A very rare small cruising catamaran | Broadblue 346 tour | Yachting Monthly 

Perfectly said

Agree: Hardtop is a must for this very nice package.

I had the opportunity to crew on this boat, I found the winches more than perfect, it is really easy to crank the non-electric one. It is set at 45' and when standing that means you don't have to bend, very ergonomic, in fact the position of the winches is the best I ever have used. The BB sail station concept works superbly (until a clutch fails). As for showering, the compartment is large, large enough not to need a curtain. Draws in the cabins aren't really that desirable, a draw uses up storage space and adds weight. This is a very short boat, not much room for deep draws, but with surprising performance. It does look a bit strange, but not from onboard. The boat I sailed on is a liveaboard in the Mediterranean for a retired couple, works well for them. One caveat, beating upwind in a seaway is a bone jarring experience, although progress can be made. All sailing can be genuinely done from the cockpit by one person (coloured sails excluded). The smaller main set aft is a very good solution for this type of cruising boat, smaller sails offer not only more choice but also ease of handling. A parasailer (for the wealthy only!) works really well on this boat, large foredeck to rig it and fast steady cruising off the wind. In conclusion, the boat sails well, accommodation is excellent, the cockpit is a very good working area, doubles nicely at anchor too. The new 425 improves on this design (strange cockpit entrance to the saloon though) in the BB tradition, slightly unusual, good performance and well built boats, but at 150K more (fully equipped). Could this boat circumnavigate? Certainly, many solid foredeck catamarans have done so (Heavenly Twins, Prouts etc.). But it is as an extended coastal/Mediterranean cruiser that this boat excels. Short, therefore inexpensive in the marina, narrow enough for the French canals, large enough to sleep six or as a long term liveaboard for a couple. A fully equipped almost new 346 is about 250K, in the world of well built catamarans that is good value. (In my own world it is very expensive, 10 times more than I paid for my boat, but also nearly 100 years newer!).

The overall length is the same as a Gemini 105, which I think I prefer as I prefer galley down.

You would not be able to open the hatch as you would need to push against the water. impossible to do

Except the speed of the Gunboats. But it's nice, no doubt.

and aft lol

Good review thank you. It's a unique boat size and climate wise. It would be great to see a sea trial. I am ex Gemini owner. Some of the comments are not helpful. E.g. Exposed screws do not affect sailing performance. However they may reduce costs and weight. I like the thoughtful presenter. His style is authentic and knowledgeable