Founded in 1987 by Dave Pachoud, building custom luxury yachts, Voodoo Yachts quickly evolved to specialise in luxury catamarans and exceptional efficiency, and ultimately to pioneer fast offshore motor yachts. It started with his passion for the water and for adventure, with frequent trips to Australia and the Pacific Islands. In order to face this type of crossing, the boat had to be very safe, comfortable and capable, and added to this list was a challenging personal requirement – fast. From here came the idea of building a series of semi-custom catamarans using the latest technology, like the innovative foil system.

In 2017 Dave’s son, Mitch Pachoud, joined the business, bringing experience from a range of other construction industries around the world. During the Genoa Boat Show, Daily Nautica met with the Voodoo Yachts team, who shared with us their story, their latest news, and the shipyard’s objectives.

HYDROFOIL TECHNOLOGY

“Our aim – explains Mitch Pachoud to DN – is not to simply build luxury super yachts, but to create efficient vessels capable of facing ocean crossings, allowing their owners to discover many marvellous places around the world. Our catamarans use the latest technology like foils, which guarantee excellent performance. We were the first to use this system for luxury yachts of this type, because we wanted to offer our clients a fast vessel that could also handle long cruises.”

Yachts’ catamarans can reach top speeds of 50 knots plus, and long distance cruising speeds of 30 knots for around 1200 nautical miles, without stopping, thanks to their hydrofoil technology. Foil performance is indisputable from this point of view. But a vessels that cross oceans must also be extremely safe. In order to resolve any problems, the wings were created as a separate composite structure that, in case of impact, detach from the vessel, leaving the hull intact.

GOING ON AN ADVENTURE WITH THE XF95

“Our range of semi-custom yachts – continues Mitch Pachoud – go from 18 to 29 metres. Recently, we presented our new flagship, the XF95, our latest design with incredible technical characteristics, making it one of the best performing yachts on the market. This yacht was specifically created to offer an unmatched lifestyle in calmer seas like the Mediterranean, as well as to be easily capable to reach more remote destinations, like the Caribbean and South Pacific. This catamaran in very stable in all environments. Its 9.7-metre beam allows for a large main deck connected to the exterior. The design, alongside the incredible performance, is the true strong points of this vessel. In this way, we can give yacht owners what they are asking for a feeling of freedom.

Building a boat with Voodoo Yachts, also means discovering the beauty that New Zealand has to offer. Owners can cruise around our country to test the boat, along with our crew.”

RESPECTING THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

“When we build a new vessel – says Pachoud – we always try to personalise it in a way that reconciles our client’s needs with the environment. This is both for engines, which can also be hybrid, and for materials used, for example, for the interiors. Our Xpedition Foiler’s hydrofoil and hull platform itself drastically reduces fuel consumption, in the region of 50% compared to a typical fast yacht”.

The Xpedition Wing combined with our unique hull also gives our boats a smaller wake profile which is less disruptive to marine ecosystems. In addition, we provide solar power options using the latest technology. Lastly, for Voodoo’s interiors we often use sustainably sourced wood and imitation leather.