McConaghy MC82p 2025 Review

Part of McConaghy’s MC catamaran range designed by Englishman Jason Kerr, these semi-custom hulls come in both power and sail varieties, measuring from 55 to 115 feet. All are flybridges, so offer three levels of living space, and the MC82p is vast, in a design that is intended to maximise internal volume.

The result is a bold superstructure while below the water the hulls demonstrated high efficiencies, albeit in the calm waters off the Gold Coast.

Designed to be operated in mostly displacement mode yet with double-digit top speeds, the MC82p’s relatively modest weight of 55 tons is intended to give it the efficiency for longer-range cruising.

Berthed at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in Queensland, the tall, white topsides with reverse sheer and plumb bows ensured the MC82p stood out and earned its $US6.99m ($A10.66m) price tag.

Elongated portlights cleverly disguised the tall hulls that reduced abruptly at a chine low down to give a sleek water entry. Stern cockpits are the most significant parts of catamarans, and the MC82p is no exception to this, along with a large swim platform to enable boarding and capable of holding a 1500kg rigid/16-foot inflatable on chocks.

Stepping up to the cockpit reveals a shaded open-plan area that uses the full 10m beam of the MC82p, with transom bench-sunbed and dining table, so plenty of room for large numbers of party guests to dance on the Flexiteek floor. With a wetbar to port and more bench seating to starboard, this area seamlessly blends into the saloon on the same level.

Related: McConaghy catamarans in Australia

The saloon is truly voluminous, as only an 82-foot catamaran can afford, enhanced with vertical bulkheads all round to create an airy space.

The galley runs most of the port side with lounge on the forward starboard quarter with a dinette behind it that can seat 10. A large island bench divides this area, so it’s accessible all round, including for the diners.

The loft-like layout perhaps suits marina life better than offshore but this is, of course, where most vessels spend their time.

The Australian owners have avoided overly adorning the saloon, and indeed throughout the entire vessel, but this lack of bling certainly gets my vote. Stylish pale hardwood veneers blend nicely with a high-gloss finish throughout.

The galley is superbly equipped with mostly Miele whitegoods and Vitrifrigo refrigeration. This includes a twin-door freezer, twin-door fridge and four-hob induction cooktop with two ovens, microwave, dishwasher plus another drawer fridge.

Embedded in the Corian countertop are double-bowl stainless steel sinks, with cupboard space underneath and alongside, including a sliding electric-operated pantry. Opposite the L-shape lounge, extensive storage is along the bulkhead, including a sunken television.

The flybridge has a superyacht feel and indeed an actual layout to match, given the beam and length of this area. Accessed via a wide and protected staircase to starboard, it is a place both skippers and guests will enjoy.

For the skipper, the Portuguese bridge gives clear views when docking and a tall helmstation to command from, while guests have the entire aft section to enjoy. Here, there’s a spacious dining area under the GRP hardtop with seating for eight and wetbar.

Within the surrounds of the Portuguese bridge, the helmstation cabin uses vertical bulkheads to give clear views and sun protection, aided by a GRP surrounding lip on the roof; I found it a pleasant perch when helming.

Given the windage and size of this vessel, controls are extensive to manoeuvre the shaft-driven hull. Twin throttles for the 300hp John Deeres are beside the helm. In addition, there are twin bow thrusters – retractable, hydraulic models from Side Power – plus a Glendinning wired remote controller handset for docking.

The console is dominated by a stylish flourish – an America’s Cup style carbon steering wheel opposite the bucket helm seat. Navigation is via twin 16-inch Garmin displays for charting and to display real-time imagery from the large 4ft open-array radar.

Both cockpits are seamless extensions of the saloon, with the bow one sunken, so suitable to safely enjoy even when underway.

Accessed via a sturdy bulkhead door and surrounded by bench seating and with easy access to the rode, the foredeck is both a comfortable and functional space, especially if you add the optional sun awning.

A deep gutter runs to the large Ultra anchor with locker space each side, windlass in the middle and trampoline netting at the final bow section, which reduces windage. Large cleating all round, including midships, ensure berthing will be secure as well.

Moving aft via the side decks I found easy to do, thanks to the high stanchion line, flush hatches and the saloon bulkhead. The latter could benefit from some handrails, though.

Sleeping space is understandably abundant within the two beamy hulls, allowing for four double guest cabins plus an additional two in the stern for the skipper and crew.

The two bow cabins are symmetrical, with a longitudinal bathroom forward and an island bed in the back. Naturally lit by the rectangular portlights and vented by opening skylights, the queen-sized beds have pleasant surrounds. Practical touches included fiddles along bulkheads to add storage and blinds for all windows and hatches.

Bathrooms are also practical with surfaces that are easy to wipe down, large square sinks and natural ventilation, with gold taps the only indulgence into opulence.

The midships cabins share the same stairways on each side with the forward ones and are also nearly symmetrical in layout, but with smaller floor area and similar spacious beds.

Using a separate entrance the crew cabins aft ensure privacy for the guests and are well fitted out with bathroom/showers and spacious utility room. On the starboard side is a double bed with crawl-in access and two bunks on port.

Built in the company’s China yard, the hull is a combination of E-glass/epoxy/foam sandwich with carbon fibre structural elements for rigidity.

Hull characteristics include the aforementioned chine near the waterline that allows much greater volume above – that means good load-carrying and accommodation – while the fine entry minimises drag.

Bridge deck clearance looked ample and the nacelle features a pronounced and deep vee to aid wave penetration and add internal storage. Other major underwater features are the shaft driven propellers in front of the twin rudders. Each propeller is equipped with rope cutters.

The engines are normally aspirated and chosen for their low-revving and long-range characteristics.

Tankage includes a fuel polishing system and an oil transfer system to facilitate servicing. Access is via large hatches in the aft cockpit, easily allowing me to inspect the engine rooms, showing all service points plus shelves for ancillary equipment, such as the 27kW Onan generator, water maker and aircon units.

Stored power is all lithium-ion with a dozen 180Ah batteries. The vast roof areas on both flybridge and saloon house a whooping 7.2kW of solar panels to feed these batteries, with a twin Victron 48V/10,000W inverter chargers – which means most parts of this vessel will run without generators.

On the Gold Coast the sea state looked fairly bumpy, with a two-metre swell running as we crashed through the waves at the Seaway entrance.

On the helm, I felt no wave slap – that deep vee cutting the swells nicely – before we motored clear to calmer water. Here, the MC82p definitely felt slippery, as it easily slid through the water at very low revs (about 900rpm) while doing nearly 9 knots.

The MC82p was specifically designed for cruising ocean passages at about 9 knots, with ranges of around 4000 nautical miles possible, dependent on sea state. However, and as I found out, it has a top speed of 15 knots, which it smoothly attained.

With whales in the area a good lookout was required, so I enjoyed the clear views from the helmstation which gave me the confidence to push the MC82p into a series of turns that went without dramas, before I surfed the swells heading for the golden beaches of Surfers Paradise.

Paradise, I’d say, is within range of this MC82p, so pick your destination and enjoy the luxurious ride.

Sea trial figures: calm conditions, tide assisted, three crew, 70% fuel load, 40% water load

The McConaghy MC82p demonstrates its design brief of being a capable long-range cruiser because it showed fuel efficiencies and a slippery hull that was easily capable of coping with a two-metre sea state. Beyond that is a luxury interior that combines practicalities with understated but stylish design, and the quality clearly shines through.

Price: $US6.99m (review hull only)
Length: 23.9m
Beam: 10.22m
Draft: 1.2m
Displacement: 55,000kg
Year: 2023
Engines: 2 x John Deere 300HP shaft drives
Fuel: 8000L
Water: 1500L
Builder: McConaghy Boats, China
Designer: Kerr Yacht Design/M2Atelier interior design