Design and Construction
The Tanna 47 is a long-range cruising catamaran built with resin-infused construction that employs a balsa core for a relatively light but solid structure. Fountaine Pajot had already moved to vacuum resin infusion for its catamaran hull-deck assemblies in 2002, and the Tanna follows that method. Plumb bows max out the waterline, and a nifty wraparound coachroof window, paired with a pair of windows in each hull, gives the boat a distinctive profile. The rudders sit forward of the props, which changes the flow of water and therefore response time as well as the pivot point when maneuvering under power. The deck and bimini are entirely new compared with the Saona, and the flybridge is 40 percent larger than before.
Rig and Handling
A fractional sloop rig carries a traditional, generous, roachy full-battened mainsail augmented by a high-cut and slightly overlapping jib. The helm station was reworked for better ergonomics and access for line handling, with longer genoa tracks and a standard Lewmar traveler. A dedicated pod forward of the helm groups all the controls, including a set of Lewmar electric winches, ready and at hand. Hydraulic steering means less feedback at the wheel, though testers noted you cannot lock the wheel on centerline when maneuvering with engines only. Under sail on the Chesapeake in 10 to 14 knots true, the boat made 6.7 knots at 60 degrees apparent, 7.5 knots on a beam reach, and still held 6.2 knots cracked off to 120 degrees anchor.
Accommodations
Two layouts define the Tanna: the Maestro and the Quintet. The Maestro places a large owner's stateroom with a vanity, desk, and en suite head in the port hull, plus two double-berth guest staterooms with their own heads in the starboard quarters. The Quintet makes room for five cabins and five heads, optimized for charter or a growing family. The central saloon is the same in both versions, built around a commercial-grade U-shaped galley to port adjacent to the cockpit's sliding doors. A redesigned salon/galley brings increased storage, and the opening between salon and cockpit is 20 percent larger for better air circulation and traffic flow. The nav station moved next to the interior entrance for faster access, while an efficient dedicated navigation station sits to port within a few short steps of the raised wheel. Above, the flybridge is over 75 square feet with seating for 10, and a sundeck and settee expand the lounge area; an inviting sun pad lies on the main deck just abaft the trampolines.
Equipment and Power
The standard engine package is a pair of 50 hp Volvo Penta diesels with saildrives, with 60 hp options available; the boat is also offered with 2/50-hp or 2/60-hp Volvo Penta engines. A test model with upgraded 75-hp Volvo Penta diesels and folding props motored at 8.3 knots at 2,400 rpm and reached a maximum of 9.1 knots at 2,900 rpm. The solar story is central: an expanded array of flat, flexible Solibian panels is essentially glued to the cabin top, and up to 1,700 watts of soft solar panels may be added to keep up with most power demands. An 11.5 kW Northern Lights generator supports air conditioning if needed. Three option packages — Grande Large, Oceanic, and Comfort — round out the configuration choices.
The Verdict
The Tanna 47 refines a proven Saona 47 hull with a thoroughly rethought deck, flybridge, and interior flow. It is a serious long-range cruising catamaran that earned Best Cruising Multihull in the 2023 Boat of the Year contest. The layout flexibility between Maestro and Quintet, the enlarged social spaces, and the substantial solar capacity make it a compelling modern cruiser, though the forward rudder placement and hydraulic steering demand attention when docking under engine alone.
Pros
- Shares a proven hull with the Saona 47 while gaining a new deck, bimini, and 40% larger flybridge
- Two distinct layouts suit private ownership or charter use
- Expanded solar array up to 1,700 watts supports off-grid systems
- Redesigned salon/galley with 20% larger cockpit opening improves livability
Cons
- Rudders forward of props alter pivot point and response when maneuvering
- Hydraulic steering lacks centerline lock for engine-only handling
