Boats up to date: Nautitech 44 Open. Sport and comfort in harmony
The design comes from Marc Lombard. However, selected Nautitech owners were also involved in the development of the new 44 Open and were asked to contribute their ideas of the "perfect boat" to the planning. As is typical of the brand, the saloon and cockpit of the new Nautitech boat form a single living unit, hence the name "Open". Many other manufacturers of cruising catamarans have now also adapted the concept of functionally linked interior and exterior living areas in a very similar form. In the Nautitech 44 Open, the entire exterior cockpit can be closed with fabric covers. This means that the open concept also works in bad weather or for use in the north.
Also common with Nautitech are the helm stations integrated aft on the hulls. Compared to the laterally raised helm station or the steering cockpit on the flybridge, the helm stations at deck level have the advantage that the helmsman no longer has to work in isolation, but can communicate with his co-sailors at the same level. In addition, all halyards, sheets and trim lines on the Nautitech 44 Open are redirected to the helm stations on both sides and are very easy to operate, also thanks to the high-quality basic fittings. This makes it easy to sail the boat even with a small crew or even single-handed. In the YACHT test, the Nautitech 44 Open shows surprisingly strong performance under sail and impresses with fast reactions, even in manoeuvres.
The concept is highly flexible in terms of the interior layout. Two, three or four double cabins are possible, plus a generously proportioned wet room with shower cubicle and separate toilet room in each hull. The well-equipped basic version of the Nautitech 44 Open costs EUR 641,750 including 19 per cent VAT and including a single set of sails with batten mainsail and self-tacking jib.
The YACHT test editors have already been on board the new Nautitech 44 Open for an ambitious test round in good wind conditions. The comprehensive test report will appear in an upcoming issue of YACHT. Our photographer Olivier Blanchet was there with his camera. We have summarised a few of his pictures below as a gallery.
