Nahoa 55

Since then, they’ve sailed round the world one and a half times, raising their children aboard their multihull. “After more than a decade at sea, one lesson keeps resurfacing: offshore sailing is not about achieving top-end top speeds, but about maintaining high average speeds with a fully laden boat, a short-handed and often tired crew, and conditions that are rarely ideal. [...] There is also the reality of weight. Offshore boats carry far more kit than manufacturers anticipate: weeks’ or months’ worth of provisions, large additional fuel reserves (often jerry cans on deck), spare parts, tools, safety equipment, and everything needed to live independently for long periods of time. The vessel isn’t just a means of transport, but the primary tool for traveling around the world, often far from supply chains, technicians, or off-the-shelf solutions.” Ben and Ashley also found that while many catamarans offer impressive performance in calm waters and with minimal loads, very few are designed to carry a heavy load, maintain their speed, and remain controllable in the difficult and challenging conditions that characterize offshore passagemaking. When they looked for a multihull, they couldn’t find a model that fully met these requirements. Rather than compromise, they set about designing the Nahoa 55, an aluminum catamaran, enlisting the help of architect Pierre Delion and project manager Todd Rickard. “Aluminum offers excellent impact resistance, easy repairability anywhere in the world, and a long service life, all of which are critical attributes for sailing far from marinas.”

The Nahoa 55 attempts to strike a balance between interior volume, load capacity, and access to shallow anchorages: “Its performance follows the same philosophy. Rather than seeking top speeds, its design favors smooth and comfortable sailing. In typical trade wind conditions, the Nahoa 55 is designed to maintain a sustained double-digit speed, with an emphasis on control, predictability, and comfort over long distances. The Nahoa 55 is not designed to appeal to the masses, but to fulfill a unique and clearly defined mission: to be the best possible vessel for taking a couple or a family around the world in complete safety, comfort, and reliability.”

So, are you tempted by the adventure of a Nahoa 55? Because yes, Ben and Ashley have created their own shipyard. You can pre-order yours now!

Technical specifications

Builder: Nahoa Yachts
Architect: Pierre Delion
Material: aluminum
Length overall: 57’1” (17.4 m)
Hull length: 55’10” (17.03 m)
Beam: 27’3” (8.3 m)
Draft: 5’1” (1.55 m)
Motors: 2 x 80 HP
Fuel capacity: 475 US gal (1,800 l)
Solar panels: >5 kWp

www.nahoayachts.com