Review – Nautitech 48 Open vs. ITA 14.99 Comparison

The popularity of multihulls (catamarans and trimarans) can be explained by their stability, manoeuvrability and comfortable and spacious living areas.

Most shipyards and designs cater predominantly for the charter market and others such Nautitech Catamarans and ITA Catamarans have since long focused on the live-aboard or private owners segment building nimble, reliable, comfortable and versatile yachts for extensive cruising or circumnavigation. On the catamarans market, the big shipyards focus only on comfort at the expense of performance and navigation and suggest a more “static” experience.

Different Shipyard sharing same Open Concept Idea

Build by two different shipyards, one in France and the other in Italy, but with similar design concepts and ethos of seaworthiness and technical sophistication found in similar shipbuilders such as Privilege, Outremere, ORC Marsaudon, C-Cat (Comar Yard), Catana, both the Nautitech 48 Open and the ITA 14.99 catamarans are a true testimony of brands that are capable of putting navigation back in the heart of the “sea experience”, without compromising on comfort, as it remains an important expectation for its core consumers.

The Open Concept – Indoor & Outdoor as one: the optimal live-aboard experience.

The advantages of this configuration are multiple:

• Easily dock manoeuvres with a perfect view of the hull side and the possibility of mooring the rear without moving from the helm.
• View of the water and sails whether windward or leeward.
• Optimum steering sensation thanks to a steering system using short-circuit steering cable.
• The maximum lowering of the boom, unlike the fly helm station or semi-fly, increases the effectiveness of the mainsail that comes flush with the roof and allows easy access to the mainsail for furling.
• Security and optimized communication with the crew.
• Having the cockpit and helms on the same level makes the boat more sociable under sail, and safer to move around.”

If you are unfamiliar with the two brands or the multihull models in question, here’s a brief introduction.

Nautitech Cataramans Shipyard

Nautitech Catamarans is a well-known brand that has developed a strong reputation for its ability to design highly durable and reliable catamarans. They are renowned for their commitment to delivering sailing experiences that are both enjoyable and comfortable. With their design derived from famous naval architect Marc Lombard, Nautitech Catamarans has redefined the concept of living at sea, providing clients with the opportunity to combine adventure with luxury. The brand’s focus on robustness and seaworthiness is a testament to its dedication to ensuring the safety of its clients. Nautitech Catamarans is a brand that can be trusted to deliver exceptional quality and comfort, making them the ideal choice for those looking to explore the world’s oceans in style.

It is in Rochefort-sur-Mer, the very cradle of shipbuilding and naval architecture, that Nautitech Catamarans has anchored its activity of construction of luxury catamarans. Anyone familiar with the world of multihulls can quickly appreciate the innovative nature of Nautitech Catamarans, the first manufacturer to understand and define the very spirit of a catamaran. Nautitech was also the first to propose the concept of open living onboard, which combines the saloon and cockpit into one spacious, functional living area. Understanding how important sensations at the helm is to their customers, Nautitech Catamarans places equal emphasis on sailing ability and comfort.

Nautitech DNA – The Concept: 

COMFORT  – DOUBLE HELM- PERFORMANCE – RELIABILITY – SAFETY

The naval architect behind the design of Nautitech Catamarans, Marc Lombard, is himself a proud owner of a Nautitech 40 Open and an avid spokesman for the open concept design and sturdy design and construction of the Nautitech Catamarans. You will find that his designs and models come across many other reputable shipyards in the multihull segment such as: the ORC Maursadon, C-Cat, Neel Trimarans, Privilege Catamarans, etc. 

The Nautitech Catamarans are well known for their rigidity and lightweight hull that leads to direct responsiveness at the helm. This is due to the superior construction technique and clever design of Marc Lombard.  The reinforcement zones, whether in unidirectional, bidirectional, or quadriaxial fabrics, are carefully determined to ensure better rigidity of the Nautitech catamarans. The quality of manufacture is guaranteed by a construction (high quality) of the hulls, deck, and roof, sandwich infused, and bonded.

The two helm stations are part of the fundamentals of NAUTITECH’s DNA. Indeed, it is the ideal position to helm at sea but also to maneuver at the port.

To date, Nautitech Catamarans has 200 employees, build ca 55-60 catamarans annually, and deliver three different models; Nautitech 40 Open, Nautitech 44 Open, and the new Nautitech 48 Open.

ITACatamarans

ITACatamarans is a leading manufacturer of high-performance sailing catamarans. The company is renowned for its cutting-edge designs and innovative technology, which has made it a favourite among sailing enthusiasts worldwide.

The ITAcatamarans production facility is located in the Marche region of Eastern Italy, on the Adriatic coast, which is well known in the yacht world as one of the “Silicon Valley” of the Italian yacht industry. The Region of Marche, the Silicon Valley of boating offers a unique scenery of artisans and small, highly qualified companies that have taken root there, with manufacturing capabilities unmatched by other districts. Here there is a deep pool of experienced craftsmen who are passionate about what they build. In this region, one will find such iconic builders as Azimut Yachts, Benetti Yachts, CRN Yachts, Dominator Yachts, Ferretti Yachts, Pershing Yachts, Franchini Yachts, Carboline, Cantiere delle Marche, plus sailboat builders Adriasail and Wally Sail and a number of composite producers.

ITACatamarans sources expertise from a centre of excellence, bringing together highly qualified professionals from diverse sectors to deliver exceptional performance, comfort, design and construction to customers. With over 25 years of experience, ITA collaborates with composite infusion experts, architects, designers and skilled boating workers, driven by passion and an unwavering commitment to quality. Clients are assured that every aspect of their ITA experience, from conception to delivery, is carried out with the utmost professionalism and quality.

The ITA 14.99 was designed by Yacht Design Collective, which includes François Pérus and Romain Scolari. Pérus is known for his work on multihulls, including Catana designs, the Outremer 45, and the Maraudon Composites TS42, while Scolari brings his own unique design sensibilities. The yacht’s fine lines and emphasis on weight reduction reflect the team’s design philosophy.

ITACatamarans combines Italian craftsmanship with advanced engineering to deliver yachts that are both fast and stylish. Their range of sailing catamarans includes the bestselling ITA 14.99, which has won several international awards. With a focus on performance, safety, and comfort, ITACatamarans has set a high standard in the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a newcomer to the sport, a sailing catamaran from ITA is an investment in quality and luxury that will provide endless enjoyment on the water.

ITACatamarans – The Concept: 

ELEGANCE – COMFORT – SOPHISTICATION – CUSTOM

Elegance, Comfort, Sportiness: Three different souls for an innovative hull, conveyed by elegant and dynamic lines.

A work of high naval engineering, born from the vision to combine Italian elegance and attention to detail with the best and most advanced international technology. The ITA 14.99, winner of the Multihull of the year award 2020, is a multihull of excellence, technologically sophisticated, safe and comfortable, redefining the world of catamarans.

One could say the ITA 14.99 is the Nautor SWAN of the Multihull, which is no little accolade to uphold…

Fully Customised Owners Journey – A Proven and Award winning concept

ITAcatamarans mission is to make your experience of purchasing, owning, and sailing an ITA catamaran totally gratifying. To achieve this goal, the shipyard and design team are focused on the following.

• The ITA 14.99 is a proven and award-winning yacht since its launch in 2018/19  and with no yacht being the same: The highly experienced in-house team consulted with today’s leading designers, engineers, and technicians to create the ITA 14.99 that carefully manages all criteria to yield performance, comfort, reliability, safety, and value
• Long-term Livability and Comfort: Prior to its launch, the ITAcatamarans group spent over a year concentrating on all aspects of the design, developing an innovative construction process, and creating interior layouts for long-term livability and comfort
• Client Custom Approach: The shipyard is committed to a full customer lead -and the customised journey is only achievable by attention to all details and approaching every new build with the highest standards of construction techniques and service towards its clients.
• Sustainability: Sustainability, a philosophy vigorously pursued by ITACatamarans, which finds its ultimate expression in the innovative solutions adopted on ITA’s 14.99 catamaran.