Nahoa M 57ft Aluminium Expedition Catamaran Debuts as Nahoa 55

A new aluminium expedition catamaran from Nahoa Yachts has emerged with matching specifications under two names, and it matters because the design targets sailors who plan serious, long-range voyaging and need a low‑maintenance, robust platform.

The boat is presented as a 17.4 m (57 ft) aluminium sailing catamaran with a 8.3 m beam and a shallow 1.55 m draft. Length overall is listed at 17.4 m (57′1″) while hull length appears as 17.03 m (55′10″) in technical sheets. Propulsion is two 80 hp diesel engines driving shafted V‑drive installations, and fuel capacity is 1,800 L (475 US gal). Solar capacity is reported inconsistently across material - some technical listings show more than 5 kWp of panels while owner copy cites over 3 kW - a detail that warrants clarification for buyers thinking about off‑grid endurance.

The project is fronted by Sailing Nahoa owners Ben and Ashley, who bring a decade of global sailing experience and more than 50,000 nautical miles to the brief. Pierre Delion is named as naval architect, with Todd Rickard listed as project manager. The team describes the boat’s mission as prioritizing durable systems, conservative rig loads, and sustained performance under load rather than peak speed. As one site put it, “The goal is not to be the fastest boat in the water in flat‑water trials, but to achieve consistently high average speeds when the boat is fully loaded, conditions are messy, and the crew is short‑handed and tired.” Sailing Nahoa frames the model as “the ultimate expedition aluminum catamaran,” noting features such as six watertight bulkheads and skegged rudders and positioning the boat for environments “from the icy waters of Alaska to the balmy tropics.”

Performance targets are explicit: sustained passage speeds of 10 to 12 knots and 200–250+ mile days are cited as design aims. Certification ambitions include ISO Category A for up to 10 persons and a goal to exceed CE compliance and Lloyd’s SSC standards, though final certification status has not been confirmed.

The dual naming is notable. One profile uses the label Nahoa M while owner and trade material use Nahoa 55 or Nahoa 55 - Aluminum Sailing Catamaran. The dimensional and systems data match across both presentations, implying a shared platform, but the makers have not provided a formal naming reconciliation to date.

For readers planning serious voyaging, the Nahoa proposition is practical: aluminium construction, heavy‑duty systems and emphasis on autonomy reduce maintenance headaches and improve durability in remote waters. Before committing to a pre‑order, verify the final specification and certification status, confirm solar array capacity and electrical architecture, request displacement and tankage figures, and ask for sea trial data that underpin the 10–12 knot claims. Sailing Nahoa is inviting pre‑orders through its channels while Nahoa Yachts is building the program; expect follow up from the builder on naming, options, pricing and delivery as the project moves from design into production.