SUNREEF 58' IN THE WIND - Multihulls World

TEST
ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
Sunreef has been practising
infusion for 6 years now, and for
the 58’, set up a complex resin
drainage network, which allowed
lamination in one single
operation for the hulls and the
whole of the primary structure,
with the omegas, to obtain a
one-piece chassis. Balsa is used
as a core (foam as an option)
associated with vinylester and
polyester resins and glass
cloths. The mast and boom, in
carbon/epoxy are manufactured
by the Sunreef teams. The
underwater design is classic;
the full, almost circular hull sections
are intended to tolerate
load variations, but the forward
sections are slim and the counters
are completely coherent.
The keels have a low aspect
ratio, to reduce the draft, whilst
ensuring stability when beached.
The bridgedeck has a lot
of overlap; it is quite low and the
protrusions in the hull occupy
part of the tunnel, to offer a
maximum amount of internal
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space, which may lead to parasitic
impacts. Optimisation of
the scantlings of future models
will favour a significant weight
saving, of more than 2 tonnes,
to improve the flow at this level.
GUIDED TOUR ABOARD
The optional engines (2 x 110hp
Yanmars) are really accessible
for ordinary maintenance or a
more technical service. The
same goes for the generator,
housed in the starboard engine
compartment. The circuits for
water, engine cooling and fuel
(with diesel centrifuge) positioned
on the bulkhead have also
been rationally fitted. Grey technical
bilge paint and coded marking
of the functions would be
appreciable.
Stowage for the batteries and
the air conditioning machinery is
judiciously grouped together in
the central locker at the mast
foot. The main feature is
obviously the cockpit lounge-flybridge-saloon-galley
unit. The
care dedicated to the fluidity of
the relationship between these
four centres is a strong point of
the quality of life aboard the 58’.
Dinners will be eaten in the loggia,
which acts as a welcoming,
protected terrace, predisposed
to convivial or romantic evenings.
We tested the judicious
dinghy management system
(without davits): returning from a
diving trip or the market will no
longer be acrobatic! The flybridge
area offers a unique, perfectly
safe viewpoint, with an
upper saloon-sunbathing area,
the steering position and the
control line piano. The 4 cabins
on this private owner’s version
are all enviable and superbly
equipped (air conditioning, TV,
DVD); the owner’s studio is
The 58' is a real sailing boat; it sails well
in light and moderate conditions...
obviously the biggest. The
Japanese style decoration
draws on the contrasts in the
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light tints of the floors, the deep
shades of the wengé decoration
and the red alcantara. The tasteful
design research is supported
by attractive joinery and an
unquestionable build quality.
ON THE WATER
Our test version was equipped
with big 110hp engines (shaft
transmission), a copious solution,
ideally suited to the boat’s
mixed programme. Control of
the machine is taken care of
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with such a reserve of power
(8.5 knot cruising speed), but
the bow thrusters appears to be
essential for pivoting in tight
spaces. Generator operation is
discreet, we couldn’t hear it; the
engines are as quiet as possible,
and don’t generate unpleasant
frequencies or vibrations. Their
operation is imperceptible on
the flybridge. Installation of 2
wind generators on the bimini is
a step in the right direction! The
control line piano is on the top of
the coachroof, the battery of big
jammers is carefully organised
to distribute the pendants,
halyards and sheets to the electric
winches ad hoc. The low friction
turning blocks are all assigned
to reassuring stand-up or
pivoting blocks (Harken)...taking
into account the forces in play.
Lines are stowed in voluminous
rope lockers, but the Perspex
lids are not attached. The superb
23-metre carbon mast with no
spreaders (cap shrouds – lower
shrouds) is generously-dimensioned
(as is the canoe boom)
and supported forward by two
forestays equipped with furlers
(genoa and staysail). The asymmetric
or the gennaker are set
on the bowsprit, which is integral
with the compression strut.
As always aboard these big
boats, it is advisable to manoeuvre
methodically and with anticipation,
but actions concerning
the sails are easy and the visibility
is perfect. The mainsail is
equipped with a preventer line
which controls the leech when
the sail is ‘opened’ wide
(bravo!). The foresails offer the
usual ease of the cutter rig, and
hoisting the spinnaker in its
snuffer only needs 2 people. The
58’ is a real sailing boat; it sails
well in light and moderate weather:
we immediately reached 7
– 8 knots in 12 knots of wind on
a broad reach, and 9 knots with
14 knots of true wind on the
beam. It will sail to windward if
necessary and is capable of long
delivery trips or ocean crossings,
as long as it is not too
heavily laden. In strong winds,
speeds of 10 to 12 knots are
common; expectations of higher
speeds do not correspond to the
boat’s programme, even though
several 62-footers have jammed
their speedo at 22 knots on instantaneous
speed
CONCLUSION
The 58’ appears to have aimed
accurately. It is very comfortable,
can be fitted out to its
owner’s taste and its use can be
optimised by charter management,
for which the builder
offers a ‘turnkey’ service. This
choice allows the owner to have
a skipper aboard, so he can
enjoy the boat immediately. On
charter, this convivial catamaran
will be a success.
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
Architect: Sunreef
Builder: Sunreef Yachts
Length: 18.25m
Beam: 9.20m
Draft: 1.65m
Displacement: 26t
Air draft: 27.30m
Material: foam/glass/polyester–vinylester
sandwich carbon-epoxy reinforcements,
infusion process
Mainsail area: 118m²
Gennaker: 120m²
Genoa: 63m²
Staysail: 32m²
Spinnaker: 230m²
Engines: 2 x 75hp / 2 x 110hp
Diesel: 2 x 700L
Water: 2 x 390L
Price: 935,000 euros exc. VAT;
1,450,000 euros with all the options
5 : All the control lines return to
the steering position on the flybridge.
6 : The cockpit is really impressive.
Perfect for organising some
nice parties.
7 : The galley allows the crew to
pamper the guests aboard.
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8 : As always at Sunreef, the
interior has been designed according
to the owner’s tastes.
9 : The chart table...or how to
spend your watches in incredible
comfort...
10 : This owner’s version’s four
cabins are all enviable and superbly
equipped. But the must is of
course the owner’s cabin.
11 : The engine rooms are very
easily accessible, for maintenance.
A real plus!
THOMAS SERRÉ, THE SUNREEF
58’s ARCHITECT
We haven’t tried to create a particularly
fast hull, but rather retained the versatility
in all circumstances and load conditions.
The hull does not have too much rocker
(banana shape), just enough to be able to
tack well! The keels are not very deep, to
allow access to anchorages close to the
beach, without losing much efficiency. The
round sections limit the amount the boat
sinks into the water, and the wetted surface
area, when loaded, and allows good
performance in light weather. The forefoot
and the transom are slightly immersed to
combat the start of pitching and improve
performance under power. This boat aims
for a compromise between economical
consumption, respectable speed and great
comfort.
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THE PLUSSES:
• Relevant multiyacht concept
• Build quality
• Quality of life aboard
THE MINUSES:
• Obligatory boat management
• Low bridgedeck
• Difference between basic and full
options prices
MODEL
Builder:
Windward sail area in m²:
Weight in t:
Price exc. VAT in euros:
THE COMPETITORS
SANYA 57' LAGOON 560 NAUTITECH 542 SWISS 55'
Fountaine Pajot Lagoon Nautitech Swiss catamaran
150 210 144 121
18.8 28 15.5 16.45
867,690 825,000 798,490 1.250.000
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