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The aura 51 catamaran wins the 2024 boat of the year award

7 December 2023

And the winner is…

The teams at leading cruising catamaran builder  Fountaine Pajot  are proud to announce another success for one of their  sailing yachts ! The  51-foot catamaran , the  Aura 51 , has just been awarded the BOATY 2024 (Boat of the Year 2024) in the over 50-foot catamaran category by the prestigious American magazine Cruising World. This recognition testifies to the quality and exceptional sailing experience that this cruising multihull offers to all owners, and to the excellence and  savoir-faire of Fountaine Pajot .

About the award:

The annual Boat of the Year award is organized by Cruising World to recognize the best yachts launched onto the US market by builders around the world. The jury organizes the tests immediately following the Annapolis Boat Show in Maryland in October. For almost two weeks around the boat show, the nominated yachts are judged by an independent panel of marine experts and renowned sailors who, as a team, evaluate each boat in two stages: alongside during the show, and then in the course of dedicated sea trials. The judges awarded prizes in seven categories for this year’s competition. Cruising World’s teams of journalists and judges are made up of experienced sailors and enthusiastic boat owners. Cruising World’s fundamental mission is to awaken dreams by providing practical information and authentic accounts of boating experience.

Fountaine Pajot would like to thank Cruising World and salutes the work of its teams!

Fountaine Pajot thanks Cruising World and salutes the work of its teams!

With its exceptional features, its design excellence and its dna….

“ The flybridge is a wonderful place entertain guests. There’s no better place to relax, enjoy a cocktail or two and admire the scenery,” says judge Mark Pillsbury. “The layout in direct relation to the comfortable Fountaine Pajot helm station is perfect: you can always communicate with everyone else on the flybridge and you can always chat to someone who is down below, and I think for a cruising couple, it’s a very practical layout, and for a charter program you’ll always enjoy yourself aboard this vessel .”

Judge Tim Murphy also expressed his admiration for the catamaran: “ There’s also something very nice about the helm station, which is that it orders the actual controls perfectly. So you can have two people at the helm, one monitoring the autopilot for example, and another, positioned half way who can keep an eye on the rig and the sails. I find that the helm station has been very well designed .”

New standards…

Judge Herb McCormick reveals what made the difference in electing  the  Aura 51  over her rivals: “ It was really a competition between two iconic French catamaran builders, both of whom have a long history, and I think the consensus at the end of the day was that we saw the winning boat more from a cruising point of view than from the point of view of its operation in charter. The layout of the helm station is very nice and practical for a  cruising couple  and I think that’s what swayed us towards the  Fountaine Pajot design . ”

We’re delighted to share this remarkable award with our entire community. This recognition is both a source of pride and a real honor for Fountaine Pajot and everyone on the team. There’s no doubt that this cruising catamaran already marks a new step in the world of boating,  setting new standards in terms of elegance, comfort and the sailing lifestyle …

Find out more about the  Aura 51  ->  CLICK HERE

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2022/1 Catamarans Awards Summary

10 minute read

It’s that time of the year again: the Awards Season where sailing publications around the globe publish their thoughts on the best new boats. We’re not quite there yet, as not all of the winners have been announced. But let’s take a look at the winners so far, and the contenders for the remaining prizes.

The market for catamarans continues to grow, and multihulls are increasing their share of the awards in line with the overall market.

It can be tricky to keep track of all of the nominations and awards, so we have compiled a summary to see which designs are coming out on top in the sailing category. We have also included the 2021 British Yachting Awards as they announced their winners at the end of 2021, part of the awards season.

Below are the sailing catamarans over 40 feet that are competing for the awards with number of entries (in brackets).

In terms of number of appearances, the Balance 482, Lagoon 55, Neel 43 and Windelo 55 top the list with 3 entries each , followed by the Kinetic KC54, Leopard 42 and Outremer 55 with 2 entries each .

3 Entries Balance 482 (3) Lagoon 55 (3) Neel 43 (3) Windelo 50 (3)

2 Entries Kinetic KC54 (2) Leopard 42 (2) Outremer 55 (2) 1 Entry Bali 4.2 (1) HH OC50 (1) Independent IC36 (1) Majestic 570 Fly (1) Outremer 4 Zero (1) Ocean Explorer 72 (1) Privilege Signature 580 (1) Rapido 50 (1) Seawind 1370 (1) Wave 50 (1)

European Yacht of the Year 2022

The European Yacht of the Year was started by German sail magazine YACHT in 2004, and has expanded to total 12 European yachting magazines from all over Europe who test and judge the boats. Many of the trials were done in our home base: Port Ginesta this year. You’ll find all of the nominated catamarans below:

Bluewater Cruiser HHOC 50 Outremer 55 Windelo 50

Family Cruiser Neel 43

Luxury Cruiser Lagoon 55

Performance Cruiser IC36 Independent Catamaran

Multihull of the Year 2022

Industry awards launched by Multihulls World Magazine and Multicoques Mag, in 2017. Different models have been selected by jury in various categories, and the winners will be decided by votes from their readers.

Under 40 Feet Tricat 6.90 Libertist 703 Marlin 33

40-50 Feet Bali 4.2 Neel 43 Leopard 42 Seawind 1370

45-55 Feet Balance 482 KC54 Rapido 50 Wave 50 Windelo 50

Over 55 Feet Lagoon 55 Outremer 55 Majestic 570 Fly Privilege Signature 580 Ocean Explorer 72

Sailing World Boat of the Year 2022

Winners selected by Sailing World’s team of judges. Sailing World is based in Middletown, Rhode Island in the US, 4 hours drive from New York.

Best Multihull Balance 482

Cruising World Boat of the Year 2022

Cruising World is based in Orlando, Florida, in the US. The winners in the following categories were selected by Cruising World Judges.

Best Cruising Catamaran Under 50′ Leopard 42

Best Cruising Catamran (Over 50′) Xquisite X5

Best Performance Catamaran Balance 482

Special Judges Award Kinetic KC 54

British Yachting Awards Multihull of the Year 2021

These awards are organised by UK magazines: “Sailing Today” with “Yachts and Yachting” magazine. The winners are chosen by their readers.

Winner Lagoon 55

Runner Up Outremer 4 Zero

Nominated Windelo 50 Adventure Neel 43

The smart money this year is on Balance 482, Lagoon 55, Neel 43 and Windelo 50 to scoop the most awards. Let’s see how the European Yacht of the Year (Jan 22) and the Multihull of the Year (Apr 22) plays out.

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Best catamaran and multihull: We sail the very best yachts on two and three hulls

• Toby Hodges
• March 20, 2024

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best catamaran and multihull category in the much-anticipated European Yacht of the Year Awards

There are many categories in the  European Yacht of the Year  awards, from the best  luxury yachts  and  performance yachts  to the  best yachts for families  and event a  best specialist yacht category. But with multihulls rapidly increasing in popularity, the best catamaran and multihull category was possibly the most hotly anticipated.

The small number of entrants in this category in no way reflects the rich range or huge demand for multihulls. Many new models were launched by the big yards in the preceding years and they’re struggling to keep up with bulging order books.

However, these three shortlisted represented a choice pick of the latest fast cruisers and each, in their own very different ways, are responding to this insatiable demand for high end space and pace cruising.

Best catamaran and multihull

Best catamaran and multihull winner 2024 – outremer 52.

My highlight test of 2023? Sailing this Outremer 52 for 200 miles over two days and nights! Quite how such a large vessel, one that is capable of doing laps of the planet in true comfort, is also capable of providing such enjoyable sailing is the secret sauce that helps scoop this prize.

And it was pushed hard for this award by the disruptive HH. But the Outremer is such a well rounded, measured and thought out yacht for bluewater cruising at a reliable speed – it’s the full package, a dream boat for family bluewater sailing and arguably the French yard’s best and most refined model to date.

Designer VPLP was tasked with replacing the popular and well proven 51 with more comfort and stowage, while maintaining the performance. It says it took the best of the 55 (which won this award two years ago), and the best of the 51’s deck plan to create this 52. The result means too many good features to point out here, from the variety of helm positions, including a completely protected position inboard using the swing pedestal, to the well conceived spaces. I’d therefore recommend reading our full test report online or in YW’s June 2023 issue!

Neel continues to enjoy its cruising trimaran niche, using the wow factor of bridgedeck accommodation combined with the type of sailing enjoyment and feedback monohull sailors appreciate.

The impressive lightwind performance and direct feel of a Neel I am used to. But I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised by the amount of cabins or space as I was on this 52. It’s available with four to six cabins plus the option for two crew cabins aft! Some of this maze works well, other areas, such as the forward cabins in the main hull not quite so well. Horizon and rig sightlines and some finishing also leaves room for improvement.

The HH44 seemingly manages to achieve the space and pace balance in a compact 45ft package, while also being one of the most innovative and exciting new production yachts I have sailed. From its looks to layout, to practical on deck solutions such as swing pedestals, side gates through the bulwarks and transom gates that double as swim platforms and boost cockpit security, it’s packed with fresh thinking.

And on the subject of ‘fresh’, the natural ventilation encouraged into the yacht through those massive forward facing coachroof windows which open – a feat made possible thanks to a stiff carbon composite structure – negates any aircon requirements.

With its deep carbon boards and tall carbon rig the HH44 is a powerful, reactive animal to sail. However, it’s the incorporation of the first parallel hybrid electric drive units which really makes this high tech high performance cat stand out. The electric motors are attached to the aft end of conventional diesel engines, not only providing silent power, but renewable energy through regenerative drives while sailing.

Best catamaran and multihull 2023

Best catamaran winner – nautitech 44.

If the very best catamaran delivers the ideal comfort to performance compromise, here’s a catamaran that seems to strike the perfect balance.

For those who cite a lack of visibility and protection as reasons not to choose this aft helm route, try sailing this first – direct steering brings so much more helming pleasure that you get the enjoyable feeling and communication more associated with a monohull. The attention to keeping weight low and central, vacuum infused vinylester build and a low coachroof and boom all aid this performance. The fine entry Lombard-designed hulls allowed us to properly point upwind at 8 knots (in 13), but it was the hands-on steering sensation that really stayed with me.

While there’s no real inside/outside boundary – the saloon bridges both – the Chedal-Anglay interior design works well. It is not as voluminous as some, but is certainly enough to be smugly comfortable at anchor, finished to a good quality, with walnut Alpi trim as standard. The layout option for a ‘smart room’ office/laundry/bunk room or stowage cabin is indeed really smart.

Out of all the multihulls nominated or sailed last year, this cat impressed me the most under sail. It’s the ideal size to go distance sailing, with good performance, low draught and space for family and friends. It had me dreaming.

Balance 482

I was drawn to the Balance 482, thanks to the combination of good looking modern design, high average speeds and, chiefly, the profusion of clever thinking and practical ideas that it brings. The South African build uses a foam core with E-glass laminate and cored furniture for a light weight of 11.3 tonnes, but also with the ability to take a generous payload.

An electric furler option combined with screecher sail helps offer effortless handling and fun sailing, although the 482 prefers a breeze in the double figures. Smart options such as load cells on the rigging, a bowsprit camera to monitor the anchor chain, plus engine room and mast cams all help for maintaining vigilance. Other features we like include the solar panels properly installed on raised brackets, raincatchers built into the coachroof, and how all sheets and lines are led to the helm station. But the prize solution is the VersaHelm, which allows you to swing the wheel inboard, close off the helm station, and stand watch and steer from a fully protected position.

Catana Ocean Class

The Catana Ocean Class is a bulky model which is geared more towards creature comforts than the higher performance of its predecessors. That said, it uses carbon in the structure and roof, foam cored furniture, the tanks are mounted low in the hulls and it has daggerboards and fine entry bows. The weight savings help it offer a massive 5.5 tonne cruising payload, plus there’s capacious stowage and large tank, refrigeration and laundry capacity.

Positioned between Lagoon and Outremer, the Catana echoes a bit of its sister brand Bali’s concept with its internal cockpit-cum-saloon layout while providing good ventilation via large sliding doors and opening windows. We liked how it’s easy to handle solo from one helm station, including the electric remote control of the boards, plus the layout of the galley and navstation.

Those chasing speed and helming pleasure should perhaps look to the C-Cat 48, as it’s as close to helming a fast monohull as a cruising cat is likely to get and one of the rare times we enjoyed sailing upwind in light breezes on a multihull! This is largely thanks to a lightweight, stiff build – the Comar yard has managed to save 1.7 tonnes over the first boat (9.5 tonnes light) and increased the draught of the curved daggerboards to 2.95m.

A carbon roof and rig comes as standard, as well as an epoxy hull, full carbon deck, bulkheads and compression beam. It is a little quirky with comparatively small volumes, but this François Perus design will outperform most other performance cats and monohulls of a similar length.

The Excess 14 shares that direct sensation you get from aft helms and some of the performance of the C-Cat, but in a more balanced, voluminous layout for cruising. The Excess 14 benefits from the research of VPLP’s Vannes racing office, where attention was focused on weight reduction, with savings particularly in furniture, on improved stiffness (PET foam cored sandwich for main structural bulkheads), and the efficiency of deeper fixed keels.

The result is telling on the water, as it should be for any best catamaran contender, where you can log easy miles: we clocked late 7s upwind, reached in the late 8s and regularly averaged 9 knots with gennaker in 12-15 knots. Clear glass windows give acceptable visibility from the helms through the coachroof and the comparatively minimalist interior. In short it offers a good mix of volume, reasonable performance and enjoyable sailing – see our full review last month.

Sailing performance was another key facet in the battle of the big cats from the big cat yards, Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot. Both models offer luxurious amounts of space for home from home comfort, as watersports bases for long term cruising.

The decision to push the mast to the front of the coachroof to allow for a larger genoa than its recent preference for self-tacking jibs has paid off on the Lagoon 51. It helped us sail efficiently into the waves (albeit not pointing too high) before clocking double figures reaching with the code sail in 15 knots.

The Lagoon’s large flybridge with dual access is a USP at this size that will be a hit or miss deal breaker for many. The 51 offers unrivalled accommodation volume in three, four or six cabins, and relaxation zones, and good circulation through these big spaces. Once again the jury applauds Lagoon for thoroughly testing the prototype model during a six month tour. Over 100 have already sold.

We saw in our December issue how the experienced owners of the Fountaine Pajot test boat choose to live and work full time aboard their Aura 51. It’s a design that promotes space, enough to take friends, family and crucially for them, all the toys to enjoy at anchor. Its capability of averaging 8-10 knots also appeals, although the single side helm and hydraulic steering result in scant connection to the sailing in light winds (the same applies to the Lagoon).

The fact the yard already offers this in a hybrid version and has an electric and hydrogen model in the pipeline could sway some, but the decision between the FP and the Lagoon will likely come down to preference between a central flybridge or offset bulkhead helm together with interior design and layout.

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THE CATAMARAN TANNA 47 WIN THE BOAT OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023!

» The popularity of boats with more than one hull, especially the catamarans, It's more evident with each passing year.. The trend towards cruising multihulls does not stop, and maybe even come full circle. The popularity of boats with more than one hull, especially the catamarans, it is more evident with each passing year in rental fleets, on the docks of boat shows and in the most remote anchorages around the world. The multihull genie is out of the bottle and it doesn't look like it's coming back. This reality was revealed once again in the Boat of the Year trials. 2023, in which the Cruiser Multihull class, with five legitimate applicants, was undoubtedly one of the strongest categories ».

Cruising World Magazine highlights the dominance of French shipyards in this competition and, in particular, of the brand leader Fountaine Pajot. As they mention in their announcement of winners: Multihull of the Year It's only fair that one of those pioneering companies tops the list for 2023: Well done, Fountaine Pajot. Well done, Fountaine Pajot Multihull of the Year.

Why the Tanna sailing catamaran 47 It is the "Best Catamaran of the Year 2023"?

It seems that both on dockside and under sail inspections, el Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 sounded to our panelists..." I think she is my favorite Fountaine Pajot model of all time Multihull of the Year, says Judge Herb McCormick. Multihull of the Year The size and dimensions are ideal: he is a big cat but not overwhelming. A big reason is the command post, with pods dedicated to driving, and the handling of the sails. Y, My God, it navigated really well Multihull of the Year.

Judge Mark Pillsbury also appreciates on the Tanna catamaran 47:

~ The intelligent distribution of the deck

~ The corresponding systems: Multihull of the Year With lots of solar panels, a desalination plant and refrigeration space more than enough, the Tanna 47 he was very well prepared to navigate and live on board Multihull of the Year.

~ Ease of handling: Multihull of the Year In a stretch of sleeve with 13 wind knots, we sail to 7 u 8 knots, and I liked the arrangement of the rudder, with the wheel slightly separated from the winches. The ship was easy to sail solo, but there was room for the crew to jump on top and help out whenever they wanted Multihull of the Year.

Multihull of the Year

>> P TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE TANNA LUXURY CATAMARAN 47

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Lagoon 50 catamaran.

Winner of The Multihull of The Year Award 2018, the British Yachting Awards 2018, and the Sail’s Best Boat of The Year Award of 2019, the Lagoon 50 catamaran offers some thoughtful and innovative features. Some parts of the catamaran – such as the cockpit and the saloon – have been completely redesigned.

Table of Contents

DESIGN – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

The interior design of the Lagoon 50 is a product of the Nauta Design while Patrick Le Quement and VPLP Design gave shape to its exterior. The Lagoon 50 catamaran, with its rich and dark Alpi Walnut plywood construction and UV varnish finishing, comes with three, four, and even six cabin layouts and provides a generous amount of volume and space.

The aft cockpit of the Lagoon 50 can be easily accessed through two low transom steps and houses a polyester table to port that can be extended to accommodate up to 10 people and folded away when not needed.  The seat is also removable and can be moved away when the table is extended. The aft cockpit itself has a galley, complete with its own countertops for drink and food preparation, a sink, a refrigerator and a few bottle holders. The forward cockpit has seats with two storage lockers underneath them and two trampolines.

Lagoon 50 catamaran has a large flybridge with a helm station which comes not only with a separate recreational area but also has storage space behind it. The helm seat at the station is spacious enough to accommodate up to 4 people, including the helm person, and the station is made comfortable by triple sun beds, back and knee rests behind the helm seat. The helm offers enough visibility for navigation to not be a problem but since the helm seat is right in the center, the view from directly behind the steering wheel is obstructed by the mast.

The helm station has an ideally angled dashboard, equipped with a B&G multifunction display and autopilot amongst other instruments. All the lines and the self-tacking jib sheets are managed with three Harken winches. There are also three integrated sheet bins to manage the sheets, a halyard and an electric drum to manage the continuous traveler sheet.

ACCOMODATIONS

In a three cabin version, the aft cabin of the Lagoon 50 catamaran has a double bed with lateral access and a drawer underneath, two bedside tables, and a shelf. There is enough storage space with a full-height locker, wardrobe, and bookcase. The deck hatch above the bed allows for ventilation and light. The aft bathroom has a manual toilet, a separate shower with Plexiglass door, multiple storage units and fixed window. The forward cabin and bathroom offer the same facilities but the owner’s suite is slightly more lavish with multiple bookcases, a sofa, a desk, its own bathroom with separate shower and toilet areas, and a walk-in closet.

Leveled with the cockpit, the saloon of the Lagoon 50 is a laid-back, comfortable living space that has plenty of room for entertaining guests or hosting a party. It is covered with a hard-top Bimini and houses a U-shaped sofa with a dining table and a fully-equipped chart table. The characteristic Lagoon vertical windows wrap around the saloon giving an almost continuous panoramic view while also maintaining the temperature and preventing the inside from heating up.  

Lagoon 50 also has a dedicated space for the navigation station which comes equipped with a B&G MFD, a VHF, and autopilot on a navigation desk covered in leather.

The galley is L-shaped and accessed through a sliding door. It has a four-burner gas stove and a gas oven, fully integrated sink with storage cupboards, shelves, drawers, and lockers. The galley also has a 190 liters, stainless steel drawer fridge. Between the living space and the cockpit, the galley has enough space for food preparation to be done by multiple people without coming in each other’s way and allows enough room for food and drinks to be stored. The drinks and such can be directly served through the window that opens into the forward cockpit.

ENGINE ROOMS

The two engine rooms of the Lagoon 50 catamaran house one 57 HP Yanmar diesel engines each with sail drives and folding propellers. The engine rooms are accessed through hatches that open up and aft so that they can be safely accessed from the cockpit without having to expose oneself on the steps. The engine rooms have enough space for maintenance checks.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The overall length of the Lagoon 50 catamaran is 14.75 meters while the maximum beam is 8.10 meters. With the displacement of 19.9 tons, Lagoon 50 catamaran has an air draft of 26. 51 meters and a draft of 1.40 meters. It has a total freshwater capacity of 2 x 240 liters and a fuel capacity of 2 x 520 liters.

PRICE RANGE

The price of the Lagoon 50 catamaran varies from $650,000 to $700,000.

In conclusion, Lagoon 50 catamaran is an appreciable option for someone who wants to settle somewhere between the Lagoon 52 and Lagoon 450.The Lagoon 50 particularly wins because of the generous amount of volume and room it offers which grants enough privacy for a family to be comfortable onboard. The performance has also been optimized by a greater aspect ratio of the mainsail and the moving of the mast further aft. All in all, Lagoon 50 does justice to the price tag it comes with.

Lagoon 50 Specs

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This New 131-Foot Aluminum Catamaran Concept Can Take on a Transoceanic Expedition

Cma's sturdy new multihull will be able to navigate choppy waters with ease., rachel cormack.

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Catamarans tend to be associated with casual coastal cruising rather than lengthy transoceanic expeditions, but Cristiano Mariani of CMA could help change that.

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The layout can be entirely customized by the owner, as can the decor and furnishings. The lower deck is currently configured with two guest staterooms, three crew cabins, and a VIP, while the main deck features another VIP, the owner’s suite, a spacious lounge, and a functional galley. Two additional crew cabins are located in the bow, while the upper deck sports a lounge, a pantry, the captain’s cabin, and the wheelhouse. The interior could be tweaked to include one epic family area or even three VIPs. Owners can also add a spa to the owner’s suite or the VIPs.

Outside, the cat offers over 3,000 square feet of deck space for alfresco dining, entertaining, and lounging. The partially sheltered sundeck is adorned with sunbeds and a bar, while the upper deck is home to an inviting Jacuzzi. Down below, the stern is equipped with fold-out platforms that can be lowered to connect guests with the ocean. The expandable area doubles as a waterside beach club and a mooring spot for runabouts or Jet Skis.

Mariani says he can further develop the project with an engineer and interior designer, meaning that the chosen shipyard should be able to easily execute the build. He just has to reel in an owner.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Tecnomar releases new details on cutting-edge 41m catamaran

Tecnomar , a brand of The Italian Sea Group (TISG) has released additional details on its new 40.7-metre catamaran, the Cat 133. 

The shipyard claims that the catamaran benefits from "the same visionary and futuristic design" of the 43.5-metre This Is It . This includes a focus on energy efficiency, with 70 square metres of solar panels installed along the yacht's superstructure arches and hardtop.

The catamaran's light, sporty exterior is owed to Admiral Centro Stile . An impressive amount of external space is offered relative to the catamaran's length, measuring in excess of 300 square metres. This is seen best in the design of the stern, which creates a 16-metre-wide swimming platform thanks to the positioning of the two hulls, the two internal wings and the two foldable side doors.

Accommodation is for a maximum of 10 guests and 11 crew. Interior details are yet to be disclosed, though these will also be handled by Admiral Centro Stile.

Powered by twin MAN V12 engines and 50kW electric bow thrusters, the Cat 133 is expected to reach a maximum speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots. Four generators allow for permanent magnet variable speed alterations.

According to BOATPro , the latest unit in Tecnomar's 37-metre series, the Evo 120, should be delivered in May 2024. Sisterships include Viktoriia , which was delivered to Dubai in 2022 .

The Cat 133 was first introduced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023, alongside a new 50-metre Admiral known as Project Adventure.

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And the WINNER is: Nautitech 44 Open

We are pleased to announce that the Nautitech 44 OPEN catamaran won the European Yacht of the Year Award for 2023 in the Multihull category. This was a big win as this year’s numbers of entry was the highest ever.

The jury decided to merge the “Cruising Multihulls” and “Performance Multihulls” categories, so it is against 6 other models that the Nautitech 44 OPEN catamaran stood out for her exceptional sailing performance and her unequalled level of finish.

We are proud and happy to share this fantastic news with you. Contact us and learn more about the Nautitech 44 Open and see the video walkthrough.

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7,000-year-old canoes from Italy are the oldest ever found in the Mediterranean

The wooden vessels were likely used by Neolithic people for fishing and transport.

Five canoes found at the bottom of a lake in Italy were used more than 7,000 years ago for fishing and transport by people living in a Neolithic village near what is now Rome.

Archaeologists discovered the boats at La Marmotta, a prehistoric coastal settlement that is now underwater, while conducting ongoing excavations, according to a study published Wednesday (March 20) in the journal PLOS One . 

The large dugout canoes — which were constructed of alder, oak, poplar and European beech — were built between 5700 and 5100 B.C., radiocarbon dating revealed.

The boats are the oldest ever found in the Mediterranean, according to a statement.

"One of the smallest [boats] was probably used for fishing," study co-author Mario Mineo , an archaeologist and director coordinator at the Museum of Civilization in Rome, told Live Science in an email. "The two largest measured almost 11 meters long by 1.2 m wide [36 feet by 4 feet] and it is probable that — thanks also to the easy access to the Tyrrhenian coast via the Arrone river — they could have been used for further trade."

The boat builders also used "advanced construction techniques" to craft the vessels. For example, they incorporated transverse reinforcements, which would have increased the durability of the canoes' hulls, according to the statement.

Related: Dozens of Neolithic burials and 'sacrificed' urns and ax found in France

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"The construction techniques and materials used indicate a sophisticated understanding of boat-building and navigation," senior study author Niccolò Mazzucco , a senior researcher in the Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge at the University of Pisa in Italy, told Live Science in an email. "[This] is significant because it showcases the ingenuity and skill of ancient peoples in utilizing natural resources to create efficient means of transportation."

For example, the researchers think the vessels may have been equipped with "sails or outriggers," or parallel support floats, Mazzucco said. This can be evidenced by three T-shaped wooden objects found at the site near the canoes. Each of these items contained various holes, which were likely used to "fasten ropes tied to sails or other nautical elements," according to the statement.

"Such advancements suggest a deeper comprehension of maritime technology and navigation, with vessels equipped for long-distance voyages," Mazzucco added. "However, our current understanding falls short of precisely identifying the types of boats used, their construction methods and how components like canoes and T-shaped wooden objects were mounted together — whether through ropes, wooden pegs or other means."

The builders' ability to include multiple types of wood in their creations is also noteworthy, as it shows that they knew which "trees could be used to make the dugouts," Mazzucco said. "In contrast, at other [Neolithic] sites where more than one canoe has been found, the same [tree] species was usually used for all of them."

— 'Astonishing' Neolithic burial containing a human, cattle and chariot discovered in Germany

— Chiseled obsidian recovered from Neolithic shipwreck near Capri's 'Blue Grotto'

— Elite Bronze Age tombs laden with gold and precious stones 'among the richest ever found in the Mediterranean'

In addition to the boats, archaeologists found numerous artifacts scattered around the site, including flint and obsidian tools, pottery vessels, figurines and ornaments, according to the study.

In 2022, the researchers also found 52 wooden sickles at the site that were used for harvesting cereal grains.

"These artifacts offer further insights into the daily lives, symbolic and technological capabilities of the ancient inhabitants," Mazzucco said. "No other site in the Mediterranean presents such [an] amount of harvesting tools."

Editor's Note: This story was corrected at 11 a.m. EDT on March 22 to note that the canoes were found in a lake and not the Mediterranean Sea. 

Jennifer Nalewicki is a Salt Lake City-based journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics and more. She covers several science topics from planet Earth to paleontology and archaeology to health and culture. Prior to freelancing, Jennifer held an Editor role at Time Inc. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.

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2023 Boat of the Year Special Recognition: Nacra 500 MK2

• By Dave Reed
• December 16, 2022

Sailing World Magazine’s  annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our  2023 Boat of the Year nominees »

• Nacra 500 MK2 2023 Special Recognition
• Stated purpose: Entry-level beach-cat sailing
• Crew: One to four
• Praise for: Sailing experience, construction quality, value
• Est. price as sailed: $20,000

The Nacra 500 sailed onto the scene in 1998 as the 16-foot entry-level beach cat to rival the Hobie 16. With a sporty profile and ­powered-up rig, and no daggerboards to fuss with, the otherwise basic catamaran was a hit. Twenty-five years is a long time, however, and rather than reinvent the wheel, Nacra redesigned and reengineered the 500 from its skegs up. While technically a new model with a long list of updates, the judges eventually decided a Boat of the Year award would be a stretch to give a “Mark 2” boat. But after sailing it, they also felt it was too perfect to leave out of the running. It deserves special recognition.

There’s a good reason why the ­original 500 was a cult favorite: It was fast, fun and relatively easy to own—a great lake or beach house boat. Hardy Peters, from North Carolina’s East Coast Sailboats, is a lifetime cat guy who sells a lot of recreational beach cats. So, when he says this one is an ­excellent first boat, he knows why.

“The Mark 2 is designed for those entering the cat market,” Peters says. “And for anyone with the most basic cat-sailing experience, it’ll be a real easy pickup. And for monohull sailors, with a few cat-sailing pointers, you’ll be having a blast in no time.”

Nacra, Peters says, prides itself in the boat’s eco-minded construction, which is infused vinylester and a core material sourced from recycled plastic bottles. Zero waste in the production of the boat—from tooling to finish—is the company’s new approach. Whatever the process, the judges felt the boat was flawlessly finished, and the quality justified the $16,000 base-boat price tag. The additional spinnaker system is $2,500; with cat tracks and a cover, you’ve got yourself a complete setup for $20,000.

To improve the performance of the boat, the rig is 1.5 feet shorter than the old model, and the mainsail is now a semi-deck sweeper cut, all in an effort to bring the power in the rig lower for better stability. At just over 8 feet wide, the boat is notably stable, and the trampoline is big enough to comfortably lounge two adults in light air.

The judges appreciated the high-­quality lines used throughout the boat, slightly oversize and soft. The standard tiller extension is aluminum, but a telescopic carbon tiller would be a worthy investment for fingertip steering.

At 319 pounds all up, the Nacra 500 is a substantial beach cat, so the cat tracks are a mandatory accessory, and two people will definitely be required to haul it up an inclined shoreline or boat ramp. For those who beach-launch, the skegs have reinforcement rods and extra gelcoat running along the entire length.

Volume in the bow area was increased to prevent regular pitchpoling and the tendency of the boat, says Allen, who went off on a solo tear halfway across the Chesapeake under gennaker, and the boat happily bounced across the wave tops without much stuffing. Not wearing a trap harness for his turn on the 500, he instead hooked his feet into the hiking straps, back over the weather rudder, and let it rip. “That was fun. It was no problem getting it up and going, and it was really forgiving—amazingly responsive to every little rudder or weight movement. It would have been a blast in the trap.”

Powlison had the pleasure of solo ­trapping in 15 knots of breeze and, as a relatively inexperienced cat sailor, he was hooked in, zipping right along with a big grin and looking as if he knew what he was doing. It was a testament to the power, stability and balance of the boat. “I could have kept sailing that by myself all afternoon,” Powlison says. “I didn’t want to give it up.”

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'So much for Stop the Boats!' Migrant crisis gets WORSE for Rishi Sunak with small boat arrivals up 25 PER CENT compared to last year

T he number of small boat migrants illegally crossing the English Channel so far this year is now 25 per cent higher than at the same point last year, GB News can exclusively reveal.

Another five small boats have crossed the Channel this morning, with almost 300 people on board.

They are the first Channel migrants to arrive since a record breaking 900 made the crossing over four days last week.

As weather conditions improved in the Channel overnight, criminal people smugglers pushed out multiple small boats from the French coast.

Just after 11am, the Border Force catamaran Defender arrived in Dover harbour

GB News Kent producer counted 103 people who were taken off Defender and escorted to the Border Force processing centre in the harbour.

An hour later, the Border Force vessel Volunteer took the occupants of two other small boats to Dover.

GB News counted 122 people taken off Volunteer.

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A fifth small boat is still in the English Channel heading towards UK waters, with around 50 people on board.

The latest arrivals take the total number of migrants who have made the illegal journey so far this year to just under 4,600.

That compares to just over 3,700 who crossed at the same point in 2023, 25 per cent up on last year’s figures.

One maritime source, who works the English Channel told GB News that the weather was the deciding factor in determining how many people cross the Channel.

He said: “So much for Rishi Sunak’s Stop the Boats policy. The number crossing last year may well have been 36 per cent down on the previous year, but what we’re seeing this year shows us the weather is the main reason behind any change in numbers.

“Every time the weather conditions improve out in the Channel, the people smugglers, who’ve become very sophisticated in reading wind and tide, push out these small boats. It’s nature, not the UK government making the difference here.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.

“We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.

“We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.”

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2023 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Multihull

• By CW Editorial Team
• December 7, 2022

The trend toward cruising multihulls continues unabated, and perhaps has even come full circle. The popularity of boats with more than one hull, especially catamarans , is more evident with each passing year in charter fleets, on boat-show docks, and in far-flung anchorages the world over. The multihull genie is out of the bottle, and there’s no evidence it will ever return. That reality was once again underlined in the 2023 Boat of the Year trials , where the Cruising Multihull class, with five legitimate contenders, was certainly among the strongest categories. Particularly notable this year was the dominance of French builders, which makes sense because the country has been the leading proponent of production-built multihulls from the beginning. It’s fitting that one of those pioneering firms topped the field for 2023: Well done, Fountaine Pajot. 

Winner: Fountaine Pajot, Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47

This category was stacked with previous winners. In fact, every builder in the class had earned a BOTY victory in earlier editions of the event. But in both the dockside inspections and under sail, the Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 rang a bell for our panelists. 

“I believe this is my favorite Fountaine Pajot model of all time,” judge Herb McCormick says. “The size and dimensions are ideal: It’s a big cat but not overwhelming. A big reason is the helm station, with dedicated pods for driving, and the sailhandling. And, holy cow, it really sailed well.” 

Judge Mark Pillsbury also appreciates the smart deck layout, as well as the corresponding systems: “With plenty of solar panels, a watermaker and more-than-ample refrigeration space, the Tanna 47 was set up really well for cruising and living aboard. On a beam reach in 13 knots of breeze, we scooted along at 7 to 8 knots, and I liked the setup of the helm, with the wheel being separated slightly from the winches. The boat was easy to sail solo, but there was room for the crew to jump in and help when they wanted to.”

Finalist: Balance Catamarans, Balance 442

The lone South African cat entry for 2023, the Balance 442 continued the excellence we’ve come to expect from the builder, and is a worthy successor to the company’s 482 , which was named Best Performance Catamaran for 2022 . 

Pillsbury offers this summation: “Many of today’s popular catamarans are built to appeal to a wide audience composed of private owners and charter companies. Phil Berman and the team at Balance take a different approach, by building boats for experienced owners who plan to live aboard and go places. That translates into seakindliness, solid sailing performance, and comfortable accommodations that will keep a crew rested and ready at anchor or underway. Personal favorites: the visibility from the raised helm station, and the farm-kitchen-style deep sink and dish-drying racks in the galley. Nice touches.”

Finalist: Groupe Beneteau, Lagoon 55

This rangy cat will find plenty of happy sailors in private ownership and on charter vacations. Judge Ed Sherman says that the performance under power jumped out: “A record-setter for its motoring capabilities this year at 8.9 knots at 2,000 rpm and 9.4 knots at 2,500 rpm. Quiet too. In both cases, our decibel tests came in at less than 70.” 

The sailing characteristics impress Pillsbury: “The Lagoon 55 is a big boat, probably close to the limit of what can be handled by a family or crew of friends off on a charter vacation. But the designers and builder have done a good job of setting up a helm station on the flybridge that’s workable for a shorthanded crew. All lines lead to winches near the wheel, and an autopilot and bow thruster provide extra hands when it comes time to maneuver. With multiple interior layouts, the 55 can be configured to fit the needs of a wide variety of owners.”

Finalist: Nautitech Catamarans, Nautitech 44 Open

With its twin wheels situated aft and outboard, the peppy Nautitech 44 Open is thrilling to drive, with its quickness and performance. “I always say that you need daggerboards to have truly great sailing on a cat, but this sweet 44-footer, with its fixed keels, certainly disproved that opinion,” McCormick says. “It really zipped along and was a blast to steer.” 

Pillsbury is of the same mind: “After our sail aboard the Nautitech, I jotted down ‘sporty’ in my notes. The helm seats, set outboard and aft on each of the cat’s hulls, kept me connected with the water rushing by, and a versatile sail plan that includes a self-tacking jib, screecher and spinnaker gave us options to keep boatspeeds in the high single digits—and higher in the puffs—on all points of sail.”

Finalist: Neel Trimarans, Neel 43

The three-hull outlier in our category of mostly cats, the Neel 43 presents a real alternative for those who want the speeds and space that a multihull can deliver. “This boat is truly different,” Sherman says. “It’s slippery through the water, either sailing or under engine power. System access in the center hull is wonderful and well done too. With a single 50 hp Volvo Penta saildrive, we measured 8.2 knots at only 2,200 rpm and 8.4 knots at 2,700 rpm.” 

Pillsbury enjoyed the entire Neel experience, and says: “Neel’s creator, Eric Bruneel, described the boat as a fast cruiser, and by that he meant an owner on passage could expect to sail in the 9- to 10-knot range, routinely enjoying 200-plus-mile days. After my turn on the wheel, I sneaked inside to check out the view from the owner’s cabin, nestled atop the starboard hull. I could have stayed all afternoon.”

View all of the winners by category, meet the judges, and more…

• More: 2023 Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year , multihull , print Jan 2023 , Sailboats
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