Longreach 1900 Catamaran boat test

Power catamarans generally have either planing or displacement hulls, with the added frugality of displacement models making them ideal long-range adventure vessels – our Longreach 1900 test boat being a very good example.

Its reverse-bow hulls are designed to minimise drag while having enough volume to take a substantial cruising load, and raked bulkheads above deck reduce windage, the bane of flybridges.

There are two configurations: Bluewater, with a more open layout suitable for temperate climates, and Expedition, which has more all-weather protection for the flybridge and cockpit.

The Longreach emphasises liveability, and the 7.6m beam provides the space required for a vast saloon, as well as a full-width, deck-level master cabin.

To starboard in the saloon is an L-shaped galley with island bench and aft-facing breakfast bar. Forward is an adjustable dinette table with U-shaped bench seating. 

The accommodations include three cabins with zoned air-conditioning. The master cabin boasts generous headroom, a king-size bed, windows on three

In the starboard hull, a corridor takes you to a hull-width cabin with a queen bed and forward en suite. Here, too, there’s considerable space above and around the bed. The port hull has spacious day head and a three-quarter berth lying fore-aft. 

The Longreach 1900 has expansive, uncluttered cockpit areas fore and aft, with wide sidedecks and sturdy handrails.

Key features at the bow include a cushioned sunbed and a walkway up to the flybridge. There are large lockers for fenders etc, and a Muir horizontal windlass inside a chain locker.

The flybridge features a Portuguese-style bridge with doors each side and a spacious entertaining area with lounges, chairs and table, outdoor wetbar and other accoutrements. There’s room to hoist a tender on an aft ledge. 

We eased ourselves out of the tight berth at Ocean Marina, using a Dockmate remote. The hydraulic steering did our bidding as the revs rose to a cruising speed of eight knots (15km/h), showing a fuel burn of 12.5lt/h, which would give an impressive range of about 3500nm (6480km).

Speed to outrun a storm is also there if needed, with about 17 knots (31.5km/h) the best we managed on test day with the heavily laden Expedition hull.

With the return voyage, the wind and seas had risen significantly. Initially, this caused some yawing, until we better angled the seas and used more power to vastly improve the ride. 

The Longreach 1900 models bristle with high-tech systems, including CZone digital control and monitoring system for all house systems and some engine features.

Both the Bluewater and Expedition models have 4.9 to 6kW of solar on the roof, a bank of Mastervolt lithium batteries, and large inverters. A backup WhisperPower generator is in the engine room.

Overall, the Longreach 1900s are impressively built and configured boats, ideal for cruising to the far reaches of the world with a typical range of 3000nm at eight knots. 

Price correct as of 1 March 2024

• Priced from $4.925M (Bluewater 880hp, ex-factory)

• LOA: 19m
• Beam: 7.60m
• Displacement (full load): 38,000kg
• Fuel capacity: 10,000lt
• Power as tested: 2 x 440hp Yanmar 6LY

A FULL REVIEW OF THE LONGREACH 1990 RAN IN THE FEBRUARY-MARCH (VOLUME 39.1) ISSUE OF CLUB MARINE MAGAZINE.

VISIT LONGREACH CATAMARANS FOR MORE INFORMATION.