Privilege 495 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Privilege 495 began production in 2004, emerging from the shipyard of Alliaura Marine, the entity that acquired Jeantot Marine—the original builder founded by celebrated single-handed sailor Philippe Jeantot—in 1996. This era of Privilege design maintained the foundational vision of creating a robust, comfortable, and secure platform for extended voyages, a philosophy rooted in Jeantot's personal desire for a liveaboard cruising catamaran. The 495 replaced the Privilege 465, with both models sharing a similar length overall of approximately 47 feet, yet the 495 brought forth notable improvements in internal arrangements. Marc Lombard's involvement as the designer ensured that the vessel reflected contemporary naval architecture while adhering to Privilege's core tenets of quality and seaworthiness. The Privilege 495 was offered with optional daggerboards and several layout configurations, providing flexibility for owners.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Privilege 495 is characterized by its balanced design, offering a blend of comfort and sailing prowess suitable for blue-water cruising. With a length overall of 47.02 feet and a waterline length of 44.03 feet, combined with a substantial beam of 24.02 feet, the catamaran leverages its dimensions for inherent stability and spaciousness. Its displacement of 22,928 pounds provides a solid feel underfoot, which, when coupled with a reported sail area of 1,399 square feet, results in a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 27.75. This high ratio indicates that the Privilege 495 is well-powered, suggesting excellent performance, particularly in lighter wind conditions.

The displacement to length ratio (D/L) of approximately 119.99 further categorizes the 495 as a relatively light-displacement catamaran for its size, contributing to its "surprising performance off the wind" and overall agility. Privilege catamarans are known for their strong rigs, often featuring standing rigging that exceeds typical gauges, which contributes to the vessel's ability to stand up to more wind. Owners and reviewers frequently praise the Privilege 495's good bridge deck clearance, which is crucial for minimizing pounding in heavy seas and enhancing comfort during offshore passages. The refined hull designs, a hallmark of Privilege, contribute to superb stability and comfort, even in challenging conditions. When motoring, the boat has demonstrated a comfortable speed of 8 knots at 2000 rpm, capable of reaching over 9.5 knots at maximum power with its twin 100 HP Yanmar engines. The design also incorporates elongated transoms, which not only improve upwind sailing performance but also help reduce stern squat and pounding.

Accommodations and Layout

The Privilege 495 offers a remarkably spacious and thoughtfully designed interior, leveraging its wide beam to provide expansive living areas. While specific headroom figures are not universally available, the overall impression from reviews and listings points to generous interior volume. The catamaran was offered in multiple interior layouts, including five-cabin, four-cabin, and the highly sought-after Owner's version. The Owner's version is particularly notable for its large owner's suite positioned forward of the saloon, often spanning the full width of the forward nacelle. This distinctive feature maximizes the master cabin's space and privacy.

The cabins typically feature king-sized beds, reflecting the emphasis on comfort and luxury. The saloon area is spacious, often including a central wall table unit with integrated storage such as a bar cabinet and sliding drawers. The cockpit is also noted for its generous size, seamlessly extending the living space outdoors. Throughout the interior, Privilege maintains a reputation for high-quality finishes and materials, reflecting the "great attention to detail" put into the design by Marc Lombard and Alliaura Marine. This commitment to craftsmanship, including the use of solid fiberglass for the hull and deck, ensures a durable and well-appointed living environment for extended cruising.