The brief for Nigel Irens Design was to create a 24m (78ft) catamaran that would genuinely out-perform quite seriously refined and longer single-hulled yachts on all points of sailing, while nevertheless retaining the comfort of a fully fitted out cruiser.
The added weight of all of the comforts of cruising has traditionally limited the increased performance potential of the catamaran configuration. By building to the highest standards of lightweight composite construction usually restricted to racing yachts there is no longer a need to compromise.
With its long experience of building Grand Prix racing yachts and its uncompromising approach to low-weight yet fully equipped cruising interiors, Green Marine is a world leader in composite construction. Allegra is built in carbon and Nomex and benefits from the yard’s acknowledged leadership in weight minimisation at every stage of the build.
In addition to the benefits of speed and stability, a catamaran offers the possibilities of creating far more exciting interior and exterior living spaces that are unconstrained by the narrow beam of a monohull.
Nigel Irens Design worked closely with Allegra’s owner in creating a cruising layout that maximises the potential of the catamaran with a panoramic deck salon, superb access to the water and fully protected raised twin helm stations.
“The timing somehow feels just right.” says Nigel Irens. “For all those recently enthralled by the most closely contested America’s Cup final in history sailed in wing-powered foil-borne 22m (72ft) catamarans, the acceptance of two hulls has now come of age. We have worked on creating a truly exciting cruising catamaran that has all the styling, comfort and performance which a modern yachtsman should expect.”
Allegra brings together the experience of Nigel Irens in designing some of the fastest yachts to have ever sailed around the planet with Green Marine’s renowned skills as one of the world’s best lightweight custom race boat builders.
All the indications are that the polarisation between ‘strictly racing’ and ‘strictly cruising’ boats is about to end.
