Admiral 50 (Lavranos) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

Admiral Yachts, founded in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1999 by David Bird, quickly established itself as a significant builder of high-quality cruising catamarans. The company's vision was to produce luxurious and well-engineered multihulls specifically for the demanding bluewater cruising market. The Admiral 50 emerged as a flagship model from this collaboration with Angelo Lavranos, reflecting the builder's commitment to robust and performance-oriented vessels. Production of the Admiral 50 commenced in 2000 and continued until 2007.

Angelo Lavranos's design philosophy for the Admiral 50 aimed to balance "luxurious volume with flamboyant racing," giving the catamaran a "Southern Ocean Pedigree." This suggests an emphasis on both comfortable living spaces and the ability to handle challenging conditions, typical of designs intended for serious offshore sailing. During its production run, Admiral Yachts offered variations, including "owner and charter layouts" and an "executive version," indicating flexibility in interior configuration to suit different owner preferences and uses. The construction utilized Lloyds-approved 19mm fiberglass, underscoring Admiral Yachts' focus on durable and high-quality build standards.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a large cruising catamaran, the Admiral 50 is designed for stability, comfort, and efficient passage-making rather than the extreme performance of a racing multihull. With a length overall of just over 49 feet and a generous beam of nearly 28 feet, she presents a substantial platform on the water. The design incorporates a twin keel and a fractional sloop rig, contributing to its stability and ease of handling for its size.

Anecdotal information suggests Admiral catamarans, including the 50, are well-regarded for their sailing characteristics. The mention of a "Southern Ocean Pedigree" implies a design robust enough to handle rough seas and long-distance cruising. The Admiral 50 features a twin rudder system, connected by an adjustable stainless rod, which contributes to precise steering and control. While traditional monohull performance ratios are less directly applicable to catamarans, the vessel's reported sail area of 1,345.49 square feet relative to its displacement of 23,149 pounds suggests a capable sail plan for driving the boat effectively in various wind conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

The Admiral 50 is renowned for its "luxurious volume," which translates into expansive and comfortable living spaces, a hallmark of high-end cruising catamarans of its era. While specific interior layouts could vary between "owner and charter versions" and an "executive version," the overall design prioritizes spaciousness and amenities for extended stays aboard.

A typical 50-foot cruising catamaran layout would feature multiple private cabins, often with en-suite heads, distributed across both hulls. The main saloon, located on the bridgedeck, would offer panoramic views and ample seating for dining and lounging. A well-appointed galley would be strategically placed for convenience, often integrating with the saloon. Given the generous beam, storage capacity throughout the vessel would be substantial, accommodating supplies and personal gear for long voyages. Finish quality would generally include a blend of fiberglass and wood trim, aligning with the luxury cruising market segment Admiral Yachts targeted.

Owner's Perspectives

While general owner forums and discussions about common boat problems are available online, specific owner reviews detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the Admiral 50 (Lavranos) catamaran are not readily synthesized from the current search results. Information directly from owners regarding specific performance nuances, recurring maintenance issues, or particular aspects of comfort and liveability for this model was not sufficiently detailed to form a dedicated section.