Nautitech 48 Open in test: Further development offers more space for more variance
Michael Good
· 28.07.2024
If you go to the Bavaria Yachts website, you will find links to the sailing yacht line and the motorboat programme at the top of the navigation bar - but also to the range of catamarans. Catamarans from Bavaria? This may be unfamiliar to some people, and anyone who clicks on for the sake of interest will automatically be redirected to the website of Nautitech Catamarans in France. Misdirection? System problem? Or a broken link?
None of that: Since 2014, the renowned and now 30-year-old brand Nautitech Catamarans has been part of the Bavaria Holding group of companies, making it a sister company to Bavaria Yachtbau in Giebelstadt. However, the family relationship between the two brands is much more economic than operational in nature. This means that apart from their loose alliance under one roof, Nautitech and Bavaria have little in common and only co-operate with each other to a limited extent, if at all. Both companies work and produce largely independently of each other.
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Nevertheless, the yacht builders in Giebelstadt must have been overjoyed when the Nautitech 44 Open was named European Yacht of the Year in the multihull category at the trade fair in Düsseldorf in January 2013. The boat from the latest Nautitech generation received the coveted award for its balanced and imaginative concept and, in particular, for its excellent sailing characteristics. Despite extremely strong competition, the international jury was largely unanimous in this respect.
Now, with the 48 Open, Nautitech is expanding the successful concept in a small step for the time being. The new cat is just under 1.40 metres longer than its little brother with an almost identical length to width ratio. The construction plans again come from the office of Marc Lombard Yacht Design. Despite the supposedly identical appearance, the design of the new boat shows some significant further developments compared to its smaller brother, the 44 Open. For example, the hulls are significantly more voluminous at the front, but have become somewhat slimmer at the stern. And the keel bulge is also less pronounced with a flatter underwater hull.
Travelling in comfort, but also travelling quickly. That is the competition
As Lombard designer Lionel Huetz explains, the Nautitech 48 Open should have more buoyancy at the front so that both bows come a good distance out of the water when travelling at speed - just like a dinghy when planing. The aims of this design: more manoeuvrability, more balanced sailing characteristics, especially in windy conditions and at high speeds, and less pitching in the waves. The designers at Lombard have also positioned the rig a little further aft and also included a mast rake of 4.5 degrees. This new measure should bring the sail's centre of pressure further aft and also help to lift both hulls faster at the front via the lever.
Nautitech 48 Open is much less prone to the typical catamaran rolling motion
Of course, this is a complex process and is based on various calculations and computer-aided flow analyses. The important thing is that the Nautitech 48 Open was able to demonstrate the designer's objectives quite impressively in the YACHT test off La Rochelle. In variable test conditions with initially 3, later 4 to 5 Beaufort, the Frenchman showed an extremely strong performance on all courses. Hard upwind, the test boat can be easily steered up to 45 degrees to the true wind with the standard wardrobe (fully battened mainsail with square top, plus self-tacking jib), reaching speeds of up to eight knots.
At this limit, however, the helmsman must steer carefully. If you try to pinch height, you will very quickly be penalised with a significant drop in performance and will have to furl the sails and regain momentum. In a moderately high swell, the 48 Open also impresses with its excellent seakeeping behaviour. The noticeably stiff and low-torsion structure enters the waves gently and generally shows significantly less of the unpleasant rolling motion that is otherwise familiar from many catamarans.
From a wind angle of 90 degrees, the Code Zero can then be used and delivers the expected performance booster. The cat accelerates immediately to twelve knots and more. 13.5 knots is recorded as a record value on the test day, which is already a lot for a cruising catamaran of this size. The shipyard representatives on board also report credibly of a crossing on which the 48 Open is said to have easily reached an astonishing speed of over 19 knots in plenty of wind and waves.
The cat can be steered with a lot of feeling and pleasure in the wind
The 48 Open is extremely responsive and can be manoeuvred quickly through the tacks. The helmsman can feel a light rudder pressure on the wind, which makes it easy to steer the cat with a lot of feeling and pleasure on the wind. This is also due to the high-quality steering system. Both helm stations and the rudder quadrants are connected by a single, continuous wire cable, not by a long push rod as is often the case with multihulls. The low-friction system allows very sensitive steering.
The autopilot directly accesses the quadrant and thus ensures redundancy in the event of a system failure. The cost-intensive autopilot system is therefore generally part of Nautitech's basic equipment from the shipyard. The double helm stations, which are recessed far aft and attached with a step to the running deck, characterise the boats of the new model generation from Nautitech. In addition to the 44 Open and the new flagship 48 Open, this also includes the smallest boat in the range, the 40 Open.
The helm stations offer excellent working conditions and plenty of freedom of movement. In addition, the view forwards and into the sails is far better than one might expect due to the recessed position of the helmsman, also because the helmsman can see through the almost completely surrounding window strip on the cabin superstructure. The two wheels are also advantageous for manoeuvring in the harbour, as both sides can be seen right up to the bows. If required, the shipyard can also fit optional throttle levers for both engines on both steering positions.
No daredevil climbing on the mast
With increasing wind and waves in the YACHT test off La Rochelle, however, a weak point of the layout with the two helm stations quickly becomes apparent. The helmsman is poorly protected in his working area. Spray and overflowing water shoot unchecked aft over the running deck. What's more, the concept makes no provision for installing a sprayhood in front of the helm stations. Nevertheless, there is the option of steering the catamaran from the inside from the navigation and with the help of the remote control from the autopilot in bad weather.
However, the concept also has the advantage that the main boom can be attached quite close to the coachroof. This increases performance under sail and makes handling easier when hoisting the mainsail into the lazy bags. This work on the roof is easy to carry out at a good height and there is no need for daring climbs up the mast, as is the case with catamarans with raised helm stations or a flybridge. If you want to access the roof of the Nautitech, you have to take the diversions via the foredeck, where there is a wide and safe staircase. There is no access from the running deck.
The traveller, which is particularly important for catamarans, is mounted on the rear beam. The mainsheet and sheet trolley can be easily operated from both sides at an ergonomically favourable height via the winch. The halyards, sheets and trim lines are led from the mast over the roof and side decks directly to the helm stations. This ensures excellent handling for both soloists and an active crew. The quality and size of the fittings on deck ensure smooth manoeuvres. For example, Nautitech installs the very high-quality but expensive Performa winches from Harken right from the shipyard. And the shipyard doesn't skimp on running rigging either; Dyneema lines are also part of the standard basic equipment.
With wide-opening sliding doors, indoor and outdoor areas can be functionally connected
With the small Nautitech 40, the French introduced the so-called Open concept ten years ago. The idea: the saloon is smaller and is essentially reduced to the galley and navigation areas. This benefits the exterior cockpit, which is more spacious with a large seating area and becomes a kind of open saloon extension under the generously spanning bimini roof. The wide-opening sliding doors functionally connect the two areas inside and outside.
The exterior cockpit can be completely closed and heated with flexible side panels. This living space concept is also essentially the basis for the larger 48 Open. The only difference is that the developers have again allocated more space and room to the actual saloon in the new boat. This enhances the seating area in the saloon, which is just under 2.10 metres long and can be quickly converted into an additional berth for the free watch thanks to the lowerable table. The U-shaped galley is also significantly larger than the 44 Open, with ample work surfaces and plenty of storage space for large and small kitchen utensils. Two spacious refrigerator drawers are also part of the extensive basic equipment.
What is missing in the saloon and in the hulls are good handholds, handrails or recessed grips. This is an issue that is unfortunately all too often neglected in multihulls because the boats don't heel and the stability is supposedly better. However, catamarans in particular, with their open and spacious design, require good mooring options in rough weather and swell. On the other hand, the Nautitech concept scores with its excellent ventilation options. Sufficient windows and hatches are available in the saloon as well as in the cabins and wet cells, so that almost all living areas can also be ventilated crosswise.
"Smart room" option, shipyard is flexible in terms of expansion options
The usual class variety of three cabins and three bathrooms or a symmetrical layout with four cabins and four bathrooms is provided for the interior fittings in the hulls. As an attractive option, owners can also have the forward cabin in the starboard hull converted into an open space without a berth for multifunctional use as a workshop, washroom or walk-in changing room. The shipyard calls this option a "smart room" and is flexible in terms of conversion options.
With the new flagship, Nautitech also appears to have changed its pricing. With a base price ex shipyard of just under 1.19 million euros, the 48 Open is around 360,000 euros more expensive than its only 1.40 metre shorter brother, the 44 Open (831,690 euros), a considerable and seemingly exaggerated price difference. However, a distinction must be made. The 48 Open is more extensively equipped from the factory than its little brother. Amenities that are otherwise only offered as options and at extra cost are included from the shipyard, even on competitor boats. For example, the cost-intensive navigation electronics are already included in the basic package, as is the autopilot and a good set of upwind sails from Incidence. The delivery and clear-sailing handover are also included, as is the antifouling coating in the underwater area.
Conclusion: Nautitech has enriched a recipe for the 48 Open that has already led to success with the smaller 44 Open. The good concept is essentially the same, as is the design and the elaborate and solid construction. The smart Frenchman can also set itself apart from the competition with a considerable increase in sportiness and performance. Yes, the range is exclusive and the price is high - but for good reason.
The measured values for testing the Nautitech 48 Open
The Nautitech 48 Open in detail
Technical data of the Nautitech 48 Open
- Design engineer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 14,67 m
- Total length: 15,43 m
- Waterline length: 14,32 m
- Width: 7,97 m
- Depth: 1,55 m
- Mast height above WL: 23,00 m
- Theor. torso speed: 9.2 kn
- Weight: 13,5 t
- Mainsail: 93,0 m2
- Self-tacking jib (Std.): 42,5 m²
- Genoa (optional): 64,0 m²
- Code Zero (optional): 89,0 m²
- machine (Volvo P.): 2x 60 hp
- Fuel tanks (aluminium): 2x 300 litres
- Fresh water tanks (PVC): 2x 300 litres
- Holding tanks (aluminium): 2x 63 litres
Hull and deck construction
All components are GRP sandwich constructions using a vacuum infusion process with polyester resin and Divinycell foam core. The outer layers of the hull are constructed with osmosis-resistant vinylester resin. The main bulkheads are made of plywood, reinforced with carbon fibre
Equipment, price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: 1.189.760 €
- Standard equipment included: Engine, sails (main and self-tacking jib), sheets, railing, position lanterns, battery, compass, sails, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, lazy bags, anchor with chain, fenders/ mooring lines, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank with suction, antifouling paint, clear sailing handover
- Price ready to sail: 1.189.760 €
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/5 years
As of 7/24, you can find out how the prices shown are defined here!
Surcharge for comfort equipment
- Hole points: Pack
- Traveller with line guide: incl.
- Electric windlass: incl.
- Tube kicker: not available
- Backstay tensioner: not available
- Jumping cleats: incl.
- Sprayhood: not available
- Teak in the cockpit: 16.420 €
- VHF radio: incl.
- Log and echo sounder: incl.
- Wind measuring system: incl.
- Autopilot: incl.
- Charger: incl.
- Shore connection with RCD: incl.
- 230 volt socket (one): incl.
- 12-volt socket in the sat nav: incl.
- Heating: 30.200 €
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot water boiler: incl.
- Shower WC room: incl.
- Cockpit shower: 1.160 €
- Comfort price: 1.237.540 €
- Included in the price: Harken Performa winches, removable composite bowsprit, Dyneema running rigging. Carbon fibre davits, three-blade folding propeller (2), refrigerator in cockpit, two refrigerated drawers in galley
Rig and sail
The aluminium rig with diamond rigging and two spreaders from Sparcraft comes as standard. A set of simple Dacron sails (main and self-tacking jib) from Incidence Sails are included in the basic price. Upgrade (Boost your Sail Pack) for 93,415 euros gross
Motorisation
2x Volvo Penta D2-60 (44 kW/60 hp) with saildrive and three-blade folding propeller. The power upgrade (2x 75 hp) costs 7,950 euros gross. Electric or hybrid drives are not offered by the shipyard
Batteries
Standard 6x 140 Ah AGM (service), 2x 95 Ah AGM (engine starter batteries). Optional lithium package instead of AGM, surcharge for all batteries: 24,800 euros, gross
Shipyard
Nautitech Catamarans, F-17300 Rochefort, nautitechcatamarans.com
Distribution
- AP Yachting, Laboe, apyachting.com
- Cat Sale, Bremen, cat-sale.com
YACHT rating of the Nautitech 48 Open
A harmonious compromise between superior travelling comfort and active sailing. The Nautitech 48 Open surprises with its performance potential under sail, but also offers everything for demanding blue water tours. High base price in comparison
Design and concept
- + Very solid construction
- + Balanced concept
- + Modern construction
- - Exposed control stand
Sailing performance and trim
- + Lots of speed, good height
- + Sensitive control possible
- + Fast reactions
- + One-handed handling
Living and finishing quality
- + Impeccable processing quality
- + High expansion variance
- + Perfect ventilation
- - Few holding options
Equipment and technology
- + High-quality basic equipment
- + Smooth-running control system
- + Aluminium diesel tanks
- - No option for electric motor
