Design & Construction
The HH 66’s hull form is a purposeful departure from earlier performance-cat conventions. Its profile is full forward, flatter in the midsection, and carries more volume in the transoms, while the rocker is notably reduced compared to the designer’s previous Gunboat designs. This shape, combined with deep C-shaped carbon daggerboards that increase vertical lift and lateral resistance, dampens pitching and yields better all-around handling in a seaway. Construction leans heavily on carbon fiber to keep weight in check; sources differ on the actual figure, with specifications putting displacement near 39,700 pounds while one tester's on-board inspection—teak soles, deck hardware, and even the galley sink accounted for—tallied 46,000 pounds. The glass windows are engineered to absorb the considerable loads generated by the sail plan, and the interior joinery meets a luxury-level standard, yet each layout is customized to the owner’s tastes—one test boat even concealed a small piano in the forward nav station.
Rig & Sail Handling
A square-headed mainsail on a carbon boom, an electric halyard winch, and a rope well beneath the mast are the visible starting points of a meticulously organized deck. Furling headsails simplify maneuvers, while the inventory includes a Code Zero, an inner jib, a J1, and an all-purpose A5 spinnaker, all secured on halyard locks. The rigging and leads are notably clean, and sail-control redundancy is built throughout. At the tiller station, push-button controls put instant adjustment of the traveler, sheets, and daggerboards at the helmsman’s fingertips. Perhaps the most telling detail is the pair of short carbon tillers, a feature that immediately separates the HH 66 from other cruiser/racer catamarans. Two tillers and two wheels connect to the steering system, with a polished carbon wheel and a white carbon helmsman’s chair mounted alongside, while an inside helm station and a large glass windshield provide all-weather refuge.
Under Sail: Performance & Handling
Testers found the helm light and engaging, a sensation partly credited to the hull shape and the C-shaped daggerboards. The boat drives like a well-balanced big boat rather than a massive rig, and it races to 10 knots with an eagerness that feels racy even without the optional turbo-rig package. Less pitching, the designer notes, is fast, and the reduced rocker pays dividends in a seaway. For distance racing, the HH 66 is well suited to point-to-point passages with four or five experienced crew, a navigator, and a few passengers, though full-on racing demands eight to ten experienced hands. The sensation of speed is immediate and addictive—a stark contrast to the staid feel of many large cruising multihulls.
Accommodations & Livability
The interior reflects the owner’s brief, but certain constants remain. The large glass windshield floods the saloon with light, and from the tiller position sight lines through it and under the jib are good. When conditions turn foul, one can duck inside to a big, cushy leather chair at the inside helm. The forward pit area at the mast base is a well-organized operations center, with proper steps leading to the foredeck. Off-grid capability features are integrated, and the entire package is wrapped in a level of construction quality that left one judge unable to find a single thing to complain about.
Equipment & Safety
A racing hardware package with upgraded winches is available, and the boat comes equipped with Ocean Data System’s UpsideUp anti-capsize system, which monitors cap-shroud loads and can automatically trigger an alarm, ease sheets, or adjust the autopilot to keep the boat within preset parameters. Push-button fine-tune controls and an electric halyard winch reduce physical effort, but the sheer size and complexity of the HH 66 mean that a full-time captain is recommended unless the owner possesses significant experience; a professional crew or at least a pro or two will likely be needed to realize the boat’s full potential.
The Verdict
The HH 66 is a rare breed: a genuine performance catamaran that refuses to compromise on comfort or finish. It rewards skilled hands with exhilarating speed and precise handling, while its carbon construction and customizable interior place it firmly in the luxury sphere. The trade-off is an operational demand that makes professional crew almost a necessity, but for those who can meet that requirement, the HH 66 delivers an experience that is, as one tester put it, “not just a step beyond what we’ve sailed in the past; it’s steps ahead.”
Pros
- Exhilarating, light-helm performance with a well-balanced feel
- Full carbon build and high-quality construction throughout
- Customized luxury interior with excellent visibility and an all-weather inside helm
- Advanced safety systems including the UpsideUp anti-capsize monitor
- Clean, redundant sail-handling layout with push-button controls
Cons
- Size and complexity demand a full-time captain and professional crew for optimal use
- Racing crew requirements (8–10 experienced hands) are substantial
- The owner will likely need professional help unless highly experienced
