From Thailand to France, Andaman electric catamarans arrive

Among the undisputed trends in the boating industry in recent years is undoubtedly that of cruising catamarans, which are becoming increasingly comfortable and sophisticated and are now also beginning to be offered with electric propulsion. In monohulls, electric can be said to be a booming reality in the world of small boats, such as daysailers for example, but bringing this technology to cruising catamarans is more complex given the energy consumption they require.

The Thai shipyard Andaman, founded in 2004 by Frenchman Hervé Le Touzé, later taken over by Gilles Reigner, specializing in the construction of fiberglass sailing and motor boats, and imported to Europe through France’s Latitude Mer, has launched a line of electric-powered cruising catamarans.

It already sails the Andaman 50, and the Andaman 52 is also on the way, two pure and electric cruising catamarans, built in a custom style since the shipyard is artisanal in size and produces only a few models a year.

Andaman 50 and 52 – what catamarans they are

The Andaman 50 (15.25 m long by 8.10 m wide) has an 80 KWH battery pack, with a solar panel system installed on the fly bridge and a hydro-generator. Propulsion includes two 20 or 40 kW motors; the shipyard also offers the addition of combustion propulsion as an option, but it provides a good level of range in Full Electric.

The Andaman 50 is characterized by a line tending toward the sporty, in fact, it also has a good sail plan with Square top mainsail for a total of 130 sq. m. upwind, and one of its peculiarities is the command post: centrally located and set back, on the Fly bridge, so as to have the best possible view of both the sails and the stern in maneuvering.

Available in 3- and 4-cabin layouts, it offers up to 12 berths, with a fully sheltered rear cockpit and the classic large bow net between the two hulls. The interior dinette is fully glazed, with the special solution of a central “peninsula” galley.

Instead, the Andaman 52 (15, 90 m long and 8.10 m wide) will be a sportier evolution of the 50′. The motorization is the same but the flybridge disappears and the area available for solar panels increases, the square meters of upwind sail area increases to 150 and the bowsprit is longer. The helm station changes, now doubled and aft, with two wheel helmsmen outboard and set back to have the same good fore-aft view.

www.latitudemer.com