Race report for the 2025 Caribbean Multihull Challenge in St. Maarten. With 18 entries in the racing division of the Caribbean Multihull Challenge and 9 in the associated Rally, we are seeing the maturing of an event that has grounded itself clearly in the multihull world. Next to the racers, there is a rally with a different focus but still with multihull vessels, some still with very high-speed potential that, for some, is based on a time trial.
The fastest boat on paper on the entries is the ex-Nemo, now called Lee Overlay and Partners. The new owners have enjoyed many top monohulls in the past and have now taken over this highly tuned HH66 which has previously won the Caribbean Multihull Regatta. An even bigger entry is the Gunboat “Layla”, a 72-foot vessel that is unique in that despite being a very fast hull from the French builder Gunboat which is famous for speed, it has a flybridge that blends luxury with performance. Other than this cruising aspect of the design it still has carbon masts and other speed-enhancing factors.
The entry of Highland Fling 18 brings to St. Maarten the winner of the Multihull Cup, the Mallorca-based big multihull event of the Mediterranean. Owner Lord Irvine Laidlaw has had many outstanding racing yachts under this ownership and is unlikely to come to an event with less than the best equipment and crew. From the US there is a Marsaudon ORC 50 entry, this fast modern French boat is entered by American Kimmo Nordstrom.
Trimarans are multihulls but differ in many ways. The CMC has attracted some special vessels. Oceans Tribute is a well-prepared Crowther-designed trimaran that will be up against a 50 ft trimaran called PIR 2 from Guadeloupe as well as the amazing Triple Jack from BVI. This boat is amazing especially because besides being very old it was severely damaged in Irma and few people believed it could be repaired. But it has been repaired and it is sailing fast. Other trimarans are the 40-foot French Chaud Patate (Hot Potato), the 33 ft Corsair with Chris Haycroft at the helm, and Honey Badger, a regular competitor which is an older Corsair 37 based in Sint Maarten. Then there is the foil-assisted PIR2 a French multihull with a history of offshore races and an interesting and special history.
No regatta in the Caribbean has ever had a non-beach landing one design class like the Caribbean Multihull Challenge has. The Diam class is very special because of their speed. Six are entered but more are expected. They will have a special race day on the first race day that will involve short courses in Great Bay followed by a “Jamboree” on the Great Bay Beach Boardwalk. Doyen of this class is Pierre Altier who will sail on Cry Baby. He used to dominate but many are improving. One of the entries hails from the BVI and is called Buzz Racing Team. Another is from St. Barths where Markku Harmala has a great racing record.
The Rally is an innovative event. The entries are there to sail fast but not to sail fast against each other. They simply have to get from the start to where the finish is in a shorter time than the other boat. So they are not racing and they do not start together. Numerous “cruising ” catamarans will sail fast, and be comfortable but still have a boat speed goal.
Novia from the DR is a regular well-sailed participant who has been on the podium most times. They will have competitors like Seaduction a Leopard 47 that can match up to most other cruising catamarans. Ron Boehm will be well prepared on his Perry Antrim 52 called “Little Wing”. Two Balance catamarans from Nevada and Texas will be watched with interest. They are beautiful to look at boats. Another participant is an F and P 51 from Texas called “What’s Left “. The smallest in size but with high potential based on his racing record will be the SMYC commodore Frits Bus on his Lagoon 380.
The 2025 Caribbean Multihull Challenge in St. Maarten will showcase an impressive array of racing and rally entries, underlining its growing prominence in the multihull sailing world. With a diverse fleet ranging from high-performance vessels like the HH66 Lee Overlay and Partners and the Gunboat 72 Layla, to trimarans with compelling histories such as Triple Jack and PIR 2, the event celebrates both speed and innovation. The addition of the Diam one-design class and the Rally’s unique format further enrich the competition, blending thrilling races with a relaxed cruising ethos. The event exemplifies the dynamic spirit of multihull sailing, uniting world-class racers, cutting-edge designs, and passionate sailors from across the globe.
