Privilege 48 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Privilege 48 is deeply intertwined with the vision of Philippe Jeantot, the celebrated French single-handed sailor and founder of Jeantot Marine in 1985. Jeantot's personal motivation to design a cruising catamaran for his own family's live-aboard travels, prioritizing comfort, strength, and security, became the cornerstone of the Privilege brand. The Privilege 48, produced from 1987 to 1992, closely resembled its predecessor, the Privilege 47, and was primarily intended for the charter market. While Privilege models are often associated with Philippe Jeantot's design influence, some sources credit Guy Ribadeau Dumas as the designer of the Privilege 48.

Jeantot Marine quickly established itself as a leading builder of cruising catamarans, particularly in the American market, where its vessels became a benchmark for quality and seaworthiness. The manufacturing ethos during this era focused on robust construction, comfortable interiors, and exceptional stability, hallmarks that remained central to the Privilege brand even through subsequent corporate transitions. The Privilege design philosophy emphasized vessels for the open sea and blue waters, with layouts geared towards maximizing the cruising experience.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a catamaran, the Privilege 48 is designed to offer a distinct sailing experience compared to monohulls, prioritizing stability, comfort, and spaciousness. With an overall length of 48 feet and a waterline length of 45 feet, she possesses a substantial footprint on the water. The Privilege 48, with its twin keel hull type, is known for its stability and comfort, even in challenging conditions. The brand's commitment to "superb stability and comfort" for extended voyages is a consistent theme across its models. Owners of Privilege catamarans often praise their solid construction and comfortable motion in a seaway, attributes that would undoubtedly extend to the 48-foot model.

Accommodations and Layout

The Privilege 48 is known for offering a voluminous interior, capitalizing on its wide beam of over 26 feet to provide ample living space. While specific detailed layouts can vary between individual boats, the general arrangement typically emphasizes comfort and practicality for extended cruising or charter operations. Interior reviews of Privilege models from this era highlight layouts designed for making the most of life at sea. Early Privilege designs often featured large owner's suites, sometimes innovatively placed in the forward nacelle to maximize living space and contribute to stability. The Privilege 48 likely features multiple cabins, each with its own head, catering to its role as a charter vessel or a comfortable family cruiser. Expect generous salon areas, a well-appointed galley, and thoughtful storage solutions throughout, consistent with the brand's reputation for luxury and bluewater capability.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of Privilege catamarans from this era frequently commend their vessels for robust construction, seaworthiness, and comfortable motion offshore. The solid build quality is a recurring theme, instilling confidence for long-distance cruising. Owners often appreciate the ample living spaces, which make extended time aboard more enjoyable. For instance, the Privilege 51, a more successful version of the 48 launched a few years later, was enhanced with lengthened sugar scoops and more powerful engines, suggesting a desire for even greater performance and comfort from the original platform. Common maintenance considerations across older catamarans might include the upkeep of twin engines (the Privilege 48 comes with two Volvo Penta diesel engines), and ensuring all systems are properly maintained for continuous offshore use. The Privilege 48 is often regarded as a "top range charter and cruise cat," indicating its enduring appeal and suitability for its intended purpose.