PROVEN. Nautitech 46, a beach house that goes sailing

Nautitech 46, Bavaria’s new catamaran. Dto the relaunch of the Bavaria Group, one of the fixed points remained the catamaran market. Such a booming sector could not be overlooked by the new management, which also decided to focus strongly on the world of multihulls by rationalizing and strengthening the Nautitech range, the French shipyard acquired by the German giant. To do this first of all, a precise strategic line was chosen: Nautitech will not simply be a rib of Bavaria, but will continue to be a production entity in its own right, with a dedicated technical staff independent of the German one. In short, not a mere fallback but a reality with its own distinct identity that is, and will still be, very French. After all, it is from France that on the subject of multihulls and cruising catamarans have always come the biggest and most interesting innovations for this market.

Nautitech 46, A NEW BOAT

The restyling of the Nautitech 46, available in fly and Open versions that we tested in the waters of Cannes, is a child of this phase and is a cruising cat that we felt was definitely in focus on the trends of the public. The overall design aesthetic conceived by Marc Lombard has not been changed, thus maintaining the family feeling with the range.

As seen in the similar operation on the Nautitech 40, however, some details were revised to give the boat a new and more appealing look.

The edge on the hulls has been slightly reduced, and paired with the tapered bows gives the boat a now sportier look. The deckhouse remains low on the deck, is full-glazed, and its forward continuation extends to the extreme stern to keep the cockpit protected from the elements at all times. From the wheelhouses, two steps lead to the rest of the deck; at the bow, the new 46 does not give up its proverbial net that confirms its sporty soul. Less weight in the bow equals a boat that is higher on the water and more stable when it will have to deal with rough seas in the stern.

THE CONCEPT.

In the fly version on the raised deck there is a small living area with a c-shaped sofa in addition to the rigging area; the Open version has none, and the wheelhouses have been placed at the two aft ends of the hulls. The helmsman’s view is quite clear toward the bow and at the same time has a perfect view aft when mooring.

The version we tested is the one unveiled at the 2019 Fall Salons, designed with a more powerful sail plan, with a massive square top mainsail, and above all focused on the Open concept, so that life on board is all on one level: the communicating salon-cockpit level. In fact, the two rooms become a single open space worthy of a seaside villa when the sliding doors are open, and in general the deckhouse with the 180-degree glazing provides ideal continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.

THE NUMBERS UNDER SAIL

Our test took place in the Gulf of Cannes on a day of light breeze, 5 to 8 knots and residual wave. Under these conditions we must not forget that the Nautitech 46 is still a cruising cat. Sailing with a mainsail and jib at monohull upwind angles is unrealistic; to free up this cat’s horsepower, the ideal in such conditions is to employ a Code Zero, a crucial sail for similar boats, which allows us both to be able to tighten up to 55-60 degrees and to lean even beyond 100. And that is how we were able to really taste the numbers of the Nautitech 46, which in spite of its concept performs well even in light winds. Between 50 and 55 degrees you will not struggle to reach 4 knots, but just widen the angle slightly to reach speeds close to the intensity of the wind as long as you know how to listen to the boat.

The game is to know how to calibrate rudder corrections lightly, to load the boat slightly at heave, and then to accelerate at rest rising above 6 knots and even touching 7 with little more wind. The helmsman can choose to lead while standing, or take advantage of the seat equipped with a comfortable back cushion, which is definitely more comfortable but forces a position that steals some of the view toward the bow. There is an interesting solution for the mainsail carriage, which is positioned on the deckhouse, at the end of the boom, and whose linkages run down to the wheelhouses by running laterally to the cockpit living area and terminating in a battery of stoppers positioned at the far aft end.

INTERIOR

The interior layout was designed to be functional with the boat’s Open concept. From this point of view, the choice of placement of the kitchen, immediately at the entrance on the right, practically attached to the sliding glass window, is decisive. The idea is for a kitchen designed almost as an outdoor kitchen, to enhance the aft living area, which being totally sheltered by the continuation of the deckhouse is almost always shaded and therefore perfect for use as a dining area. As for the cabins, the available layouts are 3- or 4-bunk layouts, the extra gear being the solution of large portholes placed on the hulls right at the berths. Being able to look outward from the cabin, with a view just inches from the water, is an aesthetic and functional choice that will appeal greatly to those who enjoy living on a boat.

THE NUMBERS.

Length f. t.: 13.79 m

Length. hull: 13.71 m

Maximum beam: 7.54 m

Draft: 1.45 m

Displacement: 10,800 kg

Engine: 2×40 hp

Serb. fuel: 2x300L

Serb. water: 2×300 lt

Design: Marc Lombard Shipyard: Nautitech

Price: 459,550 euros + VAT ex-works

www.nautitechcatamarans.com

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