62-65 - ESSAI 4XCAT 28 US - Multihulls World

?test
4 X CAT 28’
A catamaran well suited to
a truly exciting agenda...
Steering the 4XCat in the
breeze is fun and easy...
Two cats for a test:
which one will reach
anchorage first?
THE MISSING LINK
Fun and comfortable, safe and well-built, dismountable
and transportable, the 4XCat 28’ promises to enjoy a fine
career
T E X T A N D P H O T O S :
P H I L I P P E E C H E L L E
THE SPORT CATAMARAN AFICIONADO WHO HAS HUNG UP HIS TILLER
EXTENSION HAS ABANDONED, VOLUNTARILY OR OTHERWISE, A SOURCE OF
EXCITEMENT WHICH IS ALMOST EXCLUSIVE; SAILING ONE OF THESE SUPER-
CHARGED MACHINES IS SO ADDICTIVE THAT ANY COMPARISON WITH
PLACID CRUISING BOATS IS BOUND TO BE DISAPPOINTING! THERE IS A
SMALL NUMBER OF CATAMARANS PRODUCED WHOSE AIM IS TO HELP SUCH
ENTHUSIASTS AVOID BECOMING NOSTALGIC : THE COASTAL CRUISERS…
hese catamarans, trimarans and
T even praos measure between 6.5
and 10 metres, and are designed
for cruising, but with the emphasis on sport.
Such names as : My Cat, Dragonfly, Tiki,
Corneel, Strider, Twist, Tricat, Drop, Aquilon,
Corsair, Punch, Diabolo, Aventura, Erector…
and many others, offer varying degrees of
comfort and performance. They are being
developed in the shadow of larger, heavier,
more luxurious models, but for someone who
just wants to reel off 50 miles in an afternoon
with a fresh breeze, explore the islands and
not bother with ports, they are perfect. The
4XCat 28' is in the avant-garde of this turbulent
family, we invite you to test it with us.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The 4XCat 28's design results from a collaboration
between two multi-faceted architects :
Bernard Lelièvre, who has a sound knowledge
of multihulls, gained from his experience as a
charterer-journalist-tester-sailor, and Alban
Vigner, specialist in composite structures and
regatta sailor. This joint approach has allowed
lessons to be learned from previous boats and
an innovative, reliable and rational design to
be created. As its name implies, the 4Xcat's
vocation is as a marine 'all-terrain vehicle',
which implies exploration of rias, beaching
(more or less intentionally) and use of all kinds
of basic shelter. The chassis, its assembly and
its appendices are therefore solid and durable,
designed to stand up more to intensive use by
charterers or sailing schools such as the UCPA
and the Glénans, than use by private owners.
Lightness (1180 kg ) was a priority when drawing
up the specifications, so as to achieve
good performance under sail ; the simple
accommodation contributes to this goal whilst
remaining extremely livable. The final
consequence of this "quality construction -
innovative geometry - minimum of equipment"
equation is that the boat needs very little
maintenance, a point that will be appreciated
by sailors who are not too keen on DIY. The
philosophy behind this surprising multihull
appears to be : sail (a lot), rinse and stow (a
little).
Another advantage is that the 4XCat can be
dismantled and transported ; it fits into a 40'
container and sending it to Miami with a view
to a Caribbean cruise would cost 2000 Euros!
GEOMETRY AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Despite its modest size, the 4XCat is a hi-tech
catamaran. Its original design is based on a
central structural box and a self-locking
assembly system : once engaged in the deck
restraints, the module is bolted. The crossbeam
is in sandwich, moulded to precise tolerances
using the infusion process and is reinforced
with multi-axial tissues, making it very
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?test
TEST
4xCAT 28’
is moderate (1.31m in the centre) but six
therly breeze, this promised be a fast trip and
connecting rod (all the aluminium parts are of
the long bowsprit, the textile spreader cables
Excellent overall ergonomics for the 4XCat...
Inside, it’s highly original and especially unbelievably convivial...
stiff. It gives improved accommodation and
means that the boat does not need a forward
crossbeam, as well as having a positive effect
on weight distribution. The 'egg-shaped' hulls
are symmetrical (the upper and lower halves
could be reversed), the 'wave piercing' bows
overhang rounded V-sections which open out
into a U-section towards the centre of the hull,
then flatten out and increase in volume
towards the stern. A pair of NACA profile fins
and two compensated rudder blades complete
a modern design with a strong personality.
All polyester parts are made using the Scrimp
infusion process, which guarantees excellent
tissue to resin ratios.
ACCOMMODATION
I was once deeply in love with a Tiki 28 in
wood/epoxy. This little 800kg 'bomb', perched
on its superb triangular hulls and topped with
a small nacelle, was beautiful beyond belief
and could set me dreaming just like that, but
training as a contortionist was necessary
before going cruising in it. I loved the Diabolo
but the lack of a central module was regrettable
despite the attractions of its strip-planking
construction and intelligent design. The
4XCat 28' offers good-sized berths in the hulls,
a WC, abundant stowage space and a large
nacelle which is very user-friendly. Headroom
guests can be seated around the table and the
two double berths (190X140cm) are really
pleasant. During the day, these huge 'tatamis'
will be a favourite refuge for children of all
ages. Access to the hulls is by two opening
panels; the two full sized berths (200 X 75cm)
mean that this 28 footer can provide all the
comfort of a cruiser, whilst retaining privacy
for the crew members - especially important
for long-term family cruising. The huge, unobstructed
cockpit (3.50 X 2m) is equipped with a
table (an extension of the engine locker) and
access to the water is practical : there are two
steps in the transoms and a bathing ladder.
The care taken with the overall ergonomics
favours the quality of life and safety aboard.
ENGINE
The 10 hp Honda 4-stroke, with electric start
and gearbox controls in the cockpit, is perfectly
suited to the 4XCat 28', there is sufficient
power and torque. Linking the tiller to the
motor (by a small line) greatly improves
manoeuvrability. The outboard bracket is
adjustable using a block and tackle and is easy
to use ; its shape means that it can also house
the petrol tank, thus improving security, as any
possible fumes or leaks will not spill into the
boat. A tip-up locker gives access. Overall, this
installation has been well thought out and
meticulously built.
DECK PLAN AND FITTINGS,
RIG
An 11.8m wing mast and a long removable
bowsprit for the 30 sq m gennaker or the 56 sq
m asymmetric spinnaker account for the
'power' side of things ! The self-tacking jib is
there just for ease of use and comfort in
strong winds. Add to this an 'Arthur' for turning
the mast, a central winch, a jib sheet with
jammer and two spinnaker or gennaker sheets
: the 4Xcat's deck plan is simple and rational!
The loose-footed mainsail has no boom
(advantageously replaced by a lower batten),
and the 8-part tackle is quite sufficient. The
mainsheet traveller slides in a long track guaranteeing
accurate adjustment and rapid reactions
in strong winds
DYNAMIC TEST
We left le Crouesty at the beginning of the
afternoon for a return trip towards the Ile
d'Houat. With a moderate (10-16 knots) nor-
would give interesting conditions on all points
of sailing, including close-hauled on the way
back.
For this test we had two 4XCat 28's, the builder's
demonstration boat and the latest model
delivered ; these two 'Raid' versions were
equivalent, apart from the fact that the first
had an asymmetric spinnaker and the second,
aboard which I was sailing, was equipped with
a gennaker. After leaving le Crouesty, we hoisted
it and immediately went into the lead ;
with a light breeze on the beam, we were at a
steady 9 knots under a cloud covered sky. The
crew consisted of four adults and two children,
with equipment for 'extended' cruising
(dinghy, two anchors and warps, food, kitbags
and various other equipment) as we had chosen
to carry out this test as if we were sailing
as a family. First comments : the trim was perfect
and the load carrying capacity amazing ;
the deck arrangements and the overall space
available mean that family cruising is a realistic
proposition. Performance, which logically
should have been seriously reduced, remained
good and the boat was well-balanced. On
a reach, the 4Xcat's speed approached that of
the wind (12 knots) and its balance remained
exemplary. The two tillers are linked by a rigid
As an option,
the hulls can be converted
With her 10HP Honda
4-stroke motor with electric
starter and inverter
controls, the 4XCat has
sufficient motor power
very high quality : baked white epoxy finish,
perfect welds). The boat was easy to trim and
the Incidences sails were up to their usual
high standard. I freed the gennaker a little to
bear away under power; driving the 4XCat
over the chop which was starting to form :
the 'feel' of the helm owes much to the rudders'
compensation, they are precise and
light but their directional effect is responsive
and powerful. We rode over short waves at
between 12 and 13 and a half knots for a long
time (the wind offshore was now stronger)
then, as Houat was approaching very rapidly,
it was time to heave to and wait for the other
4XCat. They hoisted their spinnaker and 5
minutes later, were flying towards us at 15
knots. We rehoisted the gennaker and did
what we could, but the 56m2 of spinnaker
revealed the superior potential of the other
4XCat. With the weight just taken off the
windward hull, the extra power meant it surfed
earlier and further; in perfect trim, with its
bows 'smoking' and everyone aboard relaxed
(there were even crew members on the trampoline!)
the boat was a beautiful sight.
I did what I could to catch up with our sister
ship, but it continued to draw ahead steadily,
confirming the evidence : to go fast on all
points of sailing, both a spinnaker and a gennaker
are necessary. As we approached the
long beach on Houat, we gybed onto a reach
under a heavy sky and with a 16 - 17 knot
breeze. This is without a doubt one of the
4XCat's preferred points of sailing. With the
gennaker sheeted in and the main fairly
open, it revealed another side to its character
: perfectly balanced (hands off, tiller amidships)
and doing 13 knots at 70-80° to the
wind whilst remaining perfectly stable. In
these conditions (which were strengthening),
the fittings showed no signs of weakness :
Welcome onboard...
and the mast itself gave no evidence of being
under stress. Even more surprising, and indicative
of the build quality was the fact that
there were no creaking or cracking noises to
be heard. The homogenous nature of the
chassis was becoming apparent during this
test. After this last charge, which left our colleagues
for dead (as they could not luff up,
they had been obliged to take the spinnaker
down), we covered the last few miles to
windward under jib, before crossing the Golfe
du Morbihan towards Logeau to anchor one
of the boats. The return trip against 7 - 8
knots of current proved that the little Honda
was perfectly adequate. The night spent on
board confirmed the excellent sleeping
arrangements.
CONCLUSION
The 4XCat is a cleverly designed, modern 28
footer whose general balance, spaciousness
and build quality mean that it can be considered
as a true cruising multihull. Its seakeeping
qualities are hard to fault ; the same can
be said for its safety, both active and passive
(1600l of buoyancy in 4 compartments, made
up of 35 kg/m3 PU foam blocks, rather than
ordinary expanded foam, which absorbs
water !) ; during the insubmersibility test, full
of water and with the crew aboard, the nacelle
was still 30cm from the surface! For performance
enthusiasts, with 59m2 under gennaker
or 85 with the spinnaker, for an all-up
weight of 1300kg, there is plenty of power!
Speed fanatics and regatta sailors will choose
the ‘Formula’ version, which is lighter,
equipped with daggerboards and must be
amazing.
The 4XCat28' is both entertaining and comfortable,
safe and well built; it can be dismantled
and transported (on a trailer designed
by the architects) and merits a long
career. Its versatility and wide range of use
should snowball and bring a different kind of
simple, 'fun' cruising back into popularity; it
could even become a trend! My personal
choice would be a ‘Formula’ version with textile
rigging, a cruising pack with a watermaker
and bright red laquered hulls like VICTORINOX
! But I am absolutely certain that the ‘Raid’
version has sufficient potential for a shorthanded
crew, as long as it is not overloaded.
4XCAT 28’
Pros
➤ Innovative architecture
➤ Build and equipment quality
➤ Easy to use
Cons
➤ The design was not the result of a consensus of opinion
➤ Slight lack of power to windward in a moderate
breeze (to do with the non-overlapping jib)
SPECIFICATIONS
➤Architects : Bernard Lelièvre and Alban Vigner-
ADN
➤Builders : for the Polyester, VIP Composites
(Olonne/mer), for final assembly and finishing, ADN
➤Materials : Divinycell 80 foam/multi-axial
glass/vinylester (or epoxy for the Formula version )
sandwich, Scrimp - infusion process.
➤Length : 8.49m
➤Waterline length : 8.40m
➤Beam : 5.30m
➤Unladen displacement : 1180 kg
➤Permitted load : 680 kg in category D, 610kg in
category C
➤Mainsail : 29.5m2 + 2.16m2 wing mast
Jib : 11.5m2
➤Asymmetric spi : 56m2
➤Gennaker : 30m2
➤Engine : 10 to 20 hp on lifting bracket or 2X10
hp IB Diesel
➤Draft : 0.65m with fins, 0.35/1.60m with daggerboards
➤Accommodation : 2 double berths + 2 single
berths + saloon + galley
➤Category : 5 persons in category C, 6 in cat. D
The boat is unsinkable and can be dismantled and
transported.
➤Price : 59 499 euros, tax not included,
standard version
Options on the version tested, price not
including tax, in euros :
➤Bowsprit and fittings : 735 euros
➤Gennaker : 923 euros
➤Honda 10 hp outboard with controls :
3 115 euros
➤Hull berths : 416 euros for 2
➤WC with holding tank : 766 euros
➤Hull portholes, class I : 593 euros
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