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WINDELO 50 ADVENTURE BOAT TEST – Multihulls World – HS n°16 – Aug./Sept. 2021

Jun 21, 2021

For the brand-new Windelo shipyard, the launch of this first 50 Adventure is the consecration of long months of research, process implementation and thousands of hours of work; a form of consecration that calls for others since a 54 is under construction and five more catamarans are on order. For us, discovering this Windelo 50 was an opportunity to measure the incredible possibilities of innovation and evolution offered by multihulls in general: this model is like no other, and so much the better!

The silence of electricity

We discovered the Windelo 50 right in front of the shipyard – the advantage of having a building just a few feet from the dock… The boat had just returned from an inaugural cruise with its owners. So, what does she look like?

That’s not an easy one to answer… you could be tempted to say that the hulls would be close to those of an Outremer, with a little more freeboard, the imposing and very recessed nacelle is reminiscent of a Bali, but then the helm and forward maneuvering station is like that on… a Gunboat! In short, we’re dealing with an original catamaran.

Note: the opening of the topsides above the sugarscoops manages to lighten in a rather subtle way the somewhat massive silhouette that you see from astern.

Port maneuvering with the twin electric motors is surprisingly easy… but notably, it’s silent. The manufacturer has chosen two motors mounted in V-format in each hull, giving a total of 40 kW of thrust.

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Excellent sensations

The deck plan features a vast tilting platform at the stern, which integrates cleverly-designed dinghy davits. Forward, large trampolines extend on either side of the longitudinal beam. Solar panels are spread out across the coachroof and the front of the side decks. A sunbathing area can be installed on the port side of the coachroof.

The light wind encouraged us to seek speed by unfurling the large gennaker rather than going upwind. We immediately realized that the Windelo is light – 12.8 tons loaded – as you can feel it set off at the first ripple.

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