Built from 2016 through 2022, the 640 belongs to the yard’s post-2012 era of vacuum-infused GRP sandwich construction, with a closed-cell PVC foam core and vinylester anti-osmosis barrier. It also carries the marque’s signature forward central rostrum pod, which stiffens the longitudinal structure and encloses the owner’s master suite.
At 63'12'' overall, with a 30.2-foot beam and a displacement of 62,390 pounds, the 640 is a substantial cruising platform intended for extended voyaging rather than weekend coast-hopping.
Design and Construction
The hulls, decks, and structural bulkheads are built from vacuum-infused fiberglass-PVC foam sandwich structures. Privilège adopted this method across its modern range in place of earlier hand-lamination.
The central rostrum pod forward is more than a styling feature. It reinforces the boat’s longitudinal stiffness and houses the master cabin, a layout that has become a signature of the brand’s recent generations.
Twin iron-ballasted keels and spade rudders complete the underwater profile. Maximum draft is just over six feet, giving a yacht of this size access to relatively shallow anchorages. A capsize screening ratio of 3.04 and a comfort ratio near 15.8 place the 640 firmly among long-distance cruising catamarans rather than at the performance-racing end of the spectrum.
Rig and Sail Plan
The fractional sloop rig carries a mast 89.6 feet above the waterline, along with a standard working sail plan comprising a 1,421-square-foot mainsail and a 947-square-foot genoa. A 355-square-foot jib adds flexibility upwind, while a 1,894-square-foot gennaker and 3,229-square-foot spinnaker cover offwind sailing.
With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 24.08 and a displacement-length ratio near 110, the 640 is tuned for passage-making under load. She won’t leap out of the water in zephyrs, but the sail plan is sized to keep her moving with a cruising payload. For the 63.3-foot waterline, hull speed is a theoretical maximum of around 10.7 knots.
Accommodations and Systems
The standard arrangement provides four guest cabins and a separate skipper cabin, supporting either private owner use or a professional crew on a delivery. Franck Darnet, Privilège’s primary interior designer since 2012, uses the volume provided by the 30-foot beam without resorting to the open-plan vagueness found on lesser multihulls.
The forward rostrum pod puts the owner’s suite ahead of the saloon, isolating it from machinery and guest traffic. This gives owners and crew clearly separated quarters.
Tankage reflects the boat’s passage-making intent. The 640 carries 343 gallons of water in two tanks and 528 gallons of diesel in two banks. A pair of 110-horsepower Volvo Penta engines provides redundant propulsion under power.
The Verdict
The Privilège 640 is a thoroughly modern, vacuum-infused cruising catamaran from a builder with decades of multihull lineage, drawn by Marc Lombard. She is large, heavily equipped for autonomous voyaging, and arranged to carry owners and crew in separate quarters.
Her size and displacement make her a vessel to be managed rather than a casual daysailer. Both her engineering and her considerable volume, however, are directed squarely at serious offshore use.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused foam-core construction with a vinylester osmosis barrier
- Forward rostrum pod adds structural stiffness and provides a private owner’s suite
- Generous fuel and water capacity for long passages
- Twin-engine redundancy, with 110 HP per side
- Four guest cabins plus a dedicated skipper cabin
Cons
- 62,390-pound displacement limits acceleration in light air
- 63'12'' length demands professional-level dockage and handling
