A boat in the tradition of racing multihulls
As boats speed up over the years and technological developments accelerate, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with them at race starts. This is particularly the case for cameramen in charge of providing images of the new multihulls, who need a stable platform to shoot from. In 1999, Royal Production called on CDK Technologies to build a catamaran at the same Finistère shipyard that builds racing yachts, capable of keeping up with the new Formula 1s of the seas, without consuming too much energy or moving too much. Thus was born the Royal Atlantic.
CDK CEO Philippe Facque and naval architect Nigel Irens imagined a multihull with a displacement of just 9,500 kilos, 15.5 m long and 6.30 m wide. Constructed in a sandwich of foam, glass and carbon under vacuum, its wave-piercing hulls limit fuel consumption and provide good stability, even in the characteristic chop of a race start. Its two 350 hp Yanmar engines give it a 500-mile range with low fuel consumption, and a cruising speed of over 20 knots, with a wake considerably lower than that of a RIB or speedboat, so as not to disturb racing yachts.
Basic equipment and efficient deck layout
Privileged for departures, the flybridge cockpit offers perfect visibility for the pilot, while leaving the main deck free for video and photo crews. Wide side decks, with a lifeline cart running all the way around, allow journalists to choose their point of view. The well-sheltered aft cockpit offers protected space.
Inside, the focus is on efficiency. Two desks and chart tables allow you to work at the stern, while a central helm station is useful in difficult conditions. Two coffin berths, in the thickness of the platform, will offer a little rest in case of long navigations. With its streamlined design and slender floats, the Royale Atlantic limits platform movements, for optimized comfort.
Only the engines are housed in the hulls.
After 25 years of use, this boat is still proving its relevance on race starts, and has much to inspire the design of efficient powerboats that are "sober" in relation to their speed.
