Variations & Configurations
The Voyage 590 features distinct configurations optimized to balance passenger payload with onboard utility. The hulls are built via vacuum-bagged composite methods utilizing a foam-cored laminate with a vinylester skin to ensure structural stiffness.
- The Charter Layout: This configuration offers six equally sized, walk-around queen-berth staterooms, each with its own dedicated en-suite head. Architecturally, this is a rare feat for a catamaran under 60 feet. By avoiding a single massive master cabin in favor of uniform guest cabins, this layout maximizes group harmony and optimizes charter economics. Additional single berths or V-berths with separate heads can be integrated into the bow peaks to house a captain and chef crew.
- The Owner's Layout: Configured for private, long-term liveaboard cruising, this option reorganizes the hull spaces. The forward-to-mid section of the starboard hull is dedicated to a massive owner's suite featuring an integrated private salon, vanity, and office desk, while retaining a double guest cabin en-suite in the aft section. The port hull is converted into an offshore utility platform, featuring a deep pantry, laundry center, and a dedicated maintenance workshop forward, alongside two double en-suite guest cabins amidships and aft.
- Propulsion Variations: The boat is built with two distinct propulsion pathways. The standard diesel setup features dual 75 HP Yanmar engines driving traditional fixed shafts. Alternatively, the Voyage 590e (all-electric/hybrid) variant replaces the internal combustion engines with twin 35kW Bellmarine Drivemaster electric motors. This silent-running electric system is powered by high-capacity lithium-ion battery banks charged via integrated solar arrays, hydrogeneration, and high-efficiency backup DC generators.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Analyzing the Voyage 590 through its design ratios reveals how this nearly 25-ton catamaran behaves under sail and behaves at the helm.
With a lightship displacement of 48,502 lbs JSON and a long waterline length (LWL) of 57' 9", the vessel features a displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio of 112.42 JSON. This confirms a light-to-moderate displacement profile for a cruising multihull. Physically, this means the slender, low-resistance hulls glide efficiently through water with minimal wave-making resistance, yielding high average speeds under sail and minimizing fuel burn under power.
The boat’s comfort ratio of 15.04 JSON represents its motion comfort. To prevent the quick, jerky motion typical of wide-beam multihulls, Southwell integrated a water-dispersing slope under the bridgedeck and a prominent centerline wave deflector. As waves rise between the hulls, this specialized geometry throws the water outward and dampens the upward energy, eliminating severe bridgedeck slamming and jarring pitching motions in a choppy seaway.
The capsize screening ratio of 3.12 JSON reflects the immense initial lateral stability provided by the vessel's 28' 5" beam. This wide beam acts as an expansive lever arm, ensuring the platform remains flat and stable under a powerful sail plan. Heel-induced fatigue is virtually nonexistent, and crew members can move safely across the wide side decks even when sailing close-hauled.
All sail controls, including the main halyard and sheet, are led directly to a consolidated electric winch station adjacent to the elevated flybridge helm. This allows a single watchkeeper to control the 2,179 sq ft sail plan without leaving the safety of the helm enclosure.
Market Snapshot & Economics
The Voyage 590 holds a highly exclusive, premium niche in the global catamaran market. This is characterized by a median price of $2,172,903.81 and a very narrow secondary market pool of just 6 active listings JSON.
This high-value, low-availability dynamic is a direct result of Voyage Yachts' vertical integration model. Unlike high-volume builders, Voyage produces only 5 to 6 boats per year in Cape Town and funnels them directly into its proprietary luxury charter fleet in the BVI. Because the manufacturer retains close control over the fleet, very few hulls exit to the open brokerage market, preventing downward price pressure and ensuring strong residual value.
For buyers, the refit and maintenance economics are driven by the boat’s complex, high-draw systems. Traditional diesel-powered models carry lower electronic overhead but require regular maintenance of their twin 16kW Northern Lights generators, which are run heavily to power the massive air conditioning loads. For the electric 590e models, the primary long-term financial variable is the battery health of the traction bank, though this is offset by the elimination of traditional marine engine maintenance.
Modernization & Upgrades
The Voyage 590 was designed from its inception as a "tech-forward" platform, meaning modernizations focus heavily on upgrading energy storage and electrical generation to support silent, generator-free operation.
- LiFePO4 Conversions: Owners routinely upgrade the factory battery systems to high-performance lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) banks, typically utilizing MG Energy Systems LFP batteries. A common upgrade path involves expanding the 24V DC house bank from a standard 14.4 kWh (two MG 25.6V/280A batteries) to a robust 43 kWh system (six batteries in parallel). This system is managed by multiple parallel-linked 5kW Victron MultiPlus inverter/chargers to easily run the boat's 70,000 BTU air conditioning system through the night without generator noise.
- Solar Array Optimization: High-yield solar installations are standard upgrades. Owners often mount five to six 300W Lumos solar panels directly into the flybridge hardtop. This continuous solar input, paired with MPPT charge controllers, floats the massive LFP house bank, allowing the vessel to remain electrically self-sufficient at anchor.
- Induction Cooking Conversions: To eliminate the safety hazards and logistical supply chains associated with propane tanks, refitted 590s are frequently transitioned to all-electric galleys. This involves replacing gas stoves with high-draw domestic-style induction cooktops and convection ovens, fully integrated into the 240V AC inverter system.
The Verdict
- Pros:
- Unrivaled Guest Accommodations: The 6-cabin, 6-bathroom layout delivers identical queen berths for all guests, a configuration that is highly efficient for charter and co-ownership structures.
- Exceptional Bridgedeck Design: The water-dispersing slope and centerline wave deflector mitigate bridgedeck slamming and reduce pitching.
- Proven Blue-Water Construction: Built robustly in South Africa and proven on a mandatory 5,000-mile ocean delivery transit before handover.
- Generator-Free Living: Highly optimized electrical backbones allow silent, all-night air conditioning powered entirely by large LFP battery banks.
- High Value Retention: Tight market availability and vertical manufacturer control ensure exceptionally strong resale pricing.
- Cons:
- Premium Pricing: With a median brokerage price exceeding $2.1 million JSON, entry barriers are high compared to production cats in the same size range.
- System Complexity: High-capacity 24V DC networks, parallel inverter banks, and complex electric drivetrains require highly specialized technical skills to troubleshoot.
- Limited Market Supply: Finding an available hull on the secondary market is extremely difficult due to the low production runs and closed charter fleet loop.
- Niche Charter Focus: The layout and shallow draft are highly optimized for protected Caribbean cruising, making it less suited as an extreme high-latitude explorer.
