SPACE DISCOVERY
Where we tested: Western Solent, UK
Conditions: wind 20-25 knots, wind against tide
Model: MkII with four-cabin version and extensive optional upgrades to sails and equipment
Many of us who dream of long-term cruising want to do it in comfort, preferably in a quality build from a respected brand. With monohulls, we’d be spoilt for choice in the 50-60ft range with yachts from quality yards such as Oyster, Hallberg-Rassy, Contest and Amel to choose from.
But what if we want the extra space and versatility that a multihull offers? The multihull market has burgeoned in the last decade, but the traditional yards typically don’t build catamarans. In fact, surprisingly few specialise in high-end cruising multihulls.
John and Caroline Charnley, the founders of Discovery Yachts, realised this over a decade ago when they commissioned Bill Dixon to design a 50ft catamaran for short-handed bluewater voyaging. It was, in fact, the same concept on which they’d built their successful monohull business.
‘Choosing a multihull is often a head over heart decision’
While the Charnleys were cruising the oceans in their new catamaran, Discovery changed hands and management teams a couple of times. Its models have recently been revitalised, and that includes the Bluewater 50. We went to Lymington to trial the latest boat, built for Werner Schnaebele, who recently became the 100%
