2023 Sail Buyer's Guide

Multihulls from 50 to 60 feet

In terms of new arrivals and departures, this category is the most active of all, proof that most builders are trying to establish themselves in this large multihull niche. The 50 to 60-footers include both big production cruising boats and the first semi-custom builds. Hulls of 15 to 18 meters in length also mark the dividing line between two worlds: one of boats that remain manageable privately and short-handed, and the other, of models that require a professional crew. A crewmember or skipper will be part of the setup, to take advantage of the extraordinary qualities of these large multihulls. The boundary is typically seen at 55 feet. In all cases, we’re talking particularly comfortable and/ or high-performance multihulls.

1 / 6

Published 03/12/2022

By Emmanuel van Deth

Subscribers Only

Issue: 187

Published: jan. / feb. 2023

Discover this issue

ST FRANCIS 50 MK2

Ready to face every ocean

Building on their experience with the St Francis 44 and 48, the South African manufacturers have launched an even more comfortable and recently improved 50-footer under the name MK2. Though the design might seem quite traditional and the nacelle rather low compared to what is being built in Europe, the St Francis 50 proves to be a very seaworthy catamaran, robust and able to face the worst of the gales. For the interior, the shipyard can meet all the wishes of its customers and ensures an excellent level of finish.

Builder: St Francis Marine
Length: 50’ (15.25 m)
Beam: 26’3” (8 m)
Draft: 4’1” (1.25 m)
Displacement: 27,600 lbs (12.5 t)
Genoa: 570 sq ft (53 m²)
Mainsail: 943 sq ft (87.6 m²)
Water: 355 US gal (1,350 l)
Engines: 2 x 57 HP
Fuel: 232 US gal (880 l)
Price ready to sail: US$ 1,230,000 ex-tax

www.stfranciscatamarans.com

LAGOON 51

The overlapping genoa makes a comeback

Read the boat test
Discover our exclusive video

The Lagoon 51 is in fact an evolution of the 50. But what’s new about it? We note that the sugarscoops are significantly longer and especially are equipped with a bit of an overhang to facilitate moving around when the catamaran is in port. The raised cockpit and the sunbathing areas, still accessible from both sides, have been transformed into a real flybridge, completed by a front sun lounging space. The builder has also managed to integrate 2.7 kWp of solar panels. The big surprise is that the rig no longer sits atop the coachroof, meaning the sacrosanct self-tacking jib is no more. Lagoon has therefore moved “astern” by stepping its mast at the front of the nacelle.
Inside, the disappearance of the substantial compression post benefits the new nacelle, which adopts an Alpi oak sand finish. Feedback from the 50 (300 examples sold) allowed Lagoon to review 70 points, such as the holding tanks, which are now gravitational (and not under the floors). They have also gone for upholstery made of 100% recycled material and covers made of hemp fiber and partly with biosourced resin. The Lagoon 51 is not yet completely Forever Green but we’re getting there!

Builder: Lagoon
Length: 50’4” (15.35 m)
Beam: 26’7” (8.1 m)
Draft: 4’6” (1.38 m)
Displacement: 43,910 lbs (19.91 t)
Mainsail: 1,044/1,076 sq ft (97/100 m²)
Genoa: 570 sq ft (53 m²)
Engines: 2 x 80 HP
Fuel: 219 US gal (830 l)
Water: 2 x 137 US gal (2 X 520 l)
Price: € 774,417 ex-tax

www.cata-lagoon.com

LEOPARD 50

A flybridge for everyone

Read the boat test
Discover our exclusive video

Forerunners with the idea of a forward cockpit, which has since become almost a must-have over the past ten years, architects Simonis & Voogd have optimized the concept and the space aboard this cat which can accommodate up to 5 cabins plus crew. Initially, she was available with or without a flybridge – Leopard 50 L or S. The “with” option constituted 95% of sales, and as ...

This article was published in the issue 187. To read the full article, purchase this issue or subscribe from $3/month.