MULTIpedia 2025/04/05 - #01
100% MULTIHULL X 100% INDEPENDENT
EDITO
Dear reader,
For almost 45 years now, catamarans and trimarans have fascinated me. Archimedes on a cruise, now flying for the most efficient of them in races, I have always loved their fine wake, their lightness, their ability to accelerate rather than heel. So why MULTIpedia today? First, to share my passion, and the chance I've had for all these years to try out many multihulls and even more, to meet other enthusiasts who have made it their profession, whether they are architects, designers, builders, skippers, or owners. To offer rational, quantified, documented and objective information that is independent of any advertising from a multihull brand, builder, or designer. And why in English, I, the little Frenchman eternally in love with Southern Brittany? Because although France is the world's leading producer of multihulls, 80% of the units that leave its factories are exported. May native English speakers, unless they speak perfect French, forgive my mistakes. For this first edition, the articles are short enough to warm up, but I don't rule out the possibility of developing much longer in-depth subjects in future editions. So, see you very soon for issue 2 and the thousand that follow hopefully. Until then, enjoy your reading!
Multihull Production: The figures for 2024
The French Nautical Industries Federation has released the key figures for the season September 2023/August 2024. Multihulls are doing better than average, continuing to grow by a little 5% over the year while the market is down 12% in value (-18% for sailing monohulls and -30% for motorboats). As the size of multihulls sold and the level of equipment are still growing, the increase in value (€933.3 million) is accompanied by a decrease in the number of units sold (1,384 over the period, i.e. -8%). Multihull sailing boats now account for 52% of the turnover of boat builders in France, compared with 25% 10 years ago, and their turnover has increased more than fivefold over the same decade, from 185 to 933 million euros!
Paris Nautic Show
Another important announcement from the French Federation, and quite unexpected it must be said, is a new formula to revive the Paris show. A real challenge after years of decline, a three-year hiatus that has left the field wide open to Düsseldorf, which nevertheless suffers in a less buoyant market and a less attractive indoor formula. To meet the challenge, the Paris Nautic Show, as it is now called, should be held at the Parc Exposition du Bourget from 26 to 30 November 2025. Two 20,000 m² halls have been reserved outside Paris, which should facilitate road transport. The gates are 9m wide, which raises hopes that some multihulls will be present. The proximity of Roissy international airport, the public transport network and the large car parks are undeniable assets for a medium-term revival, and the support of the sector's leaders (Bénéteau, Brunswick, Dream Yacht, etc.). It will take no less than that to revive a truly attractive trade fair in just 8 months, one worthy of its prestigious past, and which should celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Passenger transport by sail
With the return of spring, the recent scheduled sailing lines are back in service. This is the case of SailLink on the Channel between Dover (UK) and Boulogne-Sur-Mer (France), but also in France for Iliens between Quiberon and Belle-Ile-en-mer from 5 April, or Sailcoop between Concarneau and the Glénan archipelago. Three different catamarans serving the same purpose, offering crossings with low environmental impact: a standard second-hand Privilège for the first, a used day-charter catamaran for the second, and a boat designed specifically for this service and launched less than a year ago for the last. Three initiatives that confirm the relevance of the catamaran for this type of service and could be developed elsewhere in the world.
Sailing with a legend
Francis Joyon, one of the legends of French sailing, winner of the Route du Rhum and holder of the crewed round the world record, among other achievements*, has refitted his former Orma 60’ trimaran and is welcoming guests on board for an exciting programme of races marketed by Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage. A rare and exceptional opportunity to realize a dream at prestigious regattas such as the Round the Isand Race (Isle of Wight - UK) on 7 June.
* he has the record since 2017 at 40 days 23 hours and 30 minutes, an exceptional time that no one has been able to approach since, despite multiple attempts by the new flying Ultim trimarans like Gitana, Sodebo, SVR-Lazartigue and Spindrift.
IN SHORT
Presented to the public for the first time at Boot Düsseldorf in January, the Dragonfly 36 was launched mid-April at the shipyard's home port in Denmark. With its two steering wheels, it looks like a small “Dragonfly 40”, at a more reasonable price?
The new Lagoon 38 was also unveiled mid-April in Bordeaux. Presented as the true successor to the legendary Lagoon 380 launched more than 25 years ago, we will have the opportunity to discover it in detail at the next International Multihull Show, and we will then be able to tell you more about the relevance of this heritage.
International Multihull Show 2025 (La Grande Motte - France - 23-27 April): the multihulls expected.
Annapolis Spring Boat Show (25-27 April) - 11 multihulls on display out of 27 boats on the water.
Second-hand and refit Multihull show, 10th edition announced (16-19 October 2025) in Canet-en-Roussillon (France). Last year, 32 multihulls were on display.
SPOTTED
Summer marina density on the deck of the AP Revelin cargo ship, onto which 22 Leopard (and Sunsail) catamarans have been loaded. This is no less than 10% of the annual production of Robertson & Caine, which, post-covid euphoria or global crisis invariably launches between 200 and 220 catamarans a year, sailing and power boats. The bulk carrier left Cape Town (RSA) on 20 March bound for the Med. Some of the loaded boats will be on display at the International Multihull Boat Show in La Grande Motte. The timing is tight as it is expected to arrive in Gibraltar on 9 April and will still have to make its way to Sète (France) before the show opens to the public on 23 April.
READING CORNER
Gitana 18 by Le Figaro (in French)
Our colleagues from the French daily newspaper Le Figaro had access to the CDK site where the next Ultim of the Gitana team is being built in the utmost secrecy. What information can be gleaned from this visit?
At maximum Ultim size (32x23), the new trimaran (budget 16 million euros) will be 32 meters long (105 ft maximum length authorized)
The launch is scheduled for the end of September to line up for the Café l'Or double-handed transatlantic race, departing from Le Havre on 26 October, which is a very tight schedule.
To date, only the central hull, with a step steep enough to break the waves, and the arms have been assembled, pending the arrival of the floats.
The aerodynamic cockpit has been the subject of close attention by skipper Charles Caudrelier, who has used a virtual reality helmet to visualise the space better. However, the maneuvering area should be less integrated than that of SVR-Lazartigue, which had been the subject of controversy.
Sail GP by Yacht Racing Life
In its fifth season, the SailGP circuit seems to be reaching its full potential to become the equivalent of Formula 1 on water. The arrival of major sponsors, whether on the circuit with Rolex or within the teams, but also star investors such as Killian Mbappé, who has become a shareholder of the French team, is analysed by Yacht Racing Life, as reported by our colleagues from Tip&Shaft. On the water, after 5 out of the 13 events on the 2025 season calendar, the F50 catamaran of Australian Tom Slingsby is leading the overall ranking, despite the breakage of her wing that deprived him of a final place in the last event in San Francisco. But with 5 different winners in as many events, SailGP demonstrates the homogeneity and high level of competitiveness of its line-up while maintaining maximum suspense.
INSPIRING
They have been sailing “off-road” for a couple of years now on board their catamaran Dreamality, from island to island between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, taking the time to share the daily life of the islanders and participate in local life by building, transporting, and caring for people. Inspiring!
Thank you François. interesting and informative. I’ll look forward to future posts.