Design and Construction
The 542’s twin resin-infused hulls are solid laminate below the waterline and foam-cored above, as is the deck, a scheme that keeps weight in check while preserving impact resistance where it matters most twin resin-infused hulls. Bulkheads are also infused to ensure a good resin-to-fabric ratio, and the furniture and flooring, like the hull and deck, are foam-cored. The result is an impressive light-ship displacement of 29,800lb — not bad for a boat with accommodations for eight and room to spare. Each of the slim hulls sports a fin for performance, and the cabintrunk is refreshingly low-slung in this day of towering multihull bridgedecks. Multihulls World noted the 542’s silhouette hides an efficient hull, perfectly suited to fast cruising, and the boat gives off a real impression of power, which results in good averages.
Rig and Handling
The standard mast and boom are aluminum, and the standard rigging is stainless steel wire, though a carbon spar and composite standing rigging are optional, as are performance draft keels drawing an extra half foot for a total draft of 5ft 7in. Halyards are led to the starboard side, the headsail furler runs to port, and the sheets are double-ended, leading to both sides. The boat’s self-tacking jib sheets to an athwartships track just forward of the cabintrunk, and there is a substantial bowsprit for flying a reaching sail on a continuous-line furler. The sailplan, built around a full-batten, square-top main, should be a potent one in a wide range of conditions. The emphasis on performance is most evident in the 542’s twin helms set well aft and outboard to provide an unobstructed view of the bows.
Performance Underway
Test sailors found the 542 easily hit 12-plus knots sailing at a 45 degree apparent wind angle, and the boat never once missed stays when coming about in heavy seas, tacking through about 120 degrees despite the chop. Owners report the boat regularly hit 19 knots one day in following seas sailing on a reach under just jib and main. Under power, with its twin 75hp Volvo Pentas turning at 2,000 rpm, the 542 managed an impressive 7.3 knots, jumping to 9 knots at 2,500 rpm and 9.8 knots at 3,000 rpm.
Accommodations
Each version of the 541/542 has a choice of three to five cabins, while the 542 belowdecks offers anywhere from three to six cabins, with the fifth and sixth shoehorned into what is otherwise open space. The Loft style favors spaciousness with a particularly open cockpit. Large hull windows and plenty of hatches ensure all cabins are well lit and well ventilated. One tester especially liked the combination of the large sliding doors and large windows separating the cockpit from the saloon, and also liked the forward-facing nav station on the test boat. Abaft the cockpit is a separate athwartships passageway, which serves as an excellent platform from which to tend the boat’s dinghy davits, while overhead a sturdy hardtop provides protection from the sun and a safe work surface for snugging down the main in its sailbag. A retractable moonroof controlled with a small electric motor adds a modern touch.
Known Issues
The one layout criticism from period testing concerns the lack of substantial handholds on the cabintrunk, a shortfall on an otherwise well-considered deck.
The Verdict
The Nautitech 541/542 is a performance-minded cruising catamaran that trades some volume-maximizing for sailing feel and a low, efficient profile. Its infusion-built structure keeps displacement remarkably low for the accommodation, and the sailing envelope — from 12 knots on the wind to 19 off the breeze — is rare in this size class. The twin aft helms and clean deck plan reward an engaged crew, though the absence of secure cabintrunk handholds is a real rough-weather caveat.
Pros
- Light-ship displacement of 29,800lb with accommodations for eight
- Twin resin-infused hulls, solid below waterline, foam-cored above
- Square-top main and self-tacking jib with reaching bowsprit
- Twin aft helms with unobstructed bow view
- Strong light-air and downwind speed (12+ and 19 knots reported)
- Loft or Classic styles, three to six cabin choices
Cons
- Lack of substantial handholds on the cabintrunk
- Fifth and sixth cabins are shoehorned in
