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aura 51 review
Catamaran · 49 ft (15 m) · Porto-Vecchio
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- aura
- Model
- 51
- Length
- 49 ft (15 m)
- Guests
- 8
- Cabins
- 4
Verdict
A spacious, well-conceived cruising catamaran that prioritizes livability and easy passagemaking over performance sailing. The Aura 51 suits owners who want a modern platform for family cruising or charter, with strong comfort and practical deck layout, though it is not a sport-focused sailor.
Pros
- +Very large beam and generous interior volume
- +Strong emphasis on cockpit, saloon and owner/guest privacy
- +Shallow draft suits coastal cruising and anchorages
- +Good sail area for comfortable cruising rather than heavy-weather speed
Cons
- −Displacement and twin-hull form limit sailing agility
- −Wide beam can make marina berth planning harder
- −Not aimed at owners seeking high-performance sailing
- −Options and configurations can significantly change onboard layout
The Aura 51 is a modern cruising catamaran with a clear focus on space, visibility and social areas. Its broad beam and 51-foot platform create the kind of volume that makes it feel larger than its length, with a layout well suited to private cruising or charter use. The design is contemporary rather than aggressive, with an emphasis on usable deck space and a bright, open interior.
On the water, it is best understood as a comfortable passagemaker rather than a fast sailing cat. The hull form, weight and modest sail plan point to predictable, steady behavior and easy motion for a multihull of this size. It should track well and offer reassuring handling for cruising crews, but it will not feel lively in light air or especially sharp through tacks compared with more performance-oriented cats.
Comfort is one of its strongest attributes. The four-cabin, eight-guest setup fits the model’s cruising brief, and the generous beam should translate into wide passageways, a substantial saloon, and practical outdoor living areas. Shallow draft is a clear advantage for coastal cruising and anchoring access, though owners should expect the usual catamaran trade-offs in dockage logistics and windage.
In value terms, the Aura 51 sits in the premium cruising-cat segment where layout, finish and livability matter as much as sailing performance. It makes sense for buyers who want volume, ease of use and a family- or charter-friendly platform, but less so for those prioritizing speed, sportiness or minimal operational complexity.
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