The world of luxury multihulls has a new heavyweight contender following the global debut of the Simbad 55 at the 2026 International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte. This 55-foot catamaran, built by the newly established Spanish shipyard Simbad in Alicante, aims to disrupt the market by offering a ready-to-sail, high-spec experience at a competitive price point. As highlighted in a world premiere report by Yachting World, the Simbad 55 represents a bold step for Spanish yacht building, combining immense volume with high-end finishes and a serial production model that promises remarkably short lead times.
The Simbad brand emerged from an existing shipyard in Alicante, which was acquired several years ago by an owner who sought a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and space that he couldn't find elsewhere in the market. The name, a Spanish nod to Simbad the Sailor, now graces a vessel designed by Pierre Delion (hull) and Franck Darnet (exterior and interior). While the first unit took considerable time to complete, the shipyard is now set up for serial production, aiming to build 12 yachts per year with an impressive delivery window of just four to six months.
Voluminous Design, Performance-Oriented Hulls, and Easy Handling
Standing on the flybridge, the scale of the Simbad 55 is immediately apparent. It is a voluminous cruising catamaran, yet it features narrow entry hulls designed to ensure respectable performance on the water. The Legend version showcased at the premiere is a 30-ton yacht (fully loaded) equipped with a carbon Axon mast and high-quality Doily sails. For ease of handling, the yacht features a twin head sail setup with a genoa and a self-tacking stay sail, alongside an in-boom furling system that makes most operations push-button simple from the twin helm stations.
The interior of the Simbad 55 is defined by its high-quality finishes, utilizing oak or walnut veneers, Sunbrella fabrics, and mother-of-pearl paint—a signature color for the brand. Owners can choose between a galley up or galley down layout. The galley down configuration allows for a massive, open-plan saloon that seamlessly connects to the cockpit. Modern conveniences are integrated throughout, including a wine fridge, a projector that drops from the ceiling, and a forward-facing navigation station equipped with 360-degree cameras to assist with parking. The owner’s cabin is exceptionally spacious, featuring a large shower and high-end upholstery, though the layout remains largely fixed to maintain production efficiency.
Three Pricing Tiers and an All-Inclusive Sales Model
What truly sets Simbad apart is its transparent and all-inclusive business model. The yacht is offered in three distinct lines:
- The Select: The base model, finished in gel coat, starting at approximately €1.89 million.
- The Ultra: A mid-range specification starting at €2.3 million.
- The Legend: The top-tier, all-inclusive version priced at €2.99 million, which includes everything from the carbon mast and water maker to a hydraulic tender lift and a jet tender.
By limiting customization to upholstery and carpet choices, the shipyard can undercut competitors by a significant margin while maintaining a high standard of luxury. Every model is essentially ready to sail, providing a refreshing level of clarity in yacht pricing that includes even the most advanced mod-con kits and larger 150-horsepower engines on the higher specs.
Photo: Screenshot/Yachting World
