The specification starts with performance rather than decoration

Lodestar was built as a Forward Helm HH60 with optional tiller-chair steering, curved carbon daggerboards and a North 3Di sail package. HH also lists carbon-topped electric winches, titanium deck hardware and load-sensing equipment, showing that the yacht was specified around active sailing rather than passive cruising.

That matters in the brokerage market because two yachts of the same model can differ dramatically once owner options are considered. A buyer is therefore evaluating not just an HH60, but a particular package of rig, controls, propulsion and living arrangements.

EcoDrive adds a second propulsion layer

The parallel hybrid installation combines two 80hp Yanmar diesels with electric drive capability. A 57.6kWh lithium bank and 8kW inverter support the yacht's electrical system, while solar generation is spread across 4,984 watts on the coachroof and another 976 watts on the davits.

For an owner planning longer periods away from shore power, that energy architecture can reduce generator use and provide quieter operation. It also increases technical complexity, so battery condition and hybrid-system service history should form part of any professional pre-purchase survey.

The interior was designed for extended private use

Lodestar has four cabins, including a three-quarter owner's hull and a dedicated office. Equipment includes a Schenker watermaker, reverse-cycle air conditioning, washer-dryer, wet bar, projector system and an OC400 Carbon tender.

The office is particularly relevant to owners who use the yacht for months at a time rather than short holidays. A separate work space can be more valuable in real ownership than adding another conventional guest berth that remains unused for much of the season.

A sophisticated 18-metre yacht still demands disciplined ownership

The HH60 stays comfortably below LYG's 24-metre ceiling while carrying systems more commonly associated with much larger yachts. That combination is attractive to private owners who want range and technology without moving into a fully crewed superyacht model.

The trade-off is maintenance responsibility. Carbon structures, lithium systems, hybrid propulsion and high-end sail controls all need specialist inspection and planned servicing, making documentation and technical support central to the brokerage decision.

Official sources: www.hhcatamarans.com.