Introducing Gunboat 80 Agave

AGAVE was commissioned by a decorated performance sailor seeking refined and deeply satisfying sailing capabilities for their family cruising platform. The sailing experience of family and friends on board will range from zero to professional and, regardless, each guest will be entirely stoked and delighted to go cruising for their own set of reasons. The cruising lifestyle will be enchanting. The sailing will be exceptional.

This is a fully equipped cruising catamaran designed with precision performance, engineered to sail at wind speed from a mere 5 knots of breeze and capable of top speeds over 30 knots! To achieve this, the 80 is comprehensively designed and engineered by Gunboat together with VPLP, Christophe Chedal Anglay and Patrick le Quement, based on a platform built in full prepreg carbon fiber, engineered with allowances to offer a very flexible “box rule” customization concept. And with the precision boatbuilding and project management by Gunboat in France, each unique rendition of this series is guaranteed to be a solid and objectively epic sailing machine.

Key Specifications of Gunboat 80 AGAVE

At 80 feet long and 32 feet wide, Gunboat 80 AGAVE is a serious contender for Flagship status within the fleet! AGAVE’s 2-year build represents many hours across various departments to achieve exceptional performance and interior optimizations centered on their cruising program. 

Strict, thorough and precise, every decision was weighed (literally) and evaluated for quality, safety, performance and efficiency. For maximum strength and weights savings, the platform starts with ultra lightweight, high-tech construction of the superstructure and bulkheads in prepreg carbon fiber, in collaboration with Fibre Mechanics and Multiplast. 

The custom spars package by Lorima features a 31m rotating mast, box boom with outriggers, longeron, and crossbeam - all constructed in pregreg, autoclave cured, high modulus carbon fiber. 

On the 80, the coachroof-stepped mast is positioned relatively further aft than previous Gunboat designs, for a more balanced sail plan and centre of gravity. 

Lifting, retractable T-rudders are designed to improve life at sea and at anchor. Minimum draft of 1.3 meters opens a world of cruising grounds and access to shallow water anchorages. In simulator testing with VPLP, t-foils represent an advantage for cruising, to reduce pitching by around 30% in the Caribbean swell, while increasing average speeds. 

Straight, asymmetrical daggerboards with self-aligning bearings designed for easy handling at cruising speeds.  

Upgraded rigging and deck hardware throughout, from ECSix Standing Rigging to titanium fittings. 

Comprehensive hydraulics system by HydrauNautic with pressure sensors and quick release system serving the mainsheet, Cunningham, outhaul/boom pusher, traveller, daggerboards, and tack line. 

Gunboat’s trademark forward cockpit, with big hydraulic winches to handle halyards, reefing lines, daggerboards, tack lines and furling lines. Sheets for overlapping headsails lead to coachroof winches next to the helm stations, while downwind sails are trimmed from winches aft.  

Excellent helm feel and sail handling from dual aft helm stations. Optimized for short-handed sailing and easy cruising, AGAVE features an array of 16 buttons to operate the hydraulics at each helm station making short handed sailing a breeze. From the helm you can lift or drop the daggerboards, trim the sails, and adjust the traveler, cunningham tension and more.  

The jawdropping custom metallic paint job reflects 12,000 hours of technical prep and paint work by a team of 25 experts for a stunning mirror finish.

Come for the speed, stay for the comfort

While the performance aspect of the Gunboat gets a lot of attention, its only together with beautiful, well-appointed interiors that we can truly depict the Gunboat lifestyle, cruising around the world in comfort and style! Stay tuned for the interior reveal in the coming weeks. 

Learn more about the Gunboat 80 through our dedicated webpage or by reading this article published in Seahorse magazine. Join us on our social media channels for more content!