nautitech catamaran 44 open

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Nautitech 44 Open review: space and performance?

• July 26, 2022

Offering space and a comfortable interior while keeping a cat light enough to perform is a tough brief. Does the Nautitech 44 Open deliver, asks François Tregouet?

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

It’s been more than six years since the Nautitech yard in Rochefort launched an entirely new design, but this Nautitech 44 Open marks the company’s return to the forefront of the multihull scene.

It shares the Open layout of Nautitech’s past models, but embodies the brand’s new strategy to address owner-operators rather than the charter market. We were able to judge the concept during an early sea trial on the Bay of Biscay.

The Nautitech 44 Open was developed in just 14 months during the middle of the pandemic and owes a great deal to the dozen owners and dealers consulted to define their ‘ideal’ catamaran. The feedback from this working party convinced the yard to focus on cruising owners and to go for a more performance-oriented design than the market average.

Marc Lombard’s design team has succeeded in expressing this externally by using fine bows, a narrow waterline and controlled volumes. The line of hull windows is more tapered than in the past, and the nacelle is less pronounced and voluminous than typical production cruising cats.

Nautitech’s Open concept, which was initiated nearly 10 years ago on the Nautitech 40 Open, allows the length to be contained by merging the interior and exterior into a single volume. So the true saloon is located outside, protected by a long, rigid bimini and coachroof windows that extend beyond the sliding bay window. Not splitting the saloon/cockpit function saves space – and weight, which is crucial on a multihull, especially at this size.

Good performance, a covered saloon. Photo: MULTImedia

Transformative

The chart table and L-shaped bench seat on the port side, and the galley to starboard, are thus able to benefit from the entire interior space. Facing forward, the chart table is a proper indoor navstation, while the bench seat can be transformed into a watch-keeper’s berth. Strategically positioned between control screens and cockpit winches, it will be ideal for night passages.

The galley benefits from a large 144lt fridge and optional 75lt freezer, anticipating the demands of owners wishing to sail with complete self-sufficiency wherever possible. Designer Christophe Chedal-Anglay, known for his work on the Gunboat 68, has incorporated a clever bar unit in the centre of this living space, which works very well to distribute guests, and naturally becomes a focal point for discussions.

Aft helms remain key elements of the Open concept. Photo: MULTImedia

In the three-cabin version we sailed, reflecting the emphasis on owner-sailors rather than the charter market, the port hull is dedicated to the owner’s cabin with aft double berth, separate heads and large washbasin and shower room forward.

On the starboard side double cabins forward and aft are separated by heads and washroom spaces – the yard preferring to offer more volume to a heads and shower/washbasin area on one side instead of duplicating identical bathrooms.

Photo: MULTImedia

A ‘SmartRoom’ concept allows for a forward cabin to be fitted out to suit a choice of uses: office, dressing room, technical room, workshop or stowage.

On deck, Nautitech remains faithful to its double aft helm stations which are protected from the sun by two small biminis. They remain exposed to the apparent wind and spray, but the view of the sails is excellent and the view forward is better than you might think. The blind spots forward are very small – apart from when the removable cockpit enclosures are in place, which will likely only be in port or at anchor – and a step to the side immediately remedies this.

A central bar area divides saloon and desk/chart table, and gives the interior a social heart. Photo: Nautitech

When manoeuvring in marinas, a camera mounted under the radar antenna and pointing towards the bows, gives the helmsman an accurate and useful picture of the distances available.

Nautitech continues to improve the comfort, design and ergonomics around the aft helm set up. The winches are within easy reach, and well separated from the lounging area, and the moulded dash binnacle elegantly accommodates all the necessary elements (engine controls, plotter, repeaters, etc.).

Access to the deck to go forward, to take care of the anchor or lower the gennaker, is a formality thanks to the two teak steps and the handrails integrated into the coachroof and around the deck.

The main saloon is outside aft, but there’s also a dinette inside. Photo: MULTImedia

Handy performance

The sporty first impression that the fine bow sections give is confirmed once at sea, where they are also noticeably dry. Nautitech has managed to keep the Open 44 to the designed light displacement of 10.9 tonnes. However, the standard configuration with a self-tacking jib giving 110m² sail area proved to be a minimum in the 10 to 12 knots of cold wind we encountered.

Narrower hulls than many of today’s cruising cats, but still plenty of comfort. Photo: MULTImedia

I’d have liked to have tried the overlapping genoa, which increases the sail area to 133m². Once the Code 0 was unfurled, however, the boat came to life. We reached 8.4 knots at 55° to the apparent wind in only 12.8 knots of breeze. Of course, if you bear away a little, the pace becomes even faster, and we regularly exceeded 10 knots at 110° to the wind.

The extensive design resources used for the first time, with three digital models tested in virtual reality, have clearly had an effect. The helm is direct and offers just the right amount of feedback to steer accurately but without too much effort. The new hexagonal shape of the Goïot steering wheels quickly overcame our conservatism, as their shape allows an easy understanding of their degree of rotation. Switching from one side to the other without rushing to get the best angle of vision on the telltales is straightforward, as the boat is so stable.

There was no slamming when going through waves thanks to good speed under sail and a comfortable bridgedeck clearance. And when returning to port, powered by the two optional 50hp engines (30hp as standard), the Nautitech made 7 knots at 2,000rpm. French tradition dictated that we would be home in time for lunch!

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The non-slip surface lacks a bit of texture to offer good grip in wet weather, but this is one of the only minor niggles we found with this well-founded Nautitech. The ‘Open’ concept involves a smaller coachroof but, conversely, a very large exterior saloon. And in this context we can say that the 44 Open keeps its promise to improve the comfort-performance compromise, a factor cherished by the brand. The abolition of the inside-outside boundary serves to limit displacement and help deliver attractive performance. That lack of boundary is underlined by the continuity of the lighting between the two areas, while inside, the quality of the finish has improved and the layout is intelligent. With its smart positioning between industrial yards which are very influenced by the charter market, and specialists with more radical (and expensive) choices, Nautitech has created a ‘sweet spot’ with this new model, which will appeal to many multihull enthusiasts.

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Sailboat Review: Nautitech 44 Open

• By Mark Pillsbury
• August 10, 2022

There’s more than one way to design a cat , so the team at Nautitech asked owners and dealers what they would like to see in a midsize cruising multihull from the yard in Rochefort, France. The result is the 44 Open, a fine sailing catamaran that’s fit out for owners on the go.

“It’s a catamaran designed by ­sailors for sailors,” Nautitech ­general manager Gildas Le Masson said during the boat’s introduction at the Miami International Boat Show in February. 

This is the first new Nautitech model since the company reintroduced the brand three years ago, and it reflects a decision to focus on the needs of private owners—­often couples, families or other shorthanded crews. Previously, ­perhaps 60 ­percent of Nautitechs ended up in charter; going forward, a company representative estimates, those numbers could shrink to just 10 ­percent of annual sales.

The 44 Open joins a four-­model range that includes the 40 Open, 46 Open and 46 Fly. Nautitech ­also builds a 47-foot power cat. Open ­refers to the feeling of being in the outdoors: Cockpits have ­generously sized dining tables; large windows encircle the saloon; and steering is ­done from helms outboard and aft on the transoms. The 46 Fly, by ­comparison, is more similar to production cats that populate charter fleets, with a helm station and entertainment ­area atop the Bimini. Le Masson said that there is not a plan to offer a flybridge option for the 44 Open.

The location of the helms is one feature I really like. At either wheel, you get a clear view of the sails, and by moving around a bit, you get good all-round visibility underway. What’s more, you get the sense of sailing that sometimes goes missing on production cats: the wind in your face and the sound of the water as the boat slices through it.

We got a good dose of both on an afternoon test sail. Motoring out of Miami’s Government Cut, the twin 50 hp Volvo Penta diesel engines and saildrives (30 hp Volvo Pentas are standard) pushed us along at 7.6 knots at cruising speed (2,100 rpm). The speedo jumped past 9 in get-home-quick mode (2,700 rpm).

The real fun came, though, when we raised the square-top main, rolled out the furled, self-tending jib, and turned off the noise. In 12 knots of breeze, the Nautitech tacked back and forth hard on the wind, ­making 6.5 knots according to the GPS. Cracked off to a beam reach (a point of sail that’s much more favorable to a catamaran), we saw the speed jump to the high-7- to low-8-knot range, and then into the high 8s when we deployed the code zero that’s flown on an aluminum bowsprit.

During my trick at the wheel, I even saw a couple of 10-plus-knot readings when the boat took off on a puff and caught a wave just right. Naval architect Marc Lombard designed the 44 Open, and he demonstrated once again that he knows how to draw slippery hulls. 

Color-coded traveler lines—red for port, green for starboard—took the guesswork out of adjusting the main, and electric winches made trimming the headsails nearly ­effortless. There was a small crowd of us aboard for the sea trial, and I thought that the layout topsides worked well. ­Having the wheels to either side of the cockpit let the skipper socialize without others encroaching on the area that’s ­actually needed to sail the boat. 

The cockpit itself had long seats to either side, shaded by the Bimini. Two tables were to starboard, and their tops could unfold to create one dining ­table that ran the length of the seat. Forward of them, with the large sliding door open, it was hard to tell the dividing line between the saloon and outside. Inside, an L-shaped galley was to starboard, with a stove and cooktop outboard, and two large sinks ­facing aft so that dishes could be passed forward and go right into them. There was loads of counter space for preparing meals, and fiddles were there to keep things from sliding off in a seaway. 

Forward in the saloon, three fridge/freezer drawers were in the starboard corner; to port was a forward-facing nav desk that would be perfect for standing a protected watch on a dark, squally night. Between the fridge and desk, ­builder and designer Christophe Chedal Anglay added a stand-up bar that wrapped around the mast’s compression post and extend aft into the saloon. Dockside, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, but out sailing, standing with my arm on it, the bar began to grow on me. I could see it being a natural gathering place when friends came to visit, sort of like the island is in a kitchen back home.

Hull, deck, cabin top and ­Bimini are all vacuum-­infused, using Divinycell for coring. Furniture and bulkheads are also cored to cut down on weight. As with most cats, there are options when it comes to living accommodations. This boat had the owners’ stateroom to port with a queen berth aft, a head compartment amidships and a shower area forward. To port were two guest staterooms with a shared head and shower between them. A four-cabin, two-head layout is another option, and Nautitech offers a “smart room” that transforms one of the forward cabins into a utility-type space. It definitely would be something I’d ­consider if I were an owner with extended-cruising plans.

Overall, I liked the looks of the Nautitech—its reversed bow, the boom mounted low above the coachroof, and the sweeping curve of the deck line were all eye-catching. But to be honest, it was the location of the helms that got me first and foremost. “Let’s go sailing,” they said.

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large

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Nautitech 44 Open

Nautitech have extended their range with the 44 Open, an evolution of their line of cruising catamarans. Once again, Marc Lombard has been tasked with developing the range with this new model that sits between the 40 and the 46.

She comes with a new interior layout, improvements to the rigging and good looks. The Nautitech 44 Open should prove popular. Once again, Nautitech are aiming for more performance from this design compared to much of the competition, like the Leopard 42 , the Lagoons and Fountaine Pajot. That does mean you will need to compromise on some living space though.

For those looking to max out on performance there is the option of an overlapping genoa (similar to the Excess 14 which has also gone down this route) to replace the standard self-tacking jib, plus options for a carbon mast and bowsprit for your gennaker, spinnaker or  Code 0.

The new boat has plenty of green energy options as well including up to 1760W of solar, lithium battery upgrade and an option to go for a ‘SMART ROOM’ which could be a workshop, utility room or storage for your sails and toys. That’s not as much solar as some of the out an out ECO cats (read out Windelo 54 review for example), but it is a sizeable chunk of solar, more than enough for the 44.

• Sporty helms with direct feel to the rudders and full visibility of the sails. The downside here is protection of course, although there is an option for helm biminis- they’ve improved these too – much smarter.
• All the lines back to the helm for short handed sailing. In the 40, you reef from the mast.
• An option for an overlapping genoa to replace the self tacking solent. Less convenience, but more power. Take your pick.
• Lots of living space up top with that Open concept, she feels much bigger than the 40 inside in the Saloon with a forward facing nav station and a big galley to starboard.
• She’s a quick, seaworthy boat if you keep the weight off with that low slung boom.
• I like those new davits and the wrap around helm seats: very smart. You’ll see these on the Nautitech 48 flagship as well.
• The aft helms won’t suit everyone in a blow. With reduced visibility to the opposite bow when you are in the marina, you might need to nip up to the deck every now and then.
• Less space down below compared to other cruising catamarans due to the slender hulls. So no walk around berths, for example.
• The inside seating area looks small with so much room given over to the forward facing nav station on the port side. That just leaves room for an ‘L’ shaped sofa behind. I prefer the layout on the 46, but you do have plenty of seating space outside. Still, I prefer the layout on the 46.

In the interiors, there is a choice of a Walnut interior or a light oak finish with a range of upholstery options.

Choose between four layout options: including 4 cabins with 2 heads, and a 2 cabin boat with 2 heads plus the Smart Room.

View the Nautitech 44 Open Brochure

A great evolution for the brand. Marc Lombard has built on the success of the 40 and 46 Open and stayed true to the “Nautitech DNA” with sporty helms, shapely hulls and by keeping the weight down. The new Smartroom concept looks interesting, and options such as the overlapping genoa and solar power system are compelling. I’d like to have seen more seating space in the saloon though.

That will depend heavily on your options of course, but to give you an idea, the price for a basic boat will be in the region of €700k plus taxes. A higher spec’d 44 will come out around €850k. Get in touch if you would like some help spec’ing a boat out.

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