Design and Construction
The defining feature of the Class 6 is its longitudinal central spine—almost a suspended third hull molded into the nacelle. It eliminates the need for a forward crossbeam and gives the narrow hulls impressive rigidity.
Both the mast and forestay are fixed directly to this spine, which absorbs their loads. In bigger waves, it pierces the water like the bows, dissipating energy and adding buoyancy as water flows beneath the nacelle. The result is a hull designed to avoid slamming and resist burying its bows in steep seas. Axe bows and chined hull sides complete the design, with the chines maximizing interior volume.
Construction is foam-sandwich composite, vacuum-infused with epoxy and reinforced with Kevlar in high-stress and impact areas. Buyers can choose between a Performance pack using vinylester resin with carbon-glass-kevlar and gelcoat, or a Race pack in epoxy with 100 per cent carbon, kevlar and paint. The boat has been deliberately over-engineered for strength, while foam-sandwich furniture helps keep weight down.
Light displacement is 15 tonnes, falling to 13.5 with the full-carbon option. The design can carry up to 18 tonnes all-up.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Because the spine carries the rig loads, the designers could place the mast farther aft than usual for a comparable catamaran. This centralizes the sail area and contributes to a stable, smooth ride.
The Class 6 is offered with a rotating mast and a carbon boom on a hydraulic furling system. The staysail, genoa, and gennaker also furl hydraulically. A typical arrangement puts the mainsail and genoa at the touch of a button, with their sheets led to hydraulic winches at the helm. A self-tacking staysail can be deployed quickly when the wind rises, and a storm sail is available as a safety option.
With the mainsail and a 104 m² XL genoa, the Class 6 matches wind speed in 3 to 10 knots of air. In calmer conditions on a reach, a Code 0 or a 280 m² gennaker set from the bowsprit allows her to sail faster than the true wind.
Buyers can choose fixed keels or curved asymmetric daggerboards. With the boards down, draft is 3.8 m; with the boards raised and the lifting rudders up, it falls to just 0.9 m. The daggerboards also help the boat pinch upwind in light conditions.
Twin 80 HP Yanmar engines drive the Class 6 at ten knots and 2,500 rpm while using about 11 litres an hour. On one engine, she makes seven knots.
Accommodation
Removing the crossbeams opens up a 44 m² living area in the nacelle. Reviewers described it as feeling like a New York apartment. Together, the saloon and cockpit provide 475 square feet of space, including an enormous galley.
A sliding window across the back of the saloon opens fully to create the Open+ indoor-outdoor arrangement. Below, the chined hulls make room for wide island berths in the aft cabins. The forward berths are arranged athwartships and set higher to clear the performance bows.
The platform is exceptionally spacious, yet it was also designed to maintain the highest average speeds in complete safety across any sea state.
Semi-Custom Options and Ownership
The first hull was launched more than a year before the Toulon test. It began life as a powercat, with a large combustion engine in one hull and an electric motor in the other, and only later received a sailing rig. That conversion shows how extensively the platform can be reconfigured.
As a semi-custom yacht, the Class 6 allows owners to specify most of its technical navigation and comfort features. Choices include the construction pack and steering by wheel or by tiller with seats. A Smart Hybrid power version is also available, using one diesel and one electric drive.
Dan claims that the Class 6 is the best catamaran a couple can manage without a skipper.
The Verdict
The O Yachts Class 6 is a genuinely unusual cruising catamaran. Its central spine addresses the familiar trade-off between structural rigidity and open living space. The boat is light, rigid, and punchy without being overpowered, and it targets 300 nautical miles a day in good conditions as a safety-minded performance benchmark.
For a family or short-handed couple planning to travel far and remain aboard for extended periods, its semi-custom approach and documented structural intent make a strong case.
Pros
- The central spine eliminates the forward crossbeam and opens 44 m² of unobstructed accommodation.
- Carrying the rig loads through the spine allows the mast to sit farther aft, contributing to stable, smooth motion.
- The deliberately over-engineered foam-sandwich structure includes Kevlar reinforcement in impact areas.
- Daggerboard and lifting-rudder options reduce draft from 3.8 m to 0.9 m.
- Hydraulic furling for the mainsail, genoa, staysail, and gennaker makes short-handed sailing easier.
Cons
- Access to the boat’s full capabilities depends on semi-custom choices that affect both specification and cost.
- The first hull’s conversion from powercat to sailing catamaran shows that the underlying platform is not a fixed type.