Kumbaya was prepared by the company Neo Marine Atlantique in La Rochelle, which specialises in particular in the installation of options and equipment for boats. It is a brand new Nautitech 46 Open catamaran, just out of the yard a few weeks ago.
Navigation options
At sail level, they have installed an autoriveur solent allowing an almost automatic tack when sailing. They also chose a gennaker for downwind sailing which they customised in the colours they wanted from Incidence Sails.
As far as navigation instruments are concerned, the latest generation of B&G chartplotters has been installed, allowing the autopilot to be controlled on a windward course. " It is a very pleasant option, the navigation is then very fluid, we are not always obliged to adjust our course and the sails and it is very practical with 4 children on board ", says Juliette the mother.
The autonomy of the boat
They have installed 3 Sunpower 400w solar panels on a gantry at the rear of the catamaran. The location of the solar panels allows both to optimize the output because they are not in the shade of the boom or sail while sailing and also allows to bring more shade to the cockpit (important when sailing in the sun). Not having a generator, this allows them to recharge the batteries without starting the engine.
An Aquabase watermaker was also installed on the boat. It is 12 volt, the solar panels are directly connected to the battery of the latter, which allows them to produce about 105 litres of fresh water per hour. As the water tanks are 600 litres, the family switches it on every day around 11am when the sun is at its zenith to fill the tanks and heat the water. If they are sailing with the engine, Neo Marine Atlantic's electrical installation means that it takes over directly. " It's the great luxury, we're not rationed and since we left, we've taken a hot shower every day.. ", Juliette informs us. They are therefore autonomous in terms of water, whether for showers, dishes or the washing machine. And they no longer have to stop at the port to fill the tanks.
Comfort facilities inside the catamaran
With 4 children on board from 3 to 9 years old, it was important for the family to have a washing machine. So they converted one of the shower cubicles into a laundry room. The advantage of this LG 7 kg washing machine is that it is dryer." What could be more practical, after a rainy day in a humid environment such as the boat, to be able to dry our things and be warm at the same time? ", explains Juliette.
The Catamaran Nautitech 46 Open is composed of 4 cabins with double berths: one for the parents, there were 3 left for the 4 children. Not wanting to force their last two to sleep in the same bed, Juliette and Hubert had the idea of building a bunk bed. Neo Marine Atlantic built them a custom made removable aluminum bed with a Batyline bunk canvas that can accommodate a child up to 50 kg.
They have also opted for the option that transforms the saloon table into a bed. " It is very practical, this place is used as a playroom during the day for children and as a bed for adults at night. It allows us to be close to the sailor during the watches, which is reassuring ", Juliette confides to us.
Kumbaya's little extras
Alongside the catamaran, they have installed a line to make it safer for children to move around on the deck of the boat.
Juliette and Hubert have also invested in Ceecoach waterproof Bluetooth headsets. " We use them as soon as we have a manoeuvre to do when we arrive at an anchorage, at the port, it allows us to communicate calmly with each other without raising our voices and it helps not to stress the children. "
Finally, they brought with them, Jumbo Bag pouffes and they use them systematically when they are at anchor to admire the landscape comfortably.
