Vaan R4, an eco-friendly, high-performance aluminum catamaran

The Vaan R4 is a modern catamaran built in aluminium

The Vaan R4, which we discovered at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024, is somewhat unique. Made of aluminum, it boasts a very pure design, while a visit on board reveals a number of innovative, planet-friendly solutions.

The Vaan brand was born just over six years ago in the Netherlands. At the helm was Igor Kluin, a sailing enthusiast who wanted to build the boat of his dreams. To do so, he wanted to build a boat that was environmentally friendly, built with recyclable materials.

The result went beyond the initial project, as he not only built the boat he wanted, but also created a brand with five models in the catalog, some of which are still in the planning stage.

Le design du Vaan R4 ne laisse pas indifférent
The design of the Vaan R4 leaves no one indifferent

The R4 is the smallest catamaran in the fleet at 42 feet long (12.80m). From the very first glance, this boat catches the eye with its simple, modern lines and the arch above the wheelhouse, reminiscent of the Audi R8 - there are worse references. What's also striking is the very large cockpit, wide open to the rear, with its two wide skirts.

Following the brand's concept, the boat is built in aluminum, a material that is entirely recyclable and also allows great freedom of form. Interestingly, 75% of the aluminum used to build the R4 comes from old window frames and road signs.

A zen-like design, but highly customizable

As soon as you step aboard, the word "uncluttered" immediately springs to mind. In the spirit of the large cockpit, the saloon is apparently quite simple, with a well-equipped galley to starboard and a dining area to port.

Le carré est d'une grande simplicité
The square is extremely simple

There's plenty of storage space, and the large picture windows all around offer 360° views. Once the rear doors are open, you're left with a large, somewhat empty space.

La table du carré est un peu petite
The square table is a little small

The port hull houses the owner's cabin with a double berth, plenty of storage space and a forward bathroom. On starboard, the hull has the same layout, but with another cabin forward and another bathroom. However, the layout and number of cabins can be modified according to the customer's wishes.

Les cabines sont simples, mais confortables
Cabins are simple but comfortable

While the construction seems serious, the decoration lacks a bit of warmth, but here again, it's up to you to personalize your boat.

Le Vaan R4 peut être livré avec deux ou trois salle d'eau
The Vaan R4 can be supplied with two or three washrooms

Faithful to the principles of the site, the interior fittings use natural materials such as linen, wood and even pineapple leaves to create faux leather... The equipment, particularly the electrical appliances, is state-of-the-art.

Innovation and performance

In addition to the interior layout, there are a number of innovative solutions on board, such as the mainsail traveller on the roll bar, or the sheets that run down the mast, under the floor and out the back of the cockpit, near the helm station and a winch support.

Le support en V recevant les winchs et bloqueurs est une très bonne idée
The V-shaped support for the winches and blockers is a very good idea

This is an excellent idea, as it avoids cluttering up the living space with halyards. The aluminum mast, stainless steel standing rigging and self-tacking jib make maneuvering much easier. The furling system is mounted on a small bowsprit. In the words of the brand's boss, this boat has really been designed to sail and to offer sensations, without being a demanding regatta boat.

Les barres profitent d'une visibilité maximale
Bars enjoy maximum visibility

The two helms, which are completely to one side for maximum visibility, also benefit from a Jefa gear system that connects them to the rudder to provide real feedback when you're at the helm. On the other hand, this catamaran is best appreciated on sunny days, as the cockpit is not very well protected, and the helm stations even less so.

Promising performance

In terms of performance, the shipyard has announced a maximum speed of 14 knots, a figure that should probably be achieved under spinnaker. For the rest, the R4 is equipped with a 55 m2 mainsail and a 135m2 genoa, i.e. 190 m2, sufficient to propel the boat's 11 tons.

La présence d'un foc autovireur facilite les manoeuvres
Self-tacking jib makes maneuvering easier

For windless days or marina maneuvers, the Vaan is equipped with two 15 kW Oceanvolt electric motors, combined with a 48 V battery bank with a total capacity of 60 kWh, offering up to seven hours of autonomy at reduced speed. To generate this electricity, the R4 uses solar panels on the deckhouse, as well as the Ocean Volt hydrogeneration system, and if that's not enough, the 15 kW Fisher Panda generator.

This catamaran is available from ?789,000 ex VAT.

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