The South of France is about as picturesque of an environment as you can imagine, and if you ever have a chance to hit the lovely waters of the Western Mediterranean in a chartered yacht, it will be an experience that you won’t forget.
I recently had the privilege of cruising the waters off the popular seaside resort town of Cannes (home of the famous film festivals) by way of a Fountaine Pajot Eleuthera 60 yacht charter, and I can confidently say that this cruising catamaran far exceeded my expectations.
With a group of good friends and a skilled crew to guide our course, I was able to experience the best of what the Eleuthera 60 has to offer, and to say that I was impressed with this multihull cruiser would be a huge understatement.
Accommodation
Born from a collaboration of two of the finest minds in boat architecture–Berret and Racoupeau–the Eleuthera 60 has received high remarks ever since its much-anticipated debut in 2004.
There are five different layouts available, but our yacht featured four double bedrooms with our own showers and toilets.
You can definitely detect an emphasis on high comfort levels as this yacht comes equipped with a large refrigerator and freezer, water maker, ice maker, laundry machine, dishwasher, and a large water tank.
Your charter comes with two crew members (a skipper and a mariner), whose accommodations are within the bows of each hull.
The mariner is typically a great chef and does a fantastic job of keeping the refrigerator full (along with everyone’s stomachs).
Interior
Not enough can be said about the attention to detail that has been given to this stylish cruiser, both inside and out.
The interior of the Eleuthera 60 features docks, wood surfaces, and clean lines, a treat for the eyes to go along with the overall luxurious setting.
It also has a large cockpit with a teak floor, as well as a striking banquet-sized dinner table that can seat between eight to ten al fresco diners.
Entering into the spacious saloon, you will be greeted by another generously-sized table (which seats five), along with a nav station (forward-facing to port) and a spacious kitchen located behind the bar.
When you first come aboard this roomy cat, your imagination will kick into overdrive in terms of the entertainment possibilities this vessel offers, and you will quickly see how chartering an excursion on the Eleuthera 60 would definitely be a fun, comfortable and relaxing ride.
Exterior
With 60 feet of overall length, the Eleuthera 60 has wide decks and a smart layout that gives you a solid platform upon which to work.
Its hulls feature a rockered shape as well as short keels, which makes this cat very responsive to its rudders (yes, I talked the skipper into letting me operate the Eleuthera for a small stretch).
Under Sail
We were graced by the sea gods with fine weather on our sailing excursion, but not without a little chop in the waters.
Fortunately, the 542 was well able to negotiate this turbulence, slicing through the chop like a hot knife through butter and offering little in the way of rolling like many top-heavy boats have a tendency to do in similar conditions.
This is primarily due to the boat’s low profile and narrow hulls, both of which make it a very capable performer in stiff breezes and less-than-calm waters.
As we continued playing the waves and the shifts, it became more and more evident to me that this performance cat not only offers outstanding luxury and comfort, but it actually sails well–a rare combination if you can find it.
Under Power
We enjoyed the sharp performance of the boat’s twin 75hp Yanmar engines, which easily managed an impressive 7.2 knots at 2,000 rpm.
The boat offered outstanding handling, basically turning on a dime when we experimented with it a little by playing each of the engines against one other (one forward and one in reverse).
It should be noted that some 542s feature twin 75hp Volvo Penta engines instead of the Yanmars, but the general consensus among experienced cruisers is that the Yanmars are the best way to go in terms of overall performance.
The 542 vs. the Open 40
The Nautitech 542 definitely leads the way in terms of LOA, offering nearly 14 additional feet of length over the Open 40.
Engine power for the 542 is also notably higher, with twin 75hp Yanmar engines versus the Open 40’s twin 21hp Yanmars with sail drive (e.g., horizontal input and output shaft) transmission system.
The sail area for the 542 is 1,550 square feet (full main and jib), versus only 979 square feet for the Open 40.
Both vessels are designed by Marc Lombard, so you really can’t go wrong with either choice, but for those who want a little more room as well as more engine power, the Nautitech 542 definitely has a clear advantage.
Why Sail the Nautitech 542
* Exceptional handling even in stiff breezes and choppy waters
* Top-notch materials and construction
* Powerful and robust rig
* Helms have an excellent feel
* Luxurious interiors
* Fantastic open views of the sea
In Conclusion
The Nautitech 542 not only looks great but sails great as well. It is the mark of an exceptional designer to offer outstanding aesthetics along with premium performance, and the 542 has both in spades.
The boat’s remarkable performance and handling are no mistakes; they come from the designer’s commitment to top-notch quality, which is what most Nautitech owners have come to expect from this storied builder.
This is the type of boat that a family or group of friends could take onto the open waters and enjoy spacious accommodations, luxurious relaxation, and top-quality performance.
If you haven’t yet experienced a chartered sailing excursion aboard the Nautitech 542, you don’t know what you’re missing!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nautitech
- Engine Make Yanmar:
- Engine Power: Hp 2 x 75
- Length (M): 16.3
- Draft: 1.54
- Beam: 8.55
- Weight: 14.9
- Decks Material: Polyester/ fiberglass composite
- Engine: Yanmar
- Horsepower: 2 x 75 HP
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Cabins: 4
- Berths:10
- Bathroom: 4
Have you sailed the Nautitech 542? If so, share your experience in the comment below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.