I happen to own an Aura 51 in the USVI and chartered via Waypoints. She sails much better than the Saba 50 and I have extensive time on both. I do agree with some of the comments below. We have the 6 cabin layout and just sailed from USVI down to St. Vincent and Tobago and just under 1K miles. We have a few upgrades vs the boat shown in this video but Wiley did a nice job of highlighting both the pros and cons of this catamaran. The TV is on a swivel and swings all the way around so easy to watch anywhere in the salon. The Sky deck does have a nice table with lots of storage up top and the engine layouts are large and well done. If you have a chance, go sail one and with the upgraded motors and folding props, she is a breeze to handle. Cheers
Doug, shoot me an email. I'd love to chat with you about your Aura and chartering her. My email is Wiley@CatamaranCentral.com Are you spending the hurricane season in the Grenadines? That's my favorite cruising ground.
Wiley, thank you for finally getting to this one!!! Completely agree with most of your impressions, but ... I still prefer the Saba cockpit and salon layouts. That Aura salon makes no sense to me. Encouraging people to walk through your galley in what is almost certainly a crewed-yacht? The chef/stew is going to hate that more than the prep and storage space they have lost. Assuming you actually wanted to watch that TV, there is only one seat that faces it (I guess you could lie down on the sofa with a few pillows to protect your head from the metal armrest and watch too). That coffee table is virtually useless and a tripping hazard while underway. Lots of wasted and poorly thought-out space there. However, they definitely improved the cabin and head arrangements, maybe at the expense of the oversized, glass enclosed shower stalls in the older boats? Still not sure I would like the lack of privacy (and security?) of the cockpit hatches to the aft cabins, but it does greatly improve the airflow over the Saba. A very nice crewed charter boat for the VIs and the Med.
It looks like a weekend party boat with layout of salon and cockpit Charter here in the Virgin Islands ? looks like she is perfect for that . I would be curious on how she sails ? Lick a brick for a dock queen / motor sailing ?
Wiley do you find a one piece tramp is better or worse than a split? Seems that a single trampoline would have a higher failure rate than a split one. Thinking of weight distribution. Not sure if that makes sense.
@@co4x4 Cats are more sensitive to additional weight than monos. You’ll usually see in-boom as a furling solution for cats as it keeps the weight lower, but you still sacrifice some sail performance for the same surface area.
Nice opening shot of Clarke's Court.
I happen to own an Aura 51 in the USVI and chartered via Waypoints. She sails much better than the Saba 50 and I have extensive time on both. I do agree with some of the comments below. We have the 6 cabin layout and just sailed from USVI down to St. Vincent and Tobago and just under 1K miles. We have a few upgrades vs the boat shown in this video but Wiley did a nice job of highlighting both the pros and cons of this catamaran. The TV is on a swivel and swings all the way around so easy to watch anywhere in the salon. The Sky deck does have a nice table with lots of storage up top and the engine layouts are large and well done. If you have a chance, go sail one and with the upgraded motors and folding props, she is a breeze to handle. Cheers
Doug, shoot me an email. I'd love to chat with you about your Aura and chartering her. My email is Wiley@CatamaranCentral.com
Are you spending the hurricane season in the Grenadines? That's my favorite cruising ground.
Great stuff, Wiley. Thanks for the vid! Really great owners cabin.
Wiley, thank you for finally getting to this one!!! Completely agree with most of your impressions, but ... I still prefer the Saba cockpit and salon layouts. That Aura salon makes no sense to me. Encouraging people to walk through your galley in what is almost certainly a crewed-yacht? The chef/stew is going to hate that more than the prep and storage space they have lost. Assuming you actually wanted to watch that TV, there is only one seat that faces it (I guess you could lie down on the sofa with a few pillows to protect your head from the metal armrest and watch too). That coffee table is virtually useless and a tripping hazard while underway. Lots of wasted and poorly thought-out space there. However, they definitely improved the cabin and head arrangements, maybe at the expense of the oversized, glass enclosed shower stalls in the older boats? Still not sure I would like the lack of privacy (and security?) of the cockpit hatches to the aft cabins, but it does greatly improve the airflow over the Saba. A very nice crewed charter boat for the VIs and the Med.
Happy New Year from
Canary Islands Wiley👍👍
Happy new year!
Merry Christmas Mr Sharp hope you have a blessed New Year
Thanks Trey! I hope you have a great new year.
Love me some quick panos.
It looks like a weekend party boat with layout of salon and cockpit
Charter here in the Virgin Islands ? looks like she is perfect for that .
I would be curious on how she sails ? Lick a brick for a dock queen / motor sailing ?
From my experience I always find FP's to be good cruising sailboats. I would be surprised if she doesn't sail well.
Available for charter? Share details!
She is available for charter. Email Laura@CatamaranCentral.com for more information on chartering her!
Wiley do you find a one piece tramp is better or worse than a split? Seems that a single trampoline would have a higher failure rate than a split one. Thinking of weight distribution. Not sure if that makes sense.
It make sense, but... I don't think it actually makes that much of a difference.
Is that a Baltimore accent I detect?
Born and raised in Florida.
Why is it that you don't you ever see cats with inmast furling sails?
To much weight, and not the best way to sail anyway
@@oldsailor5711 but monohauls have them. Is this because monohauls are generally lighter in weight?
@@co4x4 Cats are more sensitive to additional weight than monos. You’ll usually see in-boom as a furling solution for cats as it keeps the weight lower, but you still sacrifice some sail performance for the same surface area.
@@tylerwalz1 Retired sailors might prefer to trade off the reduced performance for reduced physical labor…
'promosm'
Too much talk. Let the video take the viewer on a ride. They can think for themselves.
Cant imagine going to a dinner party with you. Your constant talk would ruin it for everyone. You will never be invited back.
You talk nonstop. That is no good.