Multihulls today form a broad spectrum between maximum space economy, superyacht comfort and a consistent focus on performance, as the YACHT tests of 2025 show. Conceptually, the spectrum ranges from voluminous production cruising cats such as Lagoon 43, Fountaine Pajot New 41 and Leopard 46 to the aluminium concept of the Vaan R5, the superyacht Thíra 80 and the very fast trimaran Dragonfly 36. While the large production cats primarily prioritise living space, flexible layouts and charter efficiency, Vaan focuses on recycled aluminium and electric drives and Dragonfly on high speed with limited but cruising-ready interior space. Overall, even more comfort is offered: Flybridge lounges, front cockpits, hydraulic tender platforms and large solar panels are increasingly standard, especially in the longer length classes.
In terms of sailing, the concepts differ significantly in character, rather than in the question of "sails well or badly": the Dragonfly 36 achieves well over 20 knots in moderate conditions with comparatively relaxed handling, while the hull and rig design of classic cruising cats such as the Leopard 46 or Vaan R5 are aimed more at solid cruising speeds in the single-digit to lower double-digit range. At the same time, the tests show how sensitively even large multihulls react to trim, rudder geometry or keel/ centreboard configurations with rudder pressure and drift, for example in the Vaan R5 with rudder pressure and drift that is initially clearly too high or in the Leopard 46 with a strongly wind-dependent feel at the rudder. Combinations of self-tacking jib, clearly guided lines and E-winches (Lagoon 43, New 41, Vaan R5) make large cats suitable for small crews.
Two philosophies coexist in the interior design: maximum modular large series boats with three to six cabins for charter and large families as well as clearly owner-orientated concepts with a large owner's suite, utility rooms and a reduced number of cabins (Vaan R5, Thíra 80). What is striking is the strong focus on enclosed, weather-protected spaces combined with generous glazing and in some cases double glazing (Vaan R5), while classic navigation tables or interior helm stations are sometimes greatly reduced or completely omitted (Lagoon 43, New 41). In terms of price, the range extends from the comparatively "favourably" positioned New 41 in the Bali, Lagoon and Leopard segment to the higher-priced but very high-quality equipped Leopard 46 and Vaan R5, right up to the Thíra 80 in the multimillion superyacht segment.
Lagoon 43
The Lagoon 43 is a voluminous cruising catamaran with extremely full foredeck sections and full-length chines, which combine wide hulls with a comparatively slim waterline and in practice lead to lively but easily controllable sailing behaviour in moderate winds. Upwind, the cat reaches just over five knots in 10 to 12 knots of wind with an overlapping genoa and square-top mainsail, benefits noticeably from an optional Code Zero and demonstrates easy, manoeuvrable handling overall, although the tacking angle is rather large at around 110 degrees. The cockpit and helm station layout with an easily visible steering position arranged to the side, logically routed lines and powerful Harken winches make manoeuvring and one-handed operation easier, while the flybridge lounge and lack of additional access steps to the roof are more about comfort than pure function.
Below deck, the new hull shape opens up cabins of equal size fore and aft, allowing for owner's cabins forward with a large aft bathroom or symmetrical four-cabin layouts, each with its own bathroom - a particular advantage for charter use. The saloon and outside cockpit merge into one large living area via wide sliding doors, complemented by an L-shaped galley, variable table configurations, good ventilation and typical large series details such as missing handrails and functional but not perfectionist workmanship. In terms of price, the Lagoon 43 is competitively positioned in the established 42-45-foot cruising cat segment and is clearly aimed at the charter and family market with high space requirements.
To the test report...
Fountaine Pajot Thíra 80
The Thíra 80 is a 24-metre flybridge catamaran that presents itself as a stable, steady glider: With a true wind of around ten knots, the 66-tonne cat reaches a speed of around seven knots under main and genoa, remains calm even in chaotic cross seas and benefits from the use of a large gennaker on the beam. Despite the considerable sail area and flybridge helm station with five electric winches, the focus is not on sporty performance, but on reliable, easily controllable cruising speed and comfortable crew handling.
The equipment and fittings are clearly located in the superyacht segment: around 265 square metres of living and deck space with a large main deck saloon, fixed foredeck platform with Jacuzzi, spacious flybridge, owner's area covering almost an entire hull and guests in separate cabins with bathrooms. A tender platform, large Cummins diesel engines, powerful generators and a solar system with a capacity of up to 9 kWp support long periods of living on board; the starting price of 5.9 million euros plus extensive charter income potential positions the Thíra 80 as a floating second home for owners with a professional crew.
To the test report...
Vaan R5
The Vaan R5 is a 19-tonne aluminium cat with a focus on sustainability and seaworthy cruising performance, which achieves around 7.2 knots on test strokes in 12 to over 20 knots of gusty wind on the wind and around 8.4 knots on half wind, is generally responsive, but initially shows noticeably high rudder pressure in the test with excessive mast drop. The lateral surface over short keels leads to noticeable drift; planned integral centreboards should improve this behaviour in future without preventing the boat from falling dry. With a self-tacking jib, V-shaped winch bracket at the stern and optional electrically operated winches, the handling is clear and suitable for small crews.
In terms of construction, the R5 relies on recycled 5083 aluminium, full insulation and electric drive as standard, which significantly reduces the ecological footprint compared to conventional GRP cats. The interior design is sober and modern, functionally organised with a large galley in the saloon, plenty of storage space, large double glazing for good sound insulation and a choice of a three- or four-cabin layout with two spacious heads compartments. With a base price of just under 1.78 million euros, the R5 is clearly positioned in the owner-oriented niche segment, in which robust aluminium construction, electromobility and individualisation take centre stage.
To the test report...
Dragonfly 36
The Dragonfly 36 is a folding trimaran that clearly sets itself apart from the catamarans tested: In winds of around 19 knots, the tri reaches speeds of up to 21.6 knots under Code Zero, runs consistently in the high double-digit range on the beam and half-wind courses and also shows very high VMG values on the wind with around ten knots at a wind angle of 43 degrees. The boat reacts more and more directly with increasing speed, runs "on rails" on the wind edge and remains controllable thanks to the large buoyancy reserves of the floats; the speed can be called up with relatively little trim and steering effort.
The folding system with composite hinges integrated into the structure allows the floats to be folded in and out quickly, making the Dragonfly marina- and trailer-friendly without having to sacrifice a wide sail position. Below deck, the Tri is limited to a slim centre hull with a seaworthy, well-finished monohull layout, saloon and aft cabin, very high-quality real wood interior (optional) and overall limited volume compared to monohulls or cats of the same length. The high price and handcrafted construction position the Dragonfly 36 as a boat for performance-oriented owners who prefer uncompromising speed potential to maximised living space.
To the test report...
Fountaine Pajot New 41
The Fountaine Pajot New 41 is a compact cruising cat that builds on the success of the Isla 40 and Astréa 42 in terms of design and sails within the expected range: earlier models and calculations indicate a speed of four to five knots in around eight knots of wind; at 16 knots, around eight knots are realistic upwind and double-digit speeds on rough courses. Longer keels are intended to improve performance compared to the predecessors; a hybrid pod drive with recuperation function enables quiet motorised sailing and self-sufficient energy supply, but costs significantly more.
The layout utilises the length format for four cabins, large cockpit with fixed bimini, roof and foredeck lounge, large galley and wide sliding doors between cockpit and saloon. In the owner's version, the port side has a full-length suite with office and cupboard area, large wet room with separate shower and separate WC room; ventilation, storage space and bed dimensions are generous, supplemented by optional skipper/crew rooms in the bow. With an entry-level price of around 489,000 euros, the New 41 is in a direct competitive comparison with the Bali, Lagoon and Leopard and is aimed at owners and charterers looking for plenty of volume and an attractive price-performance ratio.
To the test report...
Leopard 46
The Leopard 46 is a robustly built cruising catamaran that reached speeds of over eight knots in the test at 20 to 25 knots Mistral on the wind with a full genoa and at times double-digit speeds on the beam and can be steered agilely and precisely despite strong gusts. With a heavily reefed genoa, limited height and high rudder pressure are initially evident, which decreases significantly with a full genoa; overall, the test confirms the good sea behaviour of the current Leopard generation. Halyards, sheets and trimming lines are concentrated in front of the laterally raised steering position, manoeuvres are structured despite the overlapping genoa, and a traveller is replaced by two separate mainsheet tackles.
The deck layout with large forward cockpit, continuous level from bow to stern and spacious flybridge is clearly charter and owner-orientated, combining weather protection with quality of stay. Inside, the 46 breaks the classic symmetry with split companionways in the starboard hull, a large owner's cabin aft and a separate forward cabin; to port there are two guest cabins with their own heads and optional utility room. The basic price of around 845,000 euros plus transport to Europe is put into perspective by the high-quality construction, good standard equipment and the option of a hybrid drive, positioning the catamaran in the upper segment of its length range.
To the test report...
