Media release: HopYacht and DTYD launch Hull 10 of the HopYacht 30

A milestone launch in Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa: HopYacht has launched Hull 10 of the HopYacht 30, marking a significant milestone for one of the world’s most distinctive compact catamaran designs.

First launched in October 2022, the HopYacht 30 has grown from a bold and highly specific concept into a recognised niche vessel with international appeal. Hull 10 represents an important achievement for HopYacht and Du Toit Yacht Design, the award-winning yacht design firm behind the naval architecture of the vessel.

A compact catamaran with a clear purpose

The HopYacht 30 was created to challenge conventional ideas around small cruising catamarans. Rather than trying to replicate a larger bluewater multihull the design brief focused on making sailing easier, simpler and more enjoyable, especially for couples, or families with small children. The result is a compact, all-electric catamaran that offers exceptional comfort for its size, easy handling, low-maintenance systems and a layout designed around relaxed holiday sailing, and bay hopping. The ideal balance of lifestyle and fun sailing in sheltered waters.

From the outset, the HopYacht 30 filled a highly specific gap in the market. With a beam of just 3.44m, it is designed to fit into a typical monohull berth, avoiding the marina limitations and premium costs often associated with wider catamarans. This is a particularly attractive feature for owners, as it makes berthing more accessible and cost-effective while retaining the stability, comfort, and practicality that catamarans are known for. A well-balanced design that offers the benefits of a multihull without many of the usual compromises associated with marina space and mooring costs.

Simple sailing, electric propulsion and low-impact cruising

One of the most recognisable features of the HopYacht 30 is its single-sail configuration. The rig uses one furling genoa, with the mast stepped further aft to support balanced sailing performance while keeping sail handling exceptionally simple. With no mainsail and no boom, there are fewer lines, fewer fittings and fewer tasks for the crew to manage. This approach supports the HopYacht philosophy: making sailing less intimidating, less physically demanding and more enjoyable for people who want the experience of being on the water without the complexity that can come with traditional yachts.

The vessel’s electric propulsion is also central to the concept. Powered by twin electric pod drives, and supported by solar charging, the HopYacht 30 is designed for quiet, low-impact cruising. The onboard systems include electric cooking and water heating, allowing the vessel to operate without fossil fuels on board.

International recognition

The design soon attracted international attention. The HopYacht 30 was nominated as one of SAIL Magazine’s Top 10 Best Boats 2025 and was also nominated for Multihulls World’s Multihull of the Year 2023 in the Forever Green category. These nominations recognised the yacht’s fresh thinking, simplified handling, electric propulsion and thoughtful approach to compact cruising.

A meaningful moment for HopYacht

For Paul and Mary-Clare Tomes, the launch of Hull 10 is a meaningful moment.

“Seeing Hull 10 in the water is incredibly rewarding,” said Paul Tomes of HopYacht. “The HopYacht 30 began with a very clear idea: to create a yacht that makes sailing easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable for couples and families. We wanted to remove the barriers that often make sailing feel complicated, while still offering the comfort and quality people expect from a proper cruising yacht. Reaching Hull 10 shows that this concept has resonated with people, and that there is real demand for a more relaxed, accessible and intelligent way to enjoy time on the water.”

Designed by Du Toit Yacht Design

The HopYacht 30’s success also reflects the strength of the partnership between HopYacht and Du Toit Yacht Design. Based in Cape Town, Du Toit Yacht Design has designed more custom catamaran metres and tonnage than any other yacht design firm in the Southern Hemisphere. The studio’s experience spans custom, semi-custom and production sailing and power catamarans, with award-winning designs recognised internationally.

For Anton du Toit, founder of Du Toit Yacht Design, the HopYacht 30 is an example of how a clearly defined design brief can produce something genuinely different.

“The HopYacht 30 is a wonderful example of design clarity,” said Anton du Toit of Du Toit Yacht Design. HopYacht Founders Paul and Mary-Clare Tomes had a very strong understanding of who the boat was for and what it needed to do. From a design perspective, the challenge was to deliver catamaran stability, comfort, simplicity and practicality within a very compact platform. Reaching Hull 10 is a real achievement for the HopYacht team and a proud milestone for everyone involved in the design and development of the boat.”

Comfort resolved through design

Du Toit Yacht Design’s multidisciplinary team brought its experience in naval architecture, structural design, ergonomics, production detailing and practical sailing to the project. The result is a boat that looks simple because the complexity has been carefully resolved in the design process.

Inside, the HopYacht 30 has been designed around comfort and ease of movement. The cockpit, saloon and cabin areas are arranged on one level, creating an accessible and open living space. The interior includes a walkaround queen-sized berth, a practical galley arrangement and generous social spaces for a vessel of this size. The aim is not to pack in as many berths as possible, but to offer a better onboard experience for two people, with flexibility for occasional guests or young children. All this in just a 30’ yacht!

Ten boats strong

Hull 10 marks far more than another launch. It signals the growing maturity of a uniquely South African design and build story: a compact catamaran created in Cape Town, designed by one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading yacht design firms, and developed around a clear understanding of how people want to sail, travel and spend time on the water.

As the HopYacht 30 continues to gain recognition internationally, Hull 10 stands as a milestone in a journey that began with a simple but powerful question: how can sailing be made easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable?

For HopYacht, the answer is now ten boats strong.