From monohull to catamaran: finding the right balance
The backstory to their sailing began aboard a monohull, a Jeanneau 53 that Marco was particularly fond of. But Elena soon felt there were limitations of this type of sailing: “I hated always sailing upwind with the boat heeling over at a steep angle.”
Switching to a catamaran gave them more space and comfort. After their first catamaran, a Fountaine Pajot 45, they were nevertheless looking for a more exciting experience at the helm – a more direct connection with the sailing itself.
It was this search for balance that naturally led them to Catana.
“We were looking for something that really suited us. We knew almost straight away that Catana was the right choice for us,” says Elena.
Their meeting with the shipyard at the multihull show at La Grande Motte in 2024 confirmed their interest. A few months later, following the launch of the new Ocean Class model incorporating several improvements based on customer feedback, their decision was made.
Choosing a boat designed for real life on board
What appealed to Elena and Marco most about the Ocean Class was, above all, its ability to meet the needs of everyday life at sea.
The space, the storage, the sheltered outdoor helm station and the indoor chart table all played a decisive role in their choice.
For Marco, the interior chart table is particularly important: it allows him to remain comfortable during long night watches, whilst staying close to the person resting.
The couple also gave careful thought to the layout of the interior spaces to ensure they perfectly suited their use of the boat. On board Oceanika, they chose not to fit out the forward cabin, but to convert it into a large walk-in wardrobe.
A choice that may seem unusual, but which makes perfect sense for a couple who will mainly be living alone on board. This layout provides them with more storage space and an area dedicated to everyday life, just like at home.
The layout of the spaces has also been designed to suit their lifestyle: the port side becomes their own private space, while the starboard side is reserved for guests. A simple and intuitive layout that allows everyone to naturally find their place on board.
The couple also appreciate the ease of moving around on board and the feeling of security provided by the wide side-decks and the interior layout of the latest model.
“It’s the perfect compromise for us,” sums up Elena.
A boat designed for living aboard year-round
Their vision of cruising isn’t limited to beautiful summer days. For Elena and Marco, their catamaran is their home – comfortable over the long term and suited to every season.
Closing the side windows and the large sliding door allows them to make the most of the boat even when the weather is less favourable yet maintaining a sense of space and conviviality on board.
They were also pleasantly surprised by the boat’s natural ventilation – a feature they hadn’t realised would be so important until they experienced it for themselves.
“Benjamin Monier had always told us this, but at first, we didn’t really believe him. Now that we’re on board, we can see for ourselves: the boat is much cooler than our previous catamaran,” explains Elena.
For a boat designed to be lived in day and night, this air circulation is a real plus, particularly if we’re anchored in very hot weather. It’s a subtle yet essential comfort feature that helps make Oceanika a living space suitable for all weathers.
Cookie, the four-legged crew member
Aboard Oceanika, Cookie holds a special place. She came into their lives ten years ago and discovered the sea at a very young age: her first night at anchor was when she was just ten weeks old.
Today, she has adapted perfectly to life on a catamaran. The Catana’s wider and flatter walkways offer her every comfort and safety.
“She likes this one even more than the others,” says Elena.
A true “on-board police officer”, Cookie now keeps an eye on her crew and alerts them to the arrival of visitors.
Elena and Marco have also made some personalised modifications, notably laying carpet in the saloon. This choice may seem surprising, but it reflects their desire for a homely atmosphere: comfort underfoot, less of a damp feeling and a warmer ambience.
