La Tortue 147 and easy summer living afloat

The 2025 International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte set new records, with a larger fleet, world premieres and a first-ever motor multihull marina drawing strong global interest. Over 60 sailing multihulls and close to 20 powercats were on display, and electric and hybrid propulsion featured strongly across brands. The event highlighted fresh design directions and sustainable technologies shaping the future of multihull boating.

The International Multihull Show 2025 is bigger, bolder, and busier by far

La Tortue (which translates to “The Turtle”) 147 emerged quietly in 2025. Built in Hergla, Tunisia, and unveiled across Europe in spring, it focused on comfort and autonomy rather than speed or sailing performance.

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Most of us don’t spend summer sailing hard. We anchor. We swim. We cook. We host. We live on board. La Tortue 147 is built for that reality. It’s a 14.7 metre aluminium cat conceived as a floating summer base, with big living spaces, serious solar, and systems aimed at staying put.

At anchor, the boat works as a home. La Tortue 147 prioritises space, shade, and solar capacity.

Deck and cockpit

The deck and cockpit are where the boat is used most. Wide side decks, deep protection, and a large aft cockpit make moving, eating, and hosting easy. Shade is built in. Access to the water is direct. Nothing feels temporary or squeezed.

At 14.7 metres long with a beam just under eight metres, the proportions favour usable space over sailing theatrics. The boat sits wide and stable, feeling settled once the anchor is down.

Interior

The interior is built for daily use. The galley sits at the centre, with bench space, storage, and headroom that feel domestic rather than nautical. Light comes in from all sides. You can cook, sit, and move without bracing.

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Rather than pushing cabins forward in the layout, the living area leads. It feels more like an apartment that happens to float than a yacht arranged around passage making.

Systems

The systems support staying put. Solar carries the daily load. Batteries cover the evenings. Hybrid propulsion combines twin 57hp diesels with electric assist, reducing engine hours and noise at anchor. The boat stays quiet at anchor.

Solar output sits around 5.5kW, backed by a large lithium battery bank. Cruising settles in around eight knots when needed, but the emphasis is on minimising engine use rather than chasing miles.

Construction

The structure is aluminium throughout. Thick plate, protected keels, and skegs suit shallow water and long stays at anchor. The boat feels settled, not light or fragile.

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Built entirely in aluminium, the boat displaces around 17 tonnes empty, rising once water ballast and stores are added. Freshwater ballast is used to manage trim and load, reinforcing the boat’s settled feel at anchor. Long keels protect running gear and allow it to sit comfortably in shallow areas, an advantage for coastal cruising and anchoring close in.