Groupe Beneteau used to have one multihull model. It now has 4. Having developed Lagoon into the world chief in cruising catamarans and a builder of enormous energy catamarans, Groupe Beneteau added the Extra model of twin-helm crusing catamarans in 2019.
Nonetheless, the French-owned conglomerate then made a serious transfer into the guts of the powercat sector with a two-pronged method. In 2022, the primary fashions from Status’s M-Line of flybridge multihull motoryachts and 4 Winns’ TH sequence of open cruisers debuted on the Cannes Yachting Pageant, with Italy’s Garroni Design dealing with the outside styling for each.
4 Winns adopted up on its first mannequin, the TH36, by debuting each the TH33 and TH38 on the Cannes present in September 2025. Nonetheless, late final 12 months, the American model’s twin-hull vary was repositioned inside the Groupe Beneteau household, underneath Jeanneau, to higher attain world markets together with Asia.
“The TH sequence naturally aligns with Jeanneau and its sporty, enjoyable picture, lengthy embodied by the Cap Camarat sequence and introduced in a extra premium providing by the DB Yachts sequence of dayboats,” says Tanguy Tertrais, Jeanneau’s Asia-Pacific Gross sales Director.
“Being underneath Jeanneau permits the TH line to succeed in a far broader base of consumers, particularly exterior North America. The TH vary now enjoys Jeanneau’s world supplier footprint of over 400 gross sales factors, which issues to house owners contemplating service protection and resale. Additionally, loads of Jeanneau house owners had been in search of a multihull platform and the TH line is the right resolution.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I’m right here in Cannes to check out the TH38, the bigger weekender counterpart to the TH33’s dayboat-focused providing. Gray skies, jumpy seas and a low mist greet guests for the ocean trials of recent fashions by Jeanneau and different Groupe Beneteau manufacturers. The horizon is doing that unnerving factor the place it blends with the ocean, and it’s spitting intermittently.
Boats line up alongside the jetty, ready to welcome journalists. I really feel a twinge of hysteria, which is heightened when a pal and fellow journalist embraces me and asks me squarely: “What are you doing right here?”
What, certainly? My specialty is 80ft and above, and the TH38 sits nicely under that threshold. I’m accustomed to yachts which might be often skippered, versus owner-operated. This is a chance for me to get behind the helm and see how a 38ft powercat designed for coastal jaunts and island-hops actually handles.
Earlier than I even step on board, I measurement up the TH38 from a number of angles whereas she waits patiently in port. The silhouette is streamlined, designed to mix with the marine surroundings. The bulkiness that always comes with catamarans has been countered with a pointy strip of glazing operating from midships ahead, plus a raked windshield and flared line alongside the roof that give the boat a sporty attraction.
I’m amongst a gaggle of journalists who gamely hop on. As we motor out into the uneven bay of Cannes, my first impression is that this can be a yacht builder that is aware of what it’s doing when producing a family-friendly yacht.
The TH38 is targeted on affordability, accessibility and security. Jérôme Dufour, Jeanneau’s Powerboat Product Supervisor, calls the TH38 a “boat for everybody” with a “brief studying curve” that prioritises ease of use above virtually all else. “For those who begin having a great deal of programs, you begin to lose the momentum,” he says.
TRANSFORMER COCKPIT
My second impression is that it’s a well-considered boat. On the again is a 1.5m swim platform that juts out between the dual outboard engines. The platform features a hatch and built-in ladder simply beneath, a feat which might be tougher (if not inconceivable) to realize on a monohull. It provides straightforward water entry that proves that is geared in the direction of enjoyable and households.
The cockpit is dominated by twin nook sofas, which may slide sideways to both shut collectively or sit far aside, spanning the yacht’s near-15ft beam.
As every L-shaped couch has an adjoining desk, the pliability successfully creates two separate lounging set-ups: a spacious, two-sofa zone with a transparent hall from the swim platform to the helm, or an intimate, three-sided eating space flanked by circulation on each side.
If neither of these choices take your fancy, you may as well rework the eating set-up to a sunpad by reducing the tables and overlaying them with cushions.
“Luxurious comes from area and modularity,” Dufour says. “By having the whole lot versatile, you create completely different areas. You’ll be able to create the approach to life that persons are in search of.”
He reveals me how straightforward it’s to unlock and lock the furnishings into place. It’s intuitive, with nuts and bolts that work predictably and simply.
FUN AT THE WHEEL
As we cruise into the open sea, I resolve it’s time for me to take over the controls. The dealing with is nice: responsive and simple to know. Another boats within the Groupe Beneteau household have opted for devices and gizmos to assist joystick management and manoeuvrability, however this boat retains it back-to-basics with a single helm and good visibility.
I get her as much as just under 31 knots, with minimal thumping and thudding. The graceful experience of the TH38 is credit score to Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, which dealt with the naval structure of each present TH fashions. I do a large sweeping arc over the murky blue water and benefit from the feeling of the flat flip, with the dual hulls conserving us from heeling an excessive amount of.
“Jeanneau was designed for the household,” Dufour jogs my memory once I level out how flat the flip is. He nods to the excessive gunwales and the sturdy hardtop that hold you feeling safely cocooned contained in the boat.
Trying out the remainder of the boat, I discover a midships counter area with a moist bar, fridge, sink and grill. I’m informed 14 individuals can comfortably collect on the boat. Between the cockpit, midships space and the bow lounge, I can consider that.
Beneath deck, there are two twin cabins, each with en-suite loos and each with sufficient storage packed in that you can spend greater than an evening or two onboard.
“We’re promoting most of those for the outside way of life, however the inside can also be actually properly carried out,” says Dufour, exhibiting me a cubby within the step entry to one of many cabins.
Defending the helm, the three-piece windshield is massive and connects with the hardtop. Nonetheless, the boat will also be provided with a shorter windshield that stops in need of the roof, permitting for breeze via your hair.
BOW LOUNGE SUPREME
To supply entry to the foredeck, the central windscreen folds to port and a low door is opened, whereas even a central flap within the hardtop may be lifted. I shortly realise that the bow is my lounge area of alternative.
The world is surrounded by two symmetrical C-shaped sofas, and consists of built-in drinks holders and audio audio system, in addition to a ending that jogs my memory of my beloved superyachts. Once more, with a few infills, this complete space may be switched to a sunpad.
It’s right here that I park myself for the final little bit of the ocean trial, listening to the dual 350hp Mercury outboards doing their factor at about 3,500rpm for a pace of 17 knots.
The bow is my favorite space on most catamarans. It sits excessive above the water, so if the ocean situations are clean sufficient, you’re feeling such as you’re flying. The ocean isn’t significantly clean right now, however by some means the TH38 manages to glide anyway.
I’m being hypnotised by the ocean when Dufour joins me on the bow. Sitting reverse me, he describes the TH38 as a ship that’s designed to be straightforward to function.
“Jeanneau focuses on making boats higher, so boaters can give attention to having extra enjoyable on the water,” he provides. My curiosity has actually been piqued, with the TH38 proving a profitable boat that ticks all of the packing containers for a enjoyable day or weekend at sea.
Phrases: Katia Damborsky; Images: Jeanneau
This text was first seen on YACHT STYLE
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