Nautitech Open 40 Yacht Charter – The Irresistible Cat!

The Nautitech Open 40 was a new experience for me, and not just because it was a model I’d never sailed before. The Open 40 has a unique layout that intrigued us and had us marveling at how such a change could make a sailing trip seem so different.

Instead of the galley and saloon being located below deck, the customary social center of the boat is moved to a widened cockpit on deck.

The Nautitech Open 40 Yacht Charter is the perfect boat for sailors who want to spend as much time as possible on deck but still be well protected from the elements.

The Open 40 was a wholly pleasant surprise, and I enjoyed all the little details that went into the design of this vessel.

Accommodation

The Nautitech Open 40 is available in a charter version or an owner version. The charter boat has 4 cabins and 2 heads, while the owner’s layout features a massive master suite.

Showers are in each head, located in the main cabin head and off the combination cockpit/saloon.

We had no trouble fitting everyone onboard, and it was especially nice being able to go below deck and get away from everyone if you needed some privacy. This is especially useful for moody teenagers!

It should be noted that the “open 40” does not come with a crew, but there is the possibility to hire a crew if you desire one. The crew usually consists of a skipper, a hostess, and a cook.

The cockpit layout is fantastic for skippering the vessel yourself and still remaining part of the group at all times, but I can see the usefulness of a crew onboard as well. Either way, you go; you’re in for a fun time!

Interior

The Open 40 is one of the few yachts where the interior and exterior collide. Technically, the saloon and galley are part of the interior, even though the design is an open concept.

The saloon is furnished with huge bench seats that can fit 8-10 people seated or 5-6 people in a lounging pose.

The table is large enough to accommodate everyone. The entire saloon is surrounded by windows, offering passengers an incredible view.

The galley is off the saloon and can be separated by a sliding glass door or left open to keep the cook as part of the group.

The galley is equipped with a 2-burner stove, a small refrigerator, and a handful of other essentials, but is not ideal for cooking meals.

We found that breakfast and lunch were easy enough to prepare onboard, but dinner required a trip to dry land.

Exterior

Since the cockpit of the Open 40 is part of a supersized multi-purpose area, the entire design of the yacht has been altered in comparison to traditional sailing yachts.

The twin helms extend out to the hulls and lend stability and ease of control when skippering the vessel.

Equipped with electric winch control and Garmin MFD, the yacht is a joy to skipper, and I was amazed at how little effort it took to dock the boat the first time we tried.

The single drawback of the cockpit, in my opinion, was that the wheels are exposed to the elements, and you would find skippering on a long-term trip difficult.

Under Sail

In a high wind, we could reach around 10 knots at a 110-degree wind angle before we knew it!

As long we used the jib, we would hover around 8-10 knots, but even without the use of the jib, we could reach 7-8 knots in a good wind.

The boat remained stable and rode the water smoothly as we watched the faraway land fly while we relaxed on the deck.

Why Sail the Nautitech 40

  • Unique construction and design add stability and increase performance
  • The decks will stay mostly dry due to the configuration of the boat
  • The cockpit is directly attached to the galley and saloon, optimizing space
  • The layout of the boat offers the skipper a 360-degree vantage point from any position
  • Spacious cabins with wide berths and other storage space
  • Easy to skipper and very responsive to the controls.

In Conclusion

My experience with the Nautitech Open 40 opened my eyes to a new kind of yacht. If you have the opportunity to charter this vessel, do not hesitate!

The open design is a novelty to many sailors, but this is not a flash-in-the-pan trend, so don’t scoff just because it’s different.

Your only regret would be if you never got the chance to try out this fast, fun, and sailor-friendly vessel!

Specifications

  • LOA: 11.98m
  • LWL: 11.50m
  • Beam: 6.50m
  • Draught: 1.35m
  • Sail area: 91sq m
  • Gennaker: 70sq m
  • Water: 480 liters
  • Fuel: 300 liters
  • Cabins: 4 to 6
  • Berths: 8 to 11

Have you sailed on the Nautitech Open 40? If so, please, share your experience in the comment below.

Fountaine Pajot Victoria 67 Review – What Makes Her Stand Out!

The Fountaine Pajot Victoria 67 is a vessel that makes finding faults a difficult task. I have always been struck by the Fountaine Pajot policy of staying modern by utilizing only tried and true technology in their boats.

This method makes these boats cutting-edge, but only after all the technical issues have been worked out and the newest addition to savvy innovations has been proven.

My Fountaine Pajot Victoria 67 review will discuss what makes the vessel stand out from the rest and what keeps it in line with all the other modern catamarans available for charter.

If you’ve already decided on which cat to charter, this review may change your mind, so be warned!

Accommodation

The Victoria has impressive accommodation options for guests and the crew. A 6-cabin layout can be chosen with 4 large cabins and 2 smaller cabins, or a 5-cabin option that features 2 large bedrooms with 3 smaller cabins.

In both layouts, each cabin is equipped with a head, and the main cabins have showers. The crew cabins are housed in the bow.

It should be noted that the Victoria 67 comes with 3 crews, but the vessel is large enough to accommodate large parties and the required number of crew members to operate the vessel properly.

Interior

The first time I saw the galley and saloon below deck, I likened it to a luxury apartment. The galley is huge by boat standards and has lots of counter space for the chef to work.

Its central location makes it easy to watch meals being prepared or to converse as you and the guests lounge around the saloon. The windows provide a 360-degree view of the water and sky outside.

If the stars are out and the sky is clear, you will be in for a particular treat! Storage below the deck is ample, with queen-sized berths in the cabins and galley.

It was also nice having a lot of headroom; though I’m not particularly tall, it’s much better than feeling cramped or having to stoop over constantly.

Exterior

The flybridge was our favorite entertainment spot during our trip. Only the worst kind of weather could convince us to abandon the lounge area, which is large and perfectly situated in order to enjoy the company of the captain.

The flybridge is equipped with a refrigerator and a sink, so you have almost no reason to venture below deck until it can’t be helped. A stairway on either side of the flybridge increases the access to the deck.

The cockpit was our natural hideout whenever the rain didn’t cooperate with our plans. We had sunbathing beds and a dining table in our cockpit, which made it especially easy to move our little party around.

Under Sail

The Victoria’s incredible power under sail is aided by the mainsail and the genoa sheet. Even in poor winds, the sails manage to catch what there is, and the boat will average around 6-8 knots.

This, of course, is ramped up in better conditions, but we were cursed with low winds for much of our trip.

Fortunately, we didn’t miss out on much because we were busy enjoying other aspects of the Victoria.

Why Sail the Victoria 67

  • Up-to-date technology and design
  • Huge amounts of space
  • Comfortable, roomy lounge areas
  • Big galley that can be moved around easily
  • Lots of cabins and room for crew
  • Intimate and fun flybridge and cockpit design that encourage socialization.
  • Headroom
  • Fantastic views from everywhere on the boat, above and below deck

In Conclusion

The Victoria 67 is a big boat, but that’s just stating the most obvious fact!

It’s true that Victoria’s size is an asset and makes everything else that much more comfortable because of it, but I if the rest of its parts weren’t as well-chosen, this would just be a big boat that was okay to sail.

Instead, the Victoria is almost like a floating luxury hotel with the crew aboard.

I always suggest to friends (and anyone who will listen) who are considering a cruise to charter a Fontaine Pajot Victoria 67 as an alternative.

It’s more private, and personalized, and you don’t have to deal with any strangers who aren’t part of the crew.

Enjoy your next vacation on the Victoria, and bring the whole family, because there’s plenty of room!

For more information on Fontaine Pajot Victoria 67 charter boat:

Specifications

  • LOA: 20.42 m
  • Beam: 9.47 m
  • Maximum Draft: 1.55 m
  • Fresh Water Tanks: (3974 Liters)
  • Fuel Tanks: (5299 Liters)
  • Engine Brand: Volvo
  • Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 82 KW
  • Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 82 KW
  • Cabins: 4 to 5
  • Berths: 8 to 10

Have you already sailed the Victoria 67? If so, please feel free to share your comment below.

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