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6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

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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 restricted. However, what if you could fold your trimaran and put it on a trailer, store it at your house, and go to a new sailing spot the next time?

Here are 6 of the best trailerable trimaran:

• The Dragonfly series
• Corsair Series
• Windrider 17

Choosing the best trailerable trimaran (a multi-hull with three “hulls”) will depend on crucial factors like speed, durability, design, and ease of transportation. This article is here to help you get started with your research and hopefully help you on the way towards your dream boat!

Table of Contents

Cruising Trimarans That Can Be Transported

Cruising boats are made for multiday sailing either on the coast of your favorite sailing area or full-out blue-water ocean crossings. Extended living should be a priority in these designs.

1. The Dragonfly 25 and 28 (Dragon Fly Series)

Dragonfly is in the business of making the “best foldable trimarans on the planet” many would agree with this statement. Dragonfly is known for its commitment to easy trailering and ease of use, shown in designs for the Dragonfly 25 and Dragonfly 28.

The “Swing Wing” system on the linchpins is one of the key features of the dragonfly series. The system’s application makes it possible for the trimaran to narrow its beam as much as 50%.

Attesting to its Scandinavian manufacturing, most parts of the trimaran are made in-house. This guarantees quality and ensures that all used parts are above standard.

You don’t need to look further than the Dragonfly 25. Its centerboard slightly offset to port. Extra space is created in the main hull’s interior with a trunk buried under a settee. Performance-wise, the low drag and narrow hull shape allow the boat to reach blistering speeds.

Dragonfly 28 In Numbers

• Length: 8.75m
• Beam folded: 2.54m
• Max crew: 5-7 people
• Max Speed: 22+knots

Dragonfly 25 In Numbers

• Length: 7.65m
• Beam folded: 2.30m
• Max crew: 4-6 people
• Max Speed: 21+knots

2. Farrier F-22

New Zealand enters the trimaran manufacturing race with this premium sea goer. The vessel comes in two different versions: a performance variation with more horsepower and a full cabin cruising version. 

Compared to the dragon series the F-22 has the biggest allowance for space.

The F-22 is known for being one of the easiest trimarans to fold and load.

The sports version of the F-22 has some really good performance to offer. It has an aggressive spirit: you can mount a sail while leaving plenty of space for the boat’s fine entry and flared forward sections. The build quality is also topnotch—a lasting memorial to a principle that Ian Farrier always worked by: excellence.

Farrier F-22 In Numbers

• Length: 7.0m
• Beam folded: 2.5m
• Max crew: 3-5 people
• Max Speed: 20+knots

3. Corsair Series

This boat series has an exciting history. Farrier created it to promote his trailerable tri concept. However, the series is now independent with a top-class vehicle to its name.

The Corsair 760 is listed as providing some of the best performance and safety benefits to sailors.

Building off the spirit of excellence of the founder, the Corsair 760 has created a boat with comfort and racing potential. The boat can be tricky to handle at first, but it will be a breeze once you get the hang of it.

It is also worth noting that the corsair 37 is the largest trailerable trimaran on the market today.

Daysail Trimarans That Can Be Transported

Boats that are made for dayssailing are usually smaller, cheaper and more easily handled. They are perfect for those looking to enjoy a full day on the water in calm weather, but are usually less suitable for multiday events or rough sea sailing.

4. The Astus Models (20ft, 22.5ft, and 24ft)

If you’re looking for something small but still capable of doing day sailing, 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. 

The Astus brand specializes in transportable trimarans, worth noting is that some models need a specific trailer whilst the smaller boats use a standard trailer.

5. Weta 14.5

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.

The small size makes it more suitable for daysailing in good weather rather than multiday cruising, although more experienced sailors will of course push the limits of this boat.

6. 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. 

What’s the Largest Trailerable Trimaran?

The largest trailerable trimaran is the Corsair 37 , this multihull is built for single-handed cruising while still maintaining the ability to comfortably seat 6 people.

The Corsair 37 provides comfort, speed, and safety. It also contains just enough space to accommodate amenities like a propane stove, a sink, and other equipment.

The vessel is designed to be a performance cruiser. It features an aluminum rotating wing mast, carbon fiber bowsprit, and premium deck hardware. The corsair can still cut through the water with ease despite its size, putting the wind in your sails.

What Is a Catamaran?

A catamaran is a boat with two hulls (a trimaran has three) connected by a bridge deck. Catamarans usually offer more space than both monohulls and trimarans of the same length. The catamaran is usually somewhat slower than a trimaran but faster than a monohull. They are usually made of fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Catamarans come in all shapes and sizes. You can find straightforward sailing catamarans, perfect for those who are only starting their sailing journey. Larger sailing catamarans have become extremely popular for long-distance sailing.

There are also power catamarans, they have huge diesel-powered engines (sometimes electric) and no sails. Also called “power cats”, these boats can reach 30+kts.

Can a Trimaran Be Trailerable?

As discussed above, some trimarans are possible to put on a trailer and move to another sailing area or to be stored at home. This is usually not possible with catamarans but is sometimes possible with the trimarans that are fitted with foldable amas (the two outer “floats” or “hulls”).

Some trimarans can be trailerable, this is mainly due to the ability to drastically decrease the vessels beam, sometimes as much as 50%. This allows the trailer plus trimaran to be below the legal requirements of the road.

Final Thoughts

It has proven difficult to beat the trimaran in terms of speed. Through the ages, this type of vessel has proven to be immensely enjoyable in all kinds of sailing activities. These can range from sea adventures to waterborne relaxation in your free time.

Trimarans come in various types, foldable, for cruising or racing, etc. However, there is a common factor: many of the small ones are trailerable. This makes them easier to move than most other types of boats.

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!

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Vela raises $43 million to build its first gigantic sailing cargo trimaran.

NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 --( BUSINESS WIRE )-- VELA , a pioneering French company innovating in 100% wind-powered maritime transport, is proud to announce a significant funding round of €40 million ($43 million USD)—a round led by Crédit Mutuel Impact , 11th Hour Racing & BPI - French Public Investment Bank .

"This major fundraising marks a key step in VELA's development. We are proud to have brought together such a high-quality panel of Franco-American partners who share our ambition to make transport more sustainable, underlining the importance of our transatlantic vision," said Michael Fernandez-Ferri, Managing Director and Chairman of VELA. "Together, we are entering a new era where capital serves the green revolution. This sailing cargo trimaran symbolizes our vision of a world combining innovation, sustainability, and humanity. We warmly thank our financial partners for their trust and support."

This strategic financing will allow VELA to take a significant new step in its development by officially launching the building of its first vessel with the Australian shipyard, Austal , and strengthening its sales and operations teams in France and the United States.

AN AMBITIOUS VISION ADDRESSING CLIMATE AND SOCIAL URGENCY

Since its launch in November 2022, VELA has been working to address the climate emergency by providing an innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible maritime transportation solution. VELA's commitment goes beyond reducing CO2 emissions. With a desire to have a positive social impact, the company places seafarers at the heart of its project. With ships flying the French flag, VELA sailors will benefit from French social protection. VELA also stands out in the market with its comprehensive offer, providing shippers with a fast, reliable, and high-quality service.

A UNIQUE TRIMARAN FOR A FAST TRANSPORTATION OFFERING

With the launch of the building of the world's largest sailing cargo trimaran, VELA is making a grand entrance into the world of maritime transport. Drawing inspiration from air freight, this unique vessel, nicknamed the "L’avion des Mers" - The Sea Plane - will offer unprecedented fast transit times. Benefiting from technology transfers from offshore racing, it will allow transatlantic crossings of less than 15 days (loading - crossing - unloading) 100% under sail while guaranteeing exceptional reliability of deadlines and high standards for transport quality. This is a unique alternative to transport valuable products such as industrial parts, healthcare equipment, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals so they can avoid having inventory on the water for so long.

The trimaran's holds will be maintained at a controlled temperature to meet the needs and constraints of the most demanding clients in fields such as pharmaceuticals, thus ensuring the safety and integrity of high-value-added transported goods.

Sabine Schimel, Managing Director at Crédit Mutuel Impact

"The financing of the blue economy, and more specifically of the decarbonization of the maritime sector, is a major priority of the Environmental and Solidarity Revolution Fund. We are very proud to back the cofounders of VELA in building this first sailing cargo trimaran and contributing to the emergence of such a French technology field of excellence."

Jeremy Pochman, CEO and Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing

"At 11th Hour Racing, we are deeply committed to advancing sustainable solutions that transform industries and protect our ocean. This investment in VELA as an innovative, sail-based shipping technology perfectly aligns with our mission of reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency in global supply chains. We are proud to be joining forces with a solid founding team led by world-class sailor François Gabart. We believe that our collaboration and innovation can pave the way together for a more sustainable future for both the maritime sector and our planet."

Jean-Marie Fougeray, Investment Director at Bpifrance

"With the shipbuilding of the largest sailing cargo trimaran in the world, VELA addresses the major challenge of decarbonizing the maritime sector while offering an innovative, sustainable, and high-quality transportation solution. We are very happy to hold VELA as our first investment for the maritime sector decarbonization fund. This project perfectly aligns with the ambitions of the Climate Plan of Bpifrance and with the thesis of this new fund: foster the decarbonization of maritime freight with complementary partners."

VESSEL CHARACTERISTICS

Length: 220 feet

Height: 200 feet

Width: 82 feet

Hull material: Aluminum

Mast Material: Carbon

UMS: >1500

Renewable energies: Over 3,230 sq ft of photovoltaic panels and two hydro-generators

Sailing Propulsion Design: MerConcept

Naval Architect: VPLP

A GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED SHIPYARD

After an international tender in which more than thirty shipyards participated, VELA, assisted by BRS Shipbrokers, selected the Australian shipyard, Austal, known worldwide for its expertise in multihull and aluminum builds. The first VELA Trimaran will thus benefit from the most advanced skills and unparalleled experience in the field. Austal will also benefit from the expertise of the offshore racing team MerConcept in sailing systems. The vessel will be constructed by Austal Philippines in Balamban, Cebu, and is scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2026. VELA is committed to ensuring ethical and fair labor practices throughout the construction process. To this end, a dedicated VELA representative will be on-site to monitor working conditions, supplementing the certifications already obtained by the shipyard Austal. In addition, the French companies will carry out 30% of the construction, including rigging, sails, and hydro-generators, thus fully supporting the excellence and know-how of the national sailing industry.

"Austal is excited to partner with VELA on this groundbreaking project. Our expertise in multihull design and aluminum shipbuilding, combined with VELA's innovative vision, will create a revolutionary sailing cargo trimaran," said Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg . "This vessel will set new speed, reliability, and sustainability standards for transatlantic shipping. We're proud to contribute to decarbonizing the maritime industry and look forward to transforming international cargo transportation for a greener future."

THE FIRST EXPRESS MARITIME LINE BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES

VELA is positioning itself on the first maritime line between France's Atlantic coast and the East Coast of the United States. The line will begin operations in the second half of 2026 and offer a fast, reliable, secure, and decarbonized connection for high-value-added goods. Its clients come from various sectors, including fashion, wines and spirits, custom and artisanal products, food, medical supplies, and high technology.

With a growing demand for sustainable transport solutions, VELA also anticipates development towards more consumer products. Normandy and New Aquitaine, strategic territories for VELA, play a key role in this development, with departure ports in these regions reinforcing VELA's commitment to offering decarbonized solutions closest to its customers.

VELA's ambition doesn't stop there. At least four additional ships are in preparation for arrival by 2027-2028, which will allow for increased departure frequency and reach a rhythm of one departure per week.

MORE ABOUT VELA & PARTNERS

About Vela & Investors

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240924011787/en/

D avid Eyler - [email protected]

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Neel 47 Trimaran: Best Full-Size Multihull

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 9, 2019

It’s hard to imagine three vessels, in a single class, as different in layout, purpose and execution than the trio of multihulls that comprised the year’s Best Full-Size Multihull class. Two of the three were catamarans, and the third a most unusual craft: a cruising trimaran. Sorting out these unique boats was a challenge.

The multimillion-dollar Eagle Class 53—built in Rhode Island to exacting standards and a radical design brief (with potential foiling capability and a solid wing mast that also incorporates a “soft” mainsail on its trailing edge)—was not, in any manner, a contemporary cruising boat. Yes, there is a pair of cabins with doubles aft, and the central living space includes a workable galley and one other notable feature. “It’s the only boat we sailed that even had a full bar on deck with slide-out seats sitting on carbon fiber: custom-made carbon-fiber pods,” panelist Ed Sherman said. “I mean, it’s just an amazing piece of workmanship. I don’t know what else to say. It’s a cool boat.” And while it would be a reach to call the Eagle 53 a cruiser, it was certainly remarkable and couldn’t be ignored, which is why the judges were unanimous in separating it for special recognition.

What it thus came down to was which of the two remaining boats—the Bali 5.4 cat and the Neel 47 tri—best addressed or met its stated design briefs. The 55-plus-foot Bali certainly has offshore bona fides—the boats are delivered across the Atlantic from the boatyard in France where they’re crafted—but the yacht is most definitely laid out for steady work (and parties) in the charter trade. The final deliberations were lively.

The first thing that struck judge Dan Spurr was the unusual sailing experience, with the steering station situated on a flybridge well above the waterline. “It felt like a floating island and kind of sailed like one, I thought,” he said. “Being so high above the water, even though we were doing well in light air and making 5 or 6 knots, it was almost hard to tell whether we were moving.”

His fellow judge Ralph Naranjo concurred. “The main boom on the Bali is probably 15 or 16 feet high,” he said. “You’re giving away a lot of the foot of the sail, and you’re sticking the masthead up a lot farther in the sky to get the same kind of drive. At anchor in warm climates in areas where you sail flat and don’t have too much of a seaway, boats like this certainly fit the bill. And the Bali was an extreme version of that. The idea of doing an ocean passage up there aloft seems like a tiring situation.”

“Under sail, the motion of the Neel through the water was very comfortable.”

“I was actually pleasantly surprised that the boat sailed better than I thought it would, and by a significant margin,” Sherman said. “And let’s not forget the chartering equation that’s a big part of this boat’s aura. The way it’s equipped and laid out down below, it’s built for calm seas and a bunch of friends to have one hell of a good time.”

In some ways, that describes the reasoning behind what happened next. Viewing it as the better layout and configuration for serious cruising, the judges conferred the title of Best Full-Size Multihull on the Neel 47 . For the BOTY 2020 awards, three hulls proved better than two.

“The Neel 47 is a very ­interesting boat—the only ­trimaran in our collection, which has quite a bit of significance just from a design perspective because it enables them to get all of their heavy gear and machinery in that center hull,” Sherman said. “In terms of balance, it’s a great way to go. Under sail, the motion of the boat through the water was very comfortable. It’s a unique concept with the interior layout in that the ­owner’s stateroom is at deck level with these giant picture windows overlooking the horizon, and the guest cabins are aft and in the amas. So even though we have a 47-footer here, it’s really a couple’s boat, though there is room for occasional guests.”

“The trend of late in cruising multihulls has certainly been toward cats, so I appreciated their efforts to make a cruising trimaran,” Spurr said. “There’s a real trade-off—the fundamental one being I believe you’re going to get better performance with a trimaran, but you’re going to sacrifice accommodations. So I feel that for most of the buying public, they’re going to have to be leaning toward the performance end of the spectrum. The main owner’s cabin on the saloon level is kind of fun and interesting, but it’s adjacent to the galley and entertaining areas. So, I agree with Ed that this is a boat aimed at an experienced couple.”

Those couples who go with a Neel will be going with a winner.

See All Winners:

2020 Boats of the Year

Other Winners:

• Overall Boat of the Year
• Best Performance Cruiser
• Best Midsize Cruiser Under 45 feet
• Best Full-size Cruiser
• Best Full-size Cruiser Over 55 Feet
• Best Midsize Cruising Catamaran
• Best Full-size Multihull
• Best Charter Boat
• Most Innovative
• More: boty , boty 2020 , Sailboats
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Astus 20.5: Fast, fun and affordable trailable trimaran

• David Harding
• August 20, 2021

For fast yet undemanding sailing, easy trailing and simple camper-cruising, the Astus 20.5 trimaran is likely to find wide appeal says David Harding

The Astus 20.5 is taut and responsive to sail. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

• Fast and easy to sail
• Can be trailed behind a small car
• Easy to reduce beam for marina berthing
• Less accommodation than a monohull of similar size
• Rigging process could be simplified
• Slightly stark interior finish

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

Boats that are small and light enough to keep in your driveway and trail to where you want to sail make a lot of sense.

One drawback, however, is that they tend to be slower than bigger boats – especially if they’re of a size and weight that allows them to be easily managed short-hand, both afloat and ashore.

If you want to sail from Poole to Weymouth for the weekend in a 20ft trailer-sailer, for example, it might take a while.

This is where speedy trailable trimarans like the Astus 20.5 come in.

When I sailed its predecessor, the 20.2, about 10 years ago, we regularly hit 15 knots on a reach without breaking sweat and maintained an easy 6.5 knots upwind.

This 20 footer can match 50 footers for speed. Credit: David Harding

You can cover a lot of ground at those sorts of speeds.

I first met the Astus 20.5 at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in 2019. Since it’s a newer boat and designed by no less a design team than VPLP, I had high hopes that it would offer even more than the 20.2.

Quite apart from the sailing potential, the trailing is as simple as can be with a boat like this.

If you choose the resin-infused hull, the Astus 20.5 weighs under 500kg (1,100lb), or just over 500kg with the standard solid laminate.

The lighter weight means you can use an unbraked trailer , saving money, maintenance and yet more weight, so you can trail it behind a normal hatchback vehicle.

Getting somewhere fast under sail is one thing. Having somewhere to sleep when you arrive is another.

The Astus 20.5 is simple to sail for two people. Credit: David Harding

Though its cabin is smaller than on a monohull of similar size, the Astus provides seating, stowage and space for a companionable couple to be able to stretch out.

Then of course you have the trampolines each side on which you can rig a tent for more sleeping space.

The opportunity for a sail on the Astus 20.5 finally came when Hein Kuiper of Boats On Wheels brought his first demonstrator to the UK.

In fact we went out twice – first for a photo session in Poole on a brisk winter’s day and then a few months later in Chichester Harbour.

Since the boat arrived in Poole on its trailer, I was able to see how it went together.

Pulling out the hulls is pretty straightforward: their aluminium beams slide in and out of the fixed beams on the main hull. You can do that ashore or afloat.

There’s nothing complicated about raising the rig, either, and it can all be done singlehanded .

The whole process, from arriving with the trailer to sliding the boat into the water, took Hein a couple of hours or so the first time or two (comparable with a monohull of similar size, he reckons) but would undoubtedly get quicker with practice.

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Dragonfly 28 Sport

Whether you choose the standard or the Sport version, the mast is the same height.

The difference is that the latter comes with a square-top mainsail to give appreciably more sail area.

If you want to save as much weight as possible and make raising and lowering the mast easier, you can have it in carbon. A wing mast is another option.

The rig and hardware don’t appear to be modified in any way as a concession to the boat’s trailer-sailer nature.

Here and there, the odd ready-made loop or strop would save fiddling around with bits of line.

It is basic down below but there’s seating and sleeping space for two people. Credit: David Harding

All that is forgotten as soon as you’re under way.

On our second outing, once the electric outboard had pushed us out of Northney Marina – where the boat proved to be surprisingly manoeuvrable with the centreplate fully down – we headed off on a beam reach at 12.5 knots in 12-15 knots of wind.

In most boats, 12.5 knots would be going some. In this 20-footer, it felt perfectly relaxed.

Over the course of the following couple of hours we covered every point of sail including, of course, reaching under spinnaker.

With the gusts rarely exceeding 16 knots in the flat water of the harbour, we didn’t quite manage to break 15 knots.

It wasn’t a bad speed-to-effort ratio nonetheless.

The boat felt rock solid the whole time, and I knew from the photo session in Poole that she could carry the kite on a beam reach in appreciably more wind than we had in Chichester.

It is easy to reduce the beam of the Astus 20.5 for marina berthing. Credit: David Harding

It’s hard to imagine that 20 knots wouldn’t be perfectly achievable.

Upwind we maintained between 7 and 8.5 knots most of the time.

As you would expect, you need to keep the bow down a little to maintain full power.

You also need the purchase of the 6:1 mainsheet to maintain sufficient tension in the upper leech. It makes a big difference.

You won’t need more than two people to go out and have fun on the Astus 20.5. Credit: David Harding

Tacking was pretty positive provided we had adequate boatspeed going into the tack, and leeway appeared minimal.

All told the Astus 20.5 was great fun to sail and easy to manage two-handed.

There was little for a third person to do except enjoy the ride or contribute to the righting moment by joining the helmsman on the windward trampoline.

If you were racing, you could use a longer tiller extension and fit toe-straps to maximise the advantage.

Beating our way back up the harbour, we demonstrated the windward ability of the Astus 20.5 by sailing straight past a 15m (49ft) monohull.

Creature comforts aboard the Astus 20.5

David Harding has been testing boats for decades and is also a sailing photographer

Above decks the Astus offers a vast amount of sitting and lounging space thanks to the trampolines.

Down below, the hull’s narrow beam makes things cosy but you still find a seat either side, space for a chemical toilet under the aft end of the berth and a fair amount of stowage beneath and to either side of the companionway.

The centreboard is offset to port to leave the middle of the boat clear.

The finish is simple and uncomplicated, largely to save weight. There would be plenty of scope to fit a slide-out galley and devise lightweight stowage solutions to make better use of the space.

Astus 20.5: the test verdict 

More than anything else, this boat is tremendous fun.

She feels taut and responsive to sail. I found that it took an hour or so to begin to find her sweet spots, but after that she just makes you want to sail her.

She inspires confidence and is easy to handle, too. In most conditions you could manage perfectly well single-handed and for cruising you won’t need more than two.

The Astus 20.5 has less accommodation than a monohull of similar size

Then there’s the speed. No matter whether or not you’re in a hurry to get anywhere, it’s easier to slow down in a fast boat than to speed up in a slow one.

Speed is fun in itself, and it’s hard not to enjoy sailing straight past a monohull more than twice your length.

Niggles are relatively few.

I thought the rudder blade could do with a touch more balance and I wasn’t sure that the fixed end of the 2:1 jib sheet was quite far enough aft on deck.

Other than that, it all works.

Hardware is mostly from Harken and the spars are by Sélden, so there’s no skimping in these departments.

Would she suit you and your crew?

The Astus 20.5 will attract attention. Several people stopped for a chat and to admire her back in Northney having seen her on the water.

If you’re a dinghy sailor moving up but not ready to slow down, this is a good choice.

Just as much interest is coming from big-boat sailors moving down or wanting a second, smaller boat that still has a good cruising range. Few boats of this size go so fast with so little effort.

The Astus 20.5 is ideal for exploring harbours, estuaries and rivers

As for the inevitable monohull-versus-multihull debate, there are trailable, family-friendly boats of this size with one hull that sail very nicely.

I have clocked over 12 knots in one or two, but only under spinnaker, with good sailors on board and not for sustained periods.

As long as you’re prepared to accept that sailing regularly at double-figure speeds means sacrificing some interior volume, the Astus could suit you perfectly. And for exploring harbours and estuaries, camper-cruising and nudging into the beach, it’s absolutely ideal.

For all the latest from the sailing world, follow our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram .

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Corsair 880

This modern and ambitious trimaran has a reputation to uphold: it is the new variation of the mythical Corsair F27, one of the most popular cruising trimarans in the world. Highly anticipated in 2020, the 880’s original launch schedule was hampered by Covid. However, connoisseurs quickly understood that this little steed would not disappoint…

The Corsair 880? A compact trimaran that’s great for both cruising and racing.

The side trampolines offer plenty of lounging space - and the opportunity for some very effective hiking out.

The carbon mast comes as standard - in the Sport version, the spar is 28” (70 cm) longer.

Folding a float doesn’t even take a minute.

Practical info

• Builder : Corsair Marine Intl

• Finance your Corsair 880
• Articles about the Corsair 880
• Available in issue # 185

Boat Test price 5.00 € Inc. tax

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Test location: Follonica, Italy Conditions: Westerly 10 to 15 knots, slight sea

The Corsair 880 is without doubt the multihull that we’ve had the hardest time testing. Back in the spring of 2020, an appointment was made on Lake Garda to discover the first model delivered in Europe. Our plan seemed very attractive until Covid got involved. Discussions with the Seawind/Corsair team included options in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy again. And then nothing more. A long period of watching began in Australia and the United States thanks to our correspondents. The first 880 delivered in France at the beginning of the summer of 2021 just escaped us... but finally, the first Italian model – hull #16 in the series – welcomed us with open arms – the linking arms of course! The appointment was made with the Trimarani Italia team, in the marina at Scarlino, just south of Follonica. We were here on a superb stretch of water protected by the island of Elba. To top it all off, the weather was great, and the forecast heralded a good thermal breeze - what more could we have asked for?

Folding floats

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Corsair 880 Trimaran | 2022 Boat Review by Multihulls World

Corsair 880 – a brilliant toy for gliding across the water.

Corsair 880, a modern and ambitious trimaran that has a reputation to uphold: it is the new variation of the mythical Corsair F27, one of the most popular cruising trimarans in the world. Highly anticipated in 2020, the 880’s original launch schedule was hampered by Covid. However, connoisseurs quickly understood that this little steed would not disappoint…

The Corsair 880 trimaran sailing at 10 – 15 knots in Follonica, Italy. Photo by Multihulls World

The Corsair 880 is without doubt the multihull that we’ve had the hardest time testing. Back in the spring of 2020, an appointment was made on Lake Garda to discover the first model delivered in Europe. Our plan seemed very attractive until Covid got involved. Discussions with the Seawind/Corsair team included options in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy again. And then nothing more. A long period of watching began in Australia and the United States thanks to our correspondents. The first 880 delivered in France at the beginning of the summer of 2021 just escaped us… but finally, the first Italian model – hull #16 in the series – welcomed us with open arms… – Emmanuel van Deth, Multihull World

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Why a Rapido Trimaran?

Why would you cruise on anything other than a Rapido Trimaran?

• Side article #1: Why choose a Rapido 60? Owner Steve Bourne shares his reasoning , 10 September 2020.
• Side article #2 : Boating is good for you, confirms new scientific study in article published by Sail World magazine on 27 September 2020.

[ Enquiry received by Rapido Trimarans in June 2021 :  “As a competitive sailor, I’ve been looking for a very fast cruiser to explore the blue parts of our world and yours are the first boats I’ve seen that have me nodding my head, ‘Yes!’ “.  We suspect this enquirer won’t mind the heel (or lack thereof) on a Rapido either!]

Or, perhaps a better question is, why not??

Why not, indeed, if you prefer:

• A stable boat which doesn’t heel.
• A boat that loves long distances, short sprints and the passage between .
• Discovering places that others cannot venture to when you sneak up alongside a secluded beach or glide over a reef (the draft of the Rapido 60 is just 0.75m with the rudder and daggerboard retracted).
• The speed when you need ! Having the flexibility to power up and sail away from bad weather systems is prudent .

• To sail short-handed   (with as few as two) with centralized systems, Karver reefing hooks, self tacking furling jib, furling reacher and stay sails.
• Safety is paramount on the water and the fleet of Rapido Trimarans are designed and built to put you in control for fast, safe, fun sailing (see “SAFE" box further below).
• Rapido have chosen, arguably, the best designers and engineers in the world to bring all these elements together into a trimaran that is as safe as it is exciting. Morrelli & Melvin use the most sophisticated software in the world to model the performance of their boats from all perspectives. The technology includes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Velocity Prediction Program. Click here for more details on the type of technology that has been used in designing the Rapido range of trimarans).

The Rapido 60 comes with comfortable and spacious nets measuring 6.3m x 3m (that’s 18.9 m2…) on each side. They provide enormous space to play or lounge upon when the fish are not biting. They also provide an exhilarating vantage point when cruising to watch the water rush by beneath.

Some people still claim that, for extended cruising, trimarans do not have sufficient living and storage space. For sure, the single crewed trimarans that (safely) break speed records circumnavigating the world have basic accommodation. But they’re not sailing a Rapido Trimaran.

The Rapido 60 was conceived, designed and constructed as an owner-operated, powerful, ocean-cruising trimaran (see notes below on CE-A certification). In fact, the Rapido provides unparalleled living and storage space with safety, stability and comfort held as a top priority.

Rapido Trimarans is committed to, and does, build the best ocean-cruising trimarans in the world!

With the addition of the Rapido 40 , Rapido 50 and Rapido 50XS to the fleet, we have opened up more options for a wider market.

CE-A Certification for Rapido Trimarans

The European Union requires that new and used recreational boats sold in Europe (from 2.5m-24m (8-79′)) must be certified as complying with one of four design categories. Rapido’s fleet of 40′, 50′ and 60′ trimarans are designed and built to the highest standard, CE-A.

Each of the four design categories help to quantify a boat’s degree of seaworthiness, based on the wave height and wind speed the boat is designed to encounter and handle. The further offshore the vessel is expected to venture, the higher are the expectations for construction strength, stability, freeboard, reserve buoyancy, resistance to down flooding, deck drainage and other seaworthiness criteria.

CE-A (The standard each Rapido is built to)

• Category A – Ocean: covers largely self-sufficient boats designed for extended voyages with winds of over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots), and significant wave heights above 13 feet, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes.

Other CE standards

• CE-B (Category B) – Offshore: includes boats operating offshore with winds to 40 knots and significant seas to 13 feet.
• CE-C (Category C) – Inshore: is for boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds to Force 6, up to 27 knots, and significant seas 7 feet high.
• CE-D (Category D) – Inland or sheltered coastal waters: is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches.

Safety is paramount on the water and the fleet of Rapido Trimarans are designed and built to put you in control for fast, safe, fun sailing.

The foam sandwich and carbon construction provides an extremely strong and rigid structure. This rigid structure enables the Rapido to withstand the might of the oceans – but without carrying excessive weight.

Each float (ama) has four watertight bulkheads. The main hull has five bulkheads to ensure that the Rapido 60 is as safe and unsinkable as possible.

The engine and main equipment compartment is located under the saloon. It has two bulkheads.

The Rapido 40 has two emergency escape hatches.

The Rapido 50 and 60 both have three emergency escape hatches located in the forward cabin, aft cabin and in the main storage compartment under the cockpit. This storage compartment has been specifically designed as a safe survival area.

Automatic and portable bilge pumps are provided.

The helm position offers superb all-round visibility. It is in an elevated position, away from the elements with a hard top bimini with sliding roof. It has a 1.2m wide seat/ leaning post for seating comfort and standing support.

Main controls are at the helm making single or short handed sailing easier and safer. Steering is direct with strong well-engineered Jefa systems.

The engine compartment has an auto fire extinguisher system. There are an additional three portable fire extinguishers and a fire blanket. Diesel is the only fuel on board for engine, stove and heating which removes the need to carry highly flammable cooking gas.

The head sails are on furlers for ease of deployment and operation. A dedicated storage area for safety equipment and wet weather gear is located in the cockpit. Jack stays and clip-on points are provided as are bow and stern cockpit safety rails.

The Rapido is designed for optimal, fast, performance to get you out of harm’s way. With storm avoidance being the “safest, safety option”, the on water performance provides greater flexibility.

Each of the Rapidos – the 40, 50, 50XS and 60 – have CE-A certification.

FAST AND POWERFUL

Trimarans are safe, powerful and have the speed when you need.

Continually, trimarans win races. Continually, trimarans are chosen and trusted in the toughest of conditions.

Even in the storms of the southern oceans, trimarans are safe, easy to handle and faster on all points of sail due to their wide beam and light weight. In 2008, for example, Francis Joyon on IDEC SPORT was the first person to sail solo on a trimaran, non-stop, around the world. Joyon took just 57 days – a staggering 21 days faster than the fastest monohull. The current trimaran record to circumnavigate the world is 40 days. Rapido Trimarans are committed to building the best ocean cruising trimaran in the world!

The Rapido is a spacious boat. 

When Riley Whitlum from Sailing La Vagabonde boarded a Rapido 60 , he said, “The only thing I was worried about was the amount of space on board. I jumped onboard ( Romanza ), ran around and I was like, ‘Ahhhhhh!, this is perfectly fine!’ The forward cabin is massive, with a huge bed. When you’re standing in the saloon, you’re actually standing in a huge room.”

And then there’s the nets on each side of a Rapido. The nets provide enormous space to play or lounge upon when the fish are not biting. They also provide an exhilarating vantage point when cruising to watch the water rush by beneath.

STABLE AND COMFORTABLE

A Rapido Trimaran has a lovely stable, heeling motion of between 5 and 10 degrees.

This compares very favourably with the rawness of a typical monohull which heels at 20–35 degree s.

Your source for the latest news on yachts, boats and more. Read through our articles to find out how to compare boats and find the right fit for you!

Best small cruising trimaran revealed

Oct 22, 2020

less than a min

A trimaran is a boat categorized as a multihull. What it means is that this particular vessel is composed of three hulls that aid the boat during sailing but also provide interior spaces for the crew and guests to enjoy.

Trimarans are very popular in the sailboat market. They are mainly appreciated for their speed but also for their cruising character that can address families’ interests as well. Trimarans allow for leveled sailing, ample deck space, stability, comfort, shallow draft, and most importantly the good old family fun time.

A small cruising trimaran is probably one of the most popular boats nowadays as it provides an affordable but also an interesting way how to spend your free time and enjoy what nature has to offer. Let’s get to the gist of it then. Which is the best small trimaran nowadays?

Most popular small cruising trimaran

The best small cruising trimaran so far remains the F22 . The F22 Trimaran is designed by Ian Farrier and built by Farrier Marine company. It features a swan design and can be purchased in two versions, racing or cruiser form. This is a small trimaran that includes many interesting features within a compact space. It has a slightly offset centerboard trunk that allows for an ample interior.

In addition, it has an ama folding system. This is an advantageous feature as it allows the ama beam strength to remain to a maximum while the interior is free from any structural support structure for the beam. Fly spray is also reduced due to the folding struts being carried higher than before in case of deployment. This feature allows the F22 trimaran to have a greater performance under sail.

This small cruising trimaran comes in two versions, either with a carbon mast or an aluminum one. In addition, it is equipped with a boomless mainsail furling rig which makes sail handling easier. Most importantly, sailing efficiency is not sacrificed in any case.

What makes this boat the best small cruising trimaran is the fact that it can be used as a cruiser due to its interior. The galley has a two-burner Origo stove, a small sink, and a stow for sailing. In addition, the companionway has a pop-top that increases the headroom. Moreover, the F22 is equipped with a small chemical toilet that is quite private due to a roll-up screen and bulkhead that can be folded. All in all, the F22 contains 4 berths and can be used by families as well.

Compare the best small trimaran with other multihulls

You can learn more about the F22 trimaran on TheBoatDB . TheBoatDB provides an organized platform that anyone can use for free with a no time limitation account or what we like to call a “Forever free account”.

You can compare the F22 to other trimarans or even catamarans and single-hull boats and see for yourself whether this boat is up to the challenge for you. In addition, you can shortlist this trimaran or select a few different boats for future references. All in all, you will get your boating life on one platform as we like to say!

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Revolutionary Gitana 17 trimaran to foil solo across oceans at 50 knots

• Elaine Bunting
• July 20, 2017

The most radical of the new Ultime trimarans, the incredible Gitana 17 is designed to foil at over 50 knots and cross up to 900 miles a day, crewed by just one solo skipper. Elaine Bunting talked to designer Guillaume Verdier at the launch

A revolutionary 100ft fully foiling oceangoing trimaran capable of covering more than 900 miles in a day and sailing at speeds of 50 knots was launched in Lorient this week. Designed by Guillaume Verdier, the foil genius behind the America’s Cup winning Emirates Team New Zealand , Gitana 17 is designed to be sailed solo and to beat the round the world record.

Gitana 17 is the latest of the race boats backed by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. The 100ft ‘Ultime’ trimaran is the culmination of three years of work by the team and brings together developments from areas as diverse as the Vendée Globe IMOCA 60s, the America’s Cup and the MOD70 trimarans.

This is a beast of a boat and significantly different from others in the growing ‘Ultime’ development class such as François Gabart’s Macif  and Thomas Coville’s Sodebo . For the first time, this is a boat designed around foil performance.

According to the design team, Gitana 17 will be able to foil at speeds of 48-50 knots in 16-25 knots of true wind and seas of 6-8m – typical Atlantic conditions. It could also sail across the Southern Ocean in non-foiling mode at up to 40 knots.

“Foiling is not that [hard] but to do that and be stable in waves is a lot more difficult and this is a first stage to doing that,” explained Guillaume Verdier. “Previously the boats were designed to go offshore and slowly the foils got into that, but we have designed the appendages as a principal [part] and tried to have a platform that goes well with that.

“It makes a boat that is a little heavier because there are more systems to control the foil, more hydraulics and the platform is stiffer in torsion.”

Launched on 17 July from Multiplast, Gitana 17 is the new Ultime class built for Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

The foils on Gitana 17 share some common thinking with those on the America’s Cup boats – the outer float foils are an L-shape. The main daggerboard on the central hull, however, is a shape never seen before on these boats and features a large horizontal component to help with roll control.

The concepts were evolved through 2014 and 2015 on Gitana 15 , the MOD70 now known as Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati . The team fitted one hull with several foil shapes to understand their performance offshore. “One of the issues we had was that it was fairly unstable, rolling-wise, and an elevator on the stern [alone] would not be enough for singlehanded control. So we introduced this element, which is draggy but will help a lot,” explained Verdier.

The T-foil rudders on the outer hulls are an ingenious and complex solution and designed by the Gitana team. They feature elevators to adjust trim and are operated by hydraulic system monitored by electronic software. But they can also kick up if they collide with something in the water, and be raised out of the water.

The windward rudder is very exposed to slamming from waves when reaching, so can be lifted up, locked into the hull and disconnected from the control systems. A large housing that you can see in the photo below protects the rudder and controls.

Gitana 17 has the mast stepped in Lorient

Verdier says that these rudder foils are “a bit like the AC72 foils; they are auto-stable”.

He explained: “They behave a bit like a helicoil. When the boat raises up in the water it makes more leeway, and when it makes more leeway there is a component of the force that pushes you down. But the difference [with the America’s Cup boats] is that this is a huge foil compared to any other boat in the past.”

The 100ft Gitana 17 is designed to foil trans-ocean solo

According to Verdier, Gitana 17 could one day foil at more than 50 knots. “But when foiling we are limited by cavitation, so if wanted to go above that we’d need to have different profiles and aerodynamic aspects, and structure of the boat. It’s a bit of an unknown territory, but maybe we should be able to do 53 or 54 knots.”

The main aim of the designers, however, is to improve the boat’s average high speed potential, and Verdier says that Gitana 17 could reach 900 miles in 24 hours – the much bigger fully crewed 130ft catamaran Banque Populaire V holds the record of 908 miles. This could be an ultimate record-breaker, though the quiet-spoken French designer hesitates to say so. “I could pick any crazy number,” he smiles. “It’s pretentious to say. We have to wait a little.”

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Global: bv certifies vela’s sailing cargo trimaran.

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has issued a Basic Design Assessment Certificate to VELA for its 1,600 GT aluminium sailing cargo trimaran. 

The review covered a range of aspects including the hull structure, rig loads, fire and safety aspects, freeboard, and intact stability, in accordance with a series of rules and regulations including BV NR 206 – Rules for Wind Propulsion Systems, BV NR 467 – Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships, BV NR 561 – Rules for Hull in Aluminium Alloys, and BV NR 600 – Hull Structure and Arrangement for the Classification of Cargo Ships less than 65 m (January 2024). 

The certificate confirms the vessel meets international quality and safety standards, including SOLAS standards for vessels over 500 UMS. 

BV experts will oversee the construction process to maintain adherence to safety and quality standards. After the vessel’s launch, BV will continue to support VELA with periodical surveys to uphold onboard safety, maintenance standards and compliance with environmental regulations.

Pascal Galacteros, COO and co-founder of VELA, commented: ‘The support from Bureau Veritas throughout the engineering phases of our trimaran has been invaluable. The BV experts played a crucial role in transforming this unique and innovative design into a viable, certified merchant vessel. Now, as we transition to the construction phase, we’re not just building a vessel; we’re bringing to life an extraordinary and innovative ship that will set a new benchmark for sustainable maritime transport. This marks the beginning of something truly groundbreaking, and we are thrilled to have Bureau Veritas by our side on this journey.’

Built for the Bold

Why settle when you can have it all the everglades 395cc is your ultimate fishing and leisure companion., 395cc offshore center console boat, this magnificent vessel combines cutting-edge engineering with exquisite craftsmanship, making it a standout in its class. the 395cc features a spacious and meticulously designed deck, providing ample room for fishing, entertaining, and relaxation. with advanced amenities such as a state-of-the-art helm, plush seating, and an innovative hardtop with integrated storage, every detail of the 395cc is crafted to enhance your time on the water. its deep-v hull ensures a smooth and stable ride, even in challenging conditions, making it the perfect companion for both serious anglers and leisure boaters alike..

The boat is equipped with top-of-the-line navigation and fishing technologies, including a sophisticated GPS system, fish finders, and ample rod storage, ensuring you have everything you need for a successful day on the water. Safety is paramount with features such as an unsinkable RAMCAP hull construction, ensuring peace of mind during your offshore adventures. The Everglades 395cc is not just a boat; it’s a statement of elegance and power, designed for those who demand the best in boating excellence.

Model Specs

Fuel Capacity

Weight w. Options

See 395cc Specs Sheet

See 395cc performance report, 395cc key highlights, 395cc virtual tour, experience a new side of boating.

Air conditioned mezzanine and helm seating make your time on the water more enjoyable, so you can worry about the weather less and boat more!

More Than Just a Boat

This center console features a homey cabin with a concealed head and rain style shower with 76” of standing head room and a teak shower grate floor.

Protection From the Elements

Your RAMCAP hull will keep you safe in rough weather conditions, and a retractable cockpit sun shade will keep you protected from the elements above.

395cc Owner’s Manual

Dive deeper and get to know your boat., read the manual, hear from real everglades owners.

“ Aurther H 355 CC “ This is my 4th Everglades owned and I have to say what draws me to the brand is the fit and finish. For me feeling safe and in control in the water always comes first. I do not know any other boat manufacturer out there that gives me that feeling quite like Everglades. Arthur Hernandez ”

“ Michael W 355t “ I've been fishing in the Keys since 1998 and my new 355T is a perfect platform for ease of fishing, safety while in rough conditions, providing comfort and convenient operation for a wonderful boating or fishing experience. I can't say enough about my 355T. ”

“ Joel A Better than expected “ Best boat I ever owned. Smoothest ride - hands down. There's no substitute for weight! Plenty of modern comforts but still a fishing machine. Finally a boat the family loves as much as I do. Everything about it is solid and made to last. Worth the price! This one's a keeper and probably the last boat I'll ever buy. ”

“ Larry C Everglades 325 “ Excellent all purpose boat. Fishes well and wife loves it. Great boat for the whole family to enjoy whether fishing, swimming, picnicing or joy riding with the grandkids. ”

“ David G Everglades 255 “ My wife and I have been boating for over 40 years. We have owned one sail boat and 7 power boats. Of those 7 power boats 2 have been Boston Whalers and 2 Everglades. Now that we live in Key west we finally settled on the 255 CC. It is the perfect size for here in Key West. We can run thru "skinny" water on the Gulf side and take on whatever we wish to take on in the Atlantic. The twin 200's are very economical but can also hustle us home ahead of a storm. Everyone says it is a beauty. ”

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