Hull No. 1 was evaluated by Multihulls World testers in July and first shown at La Rochelle that September. Production continued through 2004. The 465 has since stood as a distinctive expression of the marque’s ocean-cruising philosophy.
Design and Construction
Viewed from above, almost all of the 465’s gross planform is occupied by deck. That includes an extended, wedge-shaped forward nose, which carries the accommodations well ahead of the main crossbeam. This isn’t merely a styling feature: it allows the four staterooms to extend forward without increasing the boat’s beam. One reviewer described the deck itself as a masterpiece of GRP sculpture.
A small keel fairing protects the rudder and prop during beach landings. At the stern, a divot in the hull is sized only to nestle the inflatable dinghy.
The brochure lists a D/L of 115, making the design reasonably light for its size. The builder’s careful weight monitoring was credited with preventing the hulls from growing to bargelike proportions while preserving speed. The trade-off is that the narrow hulls aren’t well suited to carrying heavy loads, favoring passage performance over payload.
Rig and Handling
The 465 carries a large fractional rig, with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 27.54. Its huge mainsail has a halyard led to an electric windlass.
The jibs and genoa track to the top of the house rather than the side decks. This keeps the sheeting angles close while leaving the side decks less cluttered for safer movement.
Most notably, Lombard specified real daggerboards for this design. Testers noted that they would help make the boat fast upwind.
Accommodations and Cockpit
The extended forward nose creates room below for four staterooms, each with an adjoining head. The saloon centers on a large wraparound dinette, providing a central gathering space that flows out to the aft deck.
In the cockpit, the twin wheels are separated from the social area. This gives the helmsman clear sightlines without intruding on the lounging space. Overall, it’s a serious cruising arrangement rather than a charter compromise, combining private quarters with a practical communal area.
The Verdict
The Privilège 465 is a thoughtfully engineered cruising catamaran. It combines Lombard’s performance-focused daggerboards with an interior stretched forward by the extended nose. Its light D/L, close-sheeted rig, and divided cockpit make it a sailor’s catamaran rather than a bare condo platform, though its narrow hulls limit carrying capacity.
Pros
- Real daggerboards provide strong upwind capability
- Light 115 D/L helps keep the hulls quick for their size
- Four staterooms, each with a private head
- Deck-dominated plan and extended nose maximize the accommodation footprint
- House-mounted sheet tracks keep the side decks clear
Cons
- Narrow hulls limit weight-carrying capacity
- The huge mainsail requires powered halyard handling
