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Used Power Catamarans For Sale

124' Dynamic Custom 38M 2025

$ 28,000,000

Ft. Lauderdale, United States

115' New Zealand Yachts Wave Piercer 2005

$ 5,900,000

Dania Beach, United States

Price Reduction

110' JFA 2012

$ 18,373,800

Valencia, Spain

107' Custom Cruiser Catamaran 2023

$ 2,059,600

Mannheim, Germany

103' Custom Fjellstrand 1983

$ 1,499,000

100' Extra Yachts X30 VILLA 2026

$ 18,319,600

Ancona, Italy

88' Sunreef Sunreef 88 DD 2017

$ 6,675,000

Fort Lauderdale, United States

85' Mares Power Cat 85 1997

$ 1,479,000

Seattle, United States

80' Mystique Yachts Silhouette 800 2023

$ 4,495,000

78' Naval Yachts 2024

$ 4,878,000

78' Lagoon Lagoon Seventy-8MY 2019

$ 4,100,000

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

77' Fountaine Pajot Catamaran 2010

$ 1,600,000

Saint George's, Grenada

Description

Power Catamarans, or "Power Cats" as they are often referred to, are one of the fastest growing segments in the marine industry. Sailing Catamarans have long been the preferred choice of sailors in the Caribbean because of the advantages of having two hulls and a wide beam. For a family enjoying a catamaran experience though, sailing becomes more of a hassle for some. For this reason, many of the yacht charter destinations now offer just as many power cats as sailing cats in their selection. This progression of how the catamarans are used spurred many of the catamaran manufacturers to start producing more power cats.

SPEAK TO A SALES PROFESSIONAL

When we hear someone has the bug for a power catamaran, it’s a gleaming opportunity for us to elaborate on their wonderful advantages. Different from the benefits of sailing, of course, there’s lots to entice a buyer with from expanded living areas, stability, storage capabilities, and fuel efficiency.

Far from being known as a new trend, the catamaran design has been around since 5th Century India. Sailing catamarans have been a popular choice for cruisers for years, but adding full power to it has really become popular in the last decade.

Below are some of the most well-known power catamaran brands on the market today:

• Aquila Boats
• Endeavour Catamarans
• Fountaine Pajot
• Horizon Power Catamarans
• Leopard Power Catamarans

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding buying a power catamaran

What is a power catamaran?

Power catamarans are simply defined as a multi-hull power boats. Power Catamarans have become increasingly popular in recent decades among recreational boaters for their stability, maneuverability, and roomy, comfortable ride. Although sailing catamarans have been on the seas for centuries, perhaps millennia, recreational power catamarans got their start in the 1970s.

Who invented the catamaran boat?

Catamarans originated with Polynesian people who built catamarans and outrigger canoes to travel to distant islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and by fishermen in Tamil Nardu, India for their stability in various sea conditions. Western development of a catamaran vessel began in the mid 1600s, to allow faster sailing in shallower waters and lighter wind, but didn’t meet with commercial success, and it wasn’t until the 1800s that further development led to the filing of a US Patent. Power catamarans were developed in the early 20th century as submarine salvage vessels and high-speed military transport vessels. The more recent development of the recreational power catamaran combined the best features of a motor yacht - luxurious living and deck area with the stability, speed, and efficiencies of a catamaran. One of the most popular examples is the 43ft Lagoon.

What are some types of catamarans?

Power or Sailing, Trimaran, Fishing (World Cat, Invincible, Barker, Calcutta, Insetta, and the custom Renaissance Prowler are among today’s best, offering stability, improved ride in rough seas, and an open deck layout), Cruising, Passenger (Ferries), Commercial/Industrial, Military, Security & Tactical Support, TrawlerCats, and Long-Range Luxury Catamaran Yachts are some of the catamarans on the water today.

What is the difference between conventional, wave-piercing, and SWATH catamaran hulls?

Traditional catamaran hulls are more banana-shaped, designed to ride on top of waves, with the geometry of the vessel creating stability, whereas the wave-piercing hulls extend forward and are reversed—longer at bottom than top/bow and sharper, allowing them to slice through waves for greater speed and less pitching, due to their lower buoyancy. More racing catamarans are built with wave-piercing hull technologies for speed advantages. Cruising catamarans in the superyacht category are utilizing wave-piercing hulls for the smoothness and performance advantages. Large passenger ferries and military catamaran ships utilize this type of hull for its speed and smooth ride through waves; the bridge deck may be configured like a regular v-hull, allowing it to penetrate wave crests. The SWATH (small water-plane area twin hull) catamarans employ tubular, submarine-like hulls that are completely submerged and connected by pylons to the bridge deck using a small cross section at the waterline. This type of hull was invented in the mid-1930s and is used for large research vessels and military craft for running in heavy seas as displacement volume is completely below waterline. This enables the ship to resist pitch and heaving, as there is no possibility of hull planing. Today’s builders of cruising power catamarans utilize the best hull technologies for increased efficiencies and safety.

Is a pontoon boat a type of catamaran?

Depending on boat size, pontoon boats ride on 2 or 3 aluminum flotation tubes called pontoons, that support and are covered by the open deck, and are not accessible from the deck; they serve to float the boat. A railing with fence paneling or seating upholstery runs along the deck perimeter, and they are typically outfitted for lounging and entertaining (nicknamed “party barges”), though many today are luxurious, and as speedy as runabouts and used for watersports. There are two types of pontoons: recreational and houseboats. Catamarans differ greatly in that the main deck rests on 2 or 3 (trimaran) hulls that are accessible living and/or storage space, and catamarans can be built with a flybridge deck. The catamaran hull is built for cruising/running offshore and inshore waterways, whereas the pontoon boats are open deck boats primarily designed for lakes, bays, rivers that are quieter waters. Catamarans tend to be wider and larger than pontoon boats, but each is a distinct category with its own purpose and market. Pontoons tend to serve the entry-level family recreational market. Both have seen an increase in popularity in the recreational boating industry.

Are power catamarans better than monohull powerboats?

Catamarans offer more deck and interior space per foot than monohulls, meaning a 40ft powercat can have as much space (in and out) as a 50ft monohull powerboat. Even a smaller powercat can have easily accessed 3-4 cabins with opening ports in hull windows for ventilation and light, plus the greater privacy of separate hull space, an ideal feature for charters. Inherently, the wide-apart hull configuration provides a more stable platform while underway or to stay level at anchor, unlike a monohull that can roll. Having twin engines and propellers set wide apart allows catamarans greater maneuverability and a shallower draft for island cruising—some catamarans can be beached! Having two hulls creates inherent redundancy with engines, props, water pumps, and extra space for additional equipment like generators, watermakers, and more. Catamarans with wave-piercing hulls have even greater efficiencies.

( Seen below: The living areas on a catamaran offer great space inside and out. )

Of course, there are some disadvantages, as with any category of vessel. One drawback is the cost to store and maintain a catamaran is higher, as marina dockage isn’t always accommodating of the catamaran’s greater beam and with two hulls/engines, maintenance and detailing costs may double. Haul-out costs are higher as well. The preference of one type of boat over another is completely personal; which best meets your priorities and usage plans? Do a cost benefit analysis—does the boat’s features and benefits outweigh any drawbacks?

What are the most popular current brands of cruising power catamarans?

Current brands to consider are Lagoon, Leopard (Robertson & Caine), Fountaine-Pajot, Sunreef, Nautitech, Horizon, Aquila, Makai, Bali Catspace MY, Hudson Powercat, Aspen Power Catamarans, Horizon, Endeavour TrawlerCat, Heliotrope 48, and the Leen 56 (a new trimaran long range cruiser and liveaboard). PDQ is no longer in production, but still popular, especially for cruising the eastern Great Loop. Common to all are the alfresco relaxation deck areas that seamlessly blend with interior deck area. There are also many one-of-a-kind custom power catamarans.

What does a 43-45 ft power catamaran cost?

Pre-owned 43-45ft power catamarans from 2010 to 2019 ranged in price from $398,000 to $1,075,000 for a median of $736,500. The main brands were Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, Aquila, and Lagoon. From 2000 to 2009, the price ranged from $202,000 to $528,000 for a median of $365,000. Main brands were Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, and Lagoon. Of course, there are other costs to consider, such as marina dockage, service and maintenance including haul-outs, and insurance, to mention a few.

What are the best power catamarans for offshore cruising?

According to the Oct 2020 issue of Passagemaker magazine, the Nautitech 47 power catamaran features load-carrying semi-displacement hulls give the Nautitech 47 a distinct performance advantage for bluewater (ocean) cruising. Other recommended models are the new Leen 56 trimaran long range cruiser designed for Transatlantic voyages. The main diesel engine is in the center hull and electric drives are in the two outer hulls (called amas). The Leopard 53 Powercat can be run from the lower helm with excellent visibility in air-conditioned comfort and features 6’8” and 6’10” headroom! Bali Catspace Motor Yacht (Catana Group) is nearly 39ft of luxurious outside/inside living space. Utilizing the latest innovations, the shape of her hulls and integral deck gives this power catamaran excellent seakeeping qualities. The 60 Sunreef Power is a versatile, modern motoryacht in Sunreef Yachts’ sporty Power line-up of catamarans in 60, 70, 80, and 100ft lengths. These are just a few examples. Fountaine-Pajot has been building catamarans since 1976; latest models are as luxurious and seaworthy as any world-class power motoryacht, with catamaran advantages.

Lagoon, Fountaine-Pajot, Sunreef, Leopard, Horizon, and other power catamarans are extremely popular for island charter cruises as they offer the power catamaran advantages of stability, speed, efficiency, spaciousness (wide beam interiors, private staterooms below deck), and relaxation with lots of deck space and 360-degree panoramic views! With their shallower draft, the swift powercats are great for island hopping in the Bahamas or BVI, and elsewhere in the world with beautiful archipelagos, reefs, and pretty islands to explore!

Read These Other Articles Related To Power Catamarans:

• Who Makes The Best Power Catamarans
• Are Power Catamarans Good In Rough Water?

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Motor Yacht MY4.S

A sedan-style power catamaran

Length overall

Beam overall

Standard Power

Option Power

Her large expanses of glass at the front and overhead and the single-level open-plan layout make this yacht a true delight on the water.

A catamaran power boat ideal for coastal cruising

Her saloon and helm station are sheltered and well-lit, making for serene cruising.

Her seaworthiness and ease of manoeuvring, amply supported by advanced technology, make this an affordable power catamaran for all sailors , regardless of experience. Fuel consumption is reduced courtesy of her two stepped hulls, and fuel economy means greater range. The double seat and bench in the cockpit are ergonomically perfect for fatigue-free sailing.

Motor Yacht MY4.S in video

Discover the MY4.S

A personal interior design

Her fittings, designed by Pierangelo Andreani , are accentuated by premium materials, such as light-coloured Alpi wood, to maximise the feeling of comfort. The four-cabin ‘Quartet’ version offers plenty of sleeping space for a large family. The ‘Maestro’ version has an owner’s suite spanning the entire hull with an island bed and separate shower cubicle.

Features Motor Yacht MY4.S

Version Maestro

1 owner’s cabin + 1 bathroom / 2 double cabins + 1 bathroom

Displacement unloaded

Full load displacement

15.1 T(Approx.)

Fresh water tank

Diesel tank

2×158 Gallons

Up to 425 NM

Daniel Andrieu

Andreani Design

The galley, running the full length of the saloon, has all the equipment you need to enjoy preparing meals onboard with direct communication to the cockpit. The bright and cosy saloon incorporates the sea into your life at any time of day. Her hard-top with its sunroof ushers in the sun and natural air whenever you want it

Indoor & outdoor areas

Unique design and incomparable spaces.

The cushioned foredeck and extra-wide aft cockpit with BBQ set the tone for relaxed life onboard, while the swim platform provides effortless access to the water so you can truly make the most of your holiday.

• Technology & Navigation
• Construction & Design

Waiting times for a Fountaine Pajot motor yacht may vary according to the stage of your project, the model you want or your navigation area. Some Fountaine Pajot dealers have new motor catamarans ready to sail ! Contact your nearest dealer HERE to ask about the availability of the boat of your dreams!

Visit your nearest Fountaine Pajot boat dealer to buy a new motor yacht from our range. You will benefit from personalised advice through the Fountaine Pajot dealer network. Discover our network HERE

The price of a Fountaine Pajot power catamaran varies according to the size of the model chosen and your cruising project. Our dealers are at your disposal to guide you in your choice of fittings, packages and options to best suit your boat purchase project. You can find out the starting price of the boat your choice on this page HERE .

IPS engines, fitted on some Fountaine Pajot motor catamarans are designed to offer greater energy efficiency, which translates into better fuel economy compared to other systems of propulsion. The overall design of IPS engines aims to optimise a boat’s performance in terms of speed , manoeuvrability and fuel economy. And of course, IPS engines offer excellent manoeuvrability thanks to steerable propellors, thus facilitating manœuvres in tight spaces like harbours.

Spacious and comfortable when sailing, Fountaine Pajot motor yachts also offer fine cruising speed. Depending on the model and the engine installed on board, they can reach a max speed of 24 knots and 18 knots in fast cruising mode.

Power catamarans are naturally more efficient than monohull power boats . Depending on the model and the engine installed on board, at a high cruising speed, i.e. around 18 knots, motor yachts in the Fountaine Pajot range can reach between 260 and 425 nautical miles. At an “economical” cruising speed, they can reach up to 1000 nautical miles. The Power 67, the Flagship model in the range, can reach up to 4000 nautical miles at economy cruise speed. Take a look at the boat comparator here

Thanks to its architecture with two floats and a central suspended platform, its mass is divided by two and better spread. Thinner hulls decrease the Archimedes thrust and require much less energy to move the keel through the water. Half the consumption of a monocoque is the result, increasing the range of motor catamarans for long crossings and long stays at anchor. For the same length, a catamaran gives much more living surface . The great width permits much more spacious cockpit space as well as a huge interior-exterior living space on one level,

Innovative, high-tech composite materials constitute most of the structure of our motor catamarans : hulls, flybridge, decks, bulkheads and more. Fountaine Pajot has perfected a resin injection and infusion technique, an advanced technology that gives our boats all their robustness. Thanks to this expertise, we can make our motor yachts considerably lighter while maintaining consistent quality . Injection also makes it possible to meet the most stringent environmental requirements, in line with the commitments of the Fountaine Pajot Group.

Virtual visit

As if you were there….

Welcome aboard this exceptional yacht for a 100% immersive visit. Explore her interior and exterior living spaces in minute detail!

11-meter motorboat

Interested in this model?

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A voyage into the Motor Yacht world of Fountaine Pajot

Dive deep into the Fountaine Pajot experience through testimonials, news, webcasts, podcasts, press reviews, photo and video reports... Together, let’s redefine the parameters of Motor Yacht cruising!

22 Jul 2024

Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts team wishes you a radiant summer!

MY4.S, a motor yacht at the top of navigation and comfort?

All about the new Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts with Stéphanie de Loustal.

02 Jul 2024

A look back at the Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts private seatrials

Fountaine Pajot Owners Rendez-vous 2016

For its 40th anniversary, Fountaine Pajot met up with owners of Sailing Catamarans and Motor Yachts to mark this special occasion.

10 Jun 2024

A private Motor Yachts boat show in La Rochelle

2023 magazine

18 Mar 2024

A Motor Yacht in harmony with the sea

Yacht Style – MY5

20 Feb 2024

A new way to experience Motor Yachts

Long distance cruising aboard a catamaran motor yacht MY 44

Patrick and Janet

25 Jan 2024

Welcome to the new Fountaine Pajot sites! A brand-new experience…

Discover the full test of the MY4.s by BoatTEST.com

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Motor Yacht MY.5

Hosting capacity

Skipper cabin Non

Bunk beds Non

Bunk beds Oui

Motorisation

Cummins Non

Speed ​​and autonomy

Technical information

User-friendly areas

Sunbathing Non

Kitchen Non

Sunbathing Oui

Kitchen Oui

Discover the prices

Double rooms

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One last step before reaching the next page & discovering the prices proposed & main options for this version! You'll then be able, to schedule a live chat with your local dealer to discuss all the options and configurations available for this model!

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Sunreef Yachts is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of luxury sailing and power multihulls.

Each catamaran, motor yacht, and superyacht built is a bespoke creation. Every yacht is a vision brought to life, thoughtfully designed to deliver luxury, style and comfort.

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to eco cruising, they offer cutting-edge electric propulsion , naturally-sourced sustainable materials, smart energy management and new technologies including a patent-pending solar skin produced in-house.

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Equipped with the world’s first and only composite-integrated solar panel system and using the industry’s lightest batteries, the Sunreef Yachts Eco catamarans provide the best of autonomy and energy efficiency for environmentally-conscious luxury cruising.

The Sunreef Yachts Eco harvest power from the sun more efficiently than most solar catamarans. First in the world In-house pattented designed and manufactured by the shipyard, Sunreef Yachts’ solar panels are fully-integrated with the composite bodywork, vastly increasing the amount of solar power generated.

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brand ambassador since: September 2021

Two-time Formula 1® World Champion Fernando Alonso commissioned a custom 60 Sunreef Power Eco catamaran with Sunreef Yachts.

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An unstoppable and passionate adventurer, Mike Horn has accomplished a series of groundbreaking expeditions including a legendary solo journey around the equator without motorized transport

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Hailing from Belgium, Manutti is a renowned outdoor luxury furniture brand founded by CEO Stephan

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Sunreef Yachts, the world’s leading luxury catamaran shipyard, proudly announces the 100 S

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Live updates: Seven dead in 56m superyacht Bayesian sinking tragedy

Seven people have died in the Bayesian sinking disaster, according to the BBC. These include the six missing people who were inside the yacht when it sank, as well as a seventh person who was located shortly after the disaster. The seventh person is understood to be the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas. The other six are:

• British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, once dubbed 'Britain's Bill Gates'
• Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah
• Morgan Stanley's chairman, Jonathan Bloomer
• Judy Bloomer, wife of Morgan Stanley chairman
• Chris Morvillo, a lawyer working for London-based law firm Clifford Chance
• Neda Morvillo, an American jewellery designer and Chris' wife

It is understood that the yacht was being used to celebrate Lynch's recent victory in a 13-year £8 billion fraud acquittal.

No one remembers the mast snapping before 56m superyacht Bayesian sunk, says crew

No one recalls seeing the mast snap on board the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian which sank off the Italian island of Sicily on 19 August. The eyewitness account of a crewmember on board the vessel, which was obtained by BOAT International , said that the boat was struck by a freak weather event which led to the yacht heeling at around 20 degrees to starboard. As crewmembers were securing items, the heeling angle began to increase rapidly until the yacht started taking on water and sank rapidly.

The crewmembers who were up on deck were able to evacuate the yacht with minor injuries. The yacht is understood to have sunk in just twelve minutes, and it is believed that a "major ingress" of water from the top down would have caused the sinking, according to a captain who wishes to remain anonymous. This is based on the fact that no breaches have been reported in the yacht's hull, and the fact that the yacht should have been able to remain afloat with two flooded compartments.

"Very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" says captain of sistership

The captain of the sistership to the sunken 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has said it is "very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" and called the 56-metre Perini Navi series "bulletproof".

David Hutchinson, captain of Rosehearty , said he had taken the yacht around the world multiple times and he had "total faith in the boat".  "We've been to Antarctica and Chile, and we've had her in 70 knots of wind," he says, and the vessel had never put them in a situation that felt unmanageable.

However, Hutchinson noted there were differences between Bayesian and Rosehearty ; notably, Bayesian's  74-metre mast, which would have been heavier and added increased windage. The yacht's layout was also different, with guest accommodation on Bayesian located further forward.

Live updates

• A search and rescue for six missing people has concluded. The final missing person is understood to be Hannah Lynch. 
• According to Reuters, six bodies have now been found in the sunken yacht. These include Mike Lynch, a British technology entrepreneur who co-founded Autonomy Corporation and founded Invoke Capital, although Italian authorities have not confirmed this.  
• One person was found immediately after the yacht sunk, and this is understood to be the yacht's chef. 
• Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old are among the fifteen people rescued along with Bayesian' s captain, James Cutfield.
• Another sailing vessel in the area, the 42-metre Sir Robert Baden Powell ,  stepped in to offer assistance in the initial rescue.
• Divers have been able to reach Bayesian' s sunken hull, which lies at 45 metres of depth about half a mile from the coast. The yacht had the largest aluminium masts of any sailing yacht on the water.
• Eyewitnesses in the area reported "hurricane" conditions off the coast but local weather websites did not indicate any severe squall, which suggests that the weather event was not forecast.
• At around 5am local time on 19 August, Bayesian was hit by bad weather and sunk.  The sailing yacht was anchored or idle at the time of the incident.

Built in Italy by renowned builder Perini Navi and delivered in 2008, the yacht's naval architecture was developed by Ron Holland Design while the interior design is by Rémi Tessier . She was formerly known as Salute and was last refitted in 2016. She was listed for sale earlier this year, according to BOATPro . The yacht had accommodation for nine guests and 12 crew.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.

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Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?

The Bayesian set off on a leisurely cruise around Italy's southern coast on a sunny day in late July.

The luxurious super yacht − which boasted one of the largest masts in the world and carried a crew of business moguls, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his family and a chair of Morgan Stanley − set sail from the Amalfi Coast, bound for Sicily.

Less than a month later, the ship had sunk 160 feet under the water , leaving its cook dead and six of its passengers, including at least two Americans, missing and prompting a massive search that has drawn international attention.

Now, experts are trying to piece together why in the early hours Monday the Bayesian was quickly pulled under the waves amid a storm that saw at least one tornado spin up over the water.

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A perfect storm led to Bayesian sinking, experts say

The combination of unlikely factors that could have contributed to the ship's fate constituted a "black swan event," Matthew Schanck, chairman of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, told USA TODAY.

The Bayesian was well-built: A 2008 product of Italian ship maker Perini, it was constructed in accordance with international maritime standards and commercially certified by the U.K.'s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, according to Schanck.

The bout of bad weather that swept the area when the ship went down was also out of the ordinary in the northern Mediterranean, "which isn't renowned for prolonged, significant stormy weather," he said.

"The fact that those two elements have then resulted in the foundering of a super yacht is pretty extraordinary," Schanck said. "These things don't happen every day."

After the ship sank just before 5 a.m. local time, 15 people, including a 1-year-old, were pulled from the water. Some were rescued from a life raft by the crew of a ship docked nearby.

Ricardo Thomas, the ship's cook and a native of Antigua, was found dead, according to authorities.

As of Tuesday, six people were missing, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter. Several missing passengers were involved in Lynch's trial on fraud charges, including Jonathan Bloomer, a Morgan Stanley chair who served as his character witness, and one of Lynch's attorneys. Lynch, accused of fraud after he sold his company to electronics giant Hewlett-Packard, was acquitted of all charges weeks ago.

Who is Mike Lynch? UK entrepreneur among those missing after superyacht sinks off Sicily

Tornado formed over unusually hot water

Storms in the area that night may have whipped up a water spout, a tornado over the water , according to local meteorologists.

It was likely triggered by the water's unusual warmth, said Rick Shema, a certified consulting meteorologist who served in the Navy.

"The water spout was an uncommon occurrence," he said. "But again, these things happen, especially in warmer water."

At 83.7 degrees, water in the area was more than 3 degrees hotter than average on the day the Bayesian sank, likely the result of climate change, Shema said.

"Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said.

The water spout may have spun up when cooler air dropped from mountainous places nearby onto the hot water, he said. "A water spout is a vortex, basically like a tornado, spinning real fast, sucking up water and moisture as the column rises," he said.

Although water spouts only reach around 120 mph, as compared with tornadoes on land, which can reach up to 300 mph, "you don't need 200 mph to sink a ship," he said.

"Even an average tornado, 120 miles an hour, that's a lot of wind," he said, "which would heel the boat over for sure."

Water spouts spring up suddenly, Shema said. Before they strike, winds can be slow, but "once the water spout comes over, bam, it's on," he said.

Before sunrise, the ship's crew may not have seen the water spout coming. "The visibility was probably a big factor," he said.

With the windows of the yacht opened, as they likely were in the hot weather, the water spout could have triggered water that flooded through the portholes, Shema said, causing the ship to sink.

Tragedy strikes: Scramble to find survivors after Bayesian yacht sinks off Sicily coast

Search continues, but shift to recovery phase approaches

Italian authorities said the Bayesian was probably at anchor when the storm struck, meaning it couldn't maneuver and ride the waves, according to Mitchell Stoller, a captain and maritime expert witness. Other ships in the area that turned on their engines rode out the storm, he said.

"When you're at anchor and you see weather, you start your engine and you put the wind on the bow. You don't let it get on the side," he said.

Schanck said another key question concerns the position of the keel, a heavy weight underneath the boat that acts as a counterbalance to keep it upright, when the ship sank. When lifted, "that's going to affect the stability of the vessel, because, obviously, you've now raised the center of gravity of that vessel," he said.

The Bayesian was floating over 160 feet of water at the time, deep enough that the keel would likely be deployed. But the fact that "the vessel heeled over so heavily makes me question that," Schanck said.

The cause of the disaster may not be known until the ship can be examined in more detail, experts say. Prosecutors in a nearby town have already opened an investigation.

Schanck said investigators will have plenty to work with once the operation moves into a recovery phase.

"The vessel is intact and in good condition on the seabed," he said. "There's a lot of eyewitness accounts from other vessels in the area and the shore."

As the search entered its second day on Tuesday, the rescue effort may shift in that direction soon. "I suspect, later on, today or tomorrow, we'll probably see some mention of a recovery operation being stated," Schanck said.

The decision to would depend on whether rescuers find signs of life in the ship and air pockets or survivable spaces, Schanck said. At this point, survivors on the water's surface looks unlikely. "My professional opinion is that the casualties will be located within the vessel," he said.

"There is a risk versus benefit in all maritime search and rescue incidents," he said. "Where we start transitioning to a recovery phase, that line shifts."

Contributing: Reuters

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

Family of Mike Lynch's co-defendant who died after car accident days before yacht sinking pay tribute

Stephen Chamberlain and the tech tycoon had faced charges of fraud and conspiracy but were acquitted by a US jury in June. He was involved in a collision with a car in Cambridgeshire on Saturday.

Business reporter @taaffems

Tuesday 20 August 2024 11:40, UK

The family of Mike Lynch's co-defendant in a recent US fraud trial have paid tribute to a "much-loved husband, father, son" after it was confirmed he died following a road accident that occurred a couple of days before the British tech tycoon went missing.

Stephen Chamberlain, the former vice president of the finance company Autonomy, was hit by a car while out running in Cambridgeshire on Saturday morning, his lawyer said.

Mr Chamberlain had faced the same charges of fraud and conspiracy as his former boss Mr Lynch - one of six people reported missing after a luxury yacht was struck by an unexpectedly violent storm and sank off Sicily early on Monday.

He had been accused of allegedly scheming to inflate the value of Autonomy, then Britain's largest software firm, before it was sold to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

In a statement released by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, his family said in a statement: "Steve was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend.

"He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible.

"He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

"He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones."

Mr Chamberlain and Mr Lynch were acquitted of all 15 charges by a jury in the fraud case in San Francisco in June.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Chamberlain's lawyer, Gary Lincenberg, who described him as a "dear client and friend", said he had died after being "fatally struck" by a car while out running near Stretham.

At the weekend police in Cambridgeshire appealed for witnesses and information after a man in his 50s, from Longstanton, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The force said a blue Vauxhall Corsa was travelling between Stretham and Wicken on the A1123 when it collided with a pedestrian at about 10.10am in Newmarket Road. On Tuesday, it renewed its appeal.

The force added in a statement: "The driver of the car, a 49-year-old woman from Haddenham, remained at the scene and is assisting with enquiries."

Meanwhile, a search for Mr Lynch, 59, is still under way after a UK-flagged superyacht named Bayesian sank .

One person is dead and the British tech billionaire, who owned the 56-metre vessel (183ft), is one of six people missing, including several of others Mr Lynch has worked with.

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah is among those missing after his yacht sank, local media reports, however his wife Angela Bacares is confirmed to be among the 15 people who were rescued after it capsized at about 4.30am local time (3.30am UK time) on Monday.

Follow live updates: People missing after superyacht sinks

Mr Chamberlain worked as Autonomy's vice president of finance until he left in 2012 to work as chief operating officer for cybersecurity firm Darktrace, a firm founded by Invoke Capital, which itself was owned by Mr Lynch.

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He also volunteered as a finance director for Cambridge United, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The sale of Autonomy was the biggest tech takeover of a FTSE 100 firm at the time - but HP wrote down £5.5bn of the company's value within a year, claiming revenue streams were inflated.