Broadblue Rapier 550

Broadblue Rapier 550 – throwing away the rule book on multihull layout

Specifications

LOA: 16.76m
BOA: 8m
Displacement (light) 9800kg
Draft: 1.3m
Category: Category A (Ocean)
MOCRA rating @ 10T =1.228
MOCRA rating @ 12T =1.162
Engine: 2 x 40hp on shafts diesel. Electric hybrid option is also available.
Fuel: 300ltrs
Water: 550ltrs
Rig: Fractional sloop coachroof stepped carbon mast and bow
sprit self-tacking headsail. Square topped, fully battened mainsail.
Bowsprit with fitting for large asymmetric sail/reacher
Mainsail (STD): 110sq.m
Jib: 50sq.m
Gennaker: 120sq.m
Spinnaker: 200sq.m
Layout: 3 double cabins all en-suite
Interior: Hand built quality furniture and fittings in light Oak. Lightweight wood laminate flooring throughout

The Rapier 550, launched in 2014, was designed by Nic Bailey in collaboration with Darren Newton at Multimarine for Broadblue. She’s a futuristic performance vision, capable of single-handed fast ocean cruising and easily able to average 15 knots. The ease of handling, all managed from the internal cockpit ‘sail station’ with stunning 360 views through huge glass windows without doubt holds appeal for all cruisers, whether multi, mono or power boaters.

“Marty McFly, Michael J Fox’s lead character in the 1980s film Back to the Future, breaks into a wild electric guitar solo while playing a Chuck Berry number during a 1955 high school dance. The audience is stunned into silence. “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet,” he declares, embarrassed.

That scene came to mind as I approached the Broadblue Rapier 550. I wondered if we were ready for such a radical-looking British boat”

Toby Hodges, 2015, Yachting World “Broadblue Rapier 550 boat test – Are you ready for a 54ft catamaran that steers like a car?”