Greencat 52

A catamaran like no other: it’s not often that a professional boatbuilder ventures to build a one-off, and an eco-responsible one at that. Philippe Renaudeau is a specialist in yacht design and large-tonnage vessels, but his primary passion is sailing. He set about designing a catamaran that was light, uncluttered, relatively traditional in terms of deck layout and interior, and finally, eco-responsible: “This multihull, intended for offshore cruising, was initially to be built in epoxy plywood. I wanted to break away from fashion and have a lightweight unit. For me, this means I can sail faster and get to safety more quickly if necessary. What’s more, there’s less stress on the rig and structure.” At the same time, there was a couple looking for a catamaran suitable for a round-the-world trip for two, that would be easy to handle and feature an Owner’s hull... it was Michel Vermeulen who received their very first request, “in a three-line e-mail”, he laughs. This marine industry professional made the connection with the architect and the Chantier de l’Arsenal, and the project got under...