Bavaria and Nautitech – for when two is better than one (Pt. I)

by John Curnow on 26 Oct 2016 Two years and a couple of months ago, Bavaria bought out the Nautitech catamaran yard in Rochefort, France. With the transition now successfully completed, the 2016/17 fiscal year will mark the first for the two brands under the one owner. Additionally, the Giebelstadt factory has already turned in a record profit performance in the last year with its range of monohulls. From here, the pair now has a range of new craft to help them push on.

Co-operation is best exemplified by the way the French yard builds the boats and the interiors arrive from Germany ready for installation. Given the growth that Nautitech has experienced lately, you could be thinking they’d need all the help they can get. The stylish, and über-practical Nautitech Open 40, as well as the Open 46, and recently released at the Salon Nautique in Cannes, the 46 Fly, are already on back order.

15 boats a year was where Nautitech were at when Bavaria arrived. In the first year production rose to 40 and now that the 46 Open and Fly are up and running, they will go to 80 boats per annum. Equally, there were just 35-40 people building Nautitechs back then, whereas now there are just over 100.

Bavaria Yachtbau’s Business Development Manager, Luca Meffle, very happily said of it all, “It is terrific to see it go from three to four and then five times the size in just over two years. The Nautitech Open 40 and now 46 Fly by Bavaria Catamarans are the newest products, but there will be more! We will analyse, together with the network, which should be the next size to come from Nautitech.”

Jason Chipp from local importer, Ensign Ship Brokers, added, “When they released the 46, such was the hype that had been built on from the strength of the Open 40, that before the first boat had even been launched, the entire year’s production of the 46 had been sold. Incredible stuff! We were very lucky to get this one for the Sydney International Boat Show.”

Well if this piece is all about twos, then it will come as no surprise that the Nautitech 46 will also cross over into the Motor Yacht market. It was designed to do so from the outset. Cats are dominating the cruising market, but there are also those new to larger vessels and charter vessels to consider here. This is not the first brand to make the leap, but in typical fashion from these two brands, there will be a distinct difference.

Whereas many are confined to using the same auxiliary powerplants when the mast is removed, the Nautitech version will actually have two 250Hp donks driving via shafts, not legs, to take it well into the mid-teens. Think about 16 knots and you’ll be there. That’s virtually double what the others will do. Please note that renderings and prices are already available for this craft.

Sure it will have to be governed for charter work here in Australia, but that same vast openness, overall craftsmanship, and clever features like four-cabin, four head, but two shower configuration will remain, no matter which main propulsion is chosen. Other products have benefited from the merge with Bavaria and the increased production at Rochefort have been the Nautitech 541 (single helm), which has complimented its twin helm sister, the very attractive and well appointed, 542. Personally, the 542 certainly does have the sexier-looking rig and sail plan. Both however, have simply loads of that indoor/outdoor alfresco theme going on.



Now Chipp had just returned from France where he had been commissioning a vessel with a new owner. He summed up another of the benefits of Nautitech flagship, saying, “The beauty of the 542 is that there is a lot more customisation available in line with the owner’s personal requirements. For a production-built vessel, you can order and work with the design team to create the layout that reflects how you need it to be. Three, four, five – even six cabins are possible - all the options are there, and the list is almost endless.”

So we have been seeing that this was two companies operating in isolation, but two years later they are now two brands working beside each other in the one family. Chipp commented, “We were actually agents when they were separate, and we’ve seen how far they’ve come with the backing of Bavaria. What Bavaria brought was a much more cruiser-orientated vessel. So, we’ve deviated slightly from the purely performance aspect, though this is still very much apart of the Nautitech DNA.”

“For example, in line with the cruising focus there is considerably more storage and cupboard space, along with feature timberwork throughout. Earlier examples of the Nautitech would opt more for weight saving and offer simple shelving wherever possible, with even drawers considered extra weight that can be left out. So the benefit there, is that the productionisation provided by Bavaria is just fantastic, making the brand a true cross over vessel for those wanting extended cruising with performance appeal.”



Nautitech does exclusively operate on two hulls, most of the product has two helm stations, but as a brand Nautitech is unique in that you can still opt for a single raised helm if you desire and as we mentioned only moments ago, in a four-cabin version, they come with a unique two-shower configuration. You might not think that the removal of one bulkhead would make such a difference, but I was suitably impressed when I saw it.

Why? Well at the time I wrote that by combining the two spaces normally given over to two pokey showers, you ended up with a space that as a bigger person you did not need to perform vertical twister to use. Simple and brilliant. Chipp said, “Works fine. Having just lived on the boat for the last week and utilised it, I can say that it is a much better way of doing it.”
So then, being catamarans, it is easy to have another ‘two’ discussion, which in this case are the pair of Marc Lombard penned hulls. Their aggressive shape and fine entry does clearly indicate their performance pedigree, which has absolutely been retained in the merger.

The stepped hull is also part of that equation, for it means less wetted surface area, and in conjunction with resin-infused, vacuum bagged technology, it means the hulls have uniformity, strength and lightness. All of which are important attributes for a sporty cruiser to possess.

Chipp commented, “There are the same workers building Nautitech cats from years and years ago, it’s just that they also have more of them now. From a production point of view, I think it’s the lightest possible build without compromising strength. I honestly don’t know how you could build a lighter production-built boat, without leaving things out, or going into your carbons or more exotic rigs.”

“A light cat is a good cat, and it is also a fast cat. All of those aspects contribute to the performance side of it. Then where Nautitech have really done well is this whole open layout. By removing the step between the cockpit and the saloon they have opened it up so that it’s just one big area - a ‘salockpit’, if you like.”

Seeing as this is a piece that’s all about twos, we need to have a discussion about having two helms on board or just the one, and we’re not talking about who’s on the other watch! Now the Nautitech Open 40 only comes with two, the Open 46 is offered in the two helm or the flybridge form, as too with both of the 54s. Note that the Power Cat 46 only has the flybridge helm. So to take us through the number of helming stations, Jason Chipp said, “We are finding most people are actually going for the outboard helms in the sailing cats. Even though they may have been used to a more traditional, single, raised, midships helm.”

“From a performance point of view, even from a cruiser and a safety point of view, the outboard helms work really well. You’re protected from the wind because obviously, you’re down nice and low in the side of the hull. More than two-thirds of your body is covered and you can walk straight over to the other side, offering even more protection. From a visibility point of view, you can see the horizon, your course, and very much so, see your sails, whilst also being part of the crew.”

“When you’ve got a raised single helm, you have a great view and protection from the elements, but for only half the time, depending which tack you are on. Oh and forget keeping an eye on your main, its directly above your head making observation of telltales nigh impossible. Twin outboard helms allow a good feel of the whole vessel, especially with the large self-tacking headsail or Gennaker up in full glory.”

“The twin helm vessels are for those that really enjoy and appreciate the art of sailing. They will enjoy this type of vessel much more. There is also very responsive cable steering, instead of lack lustre hydraulic control in this configuration. Apart from a much better feel, the twin helms also make manoeuvring your boat in tight circumstances, such as going stern to and anything like that, really, really easy”, said Chipp.

“So the helms are within easy reach, have that terrific visibility, and you are also close to all the winches allowing you to sit there under the full shade protection of the cockpit whilst you’re on autopilot. As it is, for the bulk of your time you’re actually at anchor, so why tie up a third of your cockpit with a helm station you’re not using. Keep it open, and that is what Nautitech have done here.”

It also keeps the boom nice and low, which apart from looking better, means you can walk along the cabin top easily to access the boom bag, for it is only a couple of feet up and at waist height. That’s terrific news for when you’re out at sea and not having to deal with something that feels like it is three stories up. The lower mounted boom also places less stress on the mast.

Equally, the mainsheet, with its traveller, is right out at the clew of the sail, where the load is. Then when stationary, it is a huge sun deck for anyone wanting to get the rays, relax, or do yoga, and then shields the occupants below from both sun and rain.

Chipp went on to add, “We do offer Biminis over the helms, but most people who buy them come back and say, ‘We don’t actually need them. As much as we thought we’d be sitting out there in the sun, we just aren’t’. One helm typically offers some shade, and then if you hoist the mainsail you’re pretty much guaranteed shade on one side. The Bimini tops are really on there just for the middle of the day if you’re motoring along, but of course they are available as an option, so the choice is yours.”

“Obviously, with the Nautitech 46 Fly and 541 we have single, hydraulic steering helm stations for people who prefer an elevated seat, but if you’re undecided give me five minutes with anyone who’s got an open mind and I will talk them into the outboard helms compared to an elevated, flying bridge helm or a raised helm position, every day of the week. Every day.”

So having wrapped up the helming discussion, it is time to leave enough for Part Two, which will be published soon enough. In the meantime, there is a lot to discuss and sample when taking in the terrific Nautitech cats by Bavaria. Call 1300 609 900 or go to http://bavariasail.com.au/catamarans/ for all your product information, but do get onto it, because quality of both design and manufacture are two truly compelling reasons to get on board with Nautitech and Bavaria.