The world of luxury power catamarans just keeps getting bigger and better. But now it’s also getting lighter and faster, as well.
Indeed, the new long, low and lean 86-foot catamaran named Laniakea from Latitude Yachts is designed to be the lightest in the world for its size. Now being built at the Latitude factory in Riga, Latvia, on the Baltic, it is made of carbon fiber composite and will weigh in at 49.5 tons, or 30 or 40 tons less than other power cats the same size that are made of traditional fiberglass or aluminum.
The light weight, of course, not only makes the yacht faster and more fuel efficient, but it also gives it an extraordinarily shallow draft of just 1’11” so it can navigate the shallows of the world without running aground. Laniakea is powered by four outboard waterjet engines designed in collaboration with BMW that produce 300-hp each. Top speed is estimated at 27 knots; cruising speed,16 knots.
Laniakea is the brainchild of Chulhum Park, Latitude’s chief designer who used to work for Palmer Johnson in the U.S. Bill Dixon, the superyacht designer in Southampton, UK, served as the naval architect.
The aerodynamic hull is designed to slice through waves, providing a safe and comfortable ride. The yacht carries a Class B Offshore rating. It has four guest cabins, plus two for crew.
Owners can work with Latitude to customize the layout to their own desires, but the factory is installing state-of-the-art smart technology for easy living on board and for navigation. Solar panels on the superstructure will generate energy to run the house systems. Laniakea is scheduled to be launched in 2025.
Specs.: LOA: 86’; Beam: 37’; Draft: 1’11”; Disp.: 49.5 tons; Fuel: 1,850 gals.; Water: 370 gals.; Power: 4×300-hp OXE Jet-Tech drives.
Read more at http://latitudeyachts.eu and see the video below:
