Owner’s Version | Major 2021–2022 Refit | 2022 Standing Rigging | Yanmar 75hp Engines Rebuilt | Yanmar SD60 Saildrives | 2,435W Solar | 1,200Ah Lithium | Twin Watermakers
Few production catamarans have earned the enduring reputation enjoyed by the Privilege range. Built by Alliaura Marine in France, the Privilege 495 combines robust offshore construction, excellent seakeeping and substantial liveaboard accommodation, making the model one of the most highly regarded bluewater cruising catamarans of its generation.
MACERA is a 2008 Privilege 495 Owner’s Version, currently cruising amongst the San Blas Islands of Panama. Privately operated and reportedly never chartered, she has been substantially equipped and upgraded for extended independent cruising.
The current owners acquired MACERA in 2021 and subsequently undertook a major programme of refit and upgrading during 2021 and 2022, reported to have represented an investment of approximately US$200,000. The work included comprehensive rebuilding of both Yanmar 4JH4-TE 75hp engines by a Yanmar dealer in Colombia, replacement Yanmar SD60 saildrives, installation of the Mase generator, lithium batteries, replacement pumps, paintwork, new windlass, upgraded ground tackle, 2,435W of solar generation and substantial additional work throughout the yacht.
All standing rigging apart from the dolphin striker was replaced in 2022 using rigging supplied by US Spars, with supporting correspondence, payment and shipping documentation available.
A further programme during autumn 2025, undertaken in preparation for a proposed Atlantic crossing to Europe, included engine servicing, underwater maintenance, replacement bronze ball valves and fittings, new galley appliances, new upholstery and exterior maintenance.
Her cruising inventory includes a 1,200Ah lithium domestic battery bank, 2,435W of solar generation, Mase generator, twin watermakers, dual 230V and 110V inverter/charging capability, Starlink, IridiumGO!, YB3i satellite tracking and communications, Class B AIS, air conditioning, powered sail handling and a 2021 aluminium/Hypalon tender with 25hp outboard.
MACERA is expected to remain in the San Blas Islands until sold.
Broker’s Comments
The Privilege 495 occupies a particularly respected position within the bluewater cruising market. Unlike many production catamarans developed principally around charter use, the Privilege range placed greater emphasis on private ownership, offshore capability and comfortable long-term living aboard.
MACERA is particularly appealing as the Owner’s Version, with unusually generous forward beam-to-beam owner’s accommodation, king-size berth, additional guest accommodation and a galley-down arrangement which leaves the raised bridgedeck saloon available entirely for living and entertaining.
From a technical perspective, the extent of work undertaken by the current owners is significant. They acquired MACERA in 2021 and subsequently undertook the major 2021–2022 refit and upgrade programme, giving them first-hand knowledge of the work carried out and equipment installed.
Both Yanmar engines were comprehensively rebuilt, replacement Yanmar SD60 saildrives were supplied in 2022, the generator was installed during the refit period, standing rigging was replaced in 2022 and further machinery, underwater and interior work was undertaken during autumn 2025. Supporting contemporary documentation is available for a number of these works.
Her electrical installation is particularly well suited to independent cruising, combining a 1,200Ah owner-built lithium battery bank, 2,435W of solar generation, Mase generator, Magnum 230V inverter/charger and Victron 110V inverter/charger.
The owners have also been candid regarding present maintenance items. Four of the five air-conditioning units are operational, the foredeck trampolines require replacement and there has been a coating-adhesion issue following the autumn 2025 bottom work on the outside of the port hull. The owners report that the other three hull sides are unaffected and are scheduling a haul-out to rectify the affected area.
Overall, MACERA combines the underlying build quality and accommodation of the Privilege 495 with substantial investment in machinery, rigging, electrical generation and cruising systems.
Specifications Additional Info Accommodation
The interior is finished in high-gloss cherry wood veneer with extensive natural light from the raised saloon glazing.
Accommodation comprises:
- Large forward beam-to-beam owner’s accommodation.
- King-size owner’s berth.
- Owner’s head with separate dedicated shower.
- Smaller semi-attached child’s cabin.
- Two guest cabins aft.
- 3 x guest wet heads with integral showers.
- 4 x electric macerating toilets with saltwater flush.
- Raised panoramic bridgedeck saloon.
- Wraparound saloon seating.
- Dining table.
- Navigation area.
- Saloon television.
- Extensive storage.
New upholstery was fitted throughout during autumn 2025.
Interior and exterior carpentry undertaken during the refit period included teak repairs, Owner’s Version-style cupboards and additional storage within the saloon seating.
Galley
- Three-burner gas hob.
- Built-in oven.
- Twin stainless-steel sinks.
- Corian worktops.
- Two refrigerators.
- Separate freezer.
- U-Line icemaker, also usable as an emergency freezer.
- LG washing machine.
- Extensive storage.
Galley appliances were renewed during autumn 2025.
Engines & Propulsion
Engines: 2 x Yanmar 4JH4-TE turbo diesel
Power: 75hp / approximately 55.2kW each
Rated Speed: 3,200rpm
Engine Rebuilds: 2021
Hours Since Rebuild: Approximately 1,000 hours
Propellers: Flexofold folding propellers
Both original Yanmar engines were comprehensively rebuilt during 2021 by a Yanmar dealer in Colombia.
Work advised by the owners included:
- New cylinder sleeves.
- New piston rings.
- New seals and gaskets.
- New injectors.
- New turbochargers.
- Cylinder heads rebuilt with new moving components.
- New pressure pump to starboard engine.
- New heat exchanger to starboard engine.
Contemporary Todomar workshop documentation relating to engine repairs is available.
The approximately 1,000-hour figure is a conservative owner estimate since rebuild. Replacement LCD screens for the engine-hour displays are expected to enable exact individual readings to be established.
Engine oil has reportedly been changed at approximately 100–150-hour intervals.
Further servicing during autumn 2025 included injector checks and valve-clearance adjustment.
Saildrives
Saildrives: 2 x Yanmar SD60-4T
Reduction Ratio: 2.23:1
Supply Date: January 2022
Replacement equipment supplied included:
- 2 x Yanmar SD60-4T saildrives.
- 2 x SD60 adaptor plate kits.
- 2 x damper discs.
- Associated equipment.
French Marine Motors documentation dated 11 January 2022 records the supply of the replacement saildrive equipment. The current owners advise that the saildrives were installed shortly after shipment, approximately February/March 2022.
Generator
Manufacturer: Mase Generators
Model: Mariner 1020 B
Rated Output: 9.5kW
Voltage: 240V
Frequency: 60Hz
Current: 39.6A
Manufactured: 2019
Installed: 2021
Operating Hours: 2,836 hours shown
The generator is installed within an acoustic enclosure.
Watermakers
Two independent watermakers are fitted.
Sea Recovery Aqua Whisper
- Principal watermaker.
- Approximately 40 US gallons per hour.
- 230V operation.
- Sea Recovery automatic system controller.
- Salinity monitoring.
- Fresh-flush function.
Village Marine Little Wonder
- Secondary watermaker.
- Approximately 8 US gallons per hour.
- 12V operation.
- Temporarily installed for a passage subsequently not undertaken.
- Replacement membranes currently on order.
Tankage & Plumbing
- Fuel capacity approximately 600 litres.
- Freshwater capacity approximately 570 litres.
- 2 x holding tanks, one amidships in each hull.
- Hot water supplied via shore power, generator or starboard engine.
- Additional Raymarine display at the navigation station.
Communications & AIS
- Comar CSB200 Class B AIS transponder.
- Starlink.
- IridiumGO! satellite communications.
- YB Tracking YB3i satellite communication and tracking unit.
- Raymarine VHF.
- 2 x handheld VHFs.
- 2 x EPIRBs.
- Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB1 amongst the EPIRB equipment.
Air Conditioning
Five air-conditioning units are installed:
- 3 x approximately 7,000 BTU.
- 2 x approximately 12,000 BTU.
Four units are currently operational.
One unit requires servicing or repair.
Rig
Mast: Marechal aluminium mast.
All standing rigging apart from the dolphin striker was replaced in 2022.
- Replacement rigging supplied by US Spars.
- Upper terminals swaged by US Spars.
- Lower terminals use Sta-Lok fittings.
- Rigging renewed from the chainplates upwards.
- Dolphin striker subsequently inspected.
- Profurl furlers.
- Bowsprit.
Supporting documentation includes US Spars correspondence dated 21 March 2022 specifically referring to standing rigging for the Privilege 495, together with payment and shipping records.
Standing rig arrangement comprises:
- Upper cap shroud each side.
- Lower shroud each side.
- Forestay.
- Inner forward stay/baby stay.
Sail Handling
Six winches are fitted in total, five of which are electric.
Powered sail-handling functions include:
- Primary sail controls.
- Main halyard and reefing.
- Mainsheet.
- Traveller.
Work to the winches was undertaken during the refit period, including replacement transmissions for three electric winches.
A hardtop provides protection to the raised helm and access for mainsail handling.
Sails
The principal sail wardrobe comprises the original Hydranet cruising sails:
- Hydranet mainsail.
- Hydranet genoa.
- Hydranet staysail.
- Three mainsail reefs.
The owners report that the Hydranet fabric remains strong. The sails were considered sufficiently serviceable for the owners’ intended long-distance Atlantic passage.
Ground Tackle & Deck Equipment
- Electric windlass – new 2021.
- Mantus M2 55kg primary anchor.
- 98m x 12mm anchor chain, re-galvanised 2025.
- Additional 100ft rope rode.
- 24kg Delta anchor.
- Delta anchor rode comprising approximately 15m chain and 120ft rope.
- 20kg aluminium Danforth-style spare anchor.
- Raised stanchions allowing three rows of lifelines.
- Hardtop helm protection.
- Spacious aft cockpit.
- Cockpit seating.
- Cockpit table.
- Bimini with shades.
- Davits.
- 2 x swim ladders.
- Hot and cold deck showers.
- Aft tender-handling arrangement.
- Enclosure serviced autumn 2025.
- New hatch covers autumn 2025.
Tender & Outboard
Tender: 2021 Seashea
Length: 3.60m
Hull: Aluminium
Tubes: Hypalon
Configuration: Centre-console RIB
Outboard: Tohatsu MFS25C
Power: 25hp
Safety Equipment
- 6 x lifejackets.
- Safety harnesses.
- First-aid kit.
- 2 x EPIRBs.
- Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB1.
- Bombard Offshore six-person liferaft.
- Non-SOLAS / ISO 9650-1 type.
- Documentation records liferaft service and inspection in February 2022.
- Next inspection shown on the supplied certificate as February 2024.
- Current liferaft certification to be confirmed.
- YB3i satellite communication and tracking device.
- Offshore flare kit.
2021–2022 Refit & Upgrade Programme
The owners report approximately US$200,000 was invested during the principal refit and upgrade programme.
Works and equipment included:
- Comprehensive rebuilding of both Yanmar engines.
- Replacement Yanmar SD60 saildrives.
- Mase generator installation.
- Lithium battery installation.
- 2,435W solar installation.
- New solar arch.
- Replacement pumps throughout the yacht.
- New windlass.
- 12mm anchor chain.
- Mantus M2 55kg anchor.
- Through-hulls replaced.
- Paintwork.
- Interior and exterior carpentry.
- Teak repairs.
- Additional Owner’s Version-style cupboards.
- Additional saloon sofa storage.
- Work to three electric winches.
- Standing rigging replacement in 2022 apart from the dolphin striker.
The owners have advised approximate expenditure on individual elements including US$12,000 for polyurethane paint below the rub rail, US$13,000 for the solar arch, US$10,000 for interior and exterior carpentry, US$6,000 for the lithium bank, US$2,800 for anchor chain and US$3,000 for the windlass.
Supporting invoices, workshop records, supplier correspondence and parts documentation are available for a number of elements of the programme.
Autumn 2025 Works
- Engines serviced.
- Injectors checked.
- Valve clearances checked and adjusted.
- Through-hull ball valves and associated fittings replaced in bronze.
- Bottom preparation and antifouling undertaken.
- Anchor chain re-galvanised.
- Galley appliances renewed.
- Upholstery renewed throughout.
- Enclosure serviced.
- New hatch covers.
2026
- Magnum 230V 2,700W / 125A inverter-charger installed.
Current Maintenance Items
- One of five air-conditioning units requires attention.
- Foredeck trampolines require replacement and should not presently be relied upon.
- Following the autumn 2025 bottom work, coating adhesion has failed on the outside of the port hull. The owners report that the other three hull sides remain satisfactory. They acknowledge that the affected coating requires rectification and are scheduling a haul-out for the necessary remedial work.
- Secondary Village Marine watermaker awaiting replacement membranes.
- Replacement LCD engine-hour displays are expected to allow exact individual engine hours to be confirmed.
Location & Viewing
MACERA is currently cruising in the San Blas Islands, Panama.
The owners expect to remain in the San Blas until the yacht is sold.
Viewing is available by prior arrangement according to MACERA’s current cruising location.
Disclaimer
Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
- This vessel is VAT not paid.
- As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
