Overview The Tropic 56 TI-BAG is a unique catamaran that combines blue-water capability with a significant waterline length of 55 feet, lightweight construction, and appealing aesthetics, all at a modest price. This efficient sailing cat features sleek hulls designed for passage making. Built by Naval Force 3 in La Rochelle, France, it utilizes wood-epoxy construction for the decks, coach-roof, and topsides, while the underwater sections are made of fiberglass (GRP). This combination ensures light weight, stiffness, and durability. The interior is designed in a 3 cabin owner version, with the owner hull located to starboard, featuring a large queen bunk aft and an expansive en-suite bath forward. Two guest cabins are located to port, along with a shared bath. The interior is bright and clean, showcasing elegant wood finishes that are easy to maintain. Equipped with an aluminum rig, the boat features a main sail, self-tacking staysail, and gennaker, making it easy to sail single-handed or with a small crew. Twin Volvo 40 HP engines with sail drives provide excellent performance under power. For cruisers prioritizing lightweight and waterline length for sailing performance, this catamaran is an ideal choice. It includes smart amenities that require minimal electrical power consumption, supported by a solar array, wind generator, and engine alternators for reliable, quiet electrical power. The current owners have sailed her throughout the Caribbean and to the South Pacific over a 20-year odyssey. They chose a lightweight design, a simple sail plan, and low power consumption for an affordable and practical approach to long-term cruising.
General Specifications Vessel Name: Ti-BagMake: Chantier Naval Force 3Model: Tropic 56Year: 1997Designer: Naval Force 3Length Overall: 16.76 m (55 ft)Beam: 7.01 m (23 ft)Draft: 1.20 m (3’10”)Displacement: 9 metric tons (18,000 lbs)Fuel capacity: 600 L (159 gals)Water capacity: 280 L (74 gals)Hull material: Polyester (GRP)Deck material: Wood and epoxyNumber of Drive stations: One, at bulkheadKeel type: Mini keelRudder type: SuspendedSteering system: CableLast antifouled: 2025Registration: Antigua & BarbudaPaint/Wrap/Gel Coat Finish: Paint
Accommodations No. of Cabins: 3Total number of berths: 7No. of double berths: 3No. of single berths: 1Other berths (e.g. Saloon): 1Head Height Master cabin: 195 cm
Owner Description: English And Francais Ti-Bag is a catamaran constructed using wood-epoxy by the NAVAL FORCE 3 shipyard in La Rochelle (France) in 1997. The submerged sections of the hulls and the skegs are made of polyester. She is a sleek and relatively fast catamaran, fully prepared and equipped for long-distance cruising. Powered by two Volvo MD2040 engines, each with approximately 4,700 hours of run time, fitted with Volvo three-blade folding propellers. Fuel storage capacity totals 200 liters and 400 liters. Under sail, a mainsail and a self-tacking solent provide propulsion, complemented by a gennaker. In standard configuration, sail handling maneuvers are executed using one electric winch (size 50449) for the mainsail and a second electric winch (size ) for the solent. Reefing is performed at the mast using manual winches. On a close reach, speeds can reach between and 11 knots with the mainsail and solent set; on a beam reach or broad reach with the gennaker, speeds can reach a maximum of 14-15 knots (note: these are not average speeds!). She is steered by a Raymarine EV400 autopilot system, which controls a Lecomble & Schmitt hydraulic ram. Freshwater supply is provided by a Spectra watermaker with a capacity of approximately 50 liters per hour (membrane replaced 2 years ago); it is manually operated and can run for 2 to 3 hours if necessary solely on battery power. It operates with absolutely no engine noise. Freshwater storage capacity totals 280 liters. Hot water is supplied by a 12-gallon Raritan electric water heater (when at the dock) or by the starboard engine while underway. Its electrical power is supplied by two battery banks of 600 Ah each; these are powered by 780 W of solar panels for one bank and approximately 400 W for the other, both regulated by 60A and 30A charge controllers. The panels are mounted on a stainless steel arch and on the bimini. In windy conditions, a D400 wind generator takes over to ensure power supply in the event of a complete lack of sunlight. There is a spacious, square-shaped cockpit featuring teak benches, a locker sized for two French-style gas cylinders, and a very large cockpit storage locker. The cockpit is sheltered by a polyester bimini (hard-top) supported by a tubular stainless steel frame. Side and aft canvas enclosures provide additional protection while at anchor. The helm station is equipped with a console housing displays for the Raymarine P70 autopilot, Raymarine i60 wind instrument, Raymarine i50 speed log, and Raymarine i50 depth sounder. It also features a 13-inch repeater screen mirroring the chart table PC for OpenCPN navigation software. The vessel features:
1 Owner’s Hull, comprising a double cabin with ample storage space and lockers consistent with the generous storage found throughout the rest of the boat. A generously sized head and shower compartment, along with an electric toilet, complete this section.
1 Guest Hull, comprising two double cabins, showers, and electric toilets again, featuring plenty of storage space.
1 Spacious Saloon, featuring:
A galley with a double stainless steel sink, a 4-burner Scholts cooktop (just like at home!), a countertop, and extensive storage space. Located beneath the countertop and neatly concealed from view are a gas oven and a 6 kg washing machine to handle laundry needs. A refrigerator with a capacity of approximately 180 liters, and a freezer with a capacity of approximately 120 liters. A 125×80 cm dining table seating 6 people, complete with a bench seat and cushions. A relaxation/reading area, also featuring bench seats and cushions. A 90×210 cm berth. A chart table equipped with:
A 24-inch monitor for a computer configured for navigation using OpenCPN or similar software, depending on user preference. A Pactor III modem. An Icom 802 SSB radio and AT-140 antenna tuner. An MA-500TR AIS transceiver. A Raymarine C95 multifunction display showing navigation data, AIS, and radar. Two Xantrex LinkLITE monitors for the two battery banks. An Icom-M504A GPS VHF radio (or a Standard Horizon Eclipse GPS VHF). An Icom IC-M25 handheld VHF radio. The remote control for the Xantrex Sine Wave 1800W 12V/230V inverter, which powers the vessel’s electrical outlets. A Truper 1200W 12V/110V inverter (with the option to swap the two inverters). The modem for the Starlink antenna.
Ventilation and airflow are provided by numerous deck hatches and side portholes. Fixed windows provide a panoramic view from the saloon. Anchoring is handled by a 45 kg Spade anchor (which has never dragged in 20 years regardless of conditions when used as the sole anchor) and a 1500W Lofrans windlass with 75 meters of 12 mm chain. The secondary anchor is an aluminum Fortress FX55. Automatic anchor lights. Shore transfers and excursions while at anchor are carried out using a 3.20-meter Hypalon dinghy with an aluminum floor and fuel locker, powered by a brand-new 15 HP Hydea 2-stroke outboard motor (new as of late February 2026). While underway, a block-and-tackle system is used to hoist it aboard; subsequently, a hydraulically controlled stainless steel davit positions it on the aft trampoline, where it remains securely in place regardless of the weather. The forward and aft trampolines are brand new, installed in 2025.
Galley Galley location: Against salon bulkheadStove / Oven: 1Sink: 2, stainless steelRefrigerator: 1Freezer: 1, 12vHead height in saloon: 200 cmStandard kitchenware
Heads And Bathrooms Number of heads: 2Electric toiletsShowers: 2Hot water capacity: 12 galHot water system: electric shore + engine heat exchanger
Engines Engines: 2Make: VolvoModel: MD2040Horsepower: 40hpYear: 1997Engine hours: 4700Cruise Speed: 6/11 knotsDrive type: SaildriveFuel type: DieselPropellers: Volvo 3 folding bladesLast service details: 2025Steering system: CableHot water from engines: YesRefrigeration off engines: Yes
Electrical Equipment Watermaker: Spectra 50 l/h with 12vWind generator: D400Solar panels: 780 W solar panels for one battery and 400 W of solar panel for the other, regulated with 60 and 30 amps regulators. Xantrex LinkLITE display for each batteryWashing machine: YesInverter: 1800w sine wave, 12/230V; 1200w 12/120VShore power: 230V
Electrical/Batteries House batteries: 2 x 600AEngine batteries: 2 x 80ABattery type and age: Gel batteries – 2022Battery charger: 1 x 40ABattery switch location: Under chart tableDescription of battery system: 12V DC powerAdditional notes/Service details: 780 W solar panels for one battery and 400 W of solar panel for the other, regulated with 60 and 30 amps regulators. Xantrex LinkLITE display for each battery
Mast And Rigging Mast and boom construction: Z Spar, aluminumStanding Rigging type: CableAge of standing rigging: 2018 for shrouds, 2022 for forestay and diamondsRunning rigging age and condition: Can be used for another 2-3 years
Safety Equipment Life raft and expiry: ExpiredLife jacket:First aid:Life ring: 1Flares and expiry: ExpiredEPIRB and expiry: Needs new batteriesBilge manual: one in each hull and one in each engine roomBilge electric (location): one in each hull, one in each engine roomFire extinguisher and expiry: 4MOB light: MastHarnesses: 2Bosuns chair: 1Additional Notes/Service details: Nobody for safety equipment in Guatemala
Ground Tackle Anchor type / Size: Spade Inox 45 kgChain thickness and length: 12mm x 70mSpare anchor type / size: Fortress FX55Spare Chain / rope thickness and length: 10 meters 10 mm chain and 40 meters ropeWindlass: Lofran 1500w
Accessories Tender/ brand and size: RIB 3.2m – Hypalon + aluminium hullTender outboard / Horsepower: Hydea 15 HPDavits: YesSwim ladder: 1Deck wash Salt / Fresh: 1 SaltDeck shower (hot or cold): 1 coldCockpit cushions: YesBimini: Yes, hard topMooring lines: numerousFenders: 8Spares: numerousAdditional notes/details: Catamaran’s nets are new from 2025
Details
ManufacturerForce
ModelTropic 56
Year (Build / Refit)1997
Length16.8m
Total Power40 hp
Beam7.0m
Specifications
Dimensions
Length16.8m
Beam7.0m
Hull
MaterialGRP
Weight
Displacement9.0 t
Accommodation
Guest Cabins3
Berths3
Bathrooms2
Features
Autopilot
Depth Instrument
GPS
Navigation Lights
Plotter
Radar
VHF
Wind Instrument
Anchor
Battery
Battery Charger
Inverter
Solar Panels
Windlass
Freezer
Fridge
Hob
Oven
Watermaker
CD Player
Fenders
Bimini
Bilge Pump
Fire Extinguisher
Propulsion
Engine 1
Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine ModelMD2040
Engine Hours4700
Drive TypeSaildrive
Fuel TypeDiesel
Power40 hp
Listing details on this page are provided by The Multihull Company as marketing material. Please contact the broker directly for full details.