Table of contents for Multihull Power & Sail Winter 2026 in SAIL

Using wind to generate power is something sailors have been doing for decades to make their boats more energy autonomous. But what if you could use wind—and sailboats that consistently stay in that wind—to actually generate “green” hydrogen fuel to be delivered where needed? That’s the premise behind DRIFT Energy, which has won the UK’s 2025 Startups 100 Sustainability Award for its innovative approach to tackling climate change and developing scalable alternatives to fossil fuels. Based in Bath, England, DRIFT Energy is using sailing as the basis for the world’s first mobile renewable energy class of vessels. The design platform is a 60-meter aluminum catamaran—what DRIFT calls an “energy harvesting ship.” Put simply, here’s how it works: Under sail and at speeds between 14 to 20 knots (those numbers are…

One trend that we heard about from many builders in 2025 was a renewed investment in the smaller and entry level sides of their ranges. Increasingly, the boating industry is acknowledging that bringing new people out onto the water requires a variety of ownership options, including boats that are fun, innovative, and don’t require a hired skipper to get off the dock. The Catana Group is getting behind that philosophy, debuting their new YOT 36 at the Cannes Yachting Festival in France late in 2024. The 36 is a versatile and sporty little cat designed down to the details in order to pack as many different features and amenities into a relatively modest LOA as possible. Jeff Moser of Passagemaker and I had a chance to walk through and were…

“Frighteningly impressive” is a phrase that could describe many aspects of French ocean racer Alexia Barrier’s current project: the speed potential of her 103-foot trimaran, the nonstop round-the-world record she is trying to break, or the number of nautical miles collectively sailed by her crew…In this case, the phrase is bestowed on Alexia by teammate and co-skipper Dee Caffari (herself a six-time circumnavigator and Member of the Order of the British Empire) who is certainly an expert on both “frightening” and “impressive” in her own right. Alexia shrugs this off, focusing instead on how she could possibly come up with an equally appropriate description of Dee. But her humility belies decades of sailing experience, with thousands of miles sailed including 18 transatlantic crossings, not to mention that she is one…

This issue we’re going to Bayfield, Wisconsin. Yes, the one on Lake Superior. Yes, it seems like a kazillion miles and half a continent away! I never said it would be easy. I’m just saying you’ll want to find a way to get there, because that’s where you’ll find some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the country, counting both coasts and South Carolina’s Waccamaw River. Bear with me here. Speaking of bears, one of the 22 Apostle Islands, Stockton, has the largest bear population per square paw in North America. I’m not saying that’s a big draw, it’s just a fact. Another fun fact is that you will not have to worry about crowds when you visit Bayfield and the Apostle Islands National Seashore. Less than 1% of…

Many sailing multihull builders have cut down their masts and shifted to also—or exclusively—building power cats. To my knowledge, there has never been a major boatbuilder that started out with powerboats and then tacked to build sailing cats…until now. Aquila, founded and still guided by multihull luminary Lex Raas, has made the surprising move of diversifying its powerboat armada with a new line of sailing cats. This move comes at a transformational time for the builder, as they mature in their 13th year. Lex’s sons, Alain and Jean, are now firmly at the helm of the company and have assembled a crew they believe will make the Aquila brand a true international force. With a model lineup spanning from center consoles and coupes to luxury motoryachts—from 28 to 70 feet—and…

With her reverse bows, low profile, and sporty lines, the Windelo 54 sits at anchor, looking every bit a beast on the prowl. We approach by dinghy and from our low vantage point she looks at once aggressive and irresistible. She’s the new flagship of the French builder’s line and an exciting addition to the performance catamaran segment, blending stylish design, solid sailing characteristics, eco-conscious construction, and hybrid propulsion. She hints at the promise of sustainable passagemaking without compromise. Windelo is dedicated to sustainability, a defining element of their mission that’s right in their tag line “Ocean Future.” Their forward-thinking approach is the real deal and not just what we’ve come to know as greenwashing. Their construction methods sidestep traditional fiberglass and opt instead for natural volcanic basalt, which is…

Whether you’re planning a circumnavigation, a race team, or a charter vacation, who you bring along for the ride makes all the difference. Here’s some advice from the pros on picking a crew that’s right for the job. VALUE DIVERSITY - The Famous Project has an international crew with a range of skills and experiences. “You can have the best sailor in the world in your team, but if this person is not able to share [their strengths] then it is not useful when you try to build a team,” says Alexia. STRESS TEST EARLY - How do you know if your team will come together in difficult moments? Try an on-shore team-building exercise first. “When we first started the relationship for the project, we went up into the mountains,”…

Face it, boats require maintenance, and there’s nothing more disappointing than that first scratch or scuff. To fix it, there are zillions of magic potions that are absolutely guaranteed to make your boat shine, rid it of dirt or grease, keep some surfaces slippery and others non-slippery, and do everything but pop corn. But a quick walk through your big box marine hardware store can fill your cart and empty your wallet quickly. Wait, before you hand over your credit card, take a peek under your kitchen sink at home, on the shelves in your garage, or even in your pantry. The following is a selection of household products that handle the same boating needs as those “magic potions,” but for pennies on the dollar. Go forth and scrub! Baking…

Standing in the aft cockpit of the new Leopard 46, my gaze is directed at the Leopard 50 parked across the dock. “It looks just about the same size,” says Franck Bauguil, global sales manager of the South African boatbuilder. “On the 46, we packed in almost everything that used to be on a boat 4 feet longer.” It seems a bit of sorcery but it’s true. Starting with a blank sheet, Leopard Catamarans and Simonis Voogd Design reimagined life on 46 feet. The new model feels much larger than its specifications suggest, and it’s poised to become a worthy successor to the popular Leopard 45 that launched 379 hulls since its introduction in 2017. Leopard embraced their formula for years primarily because it worked. Now they’re switching it up…

When the invite to tour Prestige’s Monfalcone, Italy, shipyard and test their new M7 multihull landed in my inbox, I didn’t need my arm twisted too hard. Last year, Senior Editor Chris Dixon made that trek to get aboard the M8 flagship, and I’d been jealous ever since. An ancient maritime city in the upper right corner of the Adriatic—a stone’s throw from Slovenia, Monfalcone has a reputation for having all the charm of well-trod Italian tourist hotspots but without the crowds. I was coming off a couple of months working from my basement office and was craving an above-ground adventure. Making the commute up the stairs, I couldn’t wait to share the news of my next sea trial with my wife, Karen. One year into a career break to…

Electrification is a tricky concept, but it’s seeping into all segments of the recreational boating industry. Some of the first boats to opt for electric propulsion were ocean-going sailing catamarans, which you could argue were already “greener” because of their sails. But it worked because these cats had 1) the space aboard to carry the gear like large battery banks, and 2) owners with the early-adopter mentality who wanted to maximize their autonomy, especially while passagemaking. It wasn’t long before powercats joined the fray. To reduce wetted surface and increase efficiency, designers started adding foils that maximize range and create a smoother ride. The idea was genius and a serious leap in propulsion technology. Still, green power is far from ubiquitous, especially in the United States. Europe is years ahead…

With each Autumn comes another boat show season and a fresh crop of announcements, reviews, and boat tests. This year, some builders are sizing up while others are sizing down, innovative tech is a throughline, and everyone seems to be talking about electrification. As we wind down 2025, here’s a quick look at the new designs joining the multihull fleet this year. Aquila 46 Last year, Aquila Boats launched the 50 Yacht with a new, sportier look and a wealth of below decks options. The builder continues the theme with the 46 Yacht. The 46 slots into a lineup that includes models from 42 to 70 feet. Like the 50 that launched last year, the 46 sports a new look and a number of tailored layout options. The standard layout…