We may be approaching the end of the Millennium, but it is only the beginning for the Age of the Cat! Last year, Jeantot/Alliaura Marine took the cruising world by storm with the introduction of their innovative and all encompassing design, the new Privilege 465. With more variations and options than a cat has lives, they silenced (in the blink of an eye) all the arguments for purchasing one catamaran over another. Who would have dreamed that they would so quickly bring to the market another boat that could do so much. While the iron is still hot, Jeantot Marine has struck again. Introducing for 2000, the all new Privilege 435.

She is the little sister to the Privilege 465 but just as good looking. She is innovative and sure to impress, but with subtle differences that are all her own.

Once again, entrance to the cockpit up her wide steps is easy and convenient. The standard boat has the bulkhead steering station with double helm seat, but there is also the option of single or twin aft helms, for those of us who want to be Dennis Conner.

Vast storage lockers under the aft cockpit seats and floor area compliment the large and truly congenial cockpit. All sail handling, except for the main traveller, can be done from the coach roof where the winches and control lines have been well placed. The 435 will soon join the supremely popular Privilege 42 in the range, which had a very impressive performance under sail. The 435 should replace the aging 45 design and nicely fill the gap between the 42 and 465.

The 435 offers a longer waterline (5 ft. more), more working sail area (107 sq. ft. more), a wider beam (over 2 ft. more), deeper keels (for better windward performance and directional stability) and wider, more easily driven and superbly balanced hulls. The end result being a boat that will sail faster, point higher and be more fun to sail and considerably more comfortable to live in or charter. Performance can be enhanced and draft reduced by the option of daggerboards over the standard keels.

The main salon offers the same split-level galley, the large oval seating area, large oval seating area, large panoramic windows and a small but functional navigation area. Added for the first time on any boat under 57ft., is the proper bar with stand behind countertop. The huge 4 cabins and two heads with showers round off the standard boat. An owner's version will be offered too. If the charter record of the 465 is anything to go by, this boat will also be in huge demand.

The Catamaran Company will display this new model at the Annapolis Sailboat Show (October 7-11, 1999) and will also be available for test sails at the Multihull demo Days (October 12 & 13, 1999). We are also excited for this stylish 435 to join our popular and 100% catamaran charter fleet.

Effective June 1, 1999, The Catamaran Company, the worlds largest exclusively catamaran sales and charter operator, has been appointed the exclusive dealer in Florida for the fine line of Lagoon catamarans.

Bruno Belmont, General Manager of Lagoon Yachts (Bordeaux France), said, "We are delighted with our new association with The Catamaran Company. We have had a very successful enterprise with their charter division and are extremely happy that they will also be representing Lagoon Yachts for private sale in the state of Florida."

Lagoon builds models in the following size ranges: 380 (debut Newport Boat Show 1999) 410, 470, 570 and the impressive 67. Along with these fine sailing catamarans, Lagoon will be announcing the arrival of their first powercat, around 41 ft.

The Catamaran Company has been in business for about ten tears and also represents Jeantot/Alliaura Marine (builders of he Privilege line of power and sailing catamarans) and Fountaine Pajot for charter placement. The Catamaran Company Operates charter bases in the Caribbean and US.

Christine Buttigieg
Jim Laflin

Another eventful charter season has come to a close in the BVI! The big news this time is, we've had a major fire and had to move our offices.

Our old base at Village Cay was the perfect location for a small charter company. We were centrally located and very high profile but had nowhere to expand our operations. Try squeezing well over 20 catamarans into 14 dock spaces! We looked into renting more dock space but when Footloose moved out of Nanny Cay we finally had the chance to take over two entire docks giving us 28 cat sized berths with vastly improved office and workshop buildings. The move itself went very smoothly. Our last two bareboats left Village cay with instructions to return to our new base in Nanny Cay. The entire staff here worked beyond the call to set up the new base ready for the season. It was a monumental task and everything was going so well....and then there was an electrical fire in the building and it burned to the ground!! However, the next day we

Micheal Harris, one of our Sales Specialists went on a cruise with his daughter and took this snapshot while she was snoozing. We thought it was so cute we should include it.

Recovered and charters came and went as normal. They have started the rebuilding and next season we will have a brand new complex. We hope we have better luck next time.

On the staffing front there have been a few changes. Brent Brydon our bareboat manager who joined us last summer

allegedly still gives the best chart briefing available. However, this lofty claim is now being challenged by Carig Nieb who recently joined the team working alongside Brent and myself. It is hard to imagine a better qualified trio to look after our bareboat guests. On the crewed yacht scene we have the vibrant Jaeda Taylor Wooldridge in control. She will be taking some time out in September to bring a new Wooldridge into this world. Didier is now assisted by Patrick Pompino on the mechanical front. Patrick is a technical wizard and can fix anything that Didier can't (is there anything?).

This season's chase calls have been at an all time low. We went 7 weeks without a single chase call. On the dock, the team remains essentially the same with David, Butu, Rigot, Guilline, Flo and Dora all happy and hard at work. Auston and Junior have joined us as dock attendants. Joan continues to weather all storms in the office and keeps us all sane by being one step ahead. Marianne is working far too hard as usual but she did manage to steal away Didier for Puerto Rico for a few days. We will all have to force her to take Didier off on a proper vacation soon.

Well That's All For Now. See you in the Islands (or at the Boat Shows!).