Presentation

Yacht Class n°15 (dec 2018/jan-feb 2019)

Sunreef Yachts

In just a few years, the Sunreef shipyard has become one of the major players in the world of luxury catamarans, both motor and sail. This last family is the subject of a new range initiated last year with this Sunreef 80, joined at the last Cannes Yachting Festival by models 50 and 60, until the 70 next year.

This development demonstrates the good health of this manufacturer, which announces a 30% increase in turnover and volume over the last fiscal year, as well as the construction of a new plant. The Cannes show was therefore the perfect opportunity to embark on the flagship of this fleet, the Sunreef 80. After folding the large electric bridge, the captain manoeuvring from the flybridge: with its two powerful 280 hp engines and using the bow thrusters placed in each hull, the exit – just as will be the entrance – of the overloaded port of Cannes runs without worries. With this engine, the top speed exceeds 11 knots, but for a reasonable fuel consumption, the cruising speed is around 8 knots (at 1,550 rpm) for a consumption of 12 l / h per engine. With 6,000 l on board, the possible range is 2,000 miles. But the Sunreef being a sailboat, it is time to build the sail (358 m2 upwind): all the manoeuvres – halyards, plays, risings … – go back to the flybridge, which does not require a plethoric crew. Sailing the mainsail requires a little time, even in the fast speed of the electric winch that we would have imagined more imposing. The furling genoa is then adjusted in a few moments.
The weak breeze in this peaceful morning on the Bay of Cannes, does not allow to appreciate the performance of Sunreef 80, but the Croatian captain, with his experience on the conveyance of Gdansk, Poland, to the Mediterranean, – with 40 knots of wind tackled in the North Sea! – announced more than 10 knots upwind with 20 knots of wind, and 15-knot spikes in the Bay of Biscay. From one of the two helm stations, perched several meters above sea level, you have good visibility, including on the sails thanks to the hardtop windows, but the bar offers, in these conditions, limited sensations.
This peaceful navigation gives the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of the Sunreef 80, starting with this flybridge, large upper deck where there are so the navigation stations, but also a large solarium in the back and a long table with benches and armchairs for convivial meals on the terrace. Going down one level by a wide staircase, the walk continues to the front bridge. We take a wide gangway well protected by a high bulwark – the latter increases the freeboard and the massive impression of the silhouette of this large catamaran, but brings an undeniable feeling of safety in the movements – to reach the platform before where niche, slightly below, a large lounge with benches and generous relaxation area. Going backwards, we admire the rear space with two large skirts down to the water and framing a beautiful platform lift: the perfect place to enjoy a moment of sharing at sunset time.
Access to the interior is through a bay window whose opening is total and one is immediately seduced by the clarity and elegance of the design: the lines are clear, the soft colours and the ceiling dressed in wood composed with the floor a warm and marine set. The play of lights on the ceiling and under the seats brings refinement to the whole. The salon on starboard is located opposite the large welcoming table for a dozen guests. A central island houses a TV screen and a wine cellar. In the starboard hull, the owner’s suite is the lion’s share with a king size bed, a desk, a sofa, a dressing concealed behind a decorative partition and a large bathroom. On the front, the children have a beautiful cabin with independent toilet. The port hull houses two beautiful guest cabins forward, while the aft accommodates the kitchen and crew cabin. Everywhere the shades are soft, the elegant materials for a refined set. A great success.