Punch 1700

Claude Thélier, skipper and owner of the trimaran ‘Région Guadeloupe’ (formerly Laurent Bourgnon’s Primagaz ) tested the Punch 1700 for Multihulls World, during the Tour de Guadeloupe.

This catamaran is not the biggest in the range, despite a huge internal volume, and it can be differentiated from the other Punches by its more modern and very aesthetically-pleasing look, with a panoramic view under the coachroof. The rounded hulls are built in red cedar strip planking and epoxy. The owners, Sandrine and Fred Lachot, had very precise requirements: to carry out mixed sea/river cruises in Guyana, with large load-carrying capacity (passengers and equipment), as well as getting to the Caribbean quickly with 16 people aboard. After having questioned various builders and architects, the boat was designed by the La Rochelle-based architects’ office, Mortain & Mavrikios, and built by Multicap Caraibes, based in Martinique. To best meet the specifications, the choice of material turned to red cedar strip planking, glassfibre and epoxy (lamination system). After delivery in August 2008, the catamaran sailed to the Iles du Salut in Guyana - 800 miles close-hauled against a 2 to 3 knot south-easterly current, at an average of 8.5 knots over the ground. In January, the catamaran was chartered for the ‘Bouvet Rames Guyane’, a singlehanded rowing race with no outside assistan...