Introducing the NAHOA 55
The Ultimate Expedition Machine
The Nahoa 55 is a collaboration between Ben & Ashley who have just finished their first circumnavigation. Between Todd Rickard who has helped develop and build over a dozen bare aluminum expedition style passage makers and David de Villiers, an experienced naval architect with over hundreds of designs and builds in his repertoire.
The purpose of the Nahoa 55 is to excel at both passage making and exploration at anchor. These two activities can often be at odds with each other as a high performance vessel requires extremely narrow hulls and small living quarters while the best vessel for exploration at anchor requires lots of space.
After sailing around the world for the past 8 years we sat down and envisioned a vessel that epitomizes low maintenance, robustness, and superior performance with the ability to explore all corners of the world. The Nahoa 55 is a complete re-think of what embodies an expedition catamaran. From the icy waters of Alaska to the balmy tropics, this machine is designed to transport our family with unparalleled safety and comfort.
Sailing around the world is a monumental task. From navigating foreign waters to procuring broken parts; a full-time job and more. As we reflect on our first circumnavigation, our sights are firmly set on the horizon for the next laps around the world. The Nahoa 55 is born from all the lessons we've learned from the past 8 years and 50,000+ nautical miles.
Our objective is to craft a vessel that not only showcases redundant systems and optimized layouts but stands as a machine capable of crossing oceans with ease and comfort.
Quality & Certification
Often, we venture to places that push the boundaries of what's acceptable for a cruising catamaran. The Nahoa 55 has been designed not merely to comply with Lloyd’s SCC and relevant ISO rules for stability, buoyancy, and watertight compartments, but to surpass them.
Many vessels built in Asia and various home-build kits are not designed to meet or be certified to CE or ISO standards. This fact becomes frightening, especially when you find yourself caught in heavy weather hundreds of miles offshore. Given that the Nahoa 55 is conceived as an Expedition-style catamaran, having a design that not only meets but exceeds certifiable standards is of paramount importance.
The Nahoa 55 isn't just bulletproof in its physical attributes but also on paper.
Play vs Performance
When sailing around the world, you spend approximately 80% of the time at anchor. Leaning too heavily towards performance is a double-edged sword; Performance implies less space aboard. So you arrive at destinations even earlier, subsequently spending more time at anchor, all while having less space.
We envision the Nahoa 55 as a platform for exploration. Sailing to new places and then exploring them through fishing, diving, kiting, and swimming.
Wine Glassing
We’ve kept this under wraps, but let’s uncork this feature: the delightful 'wine-glassing' of the hulls. Speed on a sailboat is influenced by several factors, with one significant one being the wetted surface area (i.e., drag). Simply put, the more surface area underwater, the slower the boat moves. That's why high-performance catamarans tend to be very narrow, while modern cruising cats are notably (double) wide.
The 'wine-glassing' of the hulls is a compromise that allows for reduced wetted surface area while still creating more interior space. If you examine a cross-section of the hulls, you'll notice they flare outwards above the waterline, mimicking the shape of a wine glass. This design not only minimizes drag but also maximizes usable space inside, striking a delicate balance between speed and space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I purchase a Nahoa 55 ?
We're getting everything sorted for the Nahoa 55 and are on the lookout for the right place to build her. It's not just about the cost – we're checking out the whole scene, like the rules for bringing stuff in and out of the country (import/export duties), if the place is stable (South Africa load shedding anyone?), and whether the folks doing the work are up to snuff. We've seen our share of tricky situations, like dealing with dodgy officials and shoddy work, so we're dotting our i's and crossing our t's to make sure you won't have to deal with that headache. At the end of the day, it's our reputation on the line, and we won't compromise or be swayed by promises that yards can't keep.
What is the build time?
Anywhere from 12-18 months depending on what options you choose.
What are the trade-offs?
The Nahoa 55 is not for everyone. Every boat will have trade-offs. Too performant and you loose on comfort. Too comfortable and you loose on performance.
Ultimately, we're not here to sell you a boat. The Nahoa 55 is a reflection of our own experiences and lessons learned at sea. It's crafted for those who dream of sailing to distant shores with a focus on safety and low maintenance. While we've emphasized durability and safety, we haven't overlooked speed. The Nahoa 55 can comfortably achieve 200-mile days, cruising at an average of 10 knots. This is the boat we will be taking around the world for our 2nd, 3rd, 4th lap with our children aboard.
If you sign up below, you will be on the short list for information on where to build yards as they become available.
Specifications
| Length | 16 meter (55'9") |
| Beam OA | 8.050m (26′ 5″) |
| Draught (Fixed Keel) | 1.250m (4′ 1.2″) |
| Displacement | 16160 KG (35626 LBS) |
| Hull Speed under power | 10 Knots approx. |
| Engines | 114 HP 2 x Yanmar 4JH57 |
| Air Draft | 23.03m |
| Sail Area Upwind | 166.0m² (177sq ft.) |
| Bridgedeck Clearance | 845mm (2′ 9.29″) |
| Fuel Capacity | 1110 litres (239 USG) |
| Fresh Water Capacity | 900 litres (238 USG) |
| Solar Capacity | 3150 Watts |
Want to own a Nahoa 55?
