trimaran intermezzo

Mona Chollet : « Vivre sans culpabiliser » Lire le magazine de la semaine

« Il faut peut-être encadrer, peut-être revoir » : la réforme de l’aide médicale …

Au Nigeria, au moins 30 morts et 400 000 déplacés dans des inondations massives

La « bonne culpabilité » existe-t-elle ?

Il faut « toujours prendre en compte » le suffrage des Français, estime Macron …

Marine Le Pen de nouveau condamnée en appel pour diffamation envers la Cimade

Affaire Le Floc'h : un bateau, un cadavre et deux rescapés

Par Sylvie Veran

Publié le 6 août 2013 à 16h12

André Le Floc'h, surnommé "Dédé", à bord de son trimaran l'"Intermezzo.  PHOTOS SIPA

Vous souhaitez partager cet article ?

En accès libre

"Le Nouvel Observateur" revient sur cinq grandes affaires criminelles qui ont marqué l'été depuis 30 ans. Aujourd'hui, les mystères du trimaran "Intermezzo".

Le 17 août 2006, André Le Floc'h, 67 ans, retraité breton, est retrouvé mort à l'intérieur de son trimaran, l"Intermezzo", naufragé au sud du Portugal. Il a les pieds et les mains liés, le corps lesté d'une ceinture de plomb et les chevilles alourdies de poids...  De victimes, les deux rescapés du naufrage, Thierry Beille, 51 ans et sa demi-sœur, Corinne Caspar, 48 ans, sont suspectés de meurtre. Ils seront condamné à 24 ans de prison en décembre 2007.

(Article publié dans "le Nouvel Observateur" le 31 août 2006)

Une carcasse vide. C'est ce qui reste du trimaran d'André Le Floc'h. Le rêve brisé d'un retraité breton de 67 ans qui se voyait passer la fin de ses jours à chevaucher le dos des houles. Arrimé dans la zone militaire du port de Portimão, dissimulé des regards sous une haute tente, l'"Intermezzo", puissant multicoque de 14 mètres, n'est plus qu'une pièce à conviction. Les enquêteurs de la police scientifique portugaise l'ont désossé et l'étudient avec minutie. Ils ont achevé le travail des vagues géantes qui se sont acharnées sur le voilier lors de son retournement en mer dans la nuit du 16 au 17 août dernier. Parois de la cabine, couchettes, table à cartes et documents, tout ce qui a été épargné par les flots est examiné à la loupe.

L'"Intermezzo" peut-il encore "parler", comme le pensent les policiers portugais ? En tout cas, ils comptent sur lui. Ils sont méticuleux et obstinés. Ils ne croient pas à la version de Corinne Caspar, 48 ans, et Thierry Beille, 51 ans, les deux Français repêchés par un cargo espagnol à bord de l'annexe de l'"Intermezzo". Le scénario du couple : André Le Floc'h voulait violer Corinne. Ils l'ont attaché. La mer en colère a fait le reste.

Pourquoi a-t-il embarqué ces deux "paumés" ?

Face au mutisme des suspects, la police tente de reconstituer les faits. Ils cherchent à comprendre : comment "Dédé" Le Floc'h, ancien employé au sol de la marine marchande, homme lisse et sans histoires originaire du Finistère, a-t-il pu accorder sa confiance à Thierry et à Corinne et les faire monter à son bord ? Lui, Thierry Beille, maigre, visage émacié, regard fuyant, dents gâtées ; elle, Corinne Caspar, tout aussi décharnée, mine de chien battu, exprimant une grande détresse psychologique. Pourquoi le capitaine de l''Intermezzo' a-t-il embarqué ces deux paumés ? Mystère.

C'est cette femme, Danièle B., qu'André quitte au printemps pour partir pour une longue croisière sur son voilier, acquis en 2002. On retrouve la trace du capitaine au long cours sur les côtes portugaises au cœur de l'été. Le 15 août vers 13 heures, à Olhão, petite station balnéaire située à une trentaine de kilomètres de Cabanas de Tavira, un bagagiste du port maritime est réquisitionné par un couple qui souhaite se rendre en bateau-taxi sur l'île d'Armona.

João Manuel Boilho, le pilote du bateau-taxi, se souvient du couple monté à son bord. Une femme brune les accompagne. Le trio discute gaiement en français durant le parcours. João Manuel dépose ses trois passagers sur un grand catamaran ancré à 300 mètres de l'île, où les attend un sexagénaire aux cheveux blancs et deux femmes au teint halé. "Lorsque je suis repassé le lendemain de bonne heure, dit le taxi, le bateau avait disparu."

"Tu dois payer ton voyage"

La suite ? Corinne Caspar la raconte aux enquêteurs. A Olhão, Corinne rencontre André Le Floc'h dans un café. Ils sympathisent. Le Floc'h lui propose une croisière de trois jours. Corinne prévient Thierry Beille, resté avec le chien au camping où il l'attend. Le couple embarque sur l'"Intermezzo". Avec le chien. La petite virée tourne mal. Corinne, selon sa version, descend dans le carré pour préparer le dîner quand André lui saute dessus. Elle se débat. André insiste. Il la viole en lui chuchotant à l'oreille : "Tu dois payer ton voyage".

En entendant ses hurlements, Thierry vole au secours de la jeune femme. Les deux hommes s'empoignent. Corinne saisit une casserole avec laquelle elle frappe violemment le skipper. Un peu estourbi, celui-ci se laisse attacher. "Nous comptions remettre le cap vers le continent pour le livrer à la police", prétend-elle. Mais la tempête qui se déchaîne subitement change tout. Corinne poursuit son récit de film catastrophe : le couple, paniqué, se précipite sur le pont du trimaran placé sous pilote automatique. Thierry tente sans succès d'affaler la grand-voile, pendant que Corinne tient la barre d'une main et de l'autre la laisse du chien. Tout d'un coup, une déferlante plus haute que les autres retourne le trimaran.

Naufragé, le couple l'est aussi dans la vie

Vers 10 heures du matin, transis de froid, en état d'hypothermie, les rescapés sont récupérés par un cargo espagnol, puis hélitreuillés par l'armée portugaise et transférés à l'hôpital Curry Cabral de Lisbonne. Là, ils tentent de s'enfuir : à la télévision, on vient d'annoncer que l'épave de l'"Intermezzo" a été retrouvée. La police les rattrape rapidement. Des plongeurs ont repéré le corps d'André à l'intérieur du trimaran, attaché et lesté d'une ceinture de plomb. Les rescapés deviennent des suspects.

Pour la police portugaise, ce couple improbable, un peu halluciné, un peu divagant, a quelque chose de diabolique. D'abord, ils continuent de mentir sans vergogne. Les prélèvements d'ADN ne confirment pas le viol. L'autopsie d'André Le Floc'h est formelle : le propriétaire de l'"Intermezzo" est mort avant le naufrage. La preuve définitive ? Il n'a pas d'eau dans les poumons. Son crâne présente de nombreux hématomes, et son cou, des traces de pression. La victime serait morte d'étouffement. Pour avancer dans le dossier, il faut impérativement fouiller dans la vie des deux suspects. Et là l'affaire se complique. On entre alors dans un labyrinthe. Thierry Beille serait le demi-frère de Corinne. Il y a dix ans, il a débarqué dans la vie de sa compagne de naufrage. Il s'est un jour présenté chez la mère de Corinne, Caroline, en affirmant qu'il était son fils naturel.

A-t-il séduit sa demi-sœur ?

Cette dernière avait accouché sous X à Paris en 1955. Caroline, sous le choc de la nouvelle, doute, mais accepte de loger Thierry provisoirement chez elle. Mais le fils venu de nulle part s'incruste. Il ne veut plus partir, devient violent. Il réclame une reconnaissance en maternité en bonne et due forme. Il fait du chantage, menace de tout avouer aux autres enfants de Caroline, dont Corinne. Il finit par passer à l'acte et déballe tout à cette peut-être demi-sœur, qu'il met dans sa poche en quelques jours. Corinne est sous le charme et prend le parti de Thierry contre sa mère. Elle s'enfuit avec le frérot vengeur.

Les "fugueurs" vivent un temps en Asie, où Thierry tente de construire un bateau. Sans résultat. A leur retour en France, ils s'installent à Alès, puis à Millau, où habite alors Caroline. Ils subsistent avec le RMI. Thierry est un colérique. Il agresse un voisin à l'aide d'un couteau et s'en prend au propriétaire de son appartement avec une hache. Il écope de trois mois de prison avec sursis.

Corinne, fatiguée de cette vie de plus en plus marginale, décide de se réconcilier avec sa mère, qui est partie vivre à Alicante pour fuir cet enfant adulte tombé du ciel qui lui gâche la vie. Elle la rejoint en Espagne. Mais Thierry ne la lâche pas. Il est toujours dans ses pas. Alors il faut encore partir, poursuivre ce qui ressemble de plus en plus à une errance. Fin juin, ils rendent les clés du logement qu'ils louaient dans le bourg d'Auro de Alcoy, près d'Alicante, et embarquent chien et bagages dans une vieille Simca. "Il m'ont expliqué qu'ils partaient en vacances au Portugal, précise la mère de Corinne. Ils espéraient convoyer un bateau."

En quête d'une nouvelle identité

Au fil des jours, les policiers cernent de mieux en mieux la personnalité de Thierry Beille. Ils le jugent manipulateur, pervers, mythomane. Il a littéralement envoûté cette prétendue demi-sœur qui voulait faire le tour du monde avec lui. En quête d'une nouvelle identité. Il lui interdit de signer ses procès-verbaux d'interrogatoire. Lui intime de se taire. Il est aussi un fieffé menteur. N'a-t-il pas prétendu être un marin de pacotille et ne rien connaître aux techniques de navigation ? Alors que les pieds et les mains d'André Le Floc'h ont été liés avec des nœuds marins ? Thierry Beille prétend que le couple a rencontré André Le Floc'h presque par hasard ? Or les deux femmes aperçues sur le pont de l'"Intermezzo" par le taxi maritime ont déclaré à la police qu'elles avaient déjà croisé Corinne à Armona. Elles l'avaient même vue sur le pont du bateau d'André Le Floc'h. Elles sont sûres que Corinne a passé au moins une journée, seule, en la compagnie du patron du trimaran.

Dans les milieux maritimes, tout finit par se savoir. Et les téléphones portables, eux aussi, parlent. Ils révèlent que Thierry et Corinne communiquaient avec Le Floc'h trois jours avant le "grand départ".

Pour les enquêteurs portugais, le mobile du crime ne serait tout bêtement qu'un vol de bateau. Une banale affaire de chapardage en haute mer organisé par deux enfants perdus en voie de clochardisation. Mais pour quelle destination ? Les présumés coupables auraient pu commettre un crime parfait. Il suffisait de jeter André Le Floc'h par-dessus bord et de laisser la grande bleue lui donner le coup de grâce. Mais la mer les en a empêchés. Maudit océan et ses colères noires. Les "diaboliques" partaient pour un long voyage vers l'Afrique. Ils avaient emporté avec eux des bagages pour l'éternité. Ils risquent 25 ans de prison.

>  JE M'ABONNE au "Nouvel Observateur" : toutes les offres (numérique / papier / intégrale)

Sur le sujet Société

Procès des viols de Mazan : Dominique Pelicot toujours absent ce mercredi

Appel à « l’intifada à Paris » : Darmanin fait un signalement à la justice contre le militant Elias d’Imzalène

Tariq Ramadan condamné en appel pour viol en Suisse à trois ans de prison dont un an ferme

Des millions de Français invités à réaliser un bilan de santé gratuit

Plus de 10 % des femmes françaises ont fumé pendant toute leur grossesse

A Paris, le périphérique sera limité à 50 km/h « dès le 1ᵉʳ octobre », annonce Anne Hidalgo

Sujets associés à l'article

• Faits divers

Codes Promos

Service partenaire

• Code promo LEGO
• Code promo The North Face
• Code promo Acer
• Code promo OCEANSAPART
• Code promo adidas
• Code promo Privé by Zalando
• Code promo Amazon
• Code promo JD Sports

Cours de langue

• Cours d’italien
• Test gratuit
• Cours d'allemand
• Cours d’anglais

Vous préférez lire plus tard cet article ?

Créer un compte permet d’enregistrer des articles à lire plus tard. Et pas que : vous pouvez profiter gratuitement de tous les articles offerts.

Le naufrage du trimaran au large du Portugal cachait un huis clos meurtrier

Été 2006. Le naufrage d’un trimaran français au large du Portugal lève le voile sur un huis clos meurtrier orchestré par un mystérieux couple unissant un frère et sa sœur.

En ce 17 août 2006, l'océan atlantique est démonté. L'Intermezzo, un trimaran de compétition, s'est totalement retourné au large du Cap St Vincent, au sud du Portugal. Un navire espagnol a pu récupérer in extremis les deux passagers du voilier. Ils sont Français. Thierry Beille, 51 ans, et Corinne Caspar, 48 ans, sont en hypothermie mais sains et saufs. Récupérés par les secours lusitaniens au prix d'un périlleux hélitreuillage, ils sont ramenés à terre. L'épilogue heureux d'un banal naufrage ? Non, le point de départ d'une incroyable affaire criminelle.

Car, très vite, Corinne Caspar évoque la présence à bord d'un troisième homme, lui aussi français. Lorsque les plongeurs portugais parviennent enfin à approcher de la coque du bateau, ils découvrent le corps sans vie du skipper, André Le Floc'h. Sauf que la dépouille de ce retraité breton de 67 ans est… ligotée à une couchette. Il porte même une ceinture de plomb à la taille. Les deux Français sont arrêtés et inculpés de meurtre. « Nous sommes innocents », hurlent-ils devant les nombreuses caméras qui suivent ce feuilleton juridico-aquatique.

Les meurtriers sont frère et sœur

Avant de se pencher sur les circonstances de ce drame en haute mer, les enquêteurs sont confrontés à une première énigme. Le couple affirme qu'ils sont frère et sœur or l'état civil indique le contraire. La confusion est totale. Une semaine après le naufrage, la mère de Corinne Caspar fait une stupéfiante révélation dans nos colonnes : elle raconte qu'en 1955, elle a accouché sous X d'un petit garçon dont elle n'avait ensuite plus jamais eu de nouvelles. Et que, dix ans plus tôt, Thierry Beille a frappé à sa porte en prétendant être cet enfant. Les analyses ADN diligentées dans le cadre de l'enquête judiciaire confirmeront ce récit. Thierry Beille et Corinne Caspar sont bel et bien frère et sœur. Et suspectés de meurtre.

Face aux policiers, les deux Français protestent de leur innocence. Selon leur version, André Le Floc'h, qui avait accepté de les emmener pour une courte croisière, aurait tenté de violer Corinne Caspar. Son frère l'aurait défendue et serait parvenu à prendre le dessus sur le sexagénaire. Ils l'auraient alors ligoté dans le but de le remettre aux autorités. André Le Floc'h était, jurent-ils, vivant au moment du naufrage.

La tempête vient couler leur plan

Les policiers portugais sont d'emblée circonspects. Et leurs soupçons sont confortés par les résultats de l'autopsie. Le skipper n'a pas d'eau dans les poumons : il était déjà mort quand le bateau a chaviré. Plus accablant encore, l'examen révèle qu'il est mort asphyxié et son cou porte des traces de strangulation manuelle. Il a enfin des hématomes au visage. Pour les enquêteurs il n'y a guère de doute : André Le Floc'h a été tué par ses hôtes qui avaient prévu de se débarrasser de son corps en le lestant. Seule la tempête et l'incapacité du couple à manœuvrer ce puissant voilier par gros temps ont bousculé leur plan machiavélique.

Le mobile allégué du Thierry Beille et Corinne Caspar ? S'emparer du bateau pour construire un nouveau chapitre de leur étonnante vie à deux. Dans ses interviews, Carole, leur mère, est peu amène envers ce fils qu'elle n'a jamais élevé ni reconnu. Elle le décrit comme un manipulateur au comportement sectaire et à l'influence néfaste. « Il a emmené ma fille à sa perte », assène-t-elle. Corinne Caspar a quant à elle d'emblée été séduite par ce grand frère tombé du ciel et, depuis sa rencontre avec lui, n'a plus envisagé son avenir autrement qu'avec lui. Frère et sœur vont mener pendant une dizaine d'années une vie d'errance et de peu, ponctuée par quelques coups de sang de Thierry. Jusqu'à cette croisière mortelle au large de l'Algarve.

Lors de leur procès fin 2007, ils continuent à clamer leur innocence. « André Le Floc'h n'est pas mort étranglé. Il est mort de froid dans le bateau », martèle Thierry Beille qui prend une nouvelle fois à partie la presse dans l'enceinte même du tribunal de Lagos. Sans convaincre. Au terme des débats, lui et sa sœur sont condamnés à 24 ans de prison, soit quasiment la peine maximale encourue (25 ans).

Le père de la victime était mort dans un naufrage

Après une brillante carrière au sein de l'entreprise familiale d'aliment pour bétail, André Le Floc'h ambitionnait de faire le tour du monde sur son trimaran. En 2002, ce breton « pur beurre » avait cassé sa tirelire pour acquérir l'Intermezzo, un voilier qui avait couru la célèbre Route du rhum vingt ans plus tôt. Séparé de sa compagne, il était père de trois grands enfants.

Ses proches décrivent un homme amoureux de la mer et passionné de voile. Au moment des faits, ils s'insurgent également contre les accusations de tentative de viol formulées par Corinne Caspar.

Le tragique décès d'André Le Floc'h, dont le tour du monde n'aura pas dépassé les côtes de l'Algarve, a également réveillé de douloureux souvenirs dans sa famille. Enfant, le skipper de l'Intermezzo avait perdu son père, victime d'un naufrage lors d'une partie de pêche. Un décès en mer mais accidentel celui-là.

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Wealthy French sailor was victim of a 'honey trap'

Article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails, thanks for signing up to the breaking news email.

André Le Floc'h was, by all accounts, a quiet adventurer, a wealthy, retired French civil servant, who loved the sea and women.

Earlier this month, the body of M Le Floc'h was found in the upturned wreck of his trimaran, the Intermezzo, bound hand and foot and weighted, as if ready to be thrown into the Atlantic.

Much else of what happened aboard the 20m yacht after it left the small port of Olhao in southern Portugal on 16 August remains a mystery. But Portuguese and French police now believe that M Le Floc'h, 67, was the victim of murder.

A French couple, Thierry Beille, 51, and Corinne Caspar, 48, who claim to be brother and sister, were formally accused last week of killing M Le Floc'h. They were found floating in a dinghy off Cape Saint Vincent in the Algarve two days after the trimaran put out to sea. Initially, they said that they were victims of a storm and a shipwreck.

When coast-guard divers found the boat's owner tied up in the floating wreckage of the Intermezzo the next day, the couple changed their story. They said that M Le Floc'h had invited them for a trip on his boat. He tried to rape Corinne and they had been forced to tie him up to restrain him. The yacht capsized in a sudden storm and they were unable to rescue him.

That story was also pulled apart. An autopsy on M Le Floc'h found signs that he had been struck on the head and neck. There was no water in his lungs. In other words, he died before the boat sank.

Portuguese police say they believe the couple's motive was to steal the €100,000 yacht. The problem is that neither Corinne Caspar nor Thierry Beille is a skilled sailor. The trimaran capsized in a relatively innocuous storm because they had omitted to drop the centre-board - the retractable keel - when they left coastal waters and sailed out into the Atlantic.

Since M Le Floc'h was an experienced sailor he was unlikely to have made such a mistake. This suggests that he was killed, or at least tied up, before the boat left the Portuguese coast.

But what did a pair of unskilled sailors want with a yacht in the potentailly dangerouswaters off the Algarve? French police speculated at first that there might have been some intention to smuggle drugs or arms, but nothing of the kind has been found aboard the Intermezzo.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

• Présidentielle américaine 2024
• Gouvernement de Michel Barnier
• Procès des viols de Mazan
• Vrai ou faux
• L'actu pour les jeunes
• Une info transparente
• Faits-divers
• Environnement
• Éco / Conso
• Sciences & technologies
• Météo Météo
• Mon franceinfo

Recevez l'essentiel de l'actualité et restez à jour avec nos newsletters

• France 3 régions (nouvelle fenêtre) France 3 régions
• Outremer la 1ère (nouvelle fenêtre) Outremer la 1ère
• france TV france TV
• radio france radio france
• Newsletters (nouvelle fenêtre) Newsletters
• Météo (nouvelle fenêtre) Météo
• Jeux (nouvelle fenêtre) Jeux
• Transparence
• Nous contacter
• Chargement...
• Guerre entre le Hamas et Israël
• Guerre en Ukraine
• Kamala Harris
• Retrait de Joe Biden
• Crise climatique
• Voir plus de sujets monde
• Asie-Pacifique
• Etats Unis d'Amérique
• Proche-orient
• Story Killers
• Conflit dans le Haut-Karabakh
• Guerre entre Israël et le Hamas
• Inondations meurtrières en Libye
• Séisme au Maroc
• Voir plus de sujets europe
• Sommet de l'UE
• Royaume-Uni
• Disparition de Lina
• Voir plus de sujets faits-divers
• Enlèvements
• Justice – Procès
• Incendies de forêt
• Mort de Nahel à Nanterre
• Disparition de Delphine Jubillar
• Attaque au couteau à Annecy
• Procès de l’attentat de Magnanville
• Disparition du petit Emile
• Incendie meurtrier à Wintzenheim
• Emmanuel Macron
• Voir plus de sujets politique
• Élections européennes 2024
• Gouvernement de Gabriel Attal
• Assemblée nationale
• Réforme des retraites 2023
• Les Républicains
• Renaissance
• Rassemblement national
• Parti socialiste
• La France insoumise
• Les Ecologistes - EELV
• Election présidentielle
• Toutes les élections
• Calendrier des vacances scolaires
• Immigration
• Violences sexuelles
• Voir plus de sujets société
• Egalité femmes-hommes
• Maltraitance dans les Ehpad
• Droits des femmes
• Féminicides
• Prostitution
• Résultats Bac
• Résultats Brevet
• Résultats Bts
• Résultats Cap
• Harcèlement scolaire
• Voir plus de sujets environnement
• Convention citoyenne sur le climat
• Biodiversité
• Pollution de l'air
• Le tableau de bord du réchauffement climatique
• Nos réponses à vos questions sur le climat
• Empreinte carbone
• Montée des eaux
• Greta Thunberg
• Carte des restrictions d'eau
• Tableau de bord des nappes phréatiques
• Calculez votre empreinte carbone
• Calculez l'impact carbone de vos déplacements
• Trouvez des fruits et légumes de saison
• Triez mieux vos déchets
• Voir plus de sujets sport
• Jeux paralympiques
• Roland-Garros
• Tour de France
• Coupe du monde de foot
• Mondiaux d'athlétisme
• Coupe du monde de rugby
• La rentrée littéraire
• Voir plus de sujets culture
• Festival de Cannes 2023
• Oscars 2024
• Victoires de la musique 2024
• Festival du livre de Paris 2024
• Les Molières
• Fête de la musique 2024
• Rock en Seine 2024
• Festivals d'été
• Voir plus de sujets éco / conso
• Pouvoir d'achat
• Impôts - Fiscalité
• Entreprises
• Auto-entrepreneurs
• Aéronautique
• Budget de la France
• Soldes d'hiver 2024
• Epidémie de mpox
• Voir plus de sujets santé
• Vaccin contre le Covid-19
• La crise de l’hôpital public
• Biologie - Génétique
• Alimentation
• Lutte contre le tabagisme
• Politique de santé
• Psycho - Bien-être
• Sport et santé
• Professions médicales
• Le tabou de la santé mentale
• Météorites en Russie
• Astéroïde 2012 DA14
• Steak in-vitro
• Boson de Higgs
• Solar Impulse
• Homo naledi
• Intempéries
• Météo France (nouvelle fenêtre) Météo France
• Météo Paris (nouvelle fenêtre) Météo Paris
• Météo Lyon (nouvelle fenêtre) Météo Lyon
• Météo Marseille (nouvelle fenêtre) Météo Marseille
• Actualités météo
• Sudoku (nouvelle fenêtre) Sudoku
• Mots fléchés (nouvelle fenêtre) Mots fléchés
• Mots croisés (nouvelle fenêtre) Mots croisés
• Mots mystères (nouvelle fenêtre) Mots mystères
• Solitaire (nouvelle fenêtre) Solitaire
• Alphamo (nouvelle fenêtre) Alphamo
• 7 erreurs (nouvelle fenêtre) 7 erreurs
• FreeCell (nouvelle fenêtre) FreeCell
• France 2 (nouvelle fenêtre) France 2
• France 3 (nouvelle fenêtre) France 3
• France 4 (nouvelle fenêtre) France 4
• France 5 (nouvelle fenêtre) France 5
• Lumni (nouvelle fenêtre) Lumni
• Okoo (nouvelle fenêtre) Okoo
• France tv & vous (nouvelle fenêtre) France tv & vous
• France tv le club (nouvelle fenêtre) France tv le club
• France tv lab (nouvelle fenêtre) France tv lab
• Les Médiateurs (nouvelle fenêtre) Les Médiateurs
• France Inter (nouvelle fenêtre) France Inter
• France Bleu (nouvelle fenêtre) France Bleu
• France Culture (nouvelle fenêtre) France Culture
• France Musique (nouvelle fenêtre) France Musique
• Fip (nouvelle fenêtre) Fip
• Mouv' (nouvelle fenêtre) Mouv'
• Maison de la Radio et de la Musique (nouvelle fenêtre) Maison de la Radio et de la Musique
• La Médiatrice (nouvelle fenêtre) La Médiatrice

Intermezzo : 24 ans de prison pour les meurtriers du skipper

Jusqu'au bout, ils auront clamé leur innocence. Et parfois un peu violemment. Ils ont même dû être évacués de la salle d'audience à deux reprises. “Ce n'est pas un procès, c'est une mascarade” s'était exclamée Corinne Caspar à la fin des débats.? “Messieurs les enfants de M. Le Floc'h, je ne l'ai pas tué”. “Si si, vous êtes des criminels” avait répliqué Stéphane, l'un des trois fils de la victime. _ Thierry Beille, 52 ans, et Corinne Caspar, 49 ans, ont été pourtant reconnus coupable de la mort d'André Le Floc'h. Le tribunal de Lagos, au sud du Portugal les a condamnés chacun à 24 ans de prison, pour meurtre avec préméditation, vol et tentative de dissimulation de cadavre.

André le Floc'h, un Breton de 67 ans, passionné par la mer, avait été retrouvé mort, pieds et poings liés, en août 2006, sur son trimaran naufragé. Depuis leur arrestation, les deux Français s'en sont tenus à la même thèse : ils avaient frappé et immobilisé le skipper, parce que celui-ci avait tenté de violer Corinne. _ D'après le rapport d'autopsie, Le Floc'h est mort par strangulation et a été ligoté après.

Dans son réquisitoire, le procureur avait dénoncé la froideur des accusés, et réclamé “une peine suffisamment lourde pour les faire réfléchir à la gravité de leurs actes”. L'avocat de la défense, commis d'office, avait juste rappelé qu'il existait “de sérieux doutes” dans cette affaire, tout en admettent une agression...

Partager : l’article sur les réseaux sociaux

les mots-clés associés à cet article

Commentaires

Connectez-vous à votre compte franceinfo pour participer à la conversation.

Toute l’actu en direct et en continu, où et quand vous voulez.

• Sauvegardez vos articles à lire plus tard
• Recevez les alertes uniquement sur ce qui vous intéresse

Tout France Info, et bien plus. Sauvegardez vos articles à lire plus tard et filtrer l’actualité qui vous intéresse

Activez les notifications franceinfo et ne manquez rien de l’actualité

Vous pouvez changer d’avis à tout moment dans les réglages de votre navigateur.

Sailing Intermezzo

Friday, april 22, 2022, intermezzo's 2022 cruise ends.

We pulled into the slip from which we departed here in Marina Puerto Escondido yesterday early afternoon, a bit over four months since we departed on January 16. We sailed a total of 1,345 nautical miles.

I enjoyed this cruise. I felt very at home and comfortable on the boat. Overall, I enjoyed sailing with crew more than on my own, but also appreciated the solitude, silence and focus singlehanded sailing. I made great strides in finding enjoyment in fixing things that break on the boat, rather than feeling frustrated and discouraged.

The cruise ended a bit earlier than I originally planned, but I didn't have crew to continue and have had enough time listening to conversations with myself. I would have like to have explored Bahía Concepcion, just north of here, but it will have to wait until next year.

I'll spend the next week or so preparing the boat for storage before returning to land life until early June. Then I'll return, do final prep and haul out for hurricane season by mid-June.

Nice Sailing, Rocky Los Gatos, Peaceful Monserrat

I wrote this post a couple of days ago, but sent it via satellite to the wrong email address, so it didn't post. Here it is, belated news...

20 April 2021 Isla Monserrat, BCS The forecasted southerly winds actually materialized and we’ve enjoyed two days of downwind sailing. Yesterday we sailed from Isla San Francisco to Puerto Los Gatos. The winds turned out to be more east than south, which was fine for sailing but not good for anchoring. Los Gatos is completely open to the east and the swell entering the anchorage rocked Intermezzo uncomfortably until well into the night. I turned in early after two rum drinks and a sizable dinner. From about midnight until dawn, life on board was comfortable. This morning we raised anchor as the swell returned and continued northward to Isla Monserrat. The sailing started out noisy and uncomfortable, the wind not quite strong enough to keep the sails filled as we rode down short but steep swells, the boom banging away as the main sail backwinded then filled again with a snap. We motored for 45 minutes around noon when the wind briefly died, but then enjoyed a steady 15+ knot breeze that stabilized the sails and moved us along briskly on a broad reach. We are anchored at the north end of the isla, protected from the swell coming from the southeast, gratefully not rolling like last night. The desert island rises gently from the shoreline, a mix of rock and sandy beaches. Flocks of pelicans are actively fishing for sardines, barely rising above the water and immediately wheeling over to make a plunging dive. The sun is setting over the mountainous silhouette of El Gigante on the peninsula to the west. It is peaceful. Tomorrow we return to Puerto Escondido, our starting point back in January.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Heading back to puerto escondido, tuesday, march 29, 2022, arrived and anchored in la paz.

We had an easy trip from Caleta Lobos to the La Paz anchorage this morning. The southerly breeze we enjoyed sailing in yesterday was against us today, so it was motoring all the way but in very light chop. No bashing or complaints.

The sail from Los Muertos to Caleta Lobos yesterday was beautiful. We sailed the whole way, except for a couple short periods of motoring when the wind died.  The winds were with us, the seas calm and the weather beautiful.

Last night in anchored in Caleta Lobos was a different story, though. The weather forecast (why don't I just stop paying attention to them?) was for light 5-7 knot southerly wind. In fact, it blew 10 to 15-plus all evening, all night and into the morning.  Much of the Caleta Lobos anchorage has been closed for marine life preservation, so the only place left to anchor is open to the south. Not a problem if 5-7 knot light winds. A problem in stronger southerly breezes there is long fetch for waves to build and enter the anchorage. We rocked and pitched at anchor all night. Not very pleasant at all.

We'll be in La Paz waiting for Christina, Nate and Maddie to arrive on Sunday and then depart for a trip to Islas Espiritu Santa and Partida on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to showing them my favorite places and introducing Maddie to the sailing life.

Between now and then...boat projects!

Monday, March 28, 2022

On the way to la paz.

Punta Gorda, Sea of Cortez

We're sailing along beautifully, dead downwind, the sails wing-on-wing. Today's destination is Caleta Lobos, a favorite cove of mine just north of La Paz, about 46 nm sailing distance from Los Muertos, where we upped anchor this morning. We'll overnight there and they head into La Paz tomorrow.

Yesterday's passage from Los Frailes to Los Muertos was very pleasant. We motored in calm seas a bit less than halfway and then, around 11:00, the southerly wind started to build and we sailed the rest of the way. We anchored dropped anchor in Los Muertos at 16:23 and I had a relaxing evening chatting wiht my Dad on the phone, getting some business work done, and continuing to debug my port engine charging system (which is still not behaving properly).

I woke this morning at sunrise to dense fog in the anchorage and the decks dripping wet with dew. It was a great opportunity to mop the salt off the decks while I waited for the fog to clear. I'm happy to report that the mobula rays (Devil Fish) are out and about, launching into their aerobatic routines which I enjoy so much.

I'm so grateful for these southerly winds. No motoring. No bashing. Nice.

Friday, March 25, 2022

Anchored in los frailes, long night, almost there, thursday, march 24, 2022, bouncing a bit at sunset, departed mazatlan, crossing the sea, saturday, march 19, 2022, passage to mazatlan, goodbye crew.

Marina El Cid, Mazatlan

We had a very nice passage from Chacala to Mazatlan, even if the wind and waves were against us, as they usually are heading up this coast. Intermezzo is secured in a slip in Marina El Cid, Pete and Mary left today to fly back to Montreal, and I am waiting for a weather window to cross the Sea of Cortez to the Baja peninsula.

It took us a little longer to weigh anchor in Chacala on Thursday morning as we had set a stern anchor upon our arrival to keep Intermezzo's bows pointed into the swell entering the anchorage. I wish I had a smaller anchor for this purpose. My second anchor is an aluminum Fortress FX-37. It only weighs 21 lbs but the shank is 40 inches long making it cumbersome to deploy, which we usually do from the dinghy. And the holding power of this anchor is so great that the only way to break it free when leaving is to back the boat down to it and then pull forward on the shortened rode with the engines. A smaller anchor would be easier to deploy and retrieve.

We got underway at 9:18 am on a calm blue sea. The sky was blue overhead, powdery blue-white on the horizons, a light haze along the coast. The light breeze from ahead was pleasantly cool. Mary took the first watch, feeling good, not seasick. I was happy for her.

We motored along all day, the wind piping up to 10 knots on the nose knocking up a moderate chop for a few hours. When the sun set behind Isla Maria Isabella, a full moon was rising over the mainland. The sky was painted with color all around us, 360 degrees of oranges, pinks, purples and blues. The night's passage was in mostly calm conditions.

We saw a lot of whales along the way. Some just surfaced, blew and dove again in a gentle loping arc. Others were more acrobatic, breaching out of the water as they surfaced and landing with a big splash. We had to alter course for one whale ahead of us who was on the surface and smacking its tail repeatedly, making slapping noises and splashes. I don't know if the whale was waving at us, threatening us, or just being a whale. We gave the thrashing whale tail a wide berth as we passed by it.

Pete encountered a mystery vessel during his 21:00 to 02:00 watch. It didn't show up on AIS or on radar and was unlit and invisible until it suddenly turned on bright white lights and headed towards Intermezzo. Before it reached us, it turned away and turned off its lights again, heading towards another boat that was behind us, then turning its lights on again. We figure it was probably a Mexican Navy patrol boat looking for drug boats.

I stood the 02:00 to 06:00 watch and it was a cold, damp one. I had on a light fleece sweater, a light down jacket, a foulie jacket, long pants, wool socks, sea boots and a wool cap. Quite a change from my normal board shorts, t-shirt and bare feet while sailing in Mexico.

Mary took the next watch and I retired into the salon to warm up and catch a nap. A half-hour later, Mary woke me up to tell me it was foggy and she was concerned about a couple of vessels in our vicinity. I got up and was amazed at how dense the fog was. Visibility was well under a mile. We turned on the fog horn, which roused a surprised Pete out of his cabin. I told him all was well, he went back to sleep and I stood watch with Mary until the fog cleared about an hour later.

We entered the inlet to Mazatlan small vessel harbor around 10:45 am. I had forgotten how narrow the entrance is and how the swells, breaking waves and currents push the boat around between the rocky breakwaters. I entered the channel at nearly full speed so as to maintain steerage in the following seas. The entrance was even more tricky this time as there was a dredge pipe submerged on one side of the inlet making the navigable channel even more narrow.  After a few tense minutes we got through the tough stuff and into calmer waters.

We checked into the marina, maneuvered to our slip and celebrated the end of this passage and the week's sailing from Barra de Navidad. Pete and Mary got their flights booked, took care of Covid testing. In the evening, we enjoyed a huge seafood feast and a bottle of wine at a beachfront restaurant.

Pete and Mary left this morning. I am sorry to see them go. They were great, dependable crew and great company, happy spirits that brightened up my life on Intermezzo.  I really enjoyed sailing with Pete again after a three-year break and many miles under the keels. Mary loved the whole adventure, aside from her bout with seasickness, a rite of passage for all sailors that I think makes the good times seem even better.  I look forward to sailing with them again.

I've been looking at the weather forecasts (suggestions) to find a window for my overnight crossing of the Sea when the normal NW winds aren't blowing too hard.  I was originally planning on continuing up the mainland coast to get a better wind angle for my crossing. That would involve an additional overnight passage north and a tricky entrance into the estuary at Altata. I realized that, if I crossed directly from Mazatlan and then turned north along the Baja coast, I could stop at two easy anchorages on the way to La Paz, avoiding overnight sailing. A much better alternative when singlehanding. I like sleep.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Bashing, raving madness.

Intermezzo is anchored in Chacala after dealing with several challenging days after departing Tenacatita on Saturday. 

Things started off well with a nice mid-day snorkel among the rocks at the west end of Bahía Tenacatita. Our plan was to depart Tenacatita around 4 pm and motor through forecasted calm conditions to La Cruz. But when we finished snorkeling, a nice breeze was blowing from the southwest and we decided to leave early and take advantage of the wind.

We weighed anchor at 1:30 pm and began sailing downwind with following seas. Nice, but only for an hour.  For the rest of the passage, until we entered Bahía Banderas the next morning, we were bucking headwinds and bashing into head seas.  Not nice.

Fortunately, the headwinds were not strong, less than 10 knots but, unfortunately, they created wind waves that combined with a short period swell from the northwest and a long period swell from the southwest to create a very confused sea state. Intermezzo lurched, bounced and bashed for 18 hours straight.

Mary succumbed to seasickness shortly after the bashing began, but mustered up enough energy to reel in a fat sierra (Spanish mackerel) before being sent to the sickbay, nestled among the bean bag chairs in the cockpit until after sunrise. The bean bag chairs are much loved by those suffering from seasickness as they form a comfortable nest outside the cabin in fresh air.

Conditions calmed after we rounded Cabo Corrientes and made our way across Bahía Banderas towards La Cruz. We spotted several whales and were able to to sail the last hour and half in a gentle downwind breeze and calm seas. A nice ending to a difficult trip.

We dropped anchor in La Cruz at 1:17pm, just shy of 24 hours after leaving Tenacatita. Shortly after we arrived, a large motor yacht anchored next to us. That is always a cause for worry, as the people on these yachts tend to party well into the night. Little did we know how bad things would be.

We took the dinghy into La Cruz to get ice cream and pick up a few grocery items and then returned to Intermezzo to enjoy eating Mary's fresh-caught fish for dinner. By this time, techno-beat music was thumping loudly out of a big sound system on the upper deck of the motor yacht, where people were congregating and dancing. The music was very loud on Intermezzo, 500 feet away. I can't imagine how loud it was on board the yacht. Even though I don't like techno-beat music, it was a high quality mix, obviously spun by a talented DJ and at first we tolerated, even enjoyed it a bit.

The music played on and on into the night. We realized that an Ecstasy drug rave was taking place on the boat and the music was not going to stop.  It would do no good to complain about it. The people on the yacht were not going to turn down the music and since yachts in Mexico are often owned by drug cartels, it is not advisable to go all "Karen" over them. There are no loud music ordinances in Mexico and anyways, the local authorities don't typically pester oligarchs with yachts, cartel or not.

Though thoroughly tired out from our overnight passage, we hardly got any sleep that night. The noise-cancelling feature of my AirPods gave me a few hours of respite from the thumping music, but not enough for me to sleep more than a half hour before waking up again. I was very tired, very angry and lay in bed thinking about how I could sabotage or sink the yacht to stop the music.

When the sun came up and my AirPod batteries had died, the music was still playing, people dancing on the yacht like zombies. I had had enough.  I started the engines and prepared to weigh anchor which brought Pete and Mary out of their cabins, bleary eyed and as pissed off as I was. They had also been lying in their bunks thinking murderous thoughts.

We weighed anchor and I tried to find a place to anchor further away from the offensive music but to no avail, the sound carried so well over the water. As I passed by the yacht, I glared at the dancers like Charles Manson and gave the yacht a two-middle-finger salute, not giving one fuck if I was insulting a drug cartel kingpin.  Mary suggested, "Why don't we just sail to our next destination?" I considered this for less than a second and replied in the tone of voice of a very tired sociopath on his edge, "Yes. We will do that."

We left La Cruz and enjoyed a nice day's sail to Chacala, anchoring here on Tuesday afternoon. We laughed when we arrived as a large Mexican brass band was playing loudly on the beach. Thankfully, it was different music, not as loud and ended before sunset.  We enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep. At last.

Yesterday we had a relaxing day on the boat and on the beach. Chacala is a nice little beach town with a few small hotels and palapa restaurants, not much else. Perfect for recovering from our rave music PTSD.

We decided to stay here another day and sail straight to Mazatlan tomorrow, rather than stopping to visit San Blas. San Blas is an interesting town, but plagued by mosquitos and jejenes (no-see-ums). We'll give the bugs a miss.

I'm starting to plan my passage from Mazatlan to La Paz. I'll be sailing singlehanded overnight across the Sea of Cortez and then turn north and harbor-hop up the Baja peninsula to La Paz. A weather window for the crossing looks like it will open on March 23. If I can depart Mazatlan then, Intermezzo should be back in La Paz by March 28.

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Goodbye barra, heading north.

  Bahía de Tenacatita

Intermezzo left Barra de Navidad yesterday morning bound for Tenacatita. The original plan was to sail further on to Chamela, but strong headwinds made the shorter trip to Tenacatita a more comfortable option. We’ll depart this afternoon for La Cruz, a 25-hour overnight passage in calm conditions. Pete (as Pierre-Luc is called by his friends) and Mary arrived in Barra Thursday around noon. After orienting them to the boat (re-orienting in Pete’s case), we had a nice lunch overlooking the laguna. Afterwards I washed the boat while Pete and Mary relaxed at the hotel pool. When they returned, I was filling the port water tank and, for some unknown reason, decided that it needed to be filled faster. I turned the valve to increase flow in the hose which resulted in a bunch of yelling from Pete and Mary, “Steve!, Steve!, Steve!”  The increased water pressure had caused the end of the hose to escape from the water tank and end up on the deck, the stream of water aimed precisely into the hatch above Pete’s cabin. I shut the water off pretty quickly but several gallons of water had entered the hatch, thoroughly soaking Pete’s bedding.We spent the next hour drying out the cabin and hanging all the bedding around the boat. Intermezzo looked like the Joad’s truck from the Grapes of Wrath. I felt rather stupid. Yesterday morning we headed to the fuel dock to top off on diesel before setting out to sea. Fortunately Mexico does not seem to be suffering from the huge increases in fuel prices I’m reading about in the US. We headed out from Barra and motored against 10-15 knot headwinds and light chop. I began Mary’s sailing lessons, familiarizing her with the instruments and controls at the helm station. She seems to be an eager and fast learner who loves boats.  She was very happy when encountered several pods of dolphins, always a nice start to a sailing adventure. Once we rounded Punta el Estrecho, we were able to unroll the jib and sail the rest of the way into the Tenacatita anchorage on a nice reach.  We anchored, relaxed on the boat and then took the dinghy to the beach to go running and have an evening margarita.  I was missing Robin, remembering the many great days we spent here almost a month ago. The forecast for our passage to La Cruz is for very calm conditions. Unfortunately, I expect we’ll be motoring the whole way, but at least not bucking against headwinds and seas.

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Life in barra de navidad.

Marina Puerto Navidad, Barra de Navidad

Intermezzo and I have been in the marina in Barra de Navidad for two weeks now. We are scheduled to leave here this coming Friday, March 11. I've mostly enjoyed the solitude of being on my own here and, though I'm living life at a pretty relaxed pace, my time has been fairly productive. 

I spent a good amount of that time getting my advanced engine charging system to work properly. The port engine has been intermittently cycling from charging to not charging ever since I installed the system about a year ago in Florida. Tech support for the Wakespeed voltage regulators thought the solar charging system might be confusing their voltage regulator. So, before leaving Puerto Escondido in January, I installed circuit breakers that would allow me to disconnect the solar system when I ran the engines. This didn't seem to help. Then I started to have alternator belt issues and thought that perhaps belt slippage was the problem. It wasn't. I finally ended up solving the problem by upgrading the Wakespeed firmware and reloading the configuration file. It seems to be working properly now. At last. I hope.

As is common with boats, fix one problem and another one surfaces. Now, my port water heater is leaking. It's not leaking from any of the piping or connections, so it must be the heater tank itself. Fortunately, it's a slow leak, so I can still have hot water for washing dishes while nobody is using the port aft berth and I can periodically bail out the locker beneath it where the heater is located. Before we get underway with crew again, I'll need to bypass the heater to stop the leak and we'll have to make do with no hot water on that side of the boat. I was able to find a marine exporter in San Diego to ship a replacement water heater to me in La Paz at a reasonable price. So, we'll be back in business once we get back there.

I'm most excited by the progress I made writing my Sailing Intermezzo book. I am almost finished with the "Hiatus" chapter, which covers the year and a half between when I thought I had ended The Voyage in June 2017 to when I resumed it again in January 2019 during which I did not post to this blog. A lot happened in that period, it was a tough one for me, difficult to read through my personal journal, sort things out and write about them.  Once this chapter is finished, the writing will go faster as I will have my blog posts for reference and I find writing in the context of my sailing is much easier, even if my personal life was challenging at times. I'm hoping to print and publish the book this summer.

I've enjoyed daily life here in the marina. I run in the hills behind the marina early every other morning, before it gets too hot. I've enjoyed brief conversations and hugs from Sue, wife and mother of the family Lisa and I sailed with on the 2019 Baja Ha-Ha on board their catamaran Winston. I've taken dips in the hotel pool and lounged around it, reading. I've explored the grounds and back roads of the resort on evening walks. I found a great coffee roaster in Barra town, Mokeke's Cafeteria, and love drinking their coffee. I went to a Santana tribute band show in the town square and had a great time listening and dancing to their music, including three encores. All this, plus keeping the boat clean, doing laundry, cooking, washing dishes, grocery shopping, taking care of business, exercising...it's a busy low-keyed life.

I spent my birthday on my own, treating myself to a nice dinner in town. I had figured on buying a big slice of cake from a street vendor who is usually near the water taxi dock, but alas, it was his day off. I had to do with an ice cream bar.  Just like last year with Robin. Only this time, no goats. It was a happy enough birthday.

I'm please to report that I have found crew for part of my passage back to La Paz next week. Pierre (Pete), a policeman from Quebec who sailed with Roy and I on the first leg of The Voyage in early 2019, will be joining Intermezzo as crew again! He's bringing one of his colleagues and sometimes patrol car partner, Marie with him. I'm very happy to be reuniting with Pierre, looking forward to sailing with Marie, and glad to be sailing "three-up" instead of singlehanded. Pierre and Marie will be sailing as far as Mazatlan with me. After that, it looks like I'll be on my own from there to La Paz.

We'll sail to Mazatlan over the course of about eight days, weather permitting, with stops in Chamela, Punta Ipala, La Cruz, Chacala and San Blas. Or, more likely, motor. Winds are still mostly blowing out of the northwest, the direction we need to travel. I'm hoping we'll get a few days of favorable winds, anything from northeast to west would be good. If headwinds are too strong, we'll sit them out at anchor or travel at night when winds and seas are usually more calm. I expect we'll arrive in Mazatlan on March 19 or 20, if we aren't delayed by weather or decide that more R&R is needed.

After Mazatlan, I plan on making my way further up the coast to Altata, cross the bar into the estuary there and visit the town, which is off the normal cruising path. From Altata, I can sail directly across the Sea of Cortez to La Paz in all but westerly winds. I'm figuring on arriving in La Paz during the last week of March.

Renée's daughter, Christina, son-in-law, Nate, and granddaughter, Maddie are going to join me on Intermezzo in La Paz on April 3.  Renée might even make it, too.  We'll take a short cruise to Islas Espiritu Santo and Partida. I'm looking forward to showing Maddie all my favorite beaches, swimming and snorkeling spots. Oh, and introducing Christina and Nate to sailing life, as well.

The news of the world is troubling, but it seems far removed from life here. I hope the madness ends soon.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Settled and alone in barra de navidad.

Yesterday we moved Intermezzo from the Barra de Navidad laguna to a slip in the marina at the Grand Isla Navidad Resort . Today Robin left to attend to family matters. I'm settled in here for awhile, alone.

We enjoyed our week anchored in Tenacatita. Robin mastered her kayak surf exits and entrances. I was violently ejected from my kayak during one attempted landing due to my indecisiveness regarding a breaking following wave. My kayak had a lot more sand in it when we left the anchorage than hers. She wants people to know that.

We motored to Barra on Wednesday, February 16 in light headwinds, picking up a lift towards the end when we were able to roll out the jib to add a boost to the engine. We anchored in the laguna in nice spot between a trimaran and the rest of the boats. This proved helpful when the winds piped up the next day and blew 20-25 knots. We didn't need to worry about other boats dragging down on us, as can happen in this anchorage.

Thursday morning we took the dinghy into the marina to check in and reconnaissance our slip, located in a relatively narrow fairway, a bit tricky for docking. We went for a walk afterwards and discovered an extensive network of roads in an undeveloped subdivision in the hills behind the resort. No houses, no traffic, just miles of nice roads winding through the jungle and connecting to an ocean beach. It's a bit of a mystery. Many millions of dollars must have been spent on the really well-engineered infrastructure, which in addition to the roads, lighting and landscaping, water storage and treatment, includes an extensive storm drainage/rainwater collection system. However, there are very few buildable lots due to the steep terrain and so essentially no houses have been built. I understand there was some sort of political dispute associated with the resort that resulted in the border between the states of Jalisco and Colima being shifted. I'm sure there is an interesting story to be heard.

I had barely enough room to turn the boat and back into our slip yesteday morning, but I made it with a few feet to spare. Thankfully, there was little wind and no current. I'm not sure I would have attempted docking if there had been.

I was sorry to say goodbye to Robin this morning. We have had a great time sailing together and she has taken good care of Intermezzo and me. I will miss her.

I'm resolved to spend the next few weeks getting boat projects completed and making substantial progress writing my Sailing Intermezzo book, a project that I began over a year ago. Hopefully I can maintain motivation and discipline on both fronts. After procrastination, my biggest enemy is heat and humidity. It isn't that hot here, temperatures in the low 80's, but humidity can get up to 90%, which is uncomfortable and makes me lazy. Today I installed the air conditioner I bought in Charleston during a heat wave, prodded on by my crew, Lisa. While heat and humidity might slow down my progress on boat projects, it now can't be an excuse for not writing.

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Enjoying tentacatita.

Bahía Tentacatita

We sailed from Paraíso to Bahía Tenacatita on Tuesday, February 8 and have been enjoying ourselves in this big calm bay for the past few days. There are lots of boats in the anchorage; we counted 27 yesterday. Fortunately, there is plenty of room and people on the other boats are friendly and quiet, so it doesn't feel crowded at all.

We had a really nice stay in Paraíso. The highlight was snorkeling the rock reef along the north shore of the cove in which we were anchored. There was plenty of healthy coral, forest green and purple, and lots of large colorful reef fish. The water was clear and the surge from the ocean swell made snorkeling along the rocks fun. We would hover over fish and be swept in and out by the surge, the fish below us moving in unison. Even the jellyfish tentacle that wrapped around my arm, stung me and left a big welt, was colorful; bright orange papules spaced along a clear string, like a garland.

As we swam from the reef to the sandy beach at the end of the cove, we passed through huge schools of minnows. Thousands and thousands of little fish. It was like flying through living clouds for a solid ten minutes. I've never swam through that many fish for so long before.

Before we set sail on Tuesday morning, we inflated the kayaks and explored the rugged shoreline and rocky islands outside our cove. We ended our time there with a swim from a tiny private beach.  It was hard to leave such a pretty place.

We had a nice downwind sail to Tenacatita under full main and jib. The wind was around 10 knots when we started out and built to almost 20 by the time we turned towards shore to enter the bahía. I'm really happy to have burned so little diesel since leaving La Paz. We dropped anchor in the middle of the gaggle of other boats, about a quarter mile off the beach.

Yesterday we did boat chores and projects in the morning, then kayaked around the anchorage. Robin practiced her kayak surf entries with, shall we say, "varied results". 

Today we paddled the kayaks about a mile and a half up an estuary to "The Aquarium" beach.  Renée, Marc, Marcy and I had explored this estuary with the dinghjy back in January 2016, shortly after Hurricane Patricia. It was a difficult trip, the estuary clogged with blown mangroves and downed trees. This time, it was a much easier passage and we saw lots of birds- egrets, great herons, not-so-great herons and night herons. The night herons were particularly numerous and would scramble into the mangroves to hide as we approached, scolding us with a chuk-chuk-chuk sound. I really enjoyed paddling through the narrow parts of the estuary, the tree canopy above forming a shady tunnel. 

When we arrived at The Aquarium beach, we had a nice lunch of ceviche, papas fritas and beer at a very rustic beach restaurant and did a bit of swimming before paddling back down the estuary and out to the boat. After cleaning up and resting a bit, we headed back to shore for dinner at the nice little palapa restaurant on shore where they serve a local specialty, rollo de mar, a fish filet rolled around shrimp and vegetables, smothered in an almond cream sauce.

Tomorrow morning we need to make a trip into town, La Manzanilla, to replenish our food supply. It's about a two mile dinghy trip across the bay, requiring landing and taking off through the surf. We'll go early when the waves are smaller and, hopefully, I'll time things better and not soak Robin or our groceries.

Monday, February 7, 2022

Moved on to paraíso.

We left Chamela this morning and motored about 8 nautical miles to the tiny rocky anchorage of Paraíso. We are anchored just off the sandy beach of a boutique hotel, nestled between two rock points. There was one boat when we arrived here, plenty of room. Two more boats have arrived, including a big 50-foot catamaran. It's getting a bit crowded.

We enjoyed our three days in Chamela.

Friday we slept in after our overnight passage from La Cruz, then took the dinghy to visit the small islands in the middle of the bay. Our aim was to go snorkeling, but the visibility was not very good due to all the krill in the water. No wonder there are so many whales about. Still, we enjoyed a picnic on a rocky isolated beach, then a bit more time on a sandy beach with a few daytrippers lounding about.

Saturday we took a long walk along the long crescent beach of the bahía. The beach is over three miles long, fringed with small palapa restaurants, a few modest hotels, a handful of beach campgrounds and an estero lined with mangroves. It was long nice walk on a breezy sunny day. I had run along the beach barefoot the evening before and my feet were well abraded by the sand by the time we sat down at a palapa restaurant for a simple seafood lunch and beers. When we launched the dinghy to return to Intermezzo, I misjudged the surf and shipped a big wave over the bow. Fortunately Robin was there to block the wave from getting me wet.

Sunday we relaxed on the boat and go work done. I did my monthly administrative "paperwork", called my Dad, reviewed my to-do lists.  Robin scrubbed the dinghy and got rid of the sand from the previous day's wave mishap. 

Today's short passage was uneventful, though we did see a couple of whales "commuting" northwards. I'm glad we arrived when we did because I probably would not have stayed if there were as many boats here as there are now. We'll do some snorkeling, swim over to a tiny private beach, maybe inflate the kayaks to explore the rocky islets just outside the anchorage. No complaints.

Friday, February 4, 2022

Anchored in bahía chamela.

Bahía Chamela

We arrived in Bahía Chamela at sunrise this morning after an overnight sail from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in relatively calm conditions. We're anchored off the long crescent beach and will spend at least a couple days here swimming, snorkeling, walking, running, reading and, believe it or not, getting some work done. I have a proposal for some business consulting services due today. Not a bad place for working remotely, though.

The wind steadily increased after we rounded Cabo Corrientes and at 7 pm it was blowing a steady 20-23 knots. Time to reef. Since we were sailing almost directly downwind, we furled the jib completely and sailed under just the double-reefed main. As with our landfall in La Cruz, I had to keep boat speed down so as to arrive in Chamela in daylight.  Yet, even with just the reefed main, we were moving along at 6 knots, too fast.

Only and hour after the winds got stronger, they began to subside. The main started to backwind when surfing down swells causing the boom to bash about. Not good for sleeping. So we dropped the main, unfurled the jib and continued in this more quiet configuration until the winds died at 11 pm, quite a bit earlier than forecast.

We spent the rest of the passage alternating between sailing very slowly at 2-3 knots and motoring too quickly at 5-6 knots despite running the engine at minimum rpms. I think there must be a southerly current running, given the boat speeds.

Robin was on watch when we arrived at the waypoint for our entry into the bahía at 6:30. I woke up when I heard the waypoint arrival alarm and went up to the helm to find Robin miserably tired and cold. I took over steering while she warmed up in the cabin. It was quite chilly out with a decent land breeze blowing from ahead making it feel ever colder.

It was a beautiful dawn as we entered the anchorage, the sun turning the undersides of the clouds on the horizon a bright orange, the sky and clouds above shades of steely grey, the water a sparkling dark grey. The anchorage is fairly crowded, we had to take a spin around it to find a good spot to drop anchor.

It doesn't seem like much has changed since I first visited here in January 2016 , except that the cellular data service is much better, excellent even. When I read my blog entry for that visit I chuckled as it seems like sailing conditions from La Cruz were very similar, too fast then no wind.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Whales, rounded cabo corriente, fine sailing, wednesday, february 2, 2022, leaving la cruz.

 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

We've enjoyed four days anchored off La Cruz in lovely weather. Tomorrow we set sail for Chamela, about 96 nautical miles (nm) down the coast.

We enjoyed wandering the streets of the town, a tasty meal at Cevicheria La Cruz , a small seafood restaurant along the main highway, watching the 49'ers playoff game (too bad they lost) and relaxing with good coffee in the Octopus's Garden .

Yesterday afternoon, we took a short bus ride to the neighboring town of Bucerías and relaxed at Adauto's, a beachfront palapa restaurant. We pulled three lounge chairs under an umbrella and enjoyed drinks and snacks. After taking a swim, Robin and I enjoyed a fish filet in white wine sauce dinner while the sun set. (Dan had eaten earlier.) We took the bus back to La Cruz and drove the dinghy back to Intermezzo in the dark. It was a really nice day.

Dan left Intermezzo today, flying to L.A. to visit a friend before heading home. I really enjoyed sailing with him. Though we have known each other for over 30 years, we had never spent this long a time together. I'm glad to know we can coexist happily in close quarters.

Tomorrow's sail should be pretty easy. We need to round Cabo Corrientes (Cape Current) which can sometimes be a bit rough but, after that, it should be smooth downwind sailing in moderate winds. It should take us about 24 hours to get to Chamela. Last time I sailed this route , it was with my friends Marc and Marcie in January 2016.

Looking at the bigger picture, our plan is to get to Barra de Navidad for Robin to fly back home to take care of some family business on February 19.  Barra is only 38 nm from Chamela, so we'll have plenty of time to linger and enjoy time in pretty anchorages along this section of the coast.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Arrived in la cruz, saturday, january 29, 2022, calmed down, friday, january 28, 2022, boisterous conditions, thursday, january 27, 2022, nice day, getting windy, wednesday, january 26, 2022, intermezzo's 2022 cruise begins.

 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Intermezzo sets sail from La Paz to La Cruz (de Huanacaxtle) tomorrow morning, pending a satisfactory final weather check to begin our 2022 Cruise.  I suppose the cruise actually started on January 16 when we departed Puerto Escondido for La Paz, but I didn't start blogging until now, so I'm calling this the official start.

Intermezzo had spent the hurricane season in dry storage in Marina Puerto Escondido. We launched on November 16, 2021 and spent a month working on the boat and on short shakedown cruises until the holidays. We departed Puerto Escondido on January 16 and took a leisurely week to cruise down to La Paz, with stops at my favorite anchorages, Los Gatos, Isla San Francisco, Ensenda Grande, and Caleta Partida.

We spent the last three days enjoying La Paz, getting some work done, and provisioning for the cruise. It's been sunny, warm when the wind isn't blowing, cool when it is.  The marinas are all filled and the anchorages are pretty crowded. A lot of people seem to be sailing this season.

We'll weigh anchor tomorrow morning around 0900 and head to the fuel dock and Marina Costa Baja to top up with fuel.  It will take us about three days to get to La Cruz. I'm sailing with my longtime friend, Dan and with Robin, who sailed with me in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys last year.  It will be Dan's first multi-day, open water passage and one of Robin's longest.

It looks like it will be a spirited downwind sail most of the way to La Cruz. Winds will likely be 15-20 knots from the north-northwest with gusts up to 30 knots through Friday evening and steep waves up to 6 feet, then the winds will lighten considerably and the seas will get smoother  I expect we'll have to do some motoring towards the end.

 I'll post updates via satellite en route.

The overall plan for the 2022 Cruise is to head south as far as Zihuatanejo, then turn around in March to head back to sail in the Sea of Cortez until May when we'll haul out again for another hurricane season. I'll probably leave Intermezzo in a marina and head back to California a couple of times along the way.

I'm looking forward to re-visiting places I haven't been back to since the beginning of The Voyage in 2015-16.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Wow, that was fast! Why trimarans are SO much fun to sail – and how to do it

• Theo Stocker
• February 13, 2024

For their size, trimarans can punch well above their weight in speed, cruising potential and fun. Monohull sailor Theo Stocker gets to grips with how to handle one

Humans tend to gravitate into tribes of like-minded enthusiasts, enjoying the encouragement, support and sense of identity, while often looking askance at others; sailors at motorboaters, cruising sailors at racers, monohull sailors at raft, I mean, multihull sailors, and everyone looks askance at jet-skiers.

Large cruising catamarans (40ft now counts as a small one) are a world apart from monohull sailing, but there’s a sub-tribe of sailors dedicated to life on three hulls and builders such as Dragonfly, Corsair, Farrier, and Astus give them plenty of choice.

I’ve been sailing a 22ft (7m) Astus 22.5 this season, with just enough space for a family of four and a minimum of creature comforts. Thanks to her VPLP-designed hulls and 650kg all-up weight, we can sail upwind at 7-plus knots and downwind at over 10 knots with ease, all on a roughly even keel, while the kids play Duplo down below. It can also be beached and is towable behind a car.

Having, it seems, caught the trimaran bug, I wanted to get better at sailing and handling the boat, but my monohull sailing experience and habits were proving something of a hindrance, so we sought advice from some existing trimaran owners, and well as the UK’s top multihull sailors.

Much of the advice will apply to all multihulls , whether two or three-hulled, while other parts are just for small trimarans. I also found that brushing-up some of my rusty dinghy sailing skills helped get my head around what we were trying to do.

To try out our expert tips we went out sailing to see what difference they made. On the day, we got a solid Force 4-5 southwesterly, averaging 16 knots, but fluctuating between 12 and 20 knots true.

Blasting about on a sporty trimaran is a whole world of fun, but is much calmer than it looks

Trimaran sail trim

One of the biggest differences between a cruising monohull and a multihull is how the mainsail is trimmed. Leech tension on a yacht is often largely controlled by the kicker and the backstay, while the mainsheet sheets the mainsail in and out, predominantly controlling the angle of the boom to the centreline, and there may be a short traveller.

On a mulithull, however, there’s more than enough space for a good, wide traveller. Those who sail on performance monohulls will also be used to this. The sail shape is mainly controlled by the mainsheet, and the traveller then moves the boom towards or away from the centreline.

This is exaggerated on a multihull which has wide shrouds, swept well aft with no backstay, making space for a powerful square-top mainsail with full-length battens. There’s no backstay to bend the mast and flatten what is anyway a pretty rigid mainsail.

The mainsheet purchase creates enough power to control the leech of the square-top mainsail

Depowering a trimaran

Sailing on a monohull, heel and weatherhelm and eventually a broach give loads of warning that you’re pushing too hard. With straight hulls and little heel, those warning signs don’t really apply to multihulls.

In reality, however, there are a host of warning signals that it’s time to back-off; they’re just a bit different. Even then, there’s still a large safety margin before you get close to danger.

By way of reassurance, with the boat powered up on a beat, Hein, from Boats on Wheels, the boat’s owner, stood on the leeward hull and lent on the shrouds. Even as his feet got wet and the wind gusted at the top of Force 4, the boat didn’t bat an eyelid, thanks to the huge buoyancy of the floats.

Even with a person on the leeward float the boat was extremely stable

On the water – sail trim

My first inclination was to point the boat as high upwind as possible, pin the sails in and go for height. Doing that resulted in a not-terrible boat speed of 5-6 knots and a good pointing angle.

Free off by a handful of degrees however, and ease the sails just a smidge, and the speed leapt up to 8-9 knots – over 50% more; a huge increase. So, don’t pinch. If you had a decent chartplotter on board, you could find your optimum speed to angle using velocity made good (VMG).

I was also tempted to pinch in the gusts, but it’s better to hold your course and let the speed increase until the main needs easing.

On the wind, it’s time to get the boat fully powered up

If that’s the case, drop the main down the traveller an inch or two or ease some twist into the mainsail and it makes all the difference in the world, but not so far that the top battens fall away and invert – that really isn’t fast. Push too hard and the boat will slow down, largely from the drag of submerging the leeward float and crossbeams. If you’re still overpowered and the main is luffing, it’s time to reef. Downwind is different, but we’ll get onto that later.

After we put a reef in the main, our boat speeds upwind remained largely the same, and the boat was much happier. I came away feeling reassured that even a little trimaran like this would be pretty difficult to capsize, and there were always plenty of warning signs telling me to take my foot off the pedal a little.

Article continues below…

Catamaran sailing skills: Mooring and anchoring a multihull

How do you make an average passage speed of 7 knots, fit in three double cabins and a huge saloon…

Monohull or multihull: which is best for blue water?

As former editor of Yachting World, David Glenn has plenty of experience of both monohull and multihull cruising. Here he…

Tacking and gybing a trimaran

Everyone knows that multihulls don’t tack as well as monohulls. Straight hulls and wide beam don’t lend themselves to turning, especially when coupled with the displacement and fixed keels of big cats. Trimarans are a little easier, with a single central daggerboard to act as a pivot, and one or other of the floats will generally be clear of the water. On the downside, light displacement means that there isn’t much momentum to keep you going through the turn and plenty of windage to stop you.

On a trimaran the central daggerboard helps the boat to turn by providing a central pivot point that catamarans lack

Speed is your friend. Build speed up before the tack to give you as much momentum as possible. The helm needs to steer positively into and through the turn, and if necessary, keep the jib backed on the new windward side to help the bow through the wind. Don’t worry about scrubbing speed off, but you don’t want to get stuck in irons.

When it comes to gybing, speed is again key. The turning bit isn’t going to be an issue as you’ll be scooting along, but the faster you’re going, the less load there will be on the sails. The more you slow down, the more the true wind will pile up.

Trimaran sailing skills

Tacks took a bit of practice. It felt plain wrong to jab the tiller across the boat, slamming a big break on in the water but I ended up putting us through the tacks far too slowly, losing a lot of speed. A more aggressive approach worked better. On the Astus, the traveller was between me and the tiller, so the tiller extension needed to be swung around the stern behind the mainsheet onto the new side.

Similarly, old habits of controlling a gybe needed to be modified. With the asymmetric set, we were planing at well over 10 knots, and the ideal is to stay on the plane. Heading dead downwind and centring the main lead to a more violent manoeuvre than flying into the gybe as fast as possible and, as the boom was never that far out thanks to the apparent wind angle, it didn’t need much extra controlling.

Coming up onto the wind after the gybe helped the asymmetric around the front of the jib and to fill on the new side. Stay too deep and it’ll get blanketed by the main. Once we had built up some apparent wind, we could bear away again.

You’ll be on a course deep downwind before you know it, hitting speeds in the double digits

Downwind in a trimaran

Upwind cruising may be fun in a multihull, but bearing away and going with the wind is what it’s all about. Easily-driven hulls, a generous sailplan and light weight mean you can be up and planing, leaving displacement boats wallowing in your wake.

The big difference comes from apparent wind. If you’re in a boat that can do 15 knots downwind in 20 knots of true wind, the resulting wind angles can really mess with your head.

To get going then, says Brian Thompson, ‘Use those leech tell-tales again when sailing downwind and reaching to set the correct twist through the mainsheet, and use the traveller to set the correct angle of the whole sail to the wind.’

As the wind and your speed builds, bear away and trim the main accordingly.

In theory, you shouldn’t need to ease the traveller at all, but you may need to if you want to sail deep downwind. As the gust fades, you’ll find the boat slows down, so you can come back up towards the wind a little to pick up some more breeze, and then bear away as you accelerate again.

Bear away as the boat accelerates. Your course will be something of a slalom as you look to keep a consistent wind angle

This results in something of a ‘slalom’ course, and will also be accentuated if you’re sailing down waves, but that’s all quite normal for apparent wind sailing. Ultimately, you’re looking for a consistent apparent wind angle, even if the resulting wake isn’t straight.

It’s worth remembering that apparent wind reduces the felt effect of the wind, so you need a sailplan to suit the true, not apparent wind speed.

I found that the boat was more sensitive to having a balanced sailplan and trim downwind than upwind, largely because you’ve got almost double the canvas up, with the bowsprit as an extra lever. When weather helm built, I needed to ease the mainsheet to increase twist to depower so that I could bear away. I must admit, getting the boat balanced, sailing fast and light on the helm at 15 knots was something I came away feeling I needed more practice at.

Reviewing the images, I suspect the asymmetric was sheeted in too hard, with too much twist in the main.

Getting a float fully submerged is when it’s time to back off

On the water

Unfurling the gennaker worked best on a beam reach, giving plenty of airflow over the sail to help it fully unfurl. This was also roughly the fastest point of sail, ideal for getting up some speed for apparent wind sailing. We mostly had the sails set for a close reach, even when we were beyond 120º off the true wind on a broad reach.

It was possible to soak deeper downwind, but lose the apparent wind benefit downwind and our speed dropped off dramatically, prompting us to point a bit higher to find some more speed.

As the boat powered up, it paid to hold a slightly higher angle than I would have done in a monohull for the boat to properly take off and get up into double digit speeds – topping out at 15 knots. Lymington to Cowes would have taken us just half an hour at that speed. It’s easy to give yourself a heck of a beat back!

We were sailing on a pretty flat day, so didn’t have to contend with any waves to speak of. On the recent RTI this is what caused the capsizes of at least two multis, a sobering reminder that you need to sail much more conservatively in lumpier conditions.

The bows want to point downwind, so a stern-first approach works with rather than against the boat

Coming alongside

A 650kg boat with no draught and plenty of windage feels dreadfully skittish when manoeuvring in confined spaces. Straight hulls with no forgiving curves and fragile-looking sharp bows make berthing tricky. You’ve got a couple of advantages on your side, however. In the Astus, the floats are at pontoon height making stepping off easy.

Whether you have an engine in each hull of a cat, or one in the central hull of a tri, there’s also a lot more leverage to play with to turn the boat and drive her on or off the pontoon. A steerable outboard gives you even more options.

If the boat has a lifting keel or daggerboards, put them down if there’s enough depth to give you a pivot and to resist drifting. Think about getting corners onto the pontoon, rather than putting the boat alongside. On tris, you won’t be able to get to the bow to fend off as it’s too narrow. You can rig a fender up forwards on a line, and two fenders are enough on the flat sides.

Steering with the outboard towards the pontoon will drive the stern in more; steer away to drive the bow in more

Offshore wind

Coming onto the pontoon with wind blowing off, it worked well coming in stern first. If there’s a tide running, you’ll want to be heading into the tide, so find a spot down wind and down tide to start your approach so you come in at an angle.

On our first attempt we had a bit of tide under us to start with so we came in at a much steeper angle, almost 90º, although this worked out OK in the end.

The crew could then step ashore, taking a line from the stern quarter round a cleat.

Drive forwards against the line and the bow will obediently drive up towards the pontoon, bringing you flat alongside. Getting off was simple, releasing the bowline, and allowing the bow to swing out the before slipping the stern line.

Coming in astern and stopping upwind of the berth meant the bows blew towards the pontoon far to quickly

Onshore wind

Getting onto and off a pontoon with onshore wind proved rather trickier. On our first attempt we came in stern first. The issue was that once we were just upwind of our desired berth and stopped, we lost steerage and the bow immediately blew off with alarming speed towards the pontoon.

Going ahead would only increase the force of the impact, while going astern only increased the bow’s sideways drift. I managed to back out without smashing the bow, but only just, and ended up awkwardly stern to the wind with the bows pointing at the pontoon.

On our second attempt we came in bows first but having aimed at the berth, I had to motor the stern to leeward to stop the bow hitting, making for a rather forceful coming alongside.

On take three, I came in forwards and began ferry gliding towards the berth early, keeping the bows to windward of the stern. Being able to steer with the outboard meant I could go ahead to keep the bow up, and go astern with the engine pulling the stern down toward the pontoon. In this way, it was possible to come in pretty well controlled and parallel to the berth.

To get out, motoring astern against a bow line pulled the entire boat clear before slipping the line

Leaving was a different proposition all together, as I didn’t want to drag the bow along the pontoon, or to drive hard onto it to spring off. Instead, we rigged a slip-line from the forward cross beam. Going astern against this, and then turning the engine towards the wind, I could pull the stern, and the rest of the boat, out and away from the pontoon.

Keeping power on astern, once we’d reached a decent angle, we slipped the line and went astern, finding steerage way almost at once, with the bow following obediently in our wake with more control than I had anticipated.

Whether the wind is blowing onto, or off the pontoon, you want the engine to be driving or pulling the boat off the pontoon with a line on the corner you are going away from. That way you avoid point-loading fine ends where it’s hard to fender.

You’ll want a bridle to reduce swinging, but keep the pick up lines on the bow as backup

Anchoring and mooring a trimaran

While mooring a catamaran is complicated by the lack of a central bow, things should be simpler on a trimaran, and they are, mostly. Picking up a mooring buoy from the main hull bow with a low freeboard and dropping the pick-up line onto a cleat is easier even than a monohull.

The bow may be narrow, but for any lines that pass through a ring on the buoy, you still need to take it back to the same cleat to avoid chafe. That should be it, but windage from the two extra bows and the lack of keel mean the boat can dance merrily around the mooring buoy in a breeze.

Rig the bridle so the buoy sits to one side to stabilise the boat

In practice, we found that a trimaran benefits from a mooring bridle in the same way that a catamaran does. It can’t be rigged from the floats’ bows, as there are no mooring cleats, so a line passed around the outboard ends of the forward beams gave a pretty good angle, again with long lines passed through the mooring and back to the same side. The main pick-up lines stay as a safety backup.

The other trick is to rig the bridle asymmetrically so that the buoy sits to one side or the other, just enough to not be dead head to wind, making it much more stable in the wind.

On the plus side, the lack of draught or keel means that you’ll nearly always be lying head to wind, so the cockpit remains nice and sheltered whatever the tide’s doing.

We ran out of time on the day to try anchoring, but rigging a bridle, effectively a long snubber to a point on the anchor chain in a similar way wouldn’t be tricky.

If you needed not to swing, or to behave more like deeper boats nearby, hanging a bucket over the stern can help, or there’s always anchoring with a kedge, either out ahead in a V, or in line astern.

Enjoyed reading this?

A subscription to Yachting Monthly magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price .

Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals .

YM is packed with information to help you get the most from your time on the water.

• Take your seamanship to the next level with tips, advice and skills from our experts
• Impartial in-depth reviews of the latest yachts and equipment
• Cruising guides to help you reach those dream destinations

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.

What Kind Of Boat Is Used In Waterworld?

December 15, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Waterworld boat is a trimaran with a tri-hull design.
• Its construction demanded meticulous care for durability.
• Its legacy endures as an iconic movie vessel, inspiring maritime and pop culture.

‍ Ever wondered about the boat used in Waterworld? Let’s uncover the secrets of this iconic vessel as we delve into its captivating story.

The boat used in the Waterworld is a trimaran, a type of boat characterized by its multiple-hull design. It comprises a central or main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls that are connected to the central hull through horizontal beams.

As an expert in maritime history, I bring a unique blend of knowledge and insights to the boat used in Waterworld. My expertise allows me to answer the question of what kind of boat was used and to delve into the intricacies of its design and significance within the film's narrative. As such, you’ll gain valuable insights from a knowledgeable source with a passion for boats, cinema, and storytelling.

Table of contents

‍ what kind of boat is used in the waterworld.

When I first heard about "Waterworld," I was captivated by its ambition. The film, directed by Kevin Reynolds, starring Kevin Costner in a post-apocalyptic setting where the earth is submerged in water.

The boat central to "Waterworld" is a trimaran, a type of multihull boat with a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls. This vessel was not just a set piece but a functional craft, intricately designed by VPLP Design’ It was specifically for the film to embody the rugged and self-reliant spirit of the main character, Costner.

The film's portrayal of the trimaran was grounded yet imaginative, reflecting mankind's resilience in an imagined watery future. With its real-world sailing sequences, the boat became almost as much a character as the actors around it.

Two iterations of the trimaran were constructed for the film. A relatively standard racing vessel (surpassed 30 knots in September 1994). This was a fully functional Kevin Costner sailboat for distance shots and is in private hands.

The second one is an effects-laden transforming vessel for closeup shots. This one is at a lake in Universal Studios, Florida.

Now, let’s explore the design, significance, and lasting impression of the Waterworld trimaran.

Design and Concept

The design and concept of the Waterworld Trimaran represented a visionary approach to creating a vessel that was visually captivating and deeply embedded in the narrative fabric of the film.

Collaborating with VPLP Design , a renowned naval architecture firm, Vincent Lauriot Prevost embarked on a creative journey to craft a watercraft that would be both a functional mode of transportation and a symbol of hope in the dystopian world of "Waterworld."

The most striking feature of the Trimaran was its tri-hull design, an unconventional choice that set it apart from traditional watercraft.

This tri-hull configuration had two smaller outer hulls (amas) and a larger central hull (main hull). It was visually intriguing and contributed significantly to the vessel's stability and buoyancy.

In a world where dry land had become a rare commodity, this design choice allowed the Trimaran to navigate the vast expanses of water with confidence, providing a sense of security for its inhabitants.

The towering mast was another distinctive feature that added to the Trimaran's allure. It served a practical purpose by supporting sails and enhancing the vessel's imposing presence on the water.

This design element and windmill blades emphasized the Trimaran's capability to harness the power of the wind. It made the trimaran a formidable and efficient means of transportation in a world where fuel was scarce.

Perhaps one of the most visionary aspects of the Trimaran's design was its unconventional yet practical layout. While it appeared as a vessel of utility, it seamlessly incorporated living quarters, storage space, and essential facilities below deck.

This multifunctional design allowed it to serve as a mode of transportation and as a self-contained community on the water. It became a floating refuge, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of its inhabitants.

Size and Scale

The Trimaran in "Waterworld" was depicted as a massive vessel, which was crucial for the narrative. Its size suggested self-sufficiency and the ability to house a small community of survivors.

This allowed it to carry ample supplies, equipment, and provisions, making it suitable for long journeys and survival underwater near San Diego Bay and parts of the Pacific. The grand scale of the Trimaran emphasized its significance as a central element in the film.

Construction and Maintenance

Building the Waterworld Trimaran for filming and the fictional harsh marine environment required robust construction.

In the real world, a similar vessel would demand meticulous maintenance to ensure the integrity of its triple hulls and the functionality of its previously hidden mast system.

The filmmakers' commitment to maintaining the vessel's appearance and functionality reflected its importance as a central element of the film's world.

The Waterworld Trimaran was not just a backdrop; it was a dynamic character in its own right, and its proper care and maintenance were essential to ensure its seamless integration into the film's narrative. This video illustrates the Trimaran’s robust construction.

In-Film Role and Symbolism

In the movie "Waterworld," the Trimaran transcended its role as a mere vessel; it became a central character intimately linked with the survival and identity of the Mariner, portrayed by Kevin Costner.

This remarkable watercraft served multiple crucial functions throughout the narrative, going beyond its role as a mode of transportation.

Firstly, the Trimaran provided shelter in a world where dry land had become scarce. It symbolized the mariner's lifeline, offering him a safe haven from the dangers of the waterlogged world.

Its living quarters became a refuge, not just for the mariner but also for the hope of finding a place to call home.

The Trimaran's mobility was essential for navigating the treacherous seas and exploring the vast, flooded landscapes. Its agility mirrored the mariner's adaptability and resourcefulness in this harsh environment.

Furthermore, the vessel served as a formidable defense mechanism, protecting the mariner from the threats of pirates and the notorious smokers led by Dennis Hopper. It was a symbol of resilience, allowing the protagonist to confront adversity head-on and overcome the odds.

Legacy and Influence

The Waterworld Trimaran boat has left an enduring legacy, profoundly influencing both maritime enthusiasts and filmmakers alike. Its unique design, blending form and function, has captivated the imagination of those within the maritime community and beyond. It has influenced the community in the following ways:

Influence on Boat Design

Trimaran's tri-hull design, towering mast, and practical layout have inspired boat designers to push the boundaries of conventional maritime engineering. The idea of a versatile vessel that seamlessly combines self-sufficiency with speed and stability has prompted real-world adaptations.

Today, we see trimarans that borrow elements from the Waterworld Trimaran, particularly in terms of hull design and innovative modifications for extended voyages.

Impact on Storytelling

In the world of storytelling, the Waterworld Trimaran has set a precedent for the use of unique vessels as pivotal plot elements. Filmmakers have taken inspiration from its role as a character within the narrative, symbolizing resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

This influence is evident in subsequent films and media where distinctive boats or ships play central roles in the storyline.

Real-World Application

The Waterworld Trimaran, although originally conceived for cinematic storytelling, possessed notable real-world applications that set it apart from competitive racing trimarans.

While its core features, including speed and stability, shared similarities with racing trimarans built for water sports, it was the additional modifications that made it stand out and hinted at its potential for practical use.

What truly distinguished the Waterworld Trimaran were the modifications designed for self-sufficiency and extended habitation. These included living quarters, storage spaces, and facilities necessary for sustaining life on the open sea.

These features showcased a level of versatility rarely seen in racing-oriented designs, suggesting a broader range of applications beyond the racecourse.

Additionally, the Trimaran's innovative modifications highlighted the potential for adapting such vessels to real-world scenarios, such as extended voyages and exploration missions.

Its ability to combine speed and stability with self-sufficiency demonstrated how maritime engineering could evolve to meet the demands of long-term habitation on the water.

Comparisons of the Waterworld Trimaran to Other Watercrafts

The mariner’s Trimaran, a marvel of post-apocalyptic engineering, has left an indelible mark on the imaginations of moviegoers and maritime enthusiasts alike. Its distinctive design and formidable presence make it a standout vessel in the world of film.

However, to truly appreciate the trimaran's exceptional attributes, it's essential to place it in context alongside other types of watercraft.

We’ll compare it with various vessels to highlight key differences, showcasing how this fictional creation stands out in the realm of maritime innovation.

To help you visualize how the Waterworld trimaran compares to other types of vessels, here's a table highlighting key differences:

Sailing Through Pop Culture: The Enduring Influence of 'Waterworld' Boat Designs

When I dive into pop culture, few things have the lasting impact of iconic movie props, especially those central to a film's theme, like the trimaran used in 'Waterworld.' It's more than just a vessel; it symbolizes adaptability and ingenuity in a dystopian future.

In my journey through cinema history, this unique boat has stood out for its design and how it has influenced media and merchandise. Let’s explore the influence of the Trimaran on pop culture.

Influence on Popular Media

The trimaran and the post-apocalyptic vibe of 'Waterworld' have had a palpable influence on other media, sometimes echoing the desolate yet adventurous feel found in the 25th-anniversary retrospectives of the movie.

Video games, especially those set in dystopian futures, often feature vessels and settings reminiscent of the film’s unique maritime environment. Many of these creations offer a nod to the rugged survivalist spirit embodied by 'Waterworld's' trimaran.

Merchandise and Spin-Offs

Merchandise from Waterworld, including lavish collectibles, has sailed into the hands of eager fans. Over the years, limited-edition models of the trimaran have become prized possessions.

The introduction of spin-offs has further fueled the demand for related products. For instance, video games set in the "Waterworld" universe have allowed players to immerse themselves in the post-apocalyptic world and interact with the iconic Trimaran.

These games have often featured the vessel as a central element of gameplay, emphasizing its significance in the franchise.

Moreover, intricate sailing ship models, not limited to the Trimaran alone, have gained popularity among fans. These models offer a hands-on experience, allowing enthusiasts to recreate film scenes or embark on imaginative adventures within the "Waterworld" universe.

Fan Community and Continued Interest

The legacy of 'Waterworld' resonates deeply within its vibrant fan community. Enthusiasts celebrate the film through fan events, analyze it on social media, and keep the conversation going through forums.

This continued interest is a testament to the cultural footprint of the film's maritime themes and the boat that made navigating a waterlogged Earth possible.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases. The images and content on this page may be created by, or with the assistance of, artificial intelligence, and should be used for entertainment and informational purposes only.

About THE AUTHOR

Brian Samson

I have a deep love of houseboating and the life-changing experiences houseboating has brought into my life. I’ve been going to Lake Powell on our family’s houseboat for over 30 years and have made many great memories, first as a child and now as a parent. My family has a passion for helping others have similar fun, safe experiences on their houseboat.

Trending Now

After spending over 30 years on houseboats, the memories and knowledge we've gained will never fade. Learn from our experiences here on LakeWizard. You can read more about us and our team, here .

©2024 LakeWizard. All rights reserved.

You can email us at [email protected]

LakeWizard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs including but not limited to ShareASale, CJ, and ClickBank, and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Free Shipping in the US on Orders $75+

Item added to your cart

The complete list of trimarans.

There is no single trimaran that is best for everyone. Where some prefer luxury cruisers for long trips with family and friends, others might opt for a high performance racing tri for thrilling rides at breakneck speeds. With the recent spike in trimaran popularity, these days there is a perfect tri for every sailor. So to help prospective trimaran owners decide which boat is just right for them, we here at WindRider have put together a comprehensive list of the best trimarans on the market today! Read through for simple at-a-glance trimaran comparisons of boats both big and small, exhilarating and relaxing, and for all price points.

Jump to a specific sailing trimaran: Neel Weta Corsair WindRider Dragonfly Catri Astus Hobie Sea Pearl Farrier Sea Cart Multi 23 Triak SeaRail Warren Lightcraft Diam Radikal Challenger

Known for their award-winning luxury trimarans,   NEEL   is based in La Rochelle, the capital city of sailing in France. NEEL trimarans are built for fast cruising with an average cruising speed of about 10 knots, and are even configured to facilitate that sustained speed under motor propulsion. The NEEL 45 was notably named Cruising World’s Most Innovative Vessel in 2013, and by all accounts is an easy-to-sail, high performance boat that is just plain fun.

At a glance:

Models: NEEL 45, 65

Length: 45’ – 65’

Cost:   $$$$$

Use: Luxury cruiser

A fan favorite,   Weta trimarans   are fast, stable, and remarkably easy to rig. This single-sailor tri has a capacity of up to three, and the ease with which it can be transported and stored makes this a great, versatile boat for beginners. The Weta was named Sailing World’s 2010 Boat of the Year, and one ride is enough to know why: simply put, the Weta is an absolute ton of fun to sail regardless of skill level.

Models: Weta

Length: 14’5”

Cost:   $$ $$$

The high-end   Corsair trimaran   definitely holds its own in the categories of versatility, performance, and convenience. Boasting a rigging time of 30 minutes from trailer to sailor ,   the Corsair 42 – whose convenient folding amas makes trailering possible – is a simple option even for single sailors, though cabin space is suitable for two adults. These boats are wicked fast, capable of reaching speeds of 20+ knots, and were made for skilled sailors seeking solid construction and high performance vessels, not for beginners.

Models: Pulse 600, Sprint 750 MKII, Dash 750 MKII, Corsair 28, Cruze 970, Corsair 37, Corsair 42

Length: 19’8” – 37’

Cost:   $$$$ $

Use: Sports cruisers

Built for the sailor who wants to maximize the joys of sailing while minimizing any hassle, WindRider trimarans are notoriously fast, very safe, and a blast to sail from start to finish. With several models that can hold between 1 and 6 riders, including adaptive designs to allow participation from sailors of all levels of mobility, there’s something to suit every sailor’s needs. The WindRider 17, an exhilarating ride perfect for families or camper sailors, has been known to reach speeds of up to 20mph. This easy day sailor goes from trailer to sailing in under 30 minutes and is sure to fit in perfectly with whatever adventures you have planned.

Models: WR 16, 17, Tango, Rave V

Length: 10’11” – 18’3”

Cost:   $ $$$$

Use: Day sailor

The Danish-built   Dragonfly   trimarans come in a variety of models ranging from 25’ – 35’, all known for their spry performance, comfortable ride, and ease of use. Every model comes equipped with the unique “SwingWing” feature, a motorized system that can unfold the amas even while the boat is already underway – making it accessible to marinas and slips, and even makes trailering possible. Perfect for those who don’t want to sacrifice their comfort for high performance, the Dragonfly can breeze along at 13 knots while remaining one of the quietest compact cruisers out there.

Models: Dragonfly 25, 28, 32, 35, 1200

Length: 25’ – 39’

Designed for both safe cruising as well as for high speed racing,   Catri trimarans   will make your day. Especially noteworthy is the Catri 25, a stable yet wildly fast foiling trimaran with accommodations for up to 6 people. With profiles optimized for speeds of 25+ knots when foiling, this is no beginner’s sailboat. The special attention paid to stability in the foil design allows the Catri to be a single sailor vessel, even at foiling speed, with no special physical abilities. Whether you’re taking a small crew for longer rides at shuddering speeds or bringing the whole family along for a shorter, but still thrilling sail, the Catri is truly one of a kind.

Models: Catri 25

Length: 25’

Use: Cruiser/racer

A popular brand of trimaran in Europe,   Astus   has recently made its way to the US market to the delight of sailors on this side of the pond. Designed to offer maximum pleasure with minimum hassle, all models of Astus trimarans are fast to set up, quick on the water, inherently stable, and always a joy to sail. Their outriggers are mounted on telescopic tubes for easy stowage and towing, and can even be extended and retracted on the water for access to narrow passageways and monohull slips in marinas. With models in all sizes and price points, Astus trimarans are a great option for any sailor.

Models: Astus 16.5, 18.2, 20.2, 22, 24

Cabin: Some models

Length: 16’ – 24’

Use: Sport cruisers

HOBIE ADVENTURE ISLAND

Great for beginners and adventurers alike, the   Hobie Mirage Adventure Island   series is nothing if not just plain fun. With the option to use as a kayak or as a very basic trimaran, the Hobie is transportable, versatile, unintimidating, lightweight, and wonderfully affordable. The pedal system known as “Mirage Drive” allows a person to pedal the kayak using their legs for an extra kick of movement in slow winds. Amas tuck close to the main hull for docking or car-topping, adding serious ease and convenience to the exhilarating experience of the Hobie.

Models: Hobie Mirage Adventure Island, Mirage Tandem Island

Length: 16’7” – 18’6”

Use: Convertible kayak/trimarans

Best known for its use in camp cruising excursions, the   Sea Pearl   offers a roomy main hull and particular ability to sail in very shallow waters, making beaching and launching a breeze. The lightweight Sea Pearl trimaran is easy to tow, and the larger-than-expected cabin opens this vessel up for overnight adventures with plenty of storage space. The simple design makes the Sea Pearl notoriously low maintenance, and the ease it takes to rig and sail it add to the overall delight of owning this boat.

Models: Sea Pearl

Length: 21’

Use: Camper cruiser

Quick, lightweight, roomy, and trailerable,   Farrier trimarans   are made for versatility to fit every sailor’s needs. Different Farrier models are available in plan or kit boat form for those who appreciate building their boat themselves, but of course, also as the full production sail-away boat for the rest of us. Single-handed rigging and launching takes under 10 minutes from start to finish, minimizing hassle and getting you on the water fast. All non-racing Farrier designs use a minimum wind capsize speed of 30 knots or more to ensure safety for all those aboard. Add the roomy cabin and high speed capabilities to the equation and you’ve got a boat that is great fun for everyone.

Models:   F-22, 24, 25, 82, 27, 28, 31, 9A, 9AX, 9R, 32, 33, 33R, 33ST, 36, 39, 41, 44R

Length: 23’ – 39’4”

Cost:   $$$ $$

Use: Sport cruisers/racers

One of the biggest names in the game,   SeaCart   is internationally noted for its high performance trimarans that far exceed expectations for a production boat of its size. The SeaCart trimaran performs as brilliantly off the water as it does on with its super-light and efficient harbor folding system, making light work of trailering. Notoriously easy to manage and maintain, the SeaCart 26 One Design is the ultimate day racing trimaran, designed for both course and inshore/coastal distance racing. Absolutely worth the international buzz it has garnered, the SeaCart is a thrill from beginning to end.

Models:   SeaCart 26

Length: 26’

A high performance racer class, the   Multi 23   is a lightweight, powerful trimaran known for its wicked speed of up to 25 knots. Multi trimarans of both available configurations were designed to give beach cat thrills and speed without any of the stability or seaworthy concerns. Open ocean sailing is no issue for the Multi’s big bows, which do their job to keep her stable. Built for sailors with a need for speed, the Multi makes a perfect weekend boat for racers, especially those with a taste for boat camping.

Models:   Multi 23

Length: 23’

Another dual outrigger sailing kayak/canoe design,   the Triak trimaran   was designed to be effortless and fun, especially for beginners. Paddle the kayak with sails furled, use the foot pedals for an extra kick of momentum, or sail with just the mainsail – the only boat in its class to feature an asymmetrical spinnaker – for exhilarating speeds and a blast on the water. Car-top the Triak anywhere for a quick sail or plan for a week long expedition, but always count on having a great time on this easy little boat.

Models:   Triak

Length: 18’

Use: Convertible kayak/trimaran

SeaRail trimarans   are known for being affordable, light weight, trailerable trimarans that offer the perfect combination of exciting and relaxing experiences to a wide range of sailors. Whether it’s day sailing with your family, resort or camper sailing, SeaRail trimarans are ideal leisure vessels. Leave the hassle to the other boats – the SeaRail takes you from trailer to sailor in 15 minutes. But don’t let its reputation as a leisure tri fool you: if speed is what you want, rest assured that the SeaRail can deliver that as well.

Models:   SeaRail 19

WARREN LIGHTCRAFT

Warren Lightcraft trimarans , another example of a convertible kayak-to-sailboat option, are known for their aesthetically pleasing designs that are also, as the name implies, very light for simple transportation and ease of use. Convert the kayak into a fast, high performance sailboat in just minutes, fly around on the waves all day long, then simply car-top the 68lb Warren for a maximum enjoyment, low-hassle day on the water. Perfect for sailors and paddlers of all skill levels, the Warren Lightcraft is the best of both worlds and an absolute joy to sail.

Models:   Warren Lightcraft

Length: 15’6”

Built strictly with racing in mind,   the Diam 24   is a light, powerful one-design class trimaran and a notoriously exceptional performer. Boasting blistering speeds of up to 30 knots, Diam trimarans are not intended for beginners. For racers who crave the very best in terms of intense speeds, smooth handling and impeccable performance, the Diam is the red-hot one-design racing tri for you.

Models:   Diam 24

Length: 24’

For the sailor who prefers the finer things in life, the   Radikal 26   delivers. Perfect for bringing the whole family out for a day on the water, this high performance, trailerable sailing trimaran strikes the most luxurious balance between quicksilver speeds and a smooth, comfortable ride. The Radikal 26 trimaran is as convenient to transport and set up as it is pleasant to sail, with a folding system that minimizes rigging hassle and also makes this a trailerable tri. Built for a fast and comfortable sail rather than a hold-onto-your-seats thrill, one-the-water safety and overall pleasure makes the Radikal 26 what it is.

Models:   Radikal 26

Use: Sport cruiser

A solidly-built, single-handed trimaran, the Challenger also doubles as an adaptive design – meaning it is made to accommodate sailors of all levels of physical mobility. Best suited to lakes, the Challenger is a very safe, seaworthy boat for sailors of all ages and experience levels. Add to this the ease of owning, transporting and maintaining the Challenger trimaran and what you get is a simple, fun sailboat perfect both for beginners and those seeking a cheap thrill alike.

Models:   Challenger

At a glance comparison:

Did we miss one? Let us know. Tell us what you sail and what you like about each boat in the comments below.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

16 Best Trimarans For Sailing Around The World (And a Few For Daysailing)

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.

Trimarans are growing in popularity worldwide, due to their light construction and high stability these multihulls are even faster than catamarans. Trimarans are still one of the lesser-known boat types so in this article ill be checking out some of the most popular models.

The best trimarans include: 

• The Neel 43 
• The Neel 47 
• Dragonfly 28 
• The Pulse 600 
• Corsair 37 

These tris are built with your safety in mind while also packing powerful speed and a wide array of comfort features to optimize your sailing experience , some are even foldable making them possible to load on a trailer and transport to the sailing destination of your choosing.

In this article, I have created a list of the 16 best trimarans in the market and their unique features. You’ll also learn the best options for different purposes such as circumnavigation, weekend sailing, racing, and more. 

Table of Contents

What Is a Trimaran?

A trimaran is a multi hulled sailboat with three individual hulls; the main hull ( vaka ) and a pair of outrigger hulls ( amas ). These smaller outrigger hulls are attached to the main hull using beams. 

While trimarans have a rich history dating back nearly four millennia, these types of sailboats have only gained popularity in the late 1900s and early 2000s. 

Trimarans are primarily used as personal boats for sailing enthusiasts or racing. These sailboats draw their versatility from their lightweight design, making them faster and easier to handle at sea when compared to single-hulled boats (monohulls). Additionally, the three hulls also contribute to better stability, making it very hard to capsize (although more likely than a cat according to this study)

Trimarans come in various sizes, and some can be as small as 19 feet (5.8 meters) in length, while others go up to 60 feet (18meters). They’re also used for different purposes. Most trimarans are used for racing and recreational purposes, although some units are still used as ferries.

As with all things, to find out which is the best we need to understand what it will be used for. There is a big difference in requirements between a boat used for day sailing compared to offshore around the world sailing.

The list below highlights the best trimarans for different purposes.

Best Trimarans For Cruising, Liveaboard and Sailing Around The World

The Neel 43 is a French trimaran best suited for cruising. Its key features include: 

• Easy maneuverability on the open sea by only a small number of crew members 

This unit is also built for comfort, ideal for more extended travels. This 43-feet (13-meter) trimaran is also made with recyclable and bio-sourced materials, highlighting the manufacturer’s commitment to environmental consciousness. 

This trimaran has a base price of  €329,000 excluding VAT. This translates to approximately $370,138. 

2.Neel 47 Possibly The Best

Named the best full-size multihull for 2020, the Neel 47 is a strong contender for one of the best trimarans in the market. This 47-foot (14.3-meter) long trimaran features optimized exterior and interior ergonomics for a unique design and look. 

Still on design, the Neel 47 is ideal for couples looking to take a weekend off or spend some time as liveaboard. It has a spacious owner’s cabin and two bedrooms. It also features a spacious living room and kitchen and is optimized to ensure comfort for a couple. 

The Neel 47 also has two basic guest cabins so your friends or children can tag along on your sailing adventure. Accordingly, this unit is ideal for those looking to explore the sea for the sheer joy of sailing. 

The Neel 47 comes at a 571,139 euro ( $643,600 ) price tag, excluding VAT. 

3. Rapido 60 The Fast and Comfortable Circumnavigator

The Rapido 60 offers a blend of performance, safety, and luxury, making it one of the best options for bluewater sailing. Measuring 59.3 feet (18 meters) in length, the Rapido 60 is an imposing unit. It’s made from lightweight sandwiches and carbon materials that provide speed and strength, allowing it to stand up to strong ocean currents. 

The Rapido 60 also has spacious living spaces and is built for comfort at all points of the sail. Its design also optimizes safety. While it’s an ideal option for circumnavigating, it’s also an excellent choice for racing due to its speed. 

This is also the same boat that The Youtube channel La Vagabond just purchased.

The Rapido 60 retails at $1,400,000 . 

4. Rapido 40

The Rapido 40 measures 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length and is ideal for cruising around the world. The Rapido 40 features twin “C” foils, which provide added lift, enhancing its speed and performance whether you are sailing downwind or upwind. 

Because it has C foils, this trimaran doesn’t have a central daggerboard, increasing interior space. Accordingly, it’s an excellent option for couples looking to cruise and enjoy great performances .

The Rapido 40 is made from high-tech all-carbon materials for a lightweight yet sturdy design. This material is also used for the countertops and furniture, and the cork flooring adds a touch of style.

This trimaran retails for $595,000 , making it a cheaper option than the Rapido 60. 

5. Dragonfly 40

The Dragonfly 40 measures 40 feet (12 meters) in length. It features high-comfort standards, making it one of the best trimarans in the market for taking your family for a cruise. Because of its larger size, it has a better capacity, being capable of accommodating six to eight people, so you can bring your family and friends along. 

It’s easy to navigate and extremely safe. With a maximum speed of 24 knots (44.5 km/h), this trimaran also provides fast speeds to make your cruise even more exhilarating. 

The Dragonfly 40 retails from €509,000 exclusive of VAT, which rounds up to $572,000 . 

6. Dragonfly 32

The Dragonfly 32 is a high-performance cruiser. Like the Dragonfly 28, this unit features a contemporary design for racing. This trimaran can accommodate five to seven crew members. 

Although slightly longer than the Dragonfly 28 with its 32-foot (9.8-meter) length, the Dragonfly 32 has a max speed of 23+ knots (42.6+ km/h), making it one of the fastest trimarans for racing. This unit also has comfortable accommodation, which makes it an ideal option for a weekend cruise with family and friends. 

The Dragonfly 32 has a base price of $350,000 . 

7. Corsair 37

Thanks to a variable draft with a retractable rudder, the Corsair 37 is an ideal choice for shallow water exploration. This 37-foot (11.3-meter) long trimaran features advanced foam-cored construction designed for safety, making it virtually unsinkable. 

The carbon hulls minimize weight, this makes for a lightweight ocean exploration sailboat with blistering speeds. One of its selling points is that this trimaran has previously been used for Arctic expeditions, possibly marking it as one of the better options for circumnavigation and offshore sailing in the northern waters. 

This trimaran has a base price of $189,000 but can go up to $204,125 .

Best Trimarans For Day/Weekend Sailing

8. dragonfly 28.

The Dragonfly 28 is a 28-feet (8.75-meter) long sailboat that can accommodate up to five people. It comes in two versions: 

• Touring version: This version is ideal for families.  
• Performance version: This is built to provide optimal performance for the sports enthusiast within you. 

It clocks a maximum speed of 22+ knots (22+ km/h) and is beam-folded. It’s an excellent option if you want a high-performance, comfortable yet smaller unit for your day or weekend cruise. 

The Dragonfly 28 starts at  €188,280 inclusive of VAT, which comes to around $211,600. 

9. Dragonfly 25

Like other trimarans under the Dragonfly brand, this 25-foot (7.62-meter) trimaran is great for both racing and short term cruising. However, this high-performance boat delivers easy handling, making it perfect for couples looking to take a ride out over the weekend and seasoned sailors looking for an exhilarating racing adventure. 

The Touring version features a lightweight build and offers comfort and accommodation to keep you, and the few guests you can fit, comfortable during the ride. This trimaran also has a Sport version, which is optimized for racing. 

The Dragonfly 25 retails from EUR 86,800 . 

10. Pulse 600

The Pulse 600 trimaran is a compact sailboat. It’s made from lightweight, carbon-reinforced construction and vacuum-formed materials for optimal speed. This trimaran is an ideal option if you are looking for speed. 

It also features ample deck space, greater stability, and volume than most trimarans of similar size and build. 

This trimaran measures 19.8 feet (6 meters) in length and can be sailed single-handedly by one person with minimal effort. The Pulse 600 has a base price of $38,800 , which places it in the lower price range. 

The F-22 is one of the smaller trimarans in the market. Developed in New Zealand, the F-22 is a folding trimaran built for speed. The hulls are made from narrow fiberglass tied together using fiberglass beams and aluminum, minimizing bulk while optimizing speed. 

The F-22 is roomy and is not as pricey as other models in the market. This trimaran has two main versions: 

12. 2019 Weta Trimaran

The 2019 Weta trimaran is a 14.5-foot (4.4-meter) trimaran featuring a carbon frame, centerboard, rudder foil, and rudder shock. The hull is made from fiberglass and foam. The Weta is built for strength and speed based on these lightweight materials. 

The 2019 Weta trimaran is easy to sail and is worth considering whether you want to take a quiet sail, race with your friends, or take kids to a sailing lesson. It has a simple design and is easy to set up independently. Thanks to its collapsible design, this trimaran is easily stored away with minimal space demands. 

13. WindRider 17

The 17.4-foot (5.3-meter) WindRider 17 is one of the more versatile trimarans in the market. It packs high performance for a low cost. This trimaran has a light rotating mast to boost performance, and a full-battened mainsail optimizes visibility. 

This sailboat is made from rotomolded polyethylene, which is more durable than fiberglass and demands less maintenance.

The WindRider 17 has a comfortable interior and can fit six adults. This is an ideal choice for social sailing for a couple or a family and friends. It’s easy to ride, and a shallow draft allows easy maneuverability. 

14. Astus 22.5

If you’re looking for something small but still comfortable, this 22.5-foot trimaran is for you. Built for speed and maneuverability, the Astus 22.5 has optional foils to optimize speed. The modern design, coupled with the spacious interior, can fit up to four beds. Accordingly, this trimaran is suited for family outings. 

This trimaran also has a foldable design, collapsing to only 16 feet (4.9 meters) for easy storage. 

15. Multi 23 Trimaran 

The Multi 23 trimaran has a contemporary design, featuring a vinyl ester and PVC foam core construction. The section below the waterline is made of solid glass for a sturdy base.

The beams are made of lightweight carbon, and the trimaran features a 33-foot (10-meter) aluminum rotating wing mast for optimal harnessing of the wind. While ideal for weekend excursions with family, once rigged with the asymmetrical spinnaker will get your heart pumping.

This trimaran packs high performance at a lower cost than most other options in the market. It’s a good choice if you are looking for a high-performing unit without spending an arm and a leg. 

16. Challenger Class Trimaran

The Challenger Trimaran 15 is the best choice for persons with disabilities. It’s designed to provide disabled sailors an opportunity to explore their passion for sailing without worrying about aspects like safety or operation. 

A man named Geoff Hold circumnavigated the British Isles in 2007, becoming the first disabled person to achieve this feat. He had quadriplegia. 

Living up to its name, the Challenger can withstand harsh weather conditions while blending performance with speed. 

Final Thoughts 

Admittedly, no trimaran is best for everyone. But whether you are looking to race with your friends, take your loved ones or friends for a cruise over the weekend, or circumnavigate the ocean, you can rest assured that these lightweight trimarans will deliver speed, safety, and comfort to make it worth your while. 

These brands are innovatively designed and feature intricate safety mechanisms that make them virtually unsinkable. Give them a shot and begin your ocean adventure. 

• Basco Boating: A Comprehensive Guide & Introduction to Trimaran Yachts
• TheBoatAPP: New Trumarans: Which are the Best Ones
• Corsair Marine: Corsair 37
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 28
• Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 60
• Neel Trimarans: Neel 43
• Yachting World: World’s Collect Yachts: Maxi Trimaran MACIF
• Yachting Monthly: Dragonfly 28 Performance
• Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 40
• Dragonfly: Dragon 32
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 40
• Yachting World: Dragonfly 40 yacht tour: This cruising trimaran can do 24 knots
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 25
• NauticExpo: Dragonfly 25
• Yachtworld: Corsair 37 boats for sale
• Cruising World: Neel 47 Trimaran: Best Full-Size Multihull0
• Neel Trimaran: Neel 47
• Multihull Solutions: NEEL 47 Boat Review | Cruising World
• Yacht World: 2022 Neel 47 for sale
• Farrier International: F-22
• Weta Marine: The Boat
• WindRider: WindRider 17 Trimaran Sailboat 
• Astus Boats: Astus 22.5
• Boat-specs: Multi 23
• National Maritime Museum Cornwall: Challenger Trimaran #1 – BC26

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors!

Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on...

6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat...