banuls 60 catamaran

Boats for sale

Sell your Boat

News & Reviews

Help & FAQs

Review: Banuls 60 Catamaran by McConaghy Boats

Bañuls 60 catamaran review.

Spurred on by the burgeoning cat racing scene and the popularity of civilian friendly pared-down versions, performance-cruisers offer the best of both worlds — as I discovered after a day sailing this early model, which was realised by America’s Cup designer Renauld Bañuls and built by McConaghy China.

Since this model launched several years ago the Australia-based builder has expanded its range and secured local distribution via The Multihull Group.

DESIGN BRIEF

In spite of its racing-inspired design the Bañuls 60 is not as extreme as you might imagine, according to Project Manager Raphael Blot, as it boasts ample stability to ensure safety margins adequate for a fast-cruising catamaran.

Speed, however, was the key consideration, with the cat aimed to perform well in the light airs typical of SE Asian sailing; both off the wind and on.

And as I found out when sailing hull number two, this was achieved by using deep dagger boards, high bridgedeck clearance and a powerful sailplan.

LIVING SPACE

The Bañuls 60 is a semi-custom boat, meaning the interior can be tailored to the owners’ needs — a major selling point for discerning cruisers.

Accommodation comprises four equally-sized double cabins between the hulls. Interestingly, the forward cabin is set up with a lower bunk (140cm wide) with a bunk bed above, sleeping three crew between them.

The saloon is intended as an entertaining space, while also having been built around the navigator. 

The galley-up/galley-down debate has been cleverly solved with an open-plan design that emanates from the starboard hull, keeping the cook company as they serve up to eight diners seated at the saloon table.

Down in the hulls, the aft cabin offers a double berth (160cm wide) accessed through an entrance area, which features a foldable wardrobe over a seat on the inboard side and a fixed wardrobe on the outboard side.

For those who want a skipper/crew cabin on board, the forward storage locker can be transformed into a crew cabin with a large entrance hatch on deck and a portlight on the inside of the hull for ventilation.

The cockpit has a semi-hardtop bimini that allows clear views of the sails while in race mode, as well as comfortable weather protection while cruising.

Twin carbon wheels with sheet winches nearby and a transom mounted mainsheet track keeps the open plan area clear, while giving substantial downforce and twist on the big main.

SLEEK AND STRONG

Our review boat (Dragon) showed a sleek, low profile bridge deck and reverse angled bow — a la Oracle’s America’s Cup trimaran — giving aggressive exterior styling that’s guaranteed to stand out in any marina.

The styling continues below with a clean and minimalist interior, ensuring everything is ultra-tidy, with plenty stowage for blue-water cruising. Constructed in SP Gurit epoxy with carbon reinforcing, the resin-infused hull has proved itself to be a hard wearing yet cruiser-friendly build.

Carbon structural beams ensure rigidity, connecting the E-Glass/carbon epoxy foam sandwich hull and deck.

Windward performance is enhanced by twin dagger boards, while 125-110cm bridge deck clearance minimises wave friction and allows comfortable sunbathing on the Dyneema net trampoline.

The Lorima carbon rig (on hulls #1 and #2) has a rotating wing mast, intended to create a perfect luff profile upwind while allowing downwind reefing; the latter a very welcome feature on a boat that may not like turning upwind on the run.

The square-topped, fully battened mainsail (from the Incidences sail loft as factory standard) has three slab reefs, while Kevlar standing rigging can be optioned with carbon shrouds.

The mast of this bold Renaud Bañuls design is nearly aligned with the twin carbon asymmetric dagger boards to optimise the massive side forces that cats may often experience, since they don’t heel like monohulls.

SAFETY AND CONTROL

Harken deck gear and two pairs of 70.3 STA winches control the mainsail and headsail sheets, with electric 70.3 STEV or carbon 65.3 options as well.

Halyards run to the Harken 60.3 STEV electric winch at the mast base, a design element that ensures correct tension in close proximity to the sails during hoists.

Safety is a key factor in the Bañuls 60 with an escape hatch in either hull, plus the optional Ocean Data System electronic anti-capsize system.

Called UpSideUp, the system controls heel and loads for automatic or wireless release during times of major stress on the boat.

Like a lot of the gear on the Bañuls 60, it has been used successfully on big trimarans and multis such as the 105 foot trimaran Sodebo.

The navigation system features a B&G H5000 base, with four 20/20 HV displays in the cockpit and single FFDs on each helm location.

Other notable gear includes the latest Lithium Ion batteries from Mastervolt that maximise power-to-weight ratio.

Entertainment smarts include a wireless digital music and DVD system for distributed media with Wifi headsets.

OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE

Project manager Raphael Blot, who owns the first boat and the rights to build this design under his company www.performancemultis.com, realised his dream of creating a fast cruising cat with the average performance of a racing TP52 monohull, without sacrificing comfortable single-handed control.

“I started to look for the ‘perfect catamaran’ for my own use, a boat that would be smart, elegant and fast,” he said.

French national Blot, who has raced in SE Asia for the last two decades, converted to multihulls a few years ago after sailing from Yokohama to Hong Kong on the maxi-trimaran Geronimo and from Taiwan to Hong Kong on maxi catamaran Gitana 13 — whetting his appetite for performance multis.

From his base in Hong Kong, the sailor initially looked at high-performance boats without bridge decks.

“But I could not picture myself spending two weeks cruising in the Philippines or Thailand with my family on an open decked cat — what I was looking for was that same elegance and speed but with a bridge deck.”

His search for a dream boat in the 50-55 foot category was thorough and included discussions with numerous big names before hitting on Renaud Bañuls — the mind responsible for the naval architecture of America’s Cup trimaran BMW Oracle and heavily involved in the design of Banque Populaire V and Groupama trimarans while at VPLP Naval Architects.

With the brief soon settled, Blot had little difficulty approaching McConaghy — despite the Sydney-based builder previously only having one multihull on its substantial list of projects. “After talking with Neville Crichton aboard Alfa Romeo 3, and seeing the amazing standard of finish on this McConaghy-built super maxi, I was very keen to work with them,” he said. McConaghy’s second order, named Dragon, was placed by an Australian owner with similar needs to Blot; a performance cat that can be used by the family when not racing.

The businessman enjoyed an extensive racing calendar interspersed with cruises throughout Asia before the boat moved to the Mediterranean, where I boarded at Europe’s major mulithull show at La Grande Motte.

SAILING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE

After close to eight years living on the shores of the Mediterranean, I came to the conclusion that the area requires a lot of effort from its sailors.

Our day off the coast of SW France’s La Grande Motte was typical, in that it started with a single-digit breeze that grew and then subsided as we headed back to port.

At the wheel of Dragon, snug behind the saloon, I pushed her hard on to the breeze while the windward hull lifted slightly.

With carbon genoa tight and the rotating mast smoothing the luff, we powered easily beyond the 12 knot true wind speed and eventually showed 14 knots of boatspeed. Impressive, yet fairly effortless thanks to sail controls that see the mainsail track being set far back on the transom to maximise twist and leverage while winches were also at hand.

As the wind built towards 18 knots comfort dictated that we took one reef in, which was done from jammers at the cockpit.

Off the wind and in lightening conditions the hulls sunk in, when a cruising chute would ideally be hoisted to avoid engine use.

However, the 53HP Yanmars, with folding propellers, proved adequate to motor at 7 knots as we headed for home.

At the end of the day it was an enjoyable trip on a boat that rewards the keen sailor, while remaining well within the abilities of capable casual cruisers.

LATEST McCONAGHY CATAMARANS

Since the completion of the Bañuls 60, McConaghy Boats has gone on to expand their range under new designer Jason Kerr.

The first of these, the MC50, made its debut at La Grande Motte this year.

The yard in China was able to expand production in 2017/2018 after Hong Kong company Tiger bought a shareholding — an event that pleased Australian distributor The Multihull Group, who now offer a strengthened range of performance-cruising catamarans.

“McConaghy’s new Jason Kerr designed boats attracted us because of their innovative technology and their unique approach to catamaran design,” explains CEO John Cowpe.

The MC50, is part of a trio that also includes the MC60 and the flagship MC90.

These vacuum infused epoxy-hulled catamarans build on McConaghy’s experience with the Bañuls designed models and their mastery of composite construction.

Carbon is used in the key structural parts, while Corecell foam cores ensure these cats will be fairly lightweight. Having just done a sea trial in southern France on the impressive Bañuls MC60, I was well satisfied with McConaghy’s abilities to produce a performance catamaran, but the Kerr boats are even more ambitious — something that has attracted TMG.

“They have exciting new features such as centreboards in each hull as opposed to daggerboards — which improves performance and allows for volume in the hulls — while having all the luxury gear that owners want,” explained Cowpe.

Along with directors Peter Hrones and Tim Vine, Cowpe visited the yard earlier this year to confirm their impression regarding the quality of McConaghy’s approach.

The first MC50 that splashed this year at La Grande Motte is an angular, high volume style of catamaran that has vertical saloon bulkheads to maximise space and tall hulls to provide plenty of room in the three or four cabin layouts.

The MCs are intended to be lean and fast, as illustrated by the open foredecks where trampolines predominate over solid bulkheads.

FACTS & FIGURES

Priced from.

TYPE Luxury Catamaran MATERIAL E-Glass / Epoxy foam sandwich LENGTH 18.28m BEAM 8.6m DRAFT 1.4/3.2m WEIGHT 30.5t

PEOPLE 8 FUEL 500L WATER 500L HOLDING  TANK 2 x 60L

MAKE/MODEL TYPE Twin Yanmar 4JH5E 53hp DISPLACEMENT 2.19L WEIGHT 201kg

DESIGNED BY

Renaud Bañuls

MANUFACTURED BY

McConaghy Boats

The full review featured in issue #508 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration. 

All composites were post cured at elevated temperatures in our oven and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) of composite structure for weight saving and efficient use of material was employed.

The Corecell foam sheets were uniquely Thermo-formed over 3D moulds to match the hull and deck shape for weight minimization.

Specifications

1.4m to 3.2m

Height of Mast (above WL)

Bridge Deck Clearance

Naval Architect

Bañuls Design

Privacy Overview

• The magazine

Current issue

• All the issues
• My magazines
• Technical specifications
• Multihull of the Year
• Classified Ads
• Destinations
• Online store
• All the magazines
• Subscriptions
• Accessories

McConaghy MC60

The MC60 from the McConaghy shipyard is a catamaran that looks like no other model in this category. Its design, layout and performance make it a unique multihull with technological solutions directly from racing that are rarely found on board a production catamaran. A concept for fans of high-tech and performance.

Practical info

• Builder : McConaghy Boats

• Finance your MC60
• Articles about the MC60
• Available in issue # 186

Boat Test price 5.00 € Inc. tax

Add several tests to your cart

and get an extra discount!

• Test location: Fort Lauderdale (Florida – USA)
• Conditions:6 to 8 knots southeast wind, 10 people on board, slight chop

You may not be familiar with the McConaghy brand... and yet, this shipyard was not born yesterday! The manufacturer was founded in 1967 in Australia by John McConaghy and started its activity with the production of 16 to 18-foot yawls. Then it turned to Moths and other sailing dinghies and Tornado catamarans. The shipyard swapped plywood for fiberglass before opting for foamed sandwich and then Kevlar. In 2000, Jono Morris and Mark Evans, two employees of the shipyard, took over the company and expanded it. The company then partnered with Tiger Group and opened another production facility in China. In nearly 55 years of existence, McConaghy has become a reference in the construction of composite boats and produces very different kind of units, from the famous America’s Cup boats to the Volvo Ocean Racers, including superyachts, cruising multihulls and the already famous AC40, a high-performance hydrofoil boat.

More than 50 years of experience

The range of cruising catamarans extends from 55 to 115 feet; the MC60, now renamed the MC62, is therefore one of...

To read in full, Buy the boat test

Tags : 

• MC60 , 
• sailing catamaran , 
• Ker Yacht Design , 

What readers think

Post a comment

No comments to show.

MW #197 - Oct / Nov 2024

Download all the Boat Tests

Over 500 multihull tests

Boat tests from the same builder

McConaghy 50

• Mc Conaghy 50

Place a classified ad Free of charge

on Multihulls World

Boat tests from the same range

• New Windelo 54

Greencat 52

• Greencat 52'

Classified ads

PRIVILEGE 435 refited 2023

Catamaran orc 42 n°20, vous avez ajouté " " à vos favoris., vous avez supprimé " " de vos favoris., in order to add this article to your favorites, please sign in..

• SODEBO ULTIM 3
• FINN Ñ53 TRIMARAN
• BAÑULS 60 CATAMARAN
• BAÑULS 78 Catamaran
• SUP BROWN SUGAR
• 33rd AMERICA’S CUP

The ñ53 Finn is a 53 footer trimaran. Named FINN, she is a 53ft short handed high performance cruising trimaran built by McConaghy. FINN is currently sailing in Newport RI.

Thanks to Clint Clemens for the Photos.  www.clintclemens.com

Please visit – www.n53trimaran.com

From diaporoma to thumbnails

Video from Helicopter by Clint Clemens.

www.clintclemens.com

www.n53trimaran.com