Design and Construction
The HH50’s hull and deck consist of post-cured infused carbon fiber and epoxy with a Corecell foam core, and the spars are built-in pre-preg carbon fiber and autoclave cured. Solid carbon fiber bulkheads anchor the structure, while long, reverse plumb bows stretch the waterline for efficiency and give the boat its elongated window frame and properly proportioned cabin top. An all-trampoline foredeck helps cut down on weight, and separate watertight engine and bow compartments provide excellent collision protection. The workmanship is first-rate, with no rough edges even in hidden areas, and a large technical compartment in the port hull serves as the electrical heart with everything labeled and numbered. The entire HH line is produced in a 1.2 million-ft² factory in Xiamen, China, well equipped with CNC cutting machines, resin-infusion facilities, woodworking shops and testing facilities.
Rig and Handling
A robust sail plan allows for light wind sailing, and C-shaped pre-preg carbon fiber daggerboards — worth 75K each and raised via a line drive — deliver unparalleled upwind performance while following the hull contours to maximize interior volume. Test sailors found that lowering one board halfway eliminated leeway, and with only the leeward board typically deployed, the boat moved easily at 9 knots under load with occasional 10.7 knots on a reach in a 12–18 knot breeze. The turning circle of about one and a half boatlengths and accurate, predictable stopping and reversing made close-quarters work undemanding, while the twin elevated, well-outboard helm stations give excellent visibility forward and aloft. A known quirk is that moving from one wheel to the other when coming about requires stepping down onto the cockpit sole and climbing back up. The OC version reduces two helms to one and brings all line handling to a single spacious cockpit for single-handing, and an optional self-tacking jib further eases sail handling.
Accommodations
The HH50 interior is highly customizable, with three different forward cabin combinations ranging from a standard single double bed to a pullman berth that folds away, or a workshop with extra fridge/freezer in place of beds. The test boat showed a three-cabin layout reserving one hull for the owner’s suite and the other for two guest cabins with a shared head; all bunks are queen-size, each cabin has a cedar-lined locker and copious stowage, and every compartment has an overhead hatch for ventilation. Four separate sleeping cabins would be equally easy to install. The saloon is surrounded by windows, a pair of huge square transom ports aid the view at anchor, and two dropleaf tables by the sliding door form a flexible dining space. Tables, bulkheads and cabinets on the test boat were varnished teak veneer over a PVC core, with outstanding detail finish throughout.
Known Issues
Under power, the twin 40hp Volvo diesels were fairly quiet at 74 dBA in the cabin, but somewhat louder at the helms, which sit close to the engines; testers noted that more substantial soundproofing in the engine compartments would help. The helm-transition step down is a minor ergonomic penalty. Otherwise, documented ride quality was exceptional — no wave slap under the bridgedeck, a clean wake indicating efficient hull form, and minimal heel with absolute silence from the joinery in a light chop.
Refits and Ownership
The HH50 has been redesigned to accept a parallel diesel/electric hybrid called EcoDrive, with a large cabin-top solar array and hydro-regeneration while sailing; the builder claims silent fume-free motoring and instant torque, with traditional standalone diesel engines and shaft drives offered for the technology shy. Buyers may select exterior paint, deck finishes, flooring, laminates, real woods and fixtures, and the semi-custom build from a boutique builder typically sees two to three produced per year. At the time of writing, seven had launched (two OC, five SC). Carbon fiber davits with high load capacity take a recommended 10–12 foot tender, and two BBQ options — aft-beam station or aft-rail mount using a fishing rod holder — are offered.
The Verdict
The HH50 distills high-performance carbon catamaran engineering into a couple-managed 50-footer with genuine bluewater credentials and a 2021 Boat of the Year pedigree. Its construction discipline, customizable layouts and quiet loaded ride are matched by a few manageable compromises in helm ergonomics and engine-compartment soundproofing.
Pros
- All-carbon post-cured construction with solid carbon bulkheads and watertight collision compartments
- Efficient hull form with clean wake and easy 9-knot loaded cruising under sail or diesel
- Highly customizable three-cabin or alternative layouts with queen berths and full ventilation
- EcoDrive hybrid option with solar and hydro-regeneration, or traditional diesel shaft drives
Cons
- Helm stations require stepping down and back up when changing sides coming about
- Engine noise at the helms louder than in the cabin; soundproofing noted as inadequate by testers
