Big Cats IV
by John Curnow, Global Editor, Powerboat.World 2 Dec 08:00 PST
Striking and elegant stance – Power 80 © Fountaine Pajot
Thank you. You’ve made this series incredibly popular. Your requests for more installments are also greatly appreciated. We began this journey back in September 2021 with Big Cats I, followed by Big Cats II and Big Cats III.
ILIAD Catamarans was one of the brands we initially featured, having just moved to a new facility at that time. Interestingly, they now occupy about 25,000m2 at that same location, showcasing their success since launching in 2016 and officially starting their operations in 2019. Quite an impressive milestone!
So, who better to reconnect with than one of our first ‘clients’ as they prepare to produce their first hull of the new ILIAD 75 model? The yard in Zuhai has dedicated 15,000m2 to the production of the highly popular 53 Series and an additional 10,000m2 for crafting the larger 62 and 75 models.
Despite being a ‘new’ brand, ILIAD Catamarans designs boats that cater to the needs of boating enthusiasts. They offer semi-custom fitouts—almost bespoke—which sets them apart in the market, as does their distinctive angular styling, and their specialization in powercats.
The success of ILIAD is best illustrated by the words of General Manager Michael ‘Nod’ Crook: “We’ve been in this industry for a long time, so we truly understand what clients are looking for in a boat and ensure that our designs meet their expectations.”
Crook’s insights are apparent in the wider companionways and doors that allow easy access without needing to turn sideways, preventing shoulder scrapes. There’s also a notable absence of spiral staircases that can challenge those with aging knees or mobility issues.
“Guests step aboard our models, take a look around, and usually depart unable to pinpoint anything they disliked about it,” said Crook, fresh from attending the recent Fort Lauderdale show.
This explains why the brand, which originated in Australia and quickly succeeded in the Asia Pacific region, now enjoys solid order flows from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Europe.
Their stylish practicality features high-quality materials, superior fit and finish, and remarkable long-range capabilities (2,500nm plus, with 4,000nm for the 75 model). They combine sufficient speed with low-speed cruising or brisk travel for shorter trips, like from Florida to the Bahamas. This overall appeal gives the impression of a rapidly expanding wildfire as ILIAD makes its mark on the global stage. The cost and weight of an ILIAD Catamaran may be superior to some alternatives, yet the quality of design and construction is unmatched.
Let’s dive into the matter at hand:
While everything mentioned is lovely, we need to discuss the 75 model, which is no ordinary 75-footer. The length overall (LOA) ensures grace and style, embodying straightforward functionality. The interior spaces feature a lovely, modern design, and you have various options available, such as an upstairs or downstairs galley and master cabins either forwards or on the bridge deck, accommodating from three to five staterooms.
It’s more than just a Portuguese bridge with a cruising lounge, or a sunken foredeck with recliner lounges. It offers an optional fully covered bridge deck with extra solar power and various engine choices. You can opt for 725 to 1,000hp per side, with the upper limit allowing for a wide open throttle (WOT) of approximately 23 or 24 knots, and a quick cruise speed around 19, even when fully loaded.
This means the maximum cruising speed typically ranges around 8-9 knots. Remarkably, all of this aligns with ILIAD’s original ethos, key to standing out in a competitive market. Riccardo Bulgarelli is the driving force behind the hull designs, ensuring ILIADs maintain their identity.
Another noteworthy aspect is that spaces can often serve multiple purposes, enhancing functionality and easing the signing process.
I’m keen to learn who is genuinely interested in the ILIAD 75, and just as importantly, why.
There’s certainly a multi-generational appeal, where space plays a crucial role, particularly in providing genuine privacy. Many self-made individuals are entering boating, often using this type of vessel as a starting point. They require ample entertaining space, and below deck may get transformed from accommodations to spaces for karaoke or cigar lounges, for instance.
Next is the charter aspect, where owners seek to offset some operational costs through shared usage. Numerous vessels in this category are fully booked for good reason, as the crew-to-guest ratio is nearly flawless. At this scale, crew accommodations can be more efficient, allowing them to be accessible when needed while remaining discreet when not. In the case of the ILIAD 75, crew members have direct deck access from both the forward lounge and under the aft flybridge steps.
Non-guest spaces can be arranged in various configurations for workshops, mess halls, crew quarters, engineering, or laundry, among other uses, depending on mission needs. This is truly a mission for peace, luxurious pampering, exploration, and having ample space. While considering all this, the ILIAD 75’s potential for offering a seven-star experience in the South Pacific, where both range and autonomy are essential, stands out as splendidly as Balls’ Pyramid near Lord Howe Island, a destination likely on your itinerary when you take an ILIAD 75 into the region.
Moreover, the buying process and timeline differ significantly in this space. The arrangement transitions from a traditional dealer/client model to one involving multiple stakeholders—yards, designers, agents, lawyers, engineers, and charter agents. It’s crucial to note that the experience and reliability provided by people like Crook and the brand’s Asia Pacific dealer, The Yacht Sales Co, streamline this process, making it simpler, smoother, and less taxing.
Pursuing this path is not just about construction; it’s about the entire lifespan of this vessel and any subsequent ones.
Now, onto something somewhat different…
Well, not entirely different.
Beam. Utilizing a sailing cat as your foundation yields substantial beam, making the main deck feel expansive, like a football field. Another inherent trait of this vessel style is the hydrodynamic hull shapes, which enhance the sailing experience.
Though the ILIAD 75 is a powercat from the keel up (with a 9.57m beam), the Fountaine Pajot Power 80 inherits much of its design from the Thira 80 sailing cat created by the esteemed Berret Racoupeau, resulting in an 11.09m beam for stability. The primary differences lie in the aft hull sections—approximately one-third of the underwater profile—where new, unique components are integrated into the molds. These include distinct engine supports and stern gland housing to accommodate a power increase from the standard 175hp in the sailing version to 450hp per side; you can even opt for 925hp each if desired.
The latter configuration will push the 78-ton vessel to about 21 knots while offering an economical fuel consumption of just 12 liters per nautical mile (nm) at 15 knots. This model could indeed be the top choice, as it boasts an optimal cruising speed of just over eight knots—significantly faster than the lower-spec 450 and 640hp alternatives, all while maintaining similar fuel efficiency at 3l/nm.
One of the reasons for examining the Fountaine Pajot Power 80 right after the ILIAD 75 is that they are comparable in size, share similar layouts, yet differ widely in execution. For example, the Fountaine Pajot comes exclusively with an open bridge, although both models feature foredeck lounges.
Another intriguing aspect to consider is the contrasting stylistic approach and the substantial industry movements Fountaine Pajot is making—including acquiring the monohull brand Dufour and Alternative Energies for electrification, followed by reputable dealers and brokers in strategic markets.
Last but certainly not least, they are launching a dedicated powercat range (Code 07) in collaboration with Couach, known for their history in building express monohulls while also constructing Fountaine Pajot’s current MY series.
Finally, it’s worth noting that reaching 80 feet could likely mean crossing the 100-ton mark in the near future. I would wager on that soon happening, and it’s not an uncharted proposition. We shall see…
Starting with the Fountaine Pajot Power 80 evaluation, attention to profile is critical. They aimed for sleekness, and achieved it. Accessibility and openness were priorities, and they succeeded there too. The magic lies in the coachhouse roof and flybridge lid, both utilizing Resin Transfer Moulding, enabling a compact design without compromising essential strength.
That said, should these features not be as streamlined, the modern, low-slung aesthetic would suffer, and strength would be compromised. You’ll also notice there is just one central column in the vast main deck area.
Moreover, the semi-transparent, retractable eaves enhance the outdoor ambiance of both side and aft decks, further amplified by the deployment of folding bulwarks. Creating a seamless transition from the aft settee to the door leading to the foredeck conveys a sense of openness.
Defining each area with furniture and other structures is quite captivating initially, later evolving into a more mesmerizing experience. This vessel is designed for enjoyment during delightful weather, accommodating groups from 2 to 40 (the latter for day trips only).
The first Power 80 is set to start its journey in Spring 2025 and is the fifth hull from the production molds—historically a common ratio for sail-to-power cat conversions, though not every brand can interchange components. This particular vessel will be going to a Mediterranean client, ensuring it finds a suitable home.
To delve deeper into the Fountaine Pajot Power 80, we can involve Greg Boller, General Manager of New Yacht Sales at The Yacht Sales Co, which now covers Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Tahiti, Fiji, Nouméa, Malaysia, and more recently, Panama and the Mediterranean. This mention highlights the importance of service—this vessel is designed for travel, and it’s reassuring to know you have support in numerous locations.
“My favorite is the galley-up version of the Fontaine Pajot Power 80, as the expansive windows surrounding the main saloon are unimpeded. It creates a lovely breakfast bar across from the lengthy galley, combined with sumptuous lounging to the right. The galley-down version suits traditional crewed operations, providing separate access to crew quarters and mess areas. Depending on the chosen layout (which can be four, five, or six staterooms, including an enormous private access master), it can host up to five crew members to cater to you and your guests. That’s quite a service capacity for an 80-footer,” explained Boller.
“In one version, Maestro, the two forward sections of the right hull are allocated for a VIP stateroom at the back. The aft cockpit and side decks with balconies contribute to a relaxed living environment, along with access to the flybridge. The ample beam also accommodates a 4.6m tender (including outboard) with an optional 2000kg capacity on the swim platform, and space for toys inside the aft console. It’s from these spots that you can truly appreciate the enormous 250m2 of entertaining area available.”
“Compiling all the areas in the rear, inside, and then the cruising lounge forward, you’d think it’s akin to a 120-foot monohull. Having a robust foredeck is a real advantage and highlights the benefits of being a displacement craft which effectively maintains its waterline length, boosting propulsion efficiency.”
“Stepping onto such a vessel provides enjoyment from the moment you board. It transforms the experience into one centered around the journey, not just the destination. When your exploration is extensive, autonomy—achieved through low fuel consumption—is critical. With the option of 4800 litres and an additional 2400 litres, the potential for exploration is vast.”
“Considering a vessel for cruising the Pacific, there’s 4kW of solar available on the flybridge cover and an additional 4kW on the front of the coachhouse. Therefore, you can use your main engines and fuel for travel, but once you reach your destination, you can rely on solar power, with up to 45kW coming from a Victron 3x200Ah lithium pack. Depending on your AC usage, you could remain there for a considerable timeframe without operating the generator,” Boller concluded on this intriguing note.
So, how do you prefer to cruise? Both concepts presented here are vastly different yet equally enticing.
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Lastly, please take care of yourselves,
John Curnow
Global Editor, Powerboat.World
