Design and Construction
The 585’s hulls and deck are solid fiberglass, and the boat carries a respected position in the market for quality of construction, finishing, and use. Lombard’s layout centers on an expansive bridge deck that, combined with roomy cabins, makes the yacht an ideal charter platform while also suiting private bluewater cruising. The helm is set high on the port side, a placement chosen for excellent visibility underway and for direct communication with crew on deck — a safety-minded detail that lets the driver manage maneuvers without losing sight of the working forebody. An oversized double pilot chair sits at that helm so the navigator can share the passage with others. Below the steering station, a more than adequate navigation station is tucked behind the helm bulkhead on the port side with access to electrical panels and instrumentation, keeping the skipper’s command post compact but complete.
Rig and Deck Handling
On deck, electric winches take care of all sailing loads, making the 585 a breeze to handle even with a short crew. The fractional sloop rig carries 2,110 square feet of sail area, and the mast rises 88.9 feet above the waterline. The large bimini overhead is sized not only to shade the cockpit but to carry solar panels, reinforcing the boat’s self-sufficiency. Very large steps on the sugar scoops make for easy access to the water, and swim ladders alongside them allow easy entry and exit. A large bottom transom platform provides room to haul a day’s catch aboard or stage watersports gear between sessions, while two hot-and-cold deck showers handle the rinse-off after a long swim.
Accommodations
The interior is finished throughout in light beech timber, a choice that gives the vast saloon a refreshingly light and welcoming character. Large windows wrap the saloon for exceptional panoramic views, and the layout includes two leather sofas, a round table with generously cushioned seats for inside dining, and an additional L-shaped lounging area with footrests and coffee table. A bar up top in the bridge deck makes the space ideal for evening gatherings. The galley is a walk-through design on the starboard side, well ventilated by a large hatch above the double sink and lit by multiple hatches; it is equipped with two working benchtops, a double stainless steel sink, a mixed electric and steam oven, a dishwasher, and a microwave. Sleeping 8 in total comfort plus up to three crew, the 585 came in charter or owner versions — four double cabins with three single crew quarters, or five double cabins and one single. King-size double cabins each have private heads, large comfortable reading seats, ample storage, and excellent counter space, with all cabins bright from multiple hatches. Forward, a vast deck spans two trampolines with pulpits and four teak seats for sundowners.
Equipment and Energy
All equipment aboard is of high quality from the nav station to the chef’s galley. Twin well-sized main engines — Yanmar or Volvo diesels rated 100 to 150 hp each — pair with gensets and solar to provide speed and power, supported by 370 gallons of fuel and 317 gallons of water. Storage lockers under the floor house a rack for scuba-diving cylinders and secure space for a diving compressor, underscoring the boat’s extended-cruise intent. An oversized aluminum sliding door leads three steps down into the saloon, linking the bright interior to the cockpit’s teak table on stainless steel supports that seats six, with three cushioned benches for lounging.
Ownership Context
With only 24 built, the 585 holds a respected position in the catamaran market as a low-volume, high-specification design. Some examples are currently in charter around the world, confirming the model’s dual role as a luxury private cruiser and a premium charter yacht. The standard of living afloat rivals many an opulent apartment ashore, a claim borne out by the galley, the private heads, and the lounging spaces distributed through the bridge deck and hulls.
The Verdict
The Privilège 585 is a low-production, Lombard-designed catamaran that pairs serious bluewater capability with apartment-grade comfort. Its 24-unit run makes it a comparatively scarce find, but the design’s expansive bridge deck, electric winch handling, and thoroughly equipped galley and cabins explain its reputation as a refined liveaboard and circumnavigator.
Pros
- Strong, comfortable, and powerful construction from Alliaura Marine with solid fiberglass hulls and deck
- Expansive bridge deck and roomy beech-finished cabins with private heads
- Electric winches and high helm visibility make handling manageable with a short crew
- Twin diesel engines, gensets, and solar with 370 gal fuel and 317 gal water for extended autonomy
- Walk-through galley with steam oven, dishwasher, and microwave; large saloon with panoramic windows
Cons
- Only 24 built (2002–2006), so available examples are scarce
