis temporarily closed the doors at Multihull Solutions’ Sales Centres throughout Asia-Pacific, the company continued to operate remotely, with its team kept busy handling strong enquiries on new boats across its range.

Multihull Solutions management team (l-r): Patrick Gilot, Rachel Crook, Michael ‘Nod’ Crook, Andrew De Bruin, Greg Boller, Wayne Dickenson and Mark Elkington

The popular Multihull Solutions Out-of-Water Boat Show display on the Gold Coast, Australia, remained open, but visitors were restricted to inspecting boats by appointment only.

To counter the limitations this presented, Multihull Solutions launched an innovative Virtual Boat Show featuring full interactive walk-through facilities on its website across its new and pre-owned range of catamarans and trimarans.

General Manager Andrew de Bruin said the online facility was extremely well received by clients and provided an easy solution for buyers who were unable to physically inspect boats of interest at the Sales Centres.

“We worked tirelessly to get the Virtual Boat Show off the ground as soon as possible when social distancing policies were enforced, and we experienced a significant boost in website visits and enquiries on both our new and brokerage boats,” De Bruin said.

“Despite production at the Fountaine Pajot, ILIAD Catamarans and Neel Trimarans shipyards being temporarily disrupted early in the crisis, we have still been able to place orders for Asia-Pacific clients on both sail and power catamarans, with particularly strong interest in the Elba 45 and New 59 sailing catamarans, and the impending launch of the new ILIAD 60 power catamaran.

Multihull Solutions represents Fountaine Pajot (New 59 pictured) sailing and power catamarans, ILIAD power catamarans and Neel trimarans

“As there is so much uncertainty at present around the state of the financial markets, we are seeing some natural hesitation from clients in confirming new orders, but there is still considerable demand, which is a very positive sign for the future.

“It seems this international crisis has even inspired many new people to plan a cruising adventure for when the world returns to some semblance of normality, or even before then.”

The Fountaine Pajot and ILIAD Catamarans shipyards were quick to enact safety procedures and temporarily suspend production when the Covid-19 situation escalated while implementing contingencies to reduce delays on new boat handovers.

Adhering to strict regulatory frameworks, Fountaine Pajot was able to resume partial production in April, shipping new boats from its factory in La Rochelle to meet pre-Covid-19 delivery schedules. ILIAD Catamarans resumed production in March and is quickly working to catch up to its original production and delivery schedules.

“In addition to the professionalism of these shipyards, Multihull Solutions is fortunate to already have a very strong forward order book stretching into 2022, and, despite the obvious delays created to some delivery schedules, the rate of recent new enquiries and tentative orders gives us confidence we will weather this storm without a significantly damaging impact to our clients or business,” Andrew said.

Fountaine Pajot New 59

The New 59 is the latest model in the Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran range and set to launch in Europe this year.

Thoughtful foredeck nook adds extra “destinations”

The new model has been eagerly anticipated by cruising enthusiasts with a spacious design specifically optimised for entertaining.

An evolution of the previous Ipanema 58 but with the revised hull shape of the highly acclaimed Alegria 67, the new 59 allows owners to sail with a smaller crew but still enjoy the same distinctive manoeuvring features of the 67.

With a range of layout options available, including a charter option with six guest cabins and two crew cabins, the new 59 also boasts the best cabin-price ratio on the market. The catamaran has been designed with the commercial charter market as primary target, although it is also perfect for owners with crew who will appreciate its host of luxury features.

Romain Motteau, Fountaine Pajot’s deputy CEO, says the new model is equally luxurious as the flagship Alegria 67, with the highest quality finishes and construction techniques implemented throughout.

Flybridge sunpads contrast with shaded lounge areas forward

The 59’s impressive 30sqm flybridge is the largest in its class, while the catamaran also features an expansive 27.5sqm cockpit, decadent foredeck with modular sunbathing stations, generously proportioned cabins, and an epicurean galley that opens onto the salon, all offering an ocean of opportunities for socialising or relaxing in private.

New 59 architect Olivier Racoupeau says the catamaran is the epitome of Fountaine Pajot’s philosophies and goes well beyond any other equivalent model on the market in terms of optimising the interior and exterior space.

“The catamaran features a level access to the forward cockpit through a watertight door and a straightforward layout bathed in light, a new design that offers unparalleled comfort to its occupants,” Racoupeau said.

Lovely salon offers panoramic views from lounge and dining options

“This boat is just as suited to the charter industry with its six equally comfortable and equipped cabins as it is for private owners, who have a spacious suite at the stern, direct access to the cockpit, and crew living quarters.

“Furthermore, this new model’s performance, stability and weight ratios aim to be the best in our industry. The boats are very light and, combined with the efficient hulls, have outstanding seaworthiness and fuel economy.”

Focusing On A Green Future

The same is true of the rest of Fountaine Pajot’s sail range. The hull of the new Elba 45, for example, creates 10 per cent less drag than the previous model, due to a small chine in the aft section and a redesigned transom, which means better performance and more efficiency.

In the sail range, the boats now all include full cockpit hardtops, which make a perfect base for a large solar panel installation to power the boat indefinitely at anchor, explains Michael Crook, Multihull Solutions’ Services Manager.

View of the Fountaine Pajot New 59’s cockpit with a full hardtop

“With the new technology in more efficient panels we are able to install 2000w of solar power to a cruising catamaran,” Crook said.

Increased storage for black waste and general waste also allows owners to spend prolonged periods in remote cruising grounds without having to dispose of rubbish or pollute the anchorages.

Crook says the design of the new catamarans and the options available today make it very easy for a client to equip their yacht to be a much more environmentally friendly vessel than in years past. He said this is something clients are actively seeking and legislation is increasingly demanding.

“Most of our clients are already running the best power solutions and are recycling as much as possible at home,” Crook said.

Solar panels are part of Fountaine Pajot’s approach to eco sailing

“They want to do the same onboard their new home on the water. Making sure their yacht will be eco-friendly has definitely become a major focus for buyers when deciding on their new multihull.”

Crook said the changes over the last 25 years have been reasonably steady in keeping with progress in technology, but he thinks even more major advances might happen in the future.

“The next generation’s acceptance of change, and the recent acceleration in renewable and green energy options, will make for some exciting changes we haven’t even thought of yet.”

www.multihullsolutions.com.au

• The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 53 (click image below)
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