As dawn broke yesterday, it marked more than just a new day – it signalled the debut of Mach 4, the latest XF75 from Voodoo Yachts. Described by her builders as “the embodiment of wildfire,” Mach 4 continues the Voodoo tradition of turning heads. Like every Voodoo yacht, she’s not just a vessel – she’s a statement.
I had the opportunity to tour the Godfather, the XF60 Voodoo catamaran on display at the 2025 Auckland On Water Boat Show, and it left a lasting impression. The boat itself was outstanding – beautifully built, thoughtfully designed inside and out, and clearly engineered for serious performance. Just as impressive was the team behind it. Their pride in their work was obvious, and rightfully so. Calling the design “considered” doesn’t quite do it justice – it was genuinely inspiring. This is a boat that doesn’t just make you want to be on the water – it makes you want to go far, and go fast. Which, after all, is exactly what a great boat should do.
The earlier XF60, Rapide, made the passage from New Zealand to Fiji in impressive fashion, taking advantage of a favourable weather window. Departing on a Sunday morning, she arrived the following evening – just 39 hours later. Averaging 27 knots over 1,069 nautical miles, Rapide showcased the kind of speed and capability that sets Voodoo Yachts apart.
The Mach 4 striking 22.8-metre catamaran is built for their owners who expect more speed, more range, more comfort, and more capability. From the first moments of sea trials, it was clear Mach 4 has already begun redefining expectations of what a performance luxury motoryacht can be.
A catamaran with range – in every sense
The XF75 platform was designed from the outset to break the mould. At 7.6 metres wide, the catamaran offers a beam far more generous than most monohulls of the same length – which translates directly into interior volume and deck space. There’s 275 square metres of usable area onboard, cleverly designed to create a yacht that feels much bigger than its waterline length suggests.
The XF75 is engineered to perform. Powered by twin engines ranging from 1250 to 1800 horsepower each, she delivers a blistering sprint speed of up to 45 knots – while offering a highly respectable 600–1200 nautical mile range at 30 knots cruising. Dial it back to an 8-knot passage speed and you’re looking at a potential trans-oceanic range of 3,000 nautical miles. That’s capability usually reserved for displacement passagemakers – not something that can crack 40 knots with ease.
Luxury meets capability
Despite her aggressive styling and high-performance specs, the XF75 is every inch a luxury yacht. She sleeps eight guests across four cabins, with additional space for crew. Layouts are customisable, but all versions include multiple bathrooms (four or five depending on owner preference), expansive social areas aft and forward, and a large galley optimised for extended cruising.
One standout feature is the fully functional helideck. Built to accommodate a light helicopter up to H130 class, the deck includes refuelling capability for extended remote operations – a feature usually only seen on expedition-style yachts over 40 metres. It’s a sign of the sort of use the XF75 is built for: long-range adventures, remote anchorages, and off-grid independence without sacrificing comfort.
Smart design for serious cruising
While the XF75 is a high-performance vessel, it’s also designed to be easy to manage. The yacht can be operated by just one or two people, making it an attractive option for owner-operators. With a shallow draft of just 1.4 metres, the XF75 can access bays and anchorages that traditional motoryachts of this size can’t approach – opening up New Zealand’s more remote cruising grounds, or those found throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
And for those who like their toys, there’s space for a large tender, a jetski, and all the usual watersports gear. The wide cockpit and open aft deck are ideal for entertaining, while the foredeck lounge is a perfect spot for sundowners after a fast passage.
Voodoo Yachts has built a reputation for bold design, New Zealand craftsmanship, and real-world capability. Mach 4 looks set to take that reputation even further. Combining serious performance with true long-range ability and modern luxury, she represents a design that is aimed squarely at a growing group of yacht owners who want to go further, faster – and do it in comfort.
