French shipyard JFA Yachts has reached a significant milestone in custom multihull manufacturing, officially launching its latest luxury sailing catamaran: the Long Island 87. Designed to turn an ambitious explorer’s ultimate dream into a tangible reality, this remarkable vessel was commissioned by an owner with a very specific and grand vision—to circumnavigate the globe safely, comfortably, and luxuriously alongside their family of four.
Positioned strategically within JFA’s highly regarded Long Island range, the new 86-foot multihull bridges the gap neatly between the smaller 85 model and the larger 100-foot variant. Meticulously engineered from the keel up to provide absolute cruising autonomy, long-range reliability, and peerless comfort on the open ocean, the yacht represents a harmonious blend of high-performance sailing capabilities and expansive, functional living quarters.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the project, the future owner shared their perspective in a formal statement released by the shipyard, noting that they found this particular yacht to be the ideal compromise between swift performance under sail and practical, comfortable living spaces. They emphasized that the Long Island 87 stands out as the optimal proven bluewater sailing catamaran currently available on the broader luxury yacht market. Furthermore, they pointed out that the vessel is uniquely suited for their specific mission: navigating completely around the globe with their young family while maintaining an uncompromising standard of comfort, safety, and sophisticated luxury.
The heritage of the Long Island line provides a strong foundation of trust and capability for this ambitious voyage. According to data and history provided by JFA Yachts, the first two 85-foot sailing models constructed in the series have already thoroughly proven their mettle on the high seas. These predecessors have successfully undertaken demanding, long-distance voyages to some of the most remote, harsh, and challenging cruising grounds on the planet, including Antarctica, Greenland, and the icy, unpredictable waters of the Baltic Sea.
Penned in a close and successful collaborative partnership with the renowned Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, the newly launched Long Island 87 shares the exact same design DNA that made its predecessors so successful. The naval architects and engineers utilized a proven hybrid construction method, combining robust aluminum hulls with a lightweight composite deck and superstructure. This deliberate choice of materials results in a remarkably low light displacement. Consequently, the catamaran enjoys exceptional structural integrity, strong sailing performance, and a smooth, comfortable motion during lengthy bluewater passages where sea conditions can change rapidly and unpredictably.
While honoring the proven structural lineage of the brand, the Long Island 87 also introduces a fresh, innovative onboard layout to the series. Boasting an impressive beam of 39 feet, the multihull creates remarkably generous interior and exterior living quarters that rival those found on much larger superyachts. The signature architectural feature of this new model is its expansive flybridge, which functions as a fully fledged, independent upper-deck living space. This elevated social hub is equipped with dual helm stations to ensure optimal visibility and control during maneuvers, a sheltered bar area for entertaining, and a spacious, welcoming lounge where guests can relax while taking in panoramic views of the ocean.
Adding a forward-thinking touch to the vessel’s utility and environmental profile, the hardtop roof of the flybridge is fitted with an array of integrated solar panels. These panels generate clean, renewable electrical power while the yacht is under way or at anchor, significantly reducing the vessel’s overall reliance on traditional fossil-fuel-powered generators and lowering its operational footprint during extended remote cruising.
Moving down from the flybridge, the main deck is thoughtfully organized to maximize both indoor-outdoor living and seamless circulation. It is outfitted with a sheltered cockpit, an intimate lounge, and an alfresco dining area that flows naturally toward the aft deck. This rear entertainment zone connects effortlessly with a generous sunbathing area and a large swim platform. The platform has been specifically engineered with ample space to launch, retrieve, and store a substantial 16-foot tender, ensuring that the family can easily explore secluded coves, shallow bays, and shoreside destinations whenever they drop anchor.
Stepping back inside through sliding glass doors, the main deck interior living area spans just over 1,330 square feet. This climate-controlled space provides spacious, luxurious accommodation designed to comfortably host up to 10 guests alongside quarters for a professional crew of four.
The interior arrangement is tailored specifically to accommodate family life on extended voyages. The owner’s suite occupies a prime location spanning the full width of the main deck, offering stunning forward views and a direct connection to the private owner’s ensuite bathroom situated in the port hull. The port hull also houses a dedicated children’s cabin outfitted with four comfortable berths, alongside an aft guest cabin. Meanwhile, the starboard hull accommodates a second well-appointed guest cabin, paired directly with the functional crew quarters to ensure smooth operational efficiency and privacy for everyone on board.
To bring this complex interior vision to life, JFA Yachts has entrusted the outfitting to the talented team at Darnet Design. The design studio has been tasked with creating a completely bespoke atmosphere that is meticulously tailored to the specific tastes, lifestyle, and high expectations of the owner and their family, ensuring that every square foot of the interior reflects a harmonious blend of maritime functionality and refined residential luxury.
The launch of the Long Island 87 at the French shipyard marks a major milestone, but it is not the only critical phase the vessel has recently cleared. Alongside its physical debut in the water, the catamaran has also successfully undergone mast stepping. With its towering mast now firmly in place and secured, the riggings and sails can be fully tuned and tested, meaning the magnificent multihull is rapidly approaching the final stages of commissioning and should hit the open seas for its official sea trials very soon.
