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The Spirited CrossOver 400 has been designed to be very performing under sail as well as when motoring.

Made to sail in light wind conditions and at low speeds, sailing yachts have displacement hulls which normally cannot overtake their theoretical hull speed without a huge energy.

Two factors allow the Spirited catamarans to do better than competitors:

1. The energy to bring to a displacement hull is the cube of the volume of water to displace (i.e. the weight of the boat). The Spirited catamarans being twice as light as most of the large production catamarans, they will need eight times less energy to motor them at the same speed.

2. The tank tests (as done e.g. by John Shuttleworth in Southampton) have demonstrated that, above a beam:length hull ratio of 1:11, the aft wave disappears and the theoretical hull speed limit vanishes. The Spirited catamarans having a ratio of 1:13, will need much less energy to achieve speeds around 15 knots.

 The base of the Spirited 400 CrossOver remains that of the Spirited 380. Small aft platforms have been added so that the catamaran can 'seat' on its aft, and go above the speed of 12 knots withoyhorsing (semi-displacement mode). These platforms remains sufficiently small so that wet area and light wind performance are not jeopardised. Furthermore these platforms bring the necessary complementary buoyancy to take the additional weight of the large engines and the fuel.

The benefits of the Spirited 400 CrossOver are the same as all Spirited catamarans:

• Decks are large and flat, allowing an easy walk around the roof whatever the weather;

• The large flat working area around the mast at deck level allows safe reefing of the mainsail;

• A storm jib can be installed on the fixed inner forestay in a minute;

• The composite prodder between trampoline nets provides safe access to the inner forestay, the genoa furler and the spinnaker;

• The trampolines with continuous rope system ensures no gap is left to trap feet or fall;

• The two steering wheels are well within the cockpit; there is always one on the dry side...

• The "sacrificial" daggerboards, built with 80 kg/m³ foam, are light and forgiving if a collision were to take place;

• The structure has been designed with a safety coefficient of 3 and can withstand the toughest conditions;

• The balsa core and the watertight compartments give more than 200% buoyancy in case of capsize (CE regulations ask for 120%), ensuring level of bridgedeck remains high above water;

• In addition to the foam noses, there are two separate watertight forward crash boxes in each hull for added protection in case of collision.

With the help of honeycomb/epoxy composite furniture throughout, the lightship weight is kept low, whilst maintaining a very good payload. The thin hulls allow outstanding performances when sailing and motoring, with a large motoring autonomy and very low fuel consumption.

Please see www.spiriteddesigns.com.au for additional information.