Luxury Meets Unreal Offshore Speed
Through the Lens: Capturing the Nautitech 542
There are boats built for the marina, and then there are boats built to move. When I recently had the chance to work with Inspire Marine to document Baruch, a 2019 Nautitech 542, it was immediately clear which category she falls into.
As a photographer, I’m always looking for lines that tell a story. The 542 is a gift for visual storytelling—from the resin-infused hulls that slice through the Bass Strait chop to that elegant, low-slung coachroof that makes for a perfect silhouette against a setting sun.
Launched in 2019, Baruch represents the pinnacle of French multihull design — fast, refined, and built to take you anywhere in the world, in comfort and style.
This is not your average cruising catamaran. Every line has been drawn for efficiency and grace. Twin resin-infused hulls, solid below the waterline and foam-cored above, give exceptional strength without unnecessary weight — keeping her light-ship displacement to around 14 and a half tonnes. The result? True sailing performance.
Under sail, Baruch comes alive. Her full-batten, square-top mainsail and self-tacking jib deliver effortless power and balance. Sit to windward at one of the twin helm stations and you’ll feel every gust translate directly into speed — slicing cleanly through the waves at 10, 12, even 15 knots when the breeze fills in. Offshore, she’s been known to reach over 19 knots under main and jib alone — the kind of performance that turns ocean miles into memories.
But the Nautitech 542 is more than a sailor’s machine. It’s a home at sea.
Step through the wide sliding doors and you’re greeted by a space that blurs the boundary between cockpit and saloon. Natural light floods through panoramic windows. A forward-facing navigation station gives you full command of the passage, while the galley and dining area invite relaxed living and conversation.
Below deck, Baruch’s layout combines elegance and practicality — spacious cabins, generous hull windows, and the comfort of home even in blue-water conditions. Every surface speaks of craftsmanship; every detail, refinement.
From her twin 75-horsepower Volvo diesels to her carbon-reinforced rigging options, every element of Baruch has been designed with reliability and endurance in mind. With 800 litres of fuel, 800 litres of fresh water, and storage to match, she’s capable of long-range, independent cruising — ready for the Pacific, the Caribbean, or anywhere your next adventure calls.
For those who appreciate fine engineering, responsive handling, and timeless design, Baruch is a rare opportunity. She’s a true performance catamaran — capable, confident, and built for those who demand more from their time at sea.
The Nautitech 542 is not just about getting there.
It’s about how it feels along the way.
Blogs
Port Douglas Race Week 2026
Working the bow aboard Y Knot at Port Douglas Race Week 2026, racing for the iconic Clipper Cup on the Coral Sea. Five days of tropical sailing — from glassy Day One conditions to 25 knots of south-east trade wind. Shaun McKenna reports from one of Far North Queensland’s sailing events.
North by Northwest
Pinned in Nelly Bay by the south-east trades, we waited four days before heading north aboard YKnot, a Hanse 430. What followed was 199 nautical miles of downwind sailing — island anchorages, unexpected hospitality at Dunk, a sea turtle at Fitzroy, and a tide-dependent entry into Port Douglas. The difficult days are always worth it.
ORCV Coastal Sprint #3
Sam Backwell’s first ocean race. Six yachts crossing ahead of an inbound cargo ship. Ginan sweeping all three handicap divisions. The third ORCV Coastal Sprint packed a full season’s worth of sailing into 27 nautical miles off the Mornington Peninsula — and Shimmer was right in the thick of it.
Salt
On Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, I sailed as bow person with James Marshall and Ian Fankhanel. Festival of Sails 2026 saw us win Division 1, thanks to a skilled team including tactician, navigator, and Peter Dowdney. Aaron Cole added sail expertise, highlighting how experience and teamwork make a high-performance yacht excel.
Shimmer
Shimmer, beautifully maintained by Steve Twentyman, is sailed regularly from Safety Beach Sailing Club. With a versatile sail inventory including J0, Code 0, and asymmetric spinnakers, I’ve gained experience across bow, trimming, and helming roles. Calm leadership and preparation make her a reliable platform for club racing, ORCV coastal events, and Category 2 offshore races.
S2H 2025
White Spirit – 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart
I completed the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart as 2IC and Navigator aboard White Spirit (Beneteau First 50), skippered by Cyrus Allen. Responsible for routing, weather analysis and sail strategy, I supported the helm and watches through a demanding, multi-system offshore race.
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2025
Airlie Beach Race Week tested sail handling, coordination, and timing across long island legs. On Y Knot, managing the bow meant staying ahead of multiple sail changes under shifting trade-wind breezes. The combination of fast offshore conditions, complex courses, and a skilled crew made it an intense and rewarding experience.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.
Australian Yachting Championships (IRC)
Racing on Tenacity in the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships tested precision and teamwork on Hobart’s Derwent. Handling halyards and sail changes as mast person, I experienced the split-second decision-making, calm control, and clear communication required to keep a high-performance Mills 41 moving efficiently through shifting river breezes.