There are many outstanding, even outrageous, things one can say about the HH44-SC catamaran. It’s the latest in a series of upscale boats conceived by HH CEO Paul Hakes, with structural engineering by the naval-architecture duo of Melvin & Morrelli and built in China by the Hudson Wang manufacturing conglomerate, which sold more than three dozen hulls on drawings and renderings alone, before a single boat was built. The waiting list is now about two years long.

I’m no math whiz, but with the boat’s sticker price, all up, of over $1.6 million, it’s safe to say that HH Catamarans had something like $50 million of orders on the books in advance of a sole customer actually pushing the button on an electric winch to raise the hefty, full-battened mainsail. Which leads to a pretty simple question: Who are those guys?

In an interview I conducted with Morrelli several years ago, he spoke about the sort of buyer drawn to the HH brand: “It’s unbelievable to me the percentage of newbie owners we attract to HH. More than 50 percent are first-time boat owners, guys who are buying $2 million and $3 million boats. I find that a bit shocking, but they were successful at something at some point in their life, and they’re trying to roll that success and confidence into something else.”

Allow me to take that one step ­further, because I’ve met a few HH owners, and I believe that the boat is catnip to a certain type of tech-savvy consumer. They definitely find the boat’s clean lines and tantalizing performance sleek and sexy, but they also are passionately drawn to the forward-thinking technology itself. I’ve heard folks refer to certain products in the marine sector as something Elon Musk might’ve dreamed up, but the HH44 may in fact be the closest thing there is to a Tesla of sailboats. I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that more than a few HH owners have one of those parked in their driveway. 

What, exactly, are those folks getting for their seven figures? There are two versions of the boat: the HH44-OC (Ocean Cruising), a dedicated bluewater cruising cat with mini keels instead of daggerboards; and the HH44-SC (Sports Cruising), a no-holds-barred rocket ship with C-shaped carbon boards, a solar array, and the company’s EcoDrive auxiliary propulsion package, which we’ll delve into shortly. The SC is the model we tested for the 2024 Boat of the Year contest. Spoiler alert: We were fairly blown away by the boat, and honored it with a Judges Special Recognition Award. Our sister publication, the performance-oriented Sailing World, named it overall Boat of the Year and described it as “the performance sailor’s retirement race boat.”

Aesthetically, in theme and execution, the HH44-SC presents a futuristic appearance. There’s a fixed bowsprit forward; ample freeboard in the relatively narrow hulls (at least compared with your average cruising cat from mainstream builders); a slash of integrated hull windows that offer natural light in the staterooms and double as a nice visual accent; a pair of drop-down swim platforms in the transoms; and a set of dinghy davits in between. The coachroof extends well aft and doubles as a hardtop Bimini over the cockpit, while serving as the base for the traveler and mainsheet arrangement, and as the base for more than 4,000 watts of mounted solar panels. 

Quick aside: The hulls are painted, and I reckon that more than a few owners will go with colors not usually found in genteel yacht surroundings. Our test boat, Titan, the first HH44-SC off the line, is bound for the Caribbean with a magnificent bright-red exterior. The intent is clear: You can go garishly or go home.  

Forward-facing windows in the main cabin can be opened to allow the fresh breeze to course through. M&M employed forward cockpits for steering and sailhandling in many of their previous designs, but eschewed that layout here. Instead, there’s a set of Jefa helm stations well aft that can rotate outboard for increased visibility when driving upwind, or that can be tilted inboard under the Bimini top in inclement conditions or to access line handling by gaining proximity to the winches. It’s a versatile, well-reasoned solution that I like a lot. I wish more cats were laid out similarly. 

Below, a dedicated en suite owner’s stateroom runs the length of the starboard hull. A pair of double-berth staterooms to port share a central head and shower. 

So, that serves as the basic overview of the 44-footer. But what about the ­technology? The big stories there are the propulsion and construction.

The most eye-opening feature is the hybrid auxiliary setup. Boat of the Year judge Tim Murphy is the educational director for the American Boat and Yacht Council and our go-to expert for all technical matters. Here’s his take on the system developed by UK firm Hybrid Marine: “It had the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion we’ve seen in the contest, starting with their parallel hybrid drive, a system unlike any we’ve inspected on any boat before this one.” 

Electric motors are built onto the back of the twin 30 hp Beta Marine diesels (or optional Yanmar 40 hp engines) with a coupling to the transmission. The electric motors can effectively be used as a pair of 5 kW generators to charge the battery bank. Adding regeneration while sailing provides up to 2 kW per shaft at 10 knots of boatspeed. An additional 43 kWh of energy is produced by the solar array on the cabin top.

What this translates to is silent ­operation under power in full electric mode, augmented by hydrogeneration to top off batteries while sailing, with the good old-fashioned reliability of those diesel engines as a backup, or for motoring through high pressure on passages. 

It’s a boat that covers a lot of bases, though Murphy is also quick to note that it will be interesting to see how all this translates to real-world operations, given that it’s new tech. He wouldn’t be ­surprised if, at the outset, there are ­growing pains bringing it all online (though company representatives note that the system has been used in European canal boats for more than 10 years). 

HH president Seth Hynes says: “At full battery capacity, you can run the boat at full throttle using the two 10-kilowatt electric motors and get 7 knots of boatspeed for approximately two hours. In light air, you can even keep your leeward electric motor running to build yourself some apparent wind.”

Murphy is also impressed with the build quality: “It’s thermal-foam construction with panels of Corecell foam core that’s heated up to make the complex shapes of the hull with no slits or kerfs in between. So you’re using those flat sheets to construct complex curves, and then you’re using the best resin ­available—which is epoxy—in the laminate, which also employs carbon cloth. This is infused epoxy construction, post-cured after that fact, so they are very, very high-quality hulls.” 

Carbon reinforcements are also used in high-load areas such as the wing deck, coachroof and daggerboard trunks. The Marstrom rig on the HH44-SC is all carbon (the OC version has a standard aluminum mast with the option to upgrade). 

At the end of the day, the reason one is attracted to a light, fast cat is pretty simple: performance. HH has been well-represented in previous Boat of the Year competitions, with its HH66, HH55 and HH50 all previous nominees (the latter two won awards in 2018 and 2021, respectively). To be honest, I’ve always been startled by the fact that many of these cats have gone to first-time boat owners with varying degrees of experience. I’ve been sailing for decades, and I’d be fairly intimidated to head offshore with a shorthanded crew on the larger HH cats, which are not simple vessels, but rather extremely powerful boats where things can escalate quickly if the first domino falls. 

One doesn’t need to be Superman, however, to sail the scaled-down HH44. Our test boat arrived in Annapolis, Maryland, with only a set of basic ­working sails (main, self-tacking ­staysail), so we didn’t get the full-on, off-wind power-reaching sleigh ride that is essentially the boat’s reason for being, but the sailing was still fast and sprightly. (A hat tip to the HH commissioning team, who had the boat sailing just two days after it was offloaded from a freighter in New Jersey.) Closehauled, with the deep, nearly 10-foot boards deployed, the boat tracked like a train and quite easily flirted with 10 knots of boatspeed. I can only imagine what it would be like to set a kite, then turn and burn, but it’s safe to say that you’ll regularly be registering double-digit boatspeeds. HH reps say that our test boat hit 23 knots on the delivery south to the Caribbean. 

All in all, the HH44-SC is quite a machine to behold. The story of ­production-boat building, starting way back in the 1960s, has been an ongoing evolution—piece by piece, boat by boat. Now this very cool cat has penned its own chapter. There’s really nothing else like it.

Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

FYI

The “HH” in HH Catamarans represents the initials of Chinese businessman and ­manufacturer Hudson Wang, who founded the company, and CEO Paul Hakes, a New Zealand boatbuilder who joined forces with Wang in 2012 to launch the brand. There are currently eight models in the HH lineup, ranging in size from 44 feet to 88 feet, including the HH50, which was named the Best Luxury Cruiser in the 2021 Boat of the Year contest. The HH Catamarans design team of Melvin & Morrelli is well-known for their America’s Cup contenders, maxi offshore cats such as the 125-foot PlayStation, the pioneering Gunboat cruising cats, and the current line of Rapido performance trimarans. 

The post Sailboat Review: HH Catamarans HH44 appeared first on Cruising World.

In just about every Boat of the Year contest, seemingly out of the blue, a nominee is so unique in its design and execution that the judging panel decides to honor its bold vision and innovation with the Judge’s Special Recognition prize. For 2024, this prize goes to the HH44. 

Judge Herb McCormick provided the overview: “We almost didn’t have the opportunity to sail the HH, which was offloaded from a freighter and rigged up near the close of our test days. Our test boat was Hull No. 2, called Titan, owned by a vastly experienced Caribbean sailor who was on board for our trial. He was one of more than three dozen sailors who purchased the boat sight unseen, from renderings, and was clearly thrilled with his choice. After our inspection and test sail, we could understand why. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any off-wind sails to truly put the boat through the paces, but we were still making close to 10 knots with just the working sails. So, as a high-performance cat, the boat gets high marks. Amazingly, with everything else going on with the boat, the sailing prowess was almost secondary.”

Judge Tim Murphy added: “It was far and away the most sophisticated hull-deck structure in the 2024 fleet: epoxy-infused E-glass and carbon fiber over thermoformed foam core. It featured the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion, starting with what the builders called ‘parallel hybrid’ drive. I have never seen this system on any boat before this one, with electric motors on the same shafts as the Beta Marine diesels (a marinized Kubota block). There are no alternators, but there’s 43 kilowatt-hours of solar on the cabin top. It’s possible that this was the best boat in this year’s fleet, but because there’s so much here that we’ve never seen in any boat before, I feel that we need a year to watch these boats and customers in the field and ask how they’re doing.”

Finally, judge Mark Pillsbury offered this assessment: “After stunning the Boat of the Year judges several years in a row with its carbon-fiber high-end cats, HH Catamarans introduced a second generation of cruising boat this year with a powerful sail plan and a unique hybrid form of propulsion. The 44 has both diesel and electric engines connected to its two prop shafts, and a lithium battery bank that can provide energy-efficient electric power or be recharged quickly when running in diesel mode. It’s an interesting boat for anyone looking to ride on the cutting edge when it comes to marine technology. But the propulsion systems aside, the HH was just a ball to sail. Tiltable wheels let you lean out in the breeze or stand inboard under cover, with a clear view through the salon’s vertical windows. With daggerboards, the boat handles well to windward. Cracked off to a reach, well, sit back and enjoy the puffs.”

Club Boat Charter and Highfield RIBs: A Sweet Ride

For our 2024 Boat of the Year contest, the judges arrived for our test sails in style, aboard a 2023 Highfield Patrol 540 with a four-stroke 90 hp Yamaha outboard, dual jockey seats and a rear tow/roll bar. Our team wishes to thank sponsor Club Boat Charter Company, which provided the sweet ride. 

Club Boat Charter Company was started by Lindsay and Alfredo Lopez in 2021 when their home club in Virginia, the Hampton Yacht Club, needed a coach boat for the summer-camp season. The Lopezes quickly recognized that sailing coaches, clubs, regatta organizers and parents never have enough charter RIBs available for events. The Club Boat Charter Company offers its fleet of seven RIBs, which range from 15 to 23 feet, for any sailing event where there is a need. Or, if you’re looking to purchase a new or used RIB, the club and its dealership, Hampton Roads Inflatables, can help. As they demonstrated during our Boat of the Year tests, they are committed to supporting the sport of sailing.

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It’s safe to say that there has never been a performance-oriented cruising boat quite like the HH44. In Cruising World’s annual Boat of the Year contest, the magazine’s judging panel became quite familiar with the brand’s previous models: the HH66, HH55 and HH50, all of which acquitted themselves extremely well. And the legendary multihull design team of Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin have a long list of cutting-edge accomplishments across the offshore-catamaran spectrum, prior to and including their association with HH Catamarans. Melvin & Morrelli are the real deal, with an extensive résumé of bluewater success to prove it.

But as the latest judging panel learned in sea trials on Chesapeake Bay following this past October’s US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, the HH44 is literally a different breed of cat, what the company rightfully refers to as HH’s “second generation” of twin-hulled yachts, one “that really kind of marks a shift toward a more environmentally friendly electric future.”

That shift to a hybrid approach to propulsion, with new advances in charging systems and battery maintenance, is a stunning story. But first things first. Like its siblings in the HH quiver, the new 44-footer first and foremost offers a joyful, unparalleled sailing experience. Despite the fact that the HH44 was fresh out of the box, only a couple of days removed from arriving on a freighter, under near-ideal conditions of 12- to 16-knots of steady breeze, the sprightly cat trucked to weather while flirting at 10 knots of boatspeed. With its deep daggerboard deployed, it tracked like a freight train with the lightest of helms. If you enjoy sailing, the HH44 will light you up.

And yet, that’s only half the narrative, and for some cruising sailors, it won’t even be the most alluring part.

That’s because the HH44 employed, first of all, a construction laminate that the Cruising World judges described as “the most sophisticated hull/deck structure in the entire fleet: epoxy-infused E-glass and carbon fiber in high-load areas over a thermoformed foam core. The thermoformed foam eliminates kerfs, and the extra resin weight in them.” Translation? A light, rigid, bulletproof layout that makes for an impressive combination of strength and speed in one beautifully rendered package.

But then, as the judges noted, HH doubled down on the technology that defines this boat: “It also had the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion, starting with their ‘parallel hybrid’ drive, a system unlike any we’ve inspected on any boat before this one.” Electric motors are built onto the back of the twin Beta Marine diesels with a coupling to the transmission. The electric motors can effectively be used as a pair of 5 kW generators to charge the battery bank. Adding regeneration while sailing provides up to 2 kW per shaft at 10 knots of boatspeed. An additional 43 kWh of energy are produced by the solar array on the cabin top.

What this translates to is silent operation under power in full electric mode, augmented by hydro-generation to top off batteries while sailing, with the good old-fashioned reliability of those diesel engines as a backup. It’s a boat that checks all the boxes.

To sum up, the HH44 is a fully found engineering marvel. It will take you wherever you wish to go—quickly, quietly and efficiently.

For more information on the HH44, visit www.hhcatamarans.com/hh44.

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Over the past several years, Jason and Nikki Wynn have become an internet sensation of sorts, documenting their ‘round the world cruising endeavors on their sailing YouTube channel “Gone with the Wynns,” which has grown to over a half a million subscribers, becoming the third most popular (and growing) sailing channel on YouTube today. Beginning this fall, they’ll be broadcasting their adventures from the decks of a sweet new ride—the eco-conscious and carbon-reinforced HH44 by HH Catamarans.

Poised to appeal to early tech adopters, world cruisers and serious sailors alike, the HH44 is a disruptive new entry in the catamaran market, and it’s ready to make waves as a strong 2024 Boat of the Year contender at its US premiere in Annapolis.

This new model from HH Catamarans is available in two versions: OC (Ocean Cruising) and SC (Sports Cruising). The HH44-OC is a fast, comfortable, family-friendly cruiser that skews toward ease of operation for bluewater cruising. It shares the same hull and interior fit and finish quality as the sportier HH44-SC but features an aluminum mast, e-glass longeron, white gelcoat finish and mini-keels as standard instead of daggerboards. The HH44-SC integrates the very latest in race boat technology but remains equally as comfortable as a family cruiser. This is a “no-compromise-boat” with C-shaped carbon daggerboards, a carbon rig, a painted hull finish, emissions-free motoring, cutting-edge solar integration and an EcoDrive as standard equipment.

Designed for hybrid propulsion and solar power, the HH44 was conceived from the ground up to work with a parallel electric/diesel hybrid, a 4,232 watt solar array on the cabin top and hydro-regeneration while sailing. HH’s EcoDrive provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume-free motoring at 7.5kts, instant torque for maneuvering, and hydro-regeneration while sailing, while also providing the reliability of trusty diesel engines as a backup. For technology shy owners, traditional standalone diesel engines with shaft drives are also offered.

The 4,232 watts of custom integrated solar come standard, as does an electric parallel hybrid with shaft drives, folding transoms, dual swing helm stations, forward opening salon windows, line tunnels, EVA foam decking and carbon fiber design detailing throughout.

Steer the boat from the outboard position with the wind in your hair and increased visibility of your sail plan. A fold-down helm seat stows out of the way or easily deploys when needed. Or, rotate the helm(s) inboard and steer from the protection of the three-seat sofa on the aft beam.

An angular cabin allows the two large, forward-facing windows to open fully from inside the 187 square-foot salon. Ceiling height is over 6’6” throughout. Comfort underfoot has been enhanced with non-skid EVA foam decking as standard.

Carbon and epoxy construction creates the strongest yacht possible without adding weight. All lines run under the deck to create an uncluttered walkway. Stanchions are 900mm tall for safety underway, and a continuous, unbroken toe rail runs the length of the deck with all hull and deck-joints fused and hidden.

An emphasis on craftsmanship and fit-and-finish is evident throughout, with foam core furniture and meticulous joinery, top of the line fixtures and Bosch electric appliances standard. Cabinet locks are cleverly hidden in the modern design and an optional pocket TV can deploy and spin to face the viewer. Optional RGB rope lighting throughout can be dimmed or change colors depending on your vision needs while night sailing or for setting the mood at anchor.

HH Catamarans HH44 Specifications

The post Nominee Spotlight: HH Catamarans HH44 appeared first on Cruising World.

At the upper end of the cost equation for the 2021 Boat of the Year contestants, there were three boats with a price tag north of seven figures, which in our viewpoint puts them into Luxury Cruiser territory. The Southerly 480 was the outlier of the three—very cool and versatile, but with older if proven technology—which steered us into a lively discussion of the merits of two truly state-of-the-art sailboats, the HH 50 and the Hylas 60. So the question was, how do you choose between excellent and exquisite?

The similarities, apart from their rarified sticker prices, were rather striking. Both built in the Far East. Both with similar Boat of the Year pedigrees, having each notched victories in previous contests. Both marketed similarly. Both with strong support systems for buyers, including the services of pro sailors who guide you through the first days of ownership. When you buy either a Hylas or an HH, you’re also buying into a quite exclusive family.

Of course, there’s also a huge difference. One boat has a single hull, the other a pair. Neither is right, or wrong. So it comes down to personal taste and sailing style and ambitions. Island hopping or ocean crossing? Blue water or backwaters? At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either one of these boats. If you have the wherewithal to buy one of them and you’re a good sailor and confident in your ability to handle a big boat—and these are both that—then who are we to say that one is a better choice than the other?

“I do think that these are two very good, very different expressions of cruising luxury,” Murphy said. “They represent the pinnacle of cruising luxury in 2021 as we know it.”

We couldn’t in good conscience choose between the two, so we didn’t. Each is named 2021′s Best Luxury Cruiser. Let’s delve deeper, starting with the HH 50.

“As I said earlier,” Murphy continued, “the HH is one of the two best-built boats in the fleet. Unlike the X40, it employs thermal form construction, which means they take flat panels of Corecell foam core and heat it up to make the complex shapes of the hull so that there are no slits or kerfs in the foam. In the simplest terms, you’re using that flat sheet to construct complex curves, and then you’re using the best resin available, which is epoxy, in the laminate. This is infused epoxy construction, post-cured after the fact. So this is a very, very high-quality hull.”

“This may have been one of the more interesting boats I’ve climbed aboard in terms of some of the gear choices that the owner made and the willingness of the builder to go along with them,” Pillsbury said. “For instance, the auxiliary engine was a Beta Marine diesel. And on earlier HHs, I kind of scratched my head as to whether a couple could really handle a big cat like this. But on this boat, a couple without a whole lot of big-boat sailing experiences was handling it just fine. The Jeffa steering was rack-and-pinion and very sweet. The self-tacking jib certainly made the boat a joy to sail upwind. And for a cat, it could actually sail very close to the wind. I thought the daggerboard controls were brilliant. It was just a simple continuous-line Antal winch. Not a much could go wrong there.”

Designed by the veteran cat designers Melvin & Morrelli, who brought the Gunboat line into existence, with the HH 50 they’ve moved on from the forward cockpit that distinguished those boats, and brought the helms aft and outboard, further establishing yet another trend in the moving target that is boat design. The visibility is outstanding, and the sensation of steering this boat, even in light airs, is otherworldly.

This is sailing, quite frankly, that was once unimaginable in a cruising boat. But to paraphrase Teri Hatcher on an old episode of Seinfeld, as far as the HH 50 is concerned, it’s real. And it’s spectacular.

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Over the years I’ve enjoyed some pretty special moments under sail: steering a big sloop downwind in the Pacific trades en route to Hawaii, crossing the Atlantic on a powerful 60-foot cat, rounding Cape Horn under spinnaker on a stout steel cutter. But nothing — and I mean nothing — quite prepared me for the pure, sheer joy of driving the exquisite HH66 on a tight reach on Chesapeake Bay.

Sitting in the comfortable molded seat outboard and aft on the portside quarter (an identical helm is situated to starboard), with one hand I grasped the light, balanced tiller; at the same time, the fingertips of my other hovered over the push buttons in the armrest that controlled all the critical sailhandling and performance features. Without even moving, the traveler (up and down), main and jib sheets (in and out), and daggerboards (raised and lowered) were at my command. So too was the “panic button” you’d press to immediately dump and de-power the mainsail and vang in the unfortunate circumstance of becoming suddenly overpowered in a gusty breeze. One must pay close attention when driving this steed.

I must confess that it was hard to do while tearing across the bay in a sweet 12- to 14-knot breeze. Bearing off in the lulls and feathering up in the puffs, steering the boat was a dynamic experience, like driving a Porsche on a winding road. Meanwhile, the speedo ascended in ever-increasing increments: 8.2 knots, 10.4 knots, 12.5 knots. It seemed effortless, as if it was all unfolding in slow motion. That is, until you glanced over the side and saw the water rushing past in a blue blur. That, my friends, is entertainment.

Our Boat of the Year judging team was justifiably impressed with the cat. “Holy moly, it’s a carbon 66-foot catamaran that displaces less than 40,000 pounds,” said Tim Murphy. “This clearly is not for mere mortals; it’s a boat that’s intended to be sailed with a professional crew, and they’d need some serious training to handle it. It’s designed by Morrelli & Melvin, and it’s a boat where they talk upfront about flying a hull on a big cruise-worthy catamaran, as if it were a Hobie cat. Along with foiling, as we saw in the America’s Cup, this is a new concept in how we sail our boats. To go out there and do that on purpose is remarkable.”

“I’d agree with the excitement as far as the sailing performance goes,” said Ed Sherman. “With the tiller in hand (there is also an inside steering station like the one on the HH55; see “The Future is Now,” opposite), and the ready access to the sailing controls, it was a great experience because the tiller is so light and easy. The boat just snaps to with every move you make. So that was quite a treat. But I do agree that this isn’t a couples boat, or at least one that a couple would sail alone. There’s just too much going on. I don’t see a ­middle-aged husband-and-wife team sailing this boat around the world, at least without having some people on board to help them out.”

“I didn’t know that sailing a high-performance 66-foot catamaran with a tiller was on my bucket list, but I’ve added it to my mine and checked it off!” said Bill Bolin. “You’d want some experienced hands to help sail it. I think I counted 19 ‘strings’ — halyards, sheets, reefing lines and so forth — in the forward cockpit, where all the actual job of sailing the boat takes place. That’s a lot to keep track of.”

“Our heads were spinning,” seconded Murphy, to which Bolin replied, “Exactly right!”

Like its 55-foot sister ship, the workmanship on the HH66 is simply impeccable. The construction materials and details are similar to the smaller boat. It would be impossible to describe all the neat features of the boat in a short review. The staterooms are luxurious, and the builder encourages customization in the accommodations plan. A locker with the generator, hydraulics, batteries and so forth is located forward, for ideal weight distribution. The coachroof of our test boat was adorned with a couple dozen flexible solar panels to maximize energy independence. Heck, the bloody boat we inspected had a built-in piano!

Of course, all this ­technology and craftsmanship comes at a cost, in this example north of $4 million. It’s ­obviously not for the faint of ­wallet. But as a testament to how far contemporary boat ­design and ­execution has evolved, it’s nothing less than an ­engineering marvel. As for ­sailing the HH66, some would call it a near-spiritual ­experience. And they’d get no argument from me.

Herb McCormick is CW’s ­executive editor.

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If you truly loved catamarans, if money were no object, if you wanted high performance but also wished for a boat that you could actually sail as a couple, if state-of-the-art carbon-fiber construction were something you could really understand and appreciate, what would you buy?

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the HH55.

Built in China to exacting standards, and created by the renowned multihull designers and partners Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin, the HH55 looks and feels like something conceived and launched in a future time and place, and deposited here in 2018 as if by time machine. Tellingly, the naval ­architects, Morrelli and ­Melvin, and one of the principal boatbuilders, New Zealander Paul Hakes, were all involved in the development and evolution of the original Gunboat brand. With the HH55, they’ve taken that concept and run with it.

The 55-footer certainly looks and feels like a next-generation Gunboat. The hulls maximize the waterline length and boast what might be called a reverse sheer line, and the bows, which look slick and pierce waves, are swept slightly aft. And there are definitely some overlapping features to a Gunboat, the most prominent being the forward steering station inside the central saloon (though you can also opt for twin wheels aft) that opens up to a forward cockpit where all the sheets, halyards and reefing lines live. It’s clean, functional and has withstood the test of modern times.

The materials and technology incorporated in the HH55 would not be out of place on Starship Enterprise. Carbon fiber is employed throughout in a sandwich laminate that incorporates infused epoxy resins and Core-Cell foam cores, which makes the boat lean and strong and also provides sound and heat insulation. Rod rigging is eschewed in favor of light, durable aramid fibers. The fractional spar and V-shaped boom are prepreg carbon that’s baked in an autoclave. A CZone digital control and monitoring system, linked to a B&G ­Hercules central processing unit, provides a seamless electrical interface among all electronic components and state-of-the-art autopilots and sailing instruments. It’s all powered by lithium-ion batteries.

In the interior layout, customization is both available and encouraged. On the model we tested, the owners suite spanned the length of the entire port hull, with a comfortable double berth aft and a large head with an enormous shower stall, forward. The starboard hull housed double cabins in the ends, with separate heads. The main cabin is airy and equipped with an ample galley, dedicated nav station and spacious dining area; sliding glass doors open up to create a vast, seamless space between the interior saloon and the outdoor aft cockpit, which features a second dining table, sun bed, wet bar and barbecue. Luxurious is the word that readily leaps to mind.

Not surprisingly, the bloody boat sails like a witch. The curved carbon daggerboards maximize the performance and control. The helm is as smooth and silky as can be. During our test sail on Chesapeake Bay, in about 11 knots of true wind, the HH55 slipped through the water like a hot knife through butter. During our Boat of the Year contest, only one boat surpassed the 55’s sailing prowess, its bigger, more powerful sister, the HH66 (see “Hook In and Hang On,” opposite).

Our BOTY judges were smitten by the yacht. Bill Bolin was impressed with the arrangement and functionality of the galley: “I thought it was exceptional. It’s U-shaped and very deep. The crew would be out of the way of the traffic patterns, with people moving around and going in and out of either hull or the staterooms or heads. It was very well thought out.” Ed Sherman said, “I like the way it’s laid out. The builders have demonstrated that they can build a cruising-­oriented boat that offers a good turn of speed and performance, but a couple can run it without outside assistance. It’s a really cool boat.”

Of course, with a price tag over $2.5 million, it better be. But for those well-heeled enough to afford it, it might just be a bargain. It’s hard to imagine more fun at any price.

Herb McCormick is CW’s executive editor.

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HH 66

HH Catamarans announced the newest addition in their new line of luxury, performance, carbon fiber cruising cats Monday. Renowned naval architects Morrelli and Melvin will lead the design team, and the yacht will be built by Hudson Yacht Group at their state-of-the-art production facility in Xiamen.

The HH48 will fill a void in the semi-custom high performance catamaran market – a robustly built, blue water capable, fast cruiser with intelligent yet simple systems ideally suited for the owner-operator. The 48 will adhere to HH Catamarans’ core philosophies: advanced design, lightweight construction and luxurious finish, but will aim to reach a slightly different audience. For the sailor who’s serious about safety, speed, comfort, technology and style, the HH48 will offer the best of all worlds in a compact, easy-to-manage package.

“I’m excited,” HH President Paul Hakes said, “we’ve been working through the conceptual stages of design for quite some time now. We feel the HH48 will appeal to discerning sailors that have been wanting an easier-to-manage blue water catamaran with the quality of design and construction that make a great enduring yacht. Although smaller than the HH55, the living space inside is still plentiful. This remains a big volume boat with excellent payload capacity, meaning that even when fully loaded for world touring this boat will still perform to expectations. We have at least five prospects who have expressed serious interest in a slightly smaller, simpler version of our HH cats that can be run without crew. The HH48 will retain the best features and benefits of our existing models but will widen our market base by offering a top quality product that’s currently not available elsewhere.”

Deck layout and sailing systems have been designed with the owner operator in mind. Dual helm stations aft provide excellent visibility and allow the helmsman total sail control from either side of the boat. Push button mainsheet and self-tacking jib are standard. For those who wish to optimize performance, a powerful 520sqft overlapping solent is optional. All line handling is done from the helm stations, opening up the rest of the boat for living space. Future development will provide a new deck and interior layout, allowing for the option of a forward helm station, a popular option which allows for total boat operation from the safety and comfort of the saloon. Like in the larger HH models, the HH48 will have curved “C” daggerboards with optional push-button controlled line drivers. Fully retracted boards will yield a draft of 2.25 ft (0.68m), allowing the boat to comfortably navigate shallow waters.

The HH48 features a spacious general arrangement. The large saloon offers a generous sized galley to starboard with an island just outboard of centerline. Seating for six around a large dining table and a dedicated navigation station are to port. When at anchor the forward sail handling area easily converts to an a comfortable forward facing seating area. An attractive ‘eyebrow’ around the cabin top adds to the aggressive styling but is very practical in creating much needed sun shade in the saloon as well as creating a safety hand hold when walking the side decks. The aft cockpit is perfect for entertaining: an L-shaped settee and table set the stage for dining alfresco, made complete by an integrated wetbar and barbecue.

Down below you’ll find a luxury queen cabin aft in each hull. On port side, the master, which offers an office/lounge space amidship with substantial storage space and a generous head and separate shower forward. The guest side is to starboard with separate head and shower amidship and a third cabin forward. Dual companionways allow easy access to the saloon from either starboard cabin.

According to HH in-house designer James Hakes, the team is confident the HH48 will establish a new benchmark for the owner operated performance cruising cat, “Our ultimate goal here is a quick, strong, user-friendly boat. With very modern lines the 48 is beautiful and makes a statement of quality and style. Practical and robust, it will be the perfect boat for a couple who want to sail around the world or a group of friends looking to island hop through the Caribbean or South Pacific. We haven’t forgotten the sailor looking to take home the regatta silverware; with Morrelli and Melvin’s renowned abilities to deliver vessels with enhanced performance, we’ve given the 48 a generous sail plan that is well balanced with advanced rudder and dagger foils, and lightweight carbon construction that will satisfy the racer too.”

Though not finalized, the design brief for the HH48 allows for significant cost reduction in comparison to the larger HH models. Alternatives to carbon rigging and construction materials will be offered, as well as incentives for buyers who stick to the standard specification and a la carte options. Standard options will include dual aft helm steering stations or a forward helm station, three or four cabin layout, and many other standard possibilities to complete the package.

The HH48 design will undergo a final round of review and market feedback before tooling commences in the spring. The first hull is expected to launch in the fall of 2018.

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For more information, visit www.hhcatamarans.com

HH 66

HH 66

HH 66

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Xiamen, China – HH6601 R-SIX began sea trials today in Xiamen, China. The 66′ carbon catamaran is the first in a new line of luxury, performance, carbon cruising cats. Built by Hudson Yacht & Marine, R-SIX is the result of three years of efforts in design, engineering and leading construction methods. HH Catamarans Designer Gino Morrelli was onboard for today’s trials, along with company President Paul Hakes. As a team of world leading sailors, craftsmen and system engineers began to put the boat through her paces, a collective anticipation and excitement electrified the scene.

“I’m excited,” Gino said before leaving the dock, “there’s always mixed feelings of suspense and excitement the first day out on a new design, it’s mostly excitement though.”

Weeks of rain, heavy fog, and grey skies cleared for the day’s events, making way for brilliant blue skies and steady 10-15kt winds. With the weather setting the tone, R-SIX followed suit, demonstrating incredible power and grace on her first outing. Though the day’s primary goal was systematic testing, the boat show’d immense potential, hitting speeds in the mid-teens with ease.

HH Project Manager William Jelbert summed it up well, “We had an incredible day. I think this is the first sea trial of a new series I’ve been on where nothing broke. The boat feels fantastic, we’re all thrilled with the result.”

Perhaps the most apt description of the day came from Italian/Australian/South African boat building veteran Riccardo Marton, “We’re off to a perfect start, a dream boat, fantastic people, a lekker day. This is what makes it all worth it.”

Sea trials will continue throughout the next several weeks, and R-SIX will be bound for the Med in May. HH6601 will make her official debut in September at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

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