Commissioning a NEW 60ft sailing catamaran is getting more difficult in 2022!

Published by SuperSailYachts.com Team on March 15^th, 2022
Further edited on 10th June 2022

Buying a 60ft luxury sailing catamaran is a dream come through for a  majority of sailors as well as those who do not sail regularly.  Prestige is just one of the reasons why these vessels are so desirable.  In most cases, it is their liveability, usability and amazing space they offer with walk-around beds, dedicated dining and lounging areas and many other features ...

Only 15 years ago or so, when Sunreef launched their first luxury catamaran the yacht charter market in terms of 60ft catamarans was non-existent. A couple of Privilege 585’s, a couple of undesirable Privilege 51’s and an Outremer 55 were more or less the only such boats on offer with exception of a couple of larger 70-90ft catamarans that were commission on a bespoke order in most cases. Buying them was considered a thing for those peculiar live-aboard people who prior to digitalisation of our lives were very few amongst us or simply could not afford such a lifestyle.  Manufacturers were more or less concentrating on smaller boats in the 36-48ft range with big majority shifting sailing boats en mass. 

Buyers in those days were dreaming of a new monohull such as Hanse, Grand Soleil, my own favourite being GrandSoleil 56 in those early 00’s, than Oyster and in particular Swan with the most distinguished amongst us aiming even higher at new XXI century designs of impeccable Wally’s or sumptuous Perini Navi’s.  The shift towards multihulls was nowhere to be seen neither desirable.  Many talked about advantage of central cockpit on smaller monohulls or their practicability and luxury on board of a few CNB’s such as Grand Bleu Vintage and similar superyachts.  What happened next is a complete change of history.


 

On 30^th May 2005, Sunreef Yachts of Gdansk in Poland published the following update:

‘’Today the first Sunreef 60 catamaran was launched in Gdansk where it will stay for a few days before leaving for trials in the Baltic Sea. This premier Sunreef 60 catamaran has an owner version layout, with four comfortable cabins equipped with ensuite bathrooms and separate showers. The commodious saloon, finished with ecru and warm mahogany tones, coupled with the well-equipped galley contributes to the harmony and elegance of the interior.  The spacious flybridge, with a teak dining table and mattresses for sunbathing, surrounds the main helm station where winches control all sail trimming and handling.’’

From what I can recall, that was the famous Mister T, a catamaran so desirable, great looking, painted perfectly and offering such accommodation and space that even those who hated monohulls had to admit ‘’she looks amazing’’.  The World was not the same ever again as new buyers flocked and demanded even more luxury, space, amenities and water toys.

Nowadays, the choice of 60ft catamaran is as great as never before.  Sunreef shifts several units every year, buyers at times order 2x SUNREEF cats, one for the Caribbean and another one for the Mediterranean use and many are planning or in fact executing their dreams of circuminavigation.  Other manufacturers have caught up with the shipyard so much so that prestigious Victoria 67 from Fountain Pajot is one of the most desireable new catamarans in the meantime, leaving even Sunreef behind in many aspects. Balance and Kinetic of South Africa, Catana and Privilege of France, even Bavaria Yachts by getting Nautitech brand is building some, albeit not in the 60ft range.  A new buyer has also turned up, with a desire to bring his or her own designs with some private shipyards or projects and bespoke models turning up as far as China, Thailand, Australia and even in countries such as Croatia where only recently a first Upwind 50 was launched.

In Poland, just next to Sunreef, two other brands have established themselves too. These are MOON Yacht and Wave catamarans, both of which produce highly bespoke, quality sailing catamarans.  Sixty foot is what they aim at and in particular MOON Yacht is ready to launch your own next project.  Expected price of a Moon 60 is around 2,6 million although with slight adjustments it can be as low as 2,4 million Euros. This makes it clear that even a less known quality shipyard cannot produce a 60ft cat at prices near 2 million Eur, let alone below it.  Its mind blowing and unexpected only a few months ago of course.

On the other end of the spectrum:
With luxury end of the market only a half, albeit a popular story is said.  On the other side are performance and high performance sailing catamarans and this is where it gets interesting for some.  Brands such as Gunboat with Gunboat 68 in particular or HH, KINETIC and the most recent shipyard O YACHTS run by a French businessman in Latvia of all places, produce lighter and faster sailing models.  Gunboat is in particular well established name, but O YACHTS are aiming to create catamarans that sail faster than the wind, are as luxurious as other top brands and can be sailed single-handedly even on a 64ft O64 they are currently building as Hull no3. 

When it comes to pricing however, there is a huge spike at the moment. War in Ukraine, rise in fuel and gas prices and the resulting surge in prices of raw materials such as aluminium makes the buying process of 60ft catamarans much more expensive.  A 50ft-er, catamaran that in space, purpose, luxury and quality comes only very little behind a 60ft, in most cases can cost 100% less than a 60ft.  One of the best examples is new, environment friendly and high quality product of Vaan Catamarans.  A VAAN R5 with top equipment is likely to cost no more than 1,25 million Euros with delivery within 18 months.  A 60ft R6 on the other hand is already at least 2,5 million Euros and delivery may not be achieved prior to early 2014 which makes the wait for such a boat almost 2 years. More established brands such as Balance Catamarans or afore mentioned Sunreef may ask you to wait even longer.

This could mean that many a buyer will give up on the option of buying new and looking for a 2^nd hand. The prices of 2^nd hands boats are as a result also rising so much so that many are snapped up as soon as they come on the market or buyers simply avoid them as not a good value or most modern boats any more.   Regardless of your own choice, there is always a solution as long as one is ready to compromise or alternatively to stamp up premium to get what they want. One of the options could be creating your own brand and shipyard or a project for example. By applying for some EU funding and creating a viable project, one could under circumstances, bring his or her own designs and create a unique multihull of 60ft or similar and bigger size and try and create something special.

One may also not forget power catamaran manufactures, most of which include afore mentioned brands including Sunreef Power and rare and unique options such as those from Puccini Yachts. Whatever your choice, plan, designs or desire, we invite you to contact us with your plans and ideas and let us know of ideal timing. We can than research the market on your behalf, get relevant quotes and delivery dates and prepare a contractual paperwork to take your 60ft catamaran buying decision closer to reality.

What's the alternative to buying a private yacht:
The best option we can recommend is long-term catamaran charter or sabbatical sailing holidays.  Arrangements can be put in place to sail on a hired boat for up to 18 months and to include Transatlantic crossing.  Circumnaviagation would be difficult to arrange, but we can look into this too in case that's your preferred option. For example a buyback guarantee can be discussed.  One way charters from East Caribbean to Galapagos and through Panama channel is also an option we can arrange.  A range of other one ways is regularly done, and this can include one way from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, from Mediterranean to Cape Verde or from Florida to Mediterranean. Ownership of the yacht can also be structured so that charter income covers some of your expenses or indeed finances most part of the leasing rate. 

SY MOON 60 is manufactured in Europe, with EU and available for delivery within 18-24 months. Dutch built performance sailing and enviroment friendly sailing catamaran brand VAAN, which builds VAAN R6, states they can deliver newly designed 59ft-er by Jan 2024 most likely and will cost up to around 2,6 million Euros. Other brands, models and shipyards will have their own quotes and plans, with Thai based shipyard refusing orders due to huge demand for 100ft+ superyachts.  To get your own quote and arrange a new design and build of a 60ft sailing catamaran, please feel free to contact us at brokerage@supersailyachts.com or on WhatsApp at +44 7792052007

Your luxury boat ownership life or maybe a superyacht charter in the Mediterranean, can therefore start this week already, with flexible payment options, including us accepting a range of cryptocoins such as BITCOIN or Ethereum, or standard old credit cards from VISA/MASTER to AMEX.  Whatever your choice of payment or sailing week, you can rest assured that your private yacht charter with SuperSailYachts.com will be a success. Apart from the usual luxury yacht charters, should you wish to become an owner of a yacht, it’s worth knowing that we can also arrange commissioning of a new Benetti , Sunseeker, Azimut, Pershing or San Lorenzo motor yachts, thus if you are keen to buy a new or 2nd hand superyacht, please do contact us to forward specifications, arrange viewings and commission surveys.  As exclusive dealers for PUCCINI YACHTS and UK broker for VAAN, Aquila and Sunreef Catamarans we do specialise in bespoke orders of new motor yachts as well as sailing catamarans, power catamarans and traditional Turkish gullets which range from 23,9 – 50m and start in price from 880,000 Eur with 12 months delivery.  NEW Eco models with HYBRID engines or even solar powered boats are available. #supersailyachts WhatsApp (00447792052007)

In case you are interested in chartering one of these or similar yachts or wish to consider purchasing one of the models which are offered for sale, do let us know by filling out the CHARTER REQUEST FORM or send us an email to charter@supersailyachts.com now.  

Disclaimer:  The information provided here are made as a general guide only, made to give a broad description and latest news of the shown yacht or yachts. They are not intended to constitute part of an offer or contract. The details of the luxury yacht or yachts displayed on this page are made merely for informational purposes, and the yacht or the yachts are not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she or they represented or marketed in anyway by SuperSailYachts.com. All details, including any photographs, measurements, plans and specifications mentioned, are given as a guide only and should not be relied upon for the purchase or charter of this yacht. The copyright of all details, photographs and deckplans remains the property of their rightful owners or their chosen representatives.

Carlsberg company from Denmark chartered a luxury open motor yacht in Spain for one of their major marketing events. Refurbishing the chartered yacht for this event was organised by ourselves and the whole project, including the photos, documentary and new web site for the project went extremelly well.