Performance and stability

ORC57 performance and stability

When we talk about a catamaran’s capabilities, we’re generally interested in its performance and stability. It’s these two elements, compared with those of other boats on the market, that determine how the catamaran stacks up against competing multihulls. So, comparing is what we did!

How does the ORC57 compares with other multihulls on the market

The graph on this page compares the performance and stability of different sailing catamarans in the same range, currently on sale.

Please note: The Rapido 50 and Rapido 60 models are trimaran sailboats. They are included here for comparison purposes. The Mumby 48, on the other hand, is an aluminum boat that is relatively lighter than the ORC57 catamaran.

High-performance multihulls are light and have a large sail area. These parameters are reflected in the Upwind Sail Area to Boat Weight quotient (Upwind Sail Area / Boat Weight). This formula enables us to compare the performance of different designs and different boat sizes.

On the vertical axis of the graph, the best-performing catamarans are located at the top.

The stability of sailing catamarans depends on the boat’s weight and beam. Generally speaking, the wider and heavier the boat, the more stable it is. This is expressed in the righting moment – simplified, for the sake of comparison, by the product Boat weight by Boat half-width (Boat weight x Boat half-width).

On the horizontal axis of the graph, the most stable catamarans are on the right.

The ORC57: the fastest catamaran thanks to the lightness and the most stable thanks to the great beam

Following this study of the performance and stability of catamarans in the same range offered on the market, we were able to draw a few conclusions:

Compared to all the multihulls on this chart, the ORC57 is clearly the best-performing catamaran. It is a very light catamaran which, despite this, remains very stable. Thanks to the boat’s beam, Avel Vaez’s level of stability is comparable to other boats of the same size, which are heavier and therefore less efficient!

ORC57 sail plan and VPP

If there is wind, Avel Vaez will sail nicely.
And sometimes faster than the wind speed!

Sail plan of the Avel Vaez catamaran

Right from the start of the ORC57’s construction, we wanted to equip Avel Vaez with the very best. Our superb catamaran is equipped with a set of 6 top-quality sails, enabling her to sail in all weathers:

  • Main sail 107m2 Hydranet
  • Genoa J1 84m2 Hydranet
  • Stay sail J2 56m2 Hydranet
  • Storm jib J3 29m2 Hydranet
  • Genaker small 150m2 stormlite
  • Genaker large 200m2 stormlite

To manufacture the sails for our exceptional catamaran, we have entrusted Incidence Sails, a French sailmaker that is a benchmark in ocean racing and a regular choice of leading shipyards.

ORC57’s Velocity Prediction Program (VPP)

The ORC57 velocity prediction program, below, shows catamaran speeds as a function of wind angle and sails in place.

  • Horizontal axis: boat speed 0-18 knots
  • Curves: wind speed 4-30 knots
  • Wind angle: 0-180 deg

For example:

Example upwind:

  • Wind angle 50 deg
  • Wind 10 knots
  • Boat speed 7 knots

Example beam reach:

  • Wind angle 90 deg
  • Wind 16 knots
  • Boat speed 16 knots

Example down wind:

  • Wind angle 120 deg
  • Wind 20 knots
  • Boat speed 17 knots

Would you like to know more about the sailing possibilities on board?