Simbad Yachts is using the 17.59-metre Simbad 55 to enter the luxury bluewater catamaran market with a model designed around long-distance use rather than marina-based entertaining alone. The yacht is offered in Select, Ultra and Legend specifications, allowing buyers to choose how far they want to take the equipment, rig and onboard-energy package.
Built around extended cruising
The Simbad 55 has naval architecture by Pierre Delion and interior and deck design by Franck Darnet. Its 8.92-metre beam creates the volume expected from a large cruising catamaran, while the protected forward cockpit and substantial flybridge give owners multiple outdoor areas for passage-making and time at anchor.
Published dimensions include a 1.64-metre draft and a light displacement of about 28 tonnes. Fuel capacity is around 1,200 litres and fresh water about 1,000 litres, supporting the builder’s positioning of the yacht as a self-sufficient cruiser rather than a short-range holiday platform.
Select, Ultra and Legend versions
The three-specification approach lets Simbad vary equipment without changing the underlying hull and accommodation concept. Select is intended as the more essential package, Ultra adds greater power and autonomy, and Legend sits at the top of the range with the most complete equipment fit.
That strategy gives buyers a clearer way to match cost and complexity to intended use. Owners planning relatively straightforward cruising can avoid some high-end systems, while those preparing for longer passages can add more electrical capacity, stronger sailing hardware and greater redundancy.
Twin Yanmar power and short-handed systems
Engine options include twin 110hp or 150hp Yanmar diesels, depending on specification. Sail handling is designed to reduce crew workload, with powered systems, self-tacking arrangements and equipment packages intended to make a yacht of this size manageable by a small crew.
The sail plan totals about 173 square metres in the published specification, while higher-end versions add more advanced rig and sail materials. The emphasis is therefore not on turning the 55 into a stripped-out performance multihull, but on combining respectable sailing ability with comfort and manageable operation.
Luxury without abandoning practicality
Inside, the Simbad 55 uses broad glazing, natural materials and a residential approach to the saloon and accommodation areas. Layout choices can vary the number and purpose of cabins, making it possible to prioritise private owner space, additional guests or practical storage for longer voyages.
Recent show appearances have helped move the model from launch-stage curiosity into a yacht that can be inspected by prospective owners in person. The company’s presence around major Mediterranean events also gives a young brand an important opportunity to demonstrate build quality and systems integration rather than relying on renderings and specification sheets alone.
For buyers comparing large cruising catamarans below 24 metres, the Simbad 55 adds another distinctly European option. Its appeal lies in the combination of bluewater intent, multiple equipment levels and a design that tries to make extended cruising comfortable without demanding a large professional crew.
