Unusually light for a well-appointed 39ft cruising catamaran, at 3,800 kg, the Andaman Cabriolet is fun to sail, surprisingly luxurious, comfortable to cruise – and fast to race.

This is definitely not a slow cruiser winning just because of a great handicap. In this year’s Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, just a few minutes separated Da Vinci and the fastest Corsair trimaran across the line in a typical race in moderate-tolight conditions. In the Multihull Championship, she came within one point of the pure racing Seacart 30, Thor, in the overall results – having taken two firsts in individual races. The third boat was seven points behind Da Vinci!

With two boats in the water, the third due for launch in January 2011 and several ‘live’ enquiries for numbers four and five, Composite Catamarans is continually tweaking materials, construction methods – and those ‘little things’ that make for extra comfort and ease of handling.

Two double and two single berths, two shower-toilets, a big comfortable saloon with retractable ‘cabriolet’ roof, ‘galley up’ and a spacious cockpit, the Andaman Cabriolet is designed for people who prefer their sail boats to actually sail well! Yet, at the same time, it’s easy to handle and perfect for family cruising. And, partly customisable, you make it your boat...

Happy as Larry! The Da Vinci boys, Mark Norris (left) and David Roberts	photos x 6 by samuipics.com

When one of the most stylish outfits around decides to buy your design, you know you've got something right.

So when the savvy boys from the elegant Da Vinci restaurant saw the boat, met the builders and made the decision to buy only a week after the launch of the prototype, Niña, it was time for celebration back at the Composite Catamarans yard.

Doing it right – the blessing	The Da Vinci 'other halfs', Yasuko Norris (left) and Lereife Robert

And in keeping with their approach to doing business, when the time came, Da Vinci celebrated the launch of their new 'toy' in grand style.

It's not Da Vinci without the girls...	Phuket's 'great and good' help celebrate