Set to be available with either three or four double cabins, Discovery believes the new catamaran will repeat its monohull success and draw a wide range of new buyers to the Discovery brand.

Set to be available with either three or four double cabins, Discovery believes the new catamaran will repeat its monohull success and draw a wide range of new buyers to the Discovery brand.



LONDON — Discovery Yachts, one of the most coveted brands in British
boat building, unveiled details of its future
direction with news of a new 50 ft luxury catamaran to sit
alongside the award-winning Discovery 55. The news was announced on the opening day, January 5, of the London Boat Show.

The south coast company is set to build on its growing
reputation in the blue-water cruising market by adding a
multihull to its successful monohull with the first
Discovery Spirit 50 catamaran due for launch later this
year.
Discovery Yachts chairman John Charnley said that interest
from prospective buyers around the world had prompted
expansion for the company.

"We have already had tremendous interest in the Discovery
Spirit 50 from blue-water cruising enthusiasts and those
looking to switch from powerboats to sail," said Charnley.

"There is a definite trend towards catamarans in the blue- water cruising market and we will be looking to build on the
success of our Discovery 55 as we expand into the multihull
market."

Comfort and safety together with bespoke interiors and the
ultimate in quality finishes will be carried over into the
catamaran which has come from the drawing board of world
renowned designer Bill Dixon.

Charnley said he was delighted to be able to widen the Discovery
range with the addition of a catamaran which will play an
integral role in the expansion of Discovery and of boat-
building in the UK.

"There is no doubt that the Discovery 55 has really set the
benchmark when it comes to blue-water cruising and with the
increased demand for catamarans we believe that this is the
right time to launch the Discovery Spirit 50," said Charnley.

Set to be available with either three or four double cabins,
Discovery believes the new catamaran will repeat its
monohull success and draw a wide range of new buyers to the
Discovery brand.

"This new design will have all the comfort and the stability
offered by a catamaran, the raised saloon seating we
introduced on the monohull and the forward facing navigation
station which has proved so central in ensuring that our
yachts can be sailed effortlessly by two people," said Charnley.
Features in the new Discovery Spirit 50 also include a vast
saloon with galley, dining area and deep comfortable
armchairs. Buyers will be able to customise their layouts.

Also important in the design has been trademark performance
and ease of handling — something which Discovery aims to
ensure is always at the heart of its products.

"What we have done with the catamaran is to concentrate on a
really fine hull shape to ensure good performance,? said Charnley. "Since
keeping weight down is so important to performance, the hull
and deck will be resin-infused composite construction with
extensive use of Kevlar and carbon fibre. The interior
furniture will also use composite materials for strength and
light weight."

"By keeping the structure strong, light and stiff we can
incorporate all the features that most people want on a long
distance cruising boat, such as good quality fridges,
freezers and air conditioning, and still deliver in terms of
luxury and performance," he continued.

The new boat is designed to be sailed
effortlessly by two people. Electric winches are standard,
and all the controls come back to the helm station which
means that one person can sail the catamaran.