Yachting Art Magazine

Simbad Yachts – With the Simbad 55, a new builder is entering the market for catamarans designed for long-range cruising: Simbad Yachts. Based in Alicante, Simbad Yachts is positioning itself in the market for catamarans designed for luxury long-distance cruising, combining performance with ease of handling, even with a small crew. For a debut project, this is a real masterstroke by the teams at the shipyard, along with its naval architect and designer, the Frenchmen Pierre Delion and Franck Darnet.

Blue Water Cruising – It is not often that a newly established shipyard enters the market with a first vessel measuring 16.70 metres in length and 8.92 metres in beam. Yet this is precisely the choice made by Simbad Yachts, a new Spanish builder based in Alicante, with the Simbad 55.

Unveiled at La Grande-Motte, the first hull clearly sets out its positioning: that of a catamaran for high-end owners, designed not only to offer generous living space, but above all for long-distance cruising. The shipyard is thus promoting a genuine blue-water cruising programme.

In this episode of BateauScopie, ActuNautique explores the boat alongside Pierre Delion, its naval architect. The exterior design and interior layout were entrusted to Franck Darnet, a Franco-Spanish partnership that enables the new builder to draw on the expertise of seasoned yachting specialists right from its very first model.

A 55-footer designed for owner-skippers

The Simbad 55 does not seek to be a small sailing superyacht that invariably requires a professional crew. On the contrary, its specifications prioritise owner-operation.

This philosophy explains many of the technical choices made on board. The aim is to make the main functions accessible and to simplify manoeuvres.

On the flybridge, Simbad has therefore opted for two full helms rather than a central helm. The helmsman can choose which side to stand on depending on the conditions, whilst enjoying better visibility during harbour manoeuvres.

Between the two helms, the forward section of the flybridge houses the sail controls. In particular, the boat is fitted with electric furling systems, a furling mainsail and a self-tacking staysail. The sheets are routed back to this area to centralise the key operations required to sail the catamaran.

30 tonnes and 173 m² of sail area

This pursuit of simplicity does not mean compromising on sailing performance.

In the configuration presented at La Grande-Motte, the Simbad 55 is fitted with a carbon mast. Its mainsail has an area of around 90 m² and the advertised total sail area is approximately 173 m².

The light displacement is given as 30 tonnes, a figure to be viewed in the context of this first unit’s particularly high level of equipment.

At the bow, the shipyard has retained trampolines, whilst some recent catamarans have replaced them with rigid surfaces. This choice helps to minimise structural weight. It also offers a practical advantage at anchor, as the person operating the windlass can better observe the chain and anchor as they are hauled up.

A flybridge separating navigation from on-board living

The flybridge is one of the Simbad 55’s key features.

Its forward section is dedicated to navigation and manoeuvring, whilst the rest of this deck serves as a genuine living space. It features sun loungers, a table and a galley unit with refrigerators.

This separation is particularly useful for family use: whilst the owner is at the helm or adjusting the sails, guests have their own separate areas and do not have to move about amidst the manoeuvres.

The same principle applies to the aft cockpit. This area is completely free from manoeuvring, as these tasks have been transferred to the flybridge.

A long awning shields the cockpit from the sun and extends far enough aft to provide shade for part of the decks. A large table can seat around ten people. The boat also features a hydraulic platform at the stern.

Special attention paid to harbour manoeuvres

For a catamaran approaching nine metres in width, harbour manoeuvres are inevitably a major consideration.

Simbad has incorporated assistance cameras and a system designed to facilitate approaches. The bulwarks, in particular, house cameras linked to the boat’s protection system.

Mooring has also been carefully considered. Capstans are positioned near the cleats, and motorised devices are installed at the stern to make it easier to take up the mooring lines, particularly when the wind makes the manoeuvre difficult.

This array of solutions illustrates the project’s overall philosophy quite well: the luxury of the Simbad 55 is not based solely on materials or décor, but also on features designed to simplify its day-to-day use.

A very light-filled interior designed by Franck Darnet

Inside, the approach remains much the same: the Simbad 55 seeks understated luxury rather than a spectacular display.

The saloon benefits from a 360-degree view of the outside and plenty of natural light. Walnut plays a prominent role in the décor, whilst storage and technical access points are largely integrated into the furnishings.

The first unit presented features a rather unusual layout, as the galley is not situated in the main saloon. It is located in the hull and has a separate entrance, which is also used by the crew. A crew cabin with an en-suite bathroom is fitted in the forward section.

This choice helps to free up a considerable amount of space in the main saloon.

However, it is not imposed on future owners. Simbad has planned several layout options. The galley can be situated either on the upper or lower deck, and various cabin configurations are possible.

One version, in particular, dedicates an entire hull to the owner, with two guest cabins in the opposite hull. A four-cabin layout is also being considered.

Three trim levels rather than a long list of options

The business model adopted by Simbad Yachts is another distinctive feature of the project.

Rather than announcing a starting price to which a long list of options would then be added, the builder has defined three coherent trim levels, ranging from Select to Légende.

Each configuration is designed to be a boat that is genuinely ready to sail.

The Légende version on display at La Grande-Motte represents the top-of-the-range model. It stands out in particular for its carbon mast, pearlescent paintwork and level of equipment. Less sophisticated versions may feature an aluminium mast, a simpler paint finish and a less powerful engine.

The price differences are, unsurprisingly, significant. According to figures released during BateauScopie, the entry-level version is priced at around 1.8 million euros, whilst the Simbad 55 Légende presented at the show comes in at 3 million euros excluding tax, in a configuration advertised as ready to sail.

Simbad Yachts is entering a highly competitive market straight away

With the Simbad 55, the Spanish shipyard has therefore opted for an ambitious positioning right from its very first boat.

The market for 50- to 60-foot catamarans is currently particularly competitive, with established builders and an increasingly wide range of options. However, Simbad Yachts does not appear to be keen on rapidly expanding its model range. For the time being, the yard considers that 55 feet is a logical size for its long-distance cruising programme, and prefers to develop several variants of the same boat rather than an immediately extensive range.

The first hull in particular illustrates the chosen strategy: combining long-range cruising, ease of manoeuvring, high-quality construction and relatively understated luxury in a catamaran designed for owners who wish to continue helming and sailing the boat themselves.

ActuNautique invites you to discover this approach in detail in this episode of BateauScopie, filmed in La Grande-Motte to mark the first public unveiling of the new Simbad 55.