Posted: 9th February 2012.
“Rafale”, the first Catana 47 with the ‘Carbon Infusion’ proceeding, participated in the 2011 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). The start was given on November 20, 2011 in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) to arrive in St Lucia (Caribbean) on December 6, 2011.
This is the only boat in the fleet to have used its engines just for 20 min (0.33 h), for maneuvers to approach the port of St. Lucia. The entire Atlantic crossing was done under sail. The energy required for all the equipment on board was provided by solar panels and a hydro-electric generator.
Generously, “Rafale” was ranked on the third place by the organizers.
Miraculously, some boats have traveled hundreds of miles in a few hours with the local weather announcing “failure of trade winds” and 0 knots of wind…
Unfortunately, for the participants, the organization does not proceed to the counting of the numbers of hours using the engines. They are only declared on honor…
Fortunately, for others!
The Catana 47 was hampered by its low weight and its bowsprit because, despite everything, the organization chose to retain the overall length and a lightweight version without options “Carbon Infusion.”
This boat is a owner version equipped with the “Around the World” options with many comfort equipments including solar panels, rigid bimini, water-maker, refrigerator, microwave, the safe, black and grey water tanks, etc … It therefore lacks 1.5 tons in the tonnage of “Rafale”.
Maybe we should have taken a few anvils and irons to be better weighed!
Top 10 ranking includes four Catana and a fifth on the 11th position!
The crew of “Rafale” has indicated a maximum speed of 19.8 knots with many surf at 16/17 knots … It’s mind-blowing! Remember that during testing “Rafale” exceeded 22 knots. The 2011 edition of the ARC has allowed us to demonstrate the potential of our catamarans. The result of “Rafale” shows that the new manufacturing processes and continuous innovation of the shipyard further improve the performance of Catana boats.
Crews have spent some nice moments aboard their Catana in comfort and security that only a cruising catamaran can offer. We thank the Catana crews and hope they will be even more for the 2012 edition!
The Catana shipyard team especially thanks the skipper of “Rafale”, Christophe Mahé and his crew for their involvement and efficiency in this edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.
Final result list of the Catana boats:
(In total 28 catamarans participated in the rally)
- Catana 47 “Rafale” 3rd
- Catana 522 “Anastasia”: 5th
- Catana 65 “Stadium” (changed by Christophe Barreau in a 71 feet): 7th
- Catana 50 ‘Thosyma “9th
- Catana 471 “Delphine”: 11 th
- Catana 431 “Magnificat”: 20th
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