trimaran speed

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Neel 43 on test: Is three the magic number?

• September 17, 2021

Can’t decide between a monohull and a catamaran? The surprising truth is that a fast cruising trimaran, like the Neel 43 could be the ideal solution. Rupert Holmes reports.

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Until recently it would have been easy to assume the pioneering cruising trimarans of the 1960s and 1970s showed that cruising on three hulls has too many drawbacks to be viable for most, despite the extra space and speed they offered. However, the past decade has seen a resurgence of lightweight fast cruising designs, with spacious accommodation, led by La Rochelle-based yard Neel who recently launched their Neel 43 trimaran.

This latest model, a Marc Lombard-designed 43, is one of those rare boats that defies both expectation and easy classification.

The Neel 43 has the deck space and massive coachroof of the most spacious of cruising catamarans, yet is at least three tonnes lighter than most 42ft cats.

We we tested the Neel 43 in La Rochelle, France with an onshore, 12-16 knot wind with a slight to moderate sea. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Another surprise is the low wetted surface area once the windward ama lifts out of the water. Each hull has a narrow waterline beam, so wetted surface area is a fraction of that of a catamaran of similar size. Combined with the light displacement this translates into a boat that’s surprisingly quick.

Neel 43 under sail

After hoisting the mainsail we cut the engine and bore away, unfurling the headsail with the wind on the beam. In only 14 knots of true wind we quickly accelerated to a consistent 10 knots of boat speed.

Sheeting in and squeezing up to a true wind angle of 65° – and 40° apparent wind angle – only saw speed drop by one knot.

Direct Dyneema cables, passing through a minimum of turns, connect the wheel to the single rudder. The helm felt beautifully responsive throughout the test, with a much more direct feel than is generally found on multihulls.

The windward ama lifts easily just out of the water, reducing wetted surface. Stability builds quickly. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Tacking proved to be as easy as with a monohull – the boat reliably turned smartly through the wind, with speed rarely dropping much below five knots.

However, visibility from the single raised helm is restricted by the headsail when on starboard tack and by the asymmetric on both tacks.

That there’s a single shallow keel below the centre hull, instead of the two low-profile keels of most catamarans is an important factor in the boat’s handling. It undoubtedly also helps that all the heavy items in the boat, including engine, tankage and batteries, are concentrated low down in the middle of the central hull.

The result is a very comfortable, soft motion that’s easier than that of a typical catamaran, but without the heel of a monohull. In some ways it’s also reminiscent of the easy gait of a heavy displacement long keeler.

The helm felt responsive, with an easy motion. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Yet, unlike monohulls, there’s no chance of a broach. Stability builds very quickly after 12-14° of heel is reached, so it takes an enormous force to heel the boat to significantly greater angles. This arguably gives more warning of being overpowered than catamarans, which may generate maximum stability at only 12° of heel.

In addition, the high freeboard means there’s a reassuring amount of reserve buoyancy in the amas, even if the boat is pressed hard in a gust or squall.

On the other hand, a downside of the Neel 43 effectively having a single fin keel is that, unlike most cruising catamarans, it can’t be beached.

Our test boat had standard Dacron sails, so a reasonable set of high-tech sails would undoubtedly see the boat able to squeeze a useful few degrees closer to the breeze without losing too much speed.

Easy motion

However, the reality is that the engine will be used in combination with the mainsail if schedules make a passage to windward essential. Motoring out of the La Rochelle entrance channel head to wind and sea gave a feel for how the easily driven underwater sections behave when motor sailing.

With the single 50hp engine at a comfortable 2,400rpm we made 8 knots, with a gentle motion that didn’t slow the boat.

On turning downwind our speed initially dropped to 6-7 knots at a true wind angle of 150°, until we hoisted the general purpose asymmetric kite. Although it’s not a particularly large sail, this brought the speed back up to 8.5-9 knots, producing our best downwind VMG of 7 knots.

In some ways The Neel 43 sails in a way that is reminiscent of the easy gait of a heavy displacement long keeler. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

When the breeze picked up a little to 15-16 knots true we sheeted in and luffed up to 115° off the true wind, accelerating to an easy 10.5-11 knots of boat speed. The Neel has so much stability that, even though the sailplan was now generating far more power, there was no perceptible change in heel.

All lines, other than spinnaker sheets, are led to the raised helm station at the front of the starboard side of the cockpit.

Despite its intrinsic speed potential, this is not a boat that’s set up to be constantly tweaked. The deck layout is therefore simple, but efficient. It’s also obviously a cost-effective arrangement, but doesn’t skimp through fitting under-sized winches and other equipment. A powered winch on our test boat took all the effort out of sail handling.

Port and starboard mainsheets – in appropriate colours – give excellent control of the sail shape, without a costly traveller that might endanger the hands of anyone relaxing at the back of the cockpit. The primary sheet is the one on the windward side, while the leeward one gives excellent control of twist.

All lines other than spinnaker sheets are led to the helm station. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Headsail sheets are led through a single fixed fairlead. It’s a simple arrangement that minimises coachroof clutter, though twist will increase, spilling wind out of the top of the sail, when it’s partially furled in stronger winds.

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The optional free-flying working jib can be hoisted furled, so there’s no inner forestay to get in the way when tacking the genoa when it’s not set up.

If I was specifying the sailplan I’d also opt for a Code 0 for use when reaching with the apparent wind well forward of the beam, plus a large asymmetric shaped for deeper downwind angles than the test boat’s all-purpose sail. This would maximise downwind VMG in light and moderate airs.

Technical heart

An unusual, but appealing, feature of all Neel trimarans is the technical area below the saloon floor in the central hull – on some of the larger models this has an impressive 7ft (2.1m) of headroom, which makes for easy access and fault-finding. However the Neel 43 is smaller, which means this is reduced to generous sitting headroom and floor space is limited.

The central section houses tanks, plumbing and batteries, while the engine and steering gear are further aft. Further forward the space is dominated by a large number of electrical items and connections for solar charge regulators, shorepower battery chargers, inverters and so on.

The saloon opens almost seamlessly onto the cockpit. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

It’s great that these are easy to access, which also serves as a reminder of the vast number of systems that are often hidden out of sight and distributed around different parts of today’s increasingly complex yachts.

However, there’s a downside that can’t be overlooked. These systems are low down in the boat, close to where any water will collect. Fitting a couple of bilge alarms, and making regular checks when underway by lifting the access hatch in the saloon floor, would therefore be sensible precautions. Despite this drawback it’s still an arrangement that has advantages over many installations.

Loft-style minimalism

What about the interior of the Neel 43? Despite the design’s abilities under sail, in this part of the market it’s the accommodation that sells boats. Yet, once again, this is an aspect that defies comparison with others.

Both transoms have swim platforms. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

The almost seamless blending of indoor and outdoor areas is appealing, but far from unique among today’s multihull designs.

On the other hand, Neel has gone for the ultimate in a loft-style layout that’s refreshingly different. Masses of windows and large expanses of white fibreglass are balanced by just enough fabric and wood trim to give it some warmth.

Reed-style flooring also adds to a feeling of comfort, in the Neel 43 without increasing weight, and can be taken outside to wash and clean.

There’s excellent near-surround visibility – around 300° – when sitting in the saloon and it’s almost as good when standing.

Forward to port is a watchkeeping station with switch panel, and on our test boat a second MFD, VHF and Fusion audio kit, plus 12V outlets and an analogue steering compass here. However, it stops short of being a full chart table that could also be used as an office, so I’m typing this at the saloon table, which is a great place to work, with brilliant views and lots of natural light.

The saloon and galley area has a very open plan layout. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

In common with other Neel models, the owner’s cabin is on the same level as the saloon. A downside is therefore a lack of privacy, even with the curtains drawn and door closed. However, it’s a beautifully lit and airy space that would suit those who primarily cruise as a couple.

There’s almost no built-in stowage, although the deep bins in the ama outboard of the bunk will take several large kit bags.

Neat touches for every bunk include a reading lamp with built-in USB port, a folding coat hook for jackets, plus a fabric bulkhead-mounted pouch with space for a phone, tablet, sunglasses, notebook and so on.

These may sound like small points, but it’s surprising how many boats lack provision for these items and they therefore quickly get scattered everywhere.

Natural ventilation is primarily via an opening forward facing window on each side of the coachroof – one for the saloon and one for the owner’s cabin.

A berth is separated by the red curtain. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

There’s also a small opening hatch in the middle of the coachroof and another for the heads. This is a long, narrow compartment off the starboard side of the saloon.

Overall there’s plenty of space and a shower is included, though it’s not luxurious and there’s no option for a second toilet and shower compartment.

The second cabin is right forward in the central hull, accessed by steps just ahead of the galley. This is a pleasant space with more privacy than the owner’s cabin, though the berth is only 77cm wide at its foot.

A third sleeping area is outboard of the saloon table, aft on the port side of the saloon. This is open plan to the saloon, with curtains for screening, with a generous 140x200cm rectangular bunk with space underneath for kit bags. It would make a great space for kids on passage.

Bright accommodation in the owners cabin with views. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

For the charter market there’s also an option to drop the saloon table to create an additional double berth, plus small single cabins forward in the amas that are accessed from the foredeck, making a potential maximum of 10 berths.

Few owners are likely to want to sail with that many for long, but the flexibility of being able to cater for extra short term guests, without dragging the weight and volume of spare bedrooms around the rest of the time has an obvious appeal.

Engine is housed in the central hull, with tanks further forward. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Given the price of the Neel 43 compared to other multihulls of a similar length it should not be a surprise that it has been conceived to be quick and easy to build, aside from the vacuum infused mouldings that are an important element in keeping weight to a minimum.

Those who love traditional joinery with hand crafted solid hardwood trim will be disappointed and the lack of a second heads will rule the boat out for some.

However, in general the relatively Spartan level of fit out Neel has opted for is appropriate for a boat of this style that’s aimed at a mass audience.

It took Neel 10 years to build its first 100 boats. In the current financial year, ending September, the yard has produced more than 30 boats across a four model range of 43-65ft sailing designs, plus semi-custom fuel efficient power trimarans.

The popularity of the Neel 43 means output is set to grow by a large margin in the coming year.

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There’s much to like about this design: it’s a cruising boat in every respect, not an outright speed machine, yet it’s one that will quickly leave the competition behind. While it’s not a model that will suit everyone, founder Eric Bruneel has a good understanding of how a vast proportion of owners use their vessels and has created a yacht that will exceed their expectations in many respects. A decade ago trimarans were a niche part of the cruising world, however, the Neel 43 shows the concept of a cruising tri is ready for the mass market. The design has already proved hugely popular and one boat is leaving the factory every fortnight.

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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.

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Trimaran VS Catamaran – Which Boat Is Best?

If you’re planning to buy or charter a multihull boat, you might be wondering which one is better: trimaran or catamaran. Both have their pros and cons, and the decision ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. In this article, I’ll explain the differences between these two types of vessels to help you make the best choice for your needs.

Post updated: 10 November 2023

Table of Contents

Differences Between Trimarans and Catamarans?

If you’re in the market for a new vessel or plan a family vacation on the water, you might wonder what the differences are between a catamaran and a trimaran. 

Let’s see what they are:

A catamaran is a multihull vessel with two or twin hulls that are parallel to each other and fixed to a wide beam.

This design offers stability and speed, making it a popular choice for cruising long distances comfortably and even racing.

They also provide more interior space than trimarans, allowing for larger cabins and more storage.

When it comes to sailing performance, catamarans are known for their speed and agility.

Their twin hulls allow them to easily glide over the water, making them popular among boaters.

Cats are stable, fast, spacious, and super comfortable and are more stable at anchor than trimarans. However, catamarans tend to perform better in downwind conditions than in upwind conditions.

A trimaran is a multihull vessel that has three hulls. The two smaller outrigger hulls are attached to the center hull, which is larger and used for most of the boat’s functionality. 

This design offers even more stability than a catamaran, making it a great choice for those who want to sail in rough waters safely.

The three-hulled design makes them super stable, and as mentioned above, they can easily handle rough waters. They also have a smaller turning radius, making them easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

Another important thing to know about Trimarans is that they provide a decent degree of livability, but they fall short of catamarans in two regards. First, they heel more than cats, making it difficult to do things like cooking on board. Second, they support much less load than catamarans.

Pros and Cons of Catamarans and Trimarans

Before making a decision whether to sail a catamaran or a trimaran, there are pros and cons you must consider. Let’s see what there are:

• Stability: Catamarans have two hulls, which makes them extremely stable. This means that you are less likely to experience seasickness or feel the boat rocking in rough waters.
• Space: Catamarans have a lot of space both inside and outside the boat. This makes them great for large groups or families who want to spend time together without feeling cramped.
• Speed: While not as fast as trimarans, catamarans are still faster than monohulls . They perform better in downwind conditions than trimarans and are great for long-distance cruising in calm waters.
• Shallow Draft: Catamarans have a shallow draft, which allows them to enter shallow waters and anchor closer to shore.
• Cost: Depending on how well the Catamaran is equipped, it can be more expensive than trimarans. Not always, though.
• Harbor Cost: As catamarans have a very large beam, this means that a berth at the marina will be higher.
• Navigation: Catamarans tend to struggle sailing close to the wind .
• Speed:  Trimarans are known for being faster than cats and single-hull boats. They can easily reach high speeds and are great for racing or long-distance cruising.
• Stability:  Trimarans are more stable than catamarans due to their three hulls. 
• Space:  Trimarans are wide, but the interior is less spacious than catamarans.
• Safety:  Provide exceptional buoyancy. If a trimaran capsizes, there is almost no chance it will sink.
• Navigation: Trimarans can sail in any weather condition and perform much better upwind than cats.
• Berthing:  Trimarans are more difficult to maneuver in harbors, making finding a berth in crowded marinas more challenging.
• Maneuverability:  Trimarans require more ability from sailors to beach without difficulty than catamarans.
• Loading:  Trimarans struggle to carry as much weight as catamarans.
• Sailing: Trimarans require more effort and work on the deck.

Design and Structure

When it comes to design and structure, there are significant differences between trimarans and catamarans. Below, I’ll walk you through these two multi-hull vessels’ geometry, hydrodynamics, weight, and materials.

Geometry and Hydrodynamics

One of the most significant differences between trimarans and catamarans is their geometry. A trimaran has a central hull with two outriggers connected to a large beam, while a catamaran has two parallel hulls connected by a central platform.

This twin-hull design gives catamarans a unique sense of balance and stability. On the other hand, trimarans offer superior stability and adaptability in various water conditions thanks to their three-hulled design.

The central hull of a trimaran is typically longer and narrower than the hulls of a catamaran, which leads to better hydrodynamic performance.

Both trimarans and catamarans have different hydrodynamic resistance characteristics.

For instance, trimarans have less wetted surface area, which means they experience less drag as they move through the water. This feature makes trimarans faster than catamarans in rough weather conditions and high winds.

Performance and Speed

When it comes to performance and speed, there is a clear winner between trimarans and catamarans . Trimarans are known for their speed and are often faster than catamarans of the same size and weight. This is because of their unique design, which has speed and safety qualities that provide significant advantages over catamarans.

Trimarans have less hydrodynamic resistance than catamarans due to their narrower central hull, which allows them to slice through the water more efficiently in rough seas.

While catamarans are also fast, they often fall short of trimarans in terms of speed and performance. But that’s not always true in downwind conditions because cats are light, and their sails are positioned equivalent to the wind, making them faster than tris in downwind conditions.

Heeling and Capsizing

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to stability is heeling and capsizing. Heeling means the boat leans from one side to one side, while capsizing is when the boat flips over completely.

Both trimarans and catamarans heel, but trimarans provide greater stability and are less likely to capsize due to their three hulls. However, this doesn’t mean a trimaran can’t capsize.

In rough conditions, if a wave gets higher than half the size of the beam, the boat can flip over, but because trimarans have exceptional buoyancy, they float on the surface of the water and can serve as a rescue platform, but they won’t sink!

Comfort and Space

One important factor to consider when choosing between a cat and a tri is comfort and space. So, let’s look at these two types of boat’ accommodation: storage, cockpit, and living quarters.

Accommodation and Storage

One of the main advantages of catamarans over trimarans is the amount of space they offer. Catamarans typically have larger cabins and more storage space than trimarans. This makes them a great choice for longer trips, as you’ll have plenty of room to store all your gear and personal belongings.

Trimarans, on the other hand, have smaller cabins and less storage space. This can make the passengers feel a bit cramped, especially on longer trips. 

However, some trimarans do offer creative storage solutions, such as under-bunk storage compartments or overhead storage racks. Note that the latest models of trimarans are extremely spacious and offer as much comfort and space, if not more, than catamarans do.

Another difference between trimarans and catamarans is their weight. While trimarans can potentially be built lighter than some catamarans, catamarans are lighter on average due to having one fewer hull requiring structure and ballast.

The weight distribution of a trimaran is also different from a catamaran, with more weight concentrated in the central hull. This feature provides better stability and performance in rough seas and upwinds.

Catamarans, on the other hand, can support more load than trimarans. This feature makes them ideal for long-distance cruising and liveaboard lifestyles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: which has better resale value – trimarans or catamarans.

Resale values for both trimarans and catamarans can depend on factors such as the boat’s age, maintenance, and overall condition. Generally, catamarans have a larger market and may hold their value better due to higher demand, especially among cruisers and charter companies. However, a well-maintained trimaran can still attract buyers who value speed and performance.

Q: Which type of boat is more suitable for long-distance travel: trimaran or catamaran?

Both trimarans and catamarans are fantastic for long-distance travel. Still, catamarans are often preferred among sailors for extended cruising due to their larger living spaces and privacy on board. However, if speed is a critical factor for your journey, a trimaran might be a more attractive option.

Q: What factors should I consider when choosing between a trimaran and a catamaran?

When deciding between a trimaran and a catamaran, some key factors to consider include your intended use, performance expectations, available space, and budget. 

You should ask yourself:

• What are your primary sailing goals – speed, comfort, cruising, or racing?
• How much living and storage space do you need for your crew and equipment?
• What kind of stability and performance characteristics do you value most?
• Are you willing to compromise on space or speed for the sake of your preferred multihull design?

Final Words!

So, what’s the best boat? Well, both are great. The choice between a catamaran and a trimaran will depend on your needs and personal preferences. If you are looking for a peaceful trip at a slower pace with plenty of space for the whole group, a catamaran will be your best bet. On the other hand, if you want to zip through the water and get your blood pumping, a trimaran is what you need!

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Have you sailed a catamaran or a trimaran? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.

Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.

26 thoughts on “Trimaran VS Catamaran – Which Boat Is Best?”

Hey, well I’m definitely the Catamaran girl. I love my space and don’t really need the thrill of the ride as much as I value the relaxation and holiday-type feeling. What’s your personal choice? Well since I’m more the sailor’s wife than the sailor, those other problems don’t really apply to me, do they? hahahaha what’s your personal choice?

We have something in common, because I am not a fan of racing . I love comfort and space, so I would go for a Cat!

Have a great day:)

I would go for the trimaran as it’s more stable in tough conditions as I would like to explore the world, not that I want to race. Catamaran is my go to option if I just want a nice vacation boat or something I agree that that one is better if you don’t want to race. I won’t buy a boat in the near future though, I certainly have not got the money, and I live at the wrong location, not far from the sea but still, I can’t even drive (no license). Great article though and I love boats. Wondered what the difference about these 2 are and now I know.?

Hi Stephanie, Sorry for the late reply. I had a minor technical issue:) Yes, trimarans are extremely stable and are faster than catamarans. However, those beautiful boats are quite expensive and if you plan on sailing around the world, you’ll need a small crew with you to handle the boat:). I am glad this article helped you know what’s the difference between a trimaran and a catamaran. Let me know if you need more info. I am always happy to help. Thank you for the comment and I wish you a lovely day.

This is a very informative comparison of the trimaran vs. catamaran style sailboat. They look similar on the exterior to the untrained eye – but it seems like the differences are pretty dramatic. If someone was looking to charter one for a vacation – do you have a specific experience or preference for one or the other?

It will depend on your personal preferences!

What are your needs? Can you be more precise?

I personally love to sail in comfort, I also need a lot of storage, so a cat is my favorite yacht!

Have a wonderful day:)

I have sailed ON a cat but never sailed one myself. Certainly a wonderful experience unlike a single-hulled vessel that rocks and rolls with the swells. That leads me to ask: if caught in rough weather (large swells and strong winds), how reliable is the trimaran? Does either configuration have limitations in this regard?

For the same size of boat, a trimaran have higher sailing performance ,a better ability to tack and go windward. So to answer to your question, a trimaran will handle better in strong winds and will go faster! But! Bear in mind that no matter if it’s a cat, trimaran, or monohull, the safety will all depend on when the sail will be shortened and how the boat will be handled in bad weather.

I hope it helped and if you have any other question , please feel free to get in touch:)

Have a great day!

Awesome write up on the differences between the two beauties. I have learned something new here. I am more of the adventure like person and your quick analysis of the Trimaran, tells me that I probably would lead to this option when choosing between the two.I will certainly browse around your site to check out other interesting articles you have on offer.Take Care, Roopesh.

Hi Roopesh,

Thank you for the compliment and you are very welcome to stroll around my website.

Take care too and wish you an awesome day!

It’s interesting to see the different opinions shown concerning of a debate. I don’t know about these vessels but I enjoyed reading it.

To me, I’ll go for Trimaran because of the modern interiors. I mean, it’s the modern feel that I’m looking for. That’s my main, personal factor.

Still, overall, I think it’s also suffice to say that these two cannot be compared because it’s not like with like. But that’s just my opinion. Trimaran for the win anyways!

So nice to see you again on my website:)

Yes, the trimaran Neel 45 has a modern look, but not every trimaran. Also, they are much faster than catamarans, sailors usually use them more for racing and catamarans for cruising.

Thank you for the comment, I really appreciate:)

I wish you a wonderful day!

I think now the Neel have brought out the 51 the game has changed somewhat. Lots more room ,walk around bed in master room. Lare shower in main head, the inside outside Cocloon as they now call it. Heaps of space below, fantastic headroom down below in central Hull. Much more classic looking boat on the exterior. Add the speed, stability and affordability compared to similar sized Cats and there really does not appear to be any more to be said. Of course it’s just my opinion and if money was not an option i think the Gunboat 60 would be the final choice, but for around 600k the Neel 51 has definitely set the standard. Take a look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-997AEXfsk

Well, that’s a beautiful trimaran you have here, effectively, this one looks much more comfortable and wider than the Neel 45! I would definitely choose the 51 over the 45! I’ve really enjoyed watching the video, and it would be interesting to write an excellent review on the 51:). I agree with you, the Gunboat is such a beautiful cat, and now it makes it even harder to choose between the two of them:) Thank you for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!

Late arrival here but after reading and watching so many negative reviews about the Neel trimarans and the Neel 45 images of one build showing their train wreck quality, there is absolutely no way you can compare a Gunboat and a Neel. You’d be better off comparing it to the Yugo automobile.

The “Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose” did a recent video review of the newer Neel 47 posted on July 18, 2019 showing very clearly that its build quality is extremely lack luster. Although it was the Neel Trimaran that gave me the sea bug, one probably couldn’t purchase a poorer quality boat at any price. It’s an awesome concept but it’s a manufacturer no individual should consider buying from. I’m hoping one of the premium Cat builders will take on the task of providing a similar concept when I’m ready with my money.

Hello Eso, The beautiful thing in life is that everyone has different taste and opinion. I am glad to have you here and thank you for sharing your experience with the readers, this will certainly be useful to many people. I wish you a fantastic day!

Yes I’ve been looking at the Neel 51, Its turning my attention some what. It would make world cruising just that little bit faster and with room and comfort. PS I like the engine room.

Hi Mercury,

Thank you for the comment! The Neel 51 is a beautiful boat. She is more spacious and comfortable than the 45 Neel, but the 65 is even better! However, the 51 is an ideal cruising trimaran to sail in comfort. She provides everything sailors have ever dreamed of such as speed, stability, space, and luxury. What more to ask for:)

Thank you again for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!

I own a Catana 47 with one owner and two guest cabins. I and my wife want four cabin boat so that We can sail with our two daughters and their family including grand children. Should I buy Catana 53, Outremer 51 or Neel 51?

Thank you for commenting!

I am not a boat seller, but I will be more than happy to answer your question. The Catana 53, Neel 51, and Outremer 51 are fantastic boats. And to be honest, I would personally buy the Neel 51 because she is extremely spacious, lightweight and more stable than any catamaran out there.If you bring children, then you would want the boat to be safe. The other boats are also great but tend to perform less well in strong winds and heavy seas than the Neel 51. So yes, the Neel 51 is unbeatable in all categories! At least to me:)

I hope it helped and, please, feel free to contact me if you need to know further information. I am always happy to assist!

Thank you again for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

It’s really a good Information. I have never been in any one of the rides but I feel personally Cat is better. Do you guys know anything similar to this other then Cat trimaran like Semi-Submersible, drone etc. as I am doing a project that will help you to ride Cat Yourself alone!. Wish me good luck and please help me achieve my goal fastly, by sharing your precious knowledge and time. thank you in advance.

Hi Mohammed,

We would like to help you, but we didn’t really understand your question, could you be more specific, please?

Thank you for the comment!

Hello Daniella, Firstly thank you very much for your kind response. I would like to have some info about the Stability equation of Catamaran and different steering Mechanisms.

You are very welcome!

Please, check out these articles, I am sure you will find all the answers to your questions: file:///C:/Users/gofri/Downloads/6962-1-10720-1-10-20130718.pdf

http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/faqs/19-sailing-and-performance-questions/109-which-steering-system-should-i-use

I hope it helped! Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need more information, I’ll be more than happy to assist!

Dear Daniela Thankyou very much for your Kind help. Could you please give some Information about the construction guidance of Catamaran. I want to construct my own for my experimental purposes. Thankyou Regards Moulasaheb Md

Hi Mohamed,

I would like to help you, but you are not in the right place for this. If you are looking for sailing holiday, then I’ll be more than happy to help!

If you want to construct your own boat, I highly recommend you to check other websites.

Thank you for the comment and wish you a great day!

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

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.

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• Articles and Guides

Catamaran vs Trimaran: Choosing the Perfect Multihull Vessel

26th mar 2023 by toi williams.

The debate over whether catamarans or trimarans are better boats has been going on for a long time without resolution, but the reason is understandable. The truth is that despite their many similarities, catamarans and trimarans have distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other, so each type of vessel offers a distinct boating experience. The catamaran vs. trimaran debate largely boils down to personal preference and how you intend to use the boat. Here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing between a catamaran and a trimaran. 

What Is a Catamaran?

A catamaran is a multi-hulled boat that has two twin hulls connected by a structure supported by a wide beam. Catamarans come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from small rowing boats to large boats that are big enough to be used as car ferries. The structure connecting the two hulls can be anything from a simple frame with webbing to a superstructure that includes cabin and/or cargo space. Most of the recreational catamarans for sale are designed to hold two to 20 passengers. 

What Is a Trimaran?

A trimaran is also a multi-hulled boat, but it has three hulls instead of two like the catamaran. The middle (main) hull is larger than the two small outer hulls attached to it. These hulls are connected by a lateral beam, wing, or some other form of superstructure, depending on the model. These types of boats also come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from recreational yachts to ferries. 

Advantages of Catamaran vs. Trimaran

The advantages of catamarans vs. trimarans are mainly based on comfort. Catamarans are spacious boats, known for their large living quarters with plenty of room on board for hosting gatherings and parties. Their popularity has enticed many boat builders to create increasingly luxurious designs on larger and larger boats. The catamaran also has a more classic style that appeals to those who want a boat with a simple, sleek shape. Catamarans are best suited for boating in calm seas, lagoons, and shallow waters.

Advantages of Trimaran vs. Catamaran

The advantages of trimarans vs. catamarans mainly come down to speed. Trimarans are among the speediest boats available, offering lightning-fast speeds on open waters. Many recent winners of notable boating competitions have been won by boaters piloting trimarans. These boats also perform well when heading upwind and are remarkably stable with their three-hulled design. The anchoring gear is installed on the main hull and is easy to deploy. 

Trimaran vs. Catamaran Speed

In the trimaran vs. catamaran speed debate, the trimaran is the clear winner. For long offshore races, trimarans have become the preferred vessels, and boaters piloting trimarans have won the Jules Verne Trophy in every race held since 2010. This is because of their unique design, which has speed and safety qualities that provide significant benefits for boaters. 

The trimaran's third hull makes the boat considerably faster than any other hull form due to the correlation between the boat’s waterline length and its speed. Having more hull distance in the water lets the boat reach higher speeds. Trimarans can also be pushed harder and are more forgiving than other boat styles in racing environments.

That doesn't mean that catamarans are slow. Some styles of catamarans are capable of breaking world records when the boating conditions are right. On downwind runs, a racing catamaran may be quicker than a trimaran, but for overall speed in various conditions, the trimaran comes out on top. 

Catamaran vs. Trimaran Performance

In the catamaran vs. trimaran performance debate, both sides have their advantages. A catamaran is easier to handle and maneuver with the boater having to handle the lines and halyards less often. However, this ease comes at the expense of speed, with cruising catamarans generally traveling slower than comparable trimarans. 

Trimarans are more versatile in their performance, and they perform better than a catamaran when traveling against the current or the wind. Trimarans can be used in nearly all weather conditions, are less vulnerable to drifting, and have less roll motion than a catamaran. However, handling a trimaran requires more work than handling a catamaran, which can be exhausting over long periods of sailing. 

Trimaran vs. Catamaran Efficiency

When comparing trimaran vs. catamaran efficiency, the differences are minimal. Multi-hulled boats are more fuel-efficient than comparable mono-hulled boats due to their hull forms and their lighter weights. Multi-hulled boats also tend to have smaller displacement and shallower drafts than other boat styles. 

The biggest difference in trimaran vs. catamaran efficiency is that catamarans nearly always have twin engines while trimarans generally run with one engine. A trimaran also has less hydrodynamic resistance than a catamaran because it spreads out the displacement across three hulls instead of two. This allows each hull to be narrower and more streamlined.

Catamaran vs. Trimaran Stability

The stability of multi-hulled boats is one of their biggest advantages over mono-hulled vessels. Multi-hulled boats benefit greatly from their wider stance on the water, and their wide beams and floats offer higher stability than a ballasted keel. Multi-hulled boats are also more buoyant because their floats help prevent immersion. When comparing catamaran vs. trimaran stability, the better boat will depend on the conditions on the water.

A catamaran's geometrically stabilized design reduces both heeling and wave-induced motion, providing a stable platform underway and at anchor. However, the catamaran's design is not as suitable for navigating heavy seas as the trimaran's build. The trimaran's three hulls provide excellent stability even in rough waves, but this can also make a trimaran less comfortable than a catamaran when the water is calm.

Catamaran vs. Trimaran Safety

Both catamarans and trimarans are considered to be safer on the water than mono-hulled boats. A catamaran has superior resilience and roll inertia that makes capsizing extremely unlikely. Its speed, steadiness, and ease of motion due to a lack of ballast also contribute to increased safety.

Trimarans are considered the safest multi-hulled boats because their three-hulled design makes them almost unsinkable. Many also have a core made of high buoyancy foam, helping them stay afloat even in the most brutal storms. Weight centering and a complete anti-drift scheme also make the boat safer for everyone aboard.

Trimaran vs. Catamaran Maintenance

Comparing trimaran vs. catamaran maintenance costs shows that many of the costs will be very similar for both types of boats. These costs include yearly boat service and repairs, annual haul-outs, and insurance coverage but exclude major upgrades. You will also have to budget for dockage, winterization, and storage for each year if you don't intend to use the boat year-round. 

Boaters are advised to budget between 5% and 10% of the boat's value for annual maintenance costs if their boat is less than five years old and a little more if the boat is older than that. Different maintenance jobs can be charged in different ways. Sometimes, the charges are based on the length of the boat while other charges are based on the number of hours worked.

Catamaran vs. Trimaran Cost

If you are looking for an affordable seafaring vessel, catamarans and trimaran are both good choices. There are many reasonably priced catamarans and trimarans suited for families as well as other models that provide more luxury for an additional cost. The materials that the manufacturer used to build the boat and the electronics included will also impact the price of the boat.

With so many different factors impacting the cost of different boats, you should choose the best vessel for you based on the features you want as well as your budget. Doing some research using the information on Rightboat's listings will help you find the right combination of quality and affordability you are looking for. Because we offer both new and used boats, nearly any boater will be able to find a boat in our listings that fits their needs. 

Choosing between a catamaran and a trimaran may seem simple at first, but the different sizes, styles, and amenities offered can make the choice much more complicated than you would think. If you prefer comfort and ample space while cruising, a catamaran may be the better choice. However, if you like speeding across the water and enjoy the thrill of racing, then a trimaran may be your best option.

Whichever boat you decide to purchase should fit your specific circumstances and requirements. Start the decision-making process by deciding what the primary use for your new boat will be. Will it be used more for family cruising or sport fishing? What bodies of water will you be boating in? Are you planning on staying close to shore or taking the boat into deeper waters? All these factors will impact whether you should choose a catamaran or a trimaran. 

With Rightboat's listings, you can learn about the features of the latest catamaran and trimaran models and see what you can expect to pay for the boats you are considering. You can sort through our listings by price, age of the boat, length of the boat, or listing date and then narrow down the results of a search using the rest of our filtering tools. If you are interested in buying a new or used catamaran or trimaran, take a look at our listings, and see what we have to offer today!

Related article: Ketch vs Yawl

Written By: Toi Williams

More from: Toi Williams

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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!

Fastest cruising trimaran of all time

Nov 05, 2020

less than a min

A trimaran is also known as a double-outrigger . This is a multihull boat that contains a main larger hull and two small outrigger hulls on the sides. Their design originated from the Philippines and Eastern Indonesia, where they are to this day used as the main fishing boats.

Nowadays, however, trimarans are designed as sailing yachts for racing and recreational purposes, which is why the fastest cruising trimaran is of great interest to the world. It is a fact that trimarans are faster than monohulls or catamarans. As such, their world record has managed to beat any other catamarans’ or monohull prior record.

The record for the fastest cruising trimaran is held by Thomas Coville . He used a trimaran called Sodebo Ultim to sail across the world on Christmas 2016 . HIs trip lasted for 49 days and 3 hours . Thomas Coville’s record beat his predecessor, Francis Joyon, who sailed across the world in a trimaran on the20th of January 2008 on a trip that lasted 57 days and 13 hours. Before them, it was Ellen MacArthur to hold this record after having sailed across the world in February 2005, in a trimaran for 71 days.

The fastest cruising trimaran to this day is the Maxi trimaran IDEC SPORT . This vessel is both wind or mechanically powered and has completed a voyage around the world in 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes 30 seconds. The Maxi trimaran IDEC SPORT can reach an average speed of 26.85 knots or 30.71 MPH .

In addition, this boat has covered a distance of 26,412 nautical miles, or 48,915 km (30,394 mi). In 2020, the Maxi trimaran IDEC SPORT managed to sail from Hong Kong to London in 32 days.

While the Maxi trimaran IDEC SPORT has been established as the fastest cruising trimaran of all time due to the journeys it has completed, there are however a few other boats that have managed to reach more speed. These boats however have not been able to withstand such speed and have capsized.

That is exactly what happened to Hydroptère . Hydroptère is an experimental hydrofoil trimaran. This vessel managed to reach 56.3 knots or 104.3 km/h (64.8 mph) near Fos-sur-Mer. However, it capsized a few minutes after.

Fastest cruising trimarans to have made history

There are many more trimarans that have made history due to their speed. Firstly, the giant trimaran by BMW Oracle Racing team represented the Golden Gate Yacht Club in 2010. This trimaran won the 33rd America’s Cup on Valentine’s day 2010 by sailing off the coast of Spain. It managed to beat the Alinghi catamaran by a large margin.

In addition, the Weta dinghies have started to make a good name for themselves. These are trimarans used for performance day sailing. They are fast, light, and very flexible. Also, these trimarans have been used for disabled sailing. The reason being that you do not need to move around the cockpit to maintain stability when on a Weta Dinghy.

You can compare trimarans with TheBoatDB and figure out for yourself whether they are a good fit for your marina. Do not forget that trimarans in general will require more space when parked. If you are a speed junkie, however, these vessels will definitely appeal to you.

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2024 Boat of the Year: Best Performance Trimaran

• By Herb McCormick
• December 20, 2023

For the first time ever in the 29-year history of Boat of the Year , we’re introducing a new class to the proceedings: Performance Trimarans. To make things spicier, the two nominees not only shared the same length overall of 40 feet, but they also came in at the near-identical price point of around $800,000 for the base boat. 

Beyond those two parameters, however, the different approaches from these disparate brands were interesting and exciting. Cruising trimarans, though rare, are nothing new; the well-established Neel line of French-built trimarans has enjoyed plenty of success in previous BOTY contests. With that said, the judging panel was champing at the bit to put these fresh three-hull whizzes through their paces. And once under sail, we were definitely not disappointed. 

Winner: Dragonfly 40

Let’s cut right to the chase: The Dragonfly 40 had judge Tim Murphy swooning straight from hello: “This is an exquisite yacht in every detail. When you step aboard, the new-boat smell was not of styrene but of a wood shop. Built in Denmark by the Quorning family (designer and builder Jens Quorning took us on the test sail), it’s just a beautiful boat to look at from across the water. The wheel steering—no tiller here—was butter-smooth. Thanks to the boat’s extremely fine hulls, on our test sail we hardly felt any jerks or deceleration as we passed through several Severn River boat wakes. There were AGM batteries on this boat, but a lithium-battery system is an option. The kick-up centerboard and rudder are ingenious: Quorning as much as invited us to ground the boat on a shoal. From barber haulers to boom preventers, it’s full of great sailing details.”

Judge Mark Pillsbury was equally impressed: “As we finished up our all-too-brief sea trial aboard the Dragonfly 40, I scribbled ‘Top shelf!!!’ in my notebook. We had the benefit of sailing the boat with its thoroughly detail-oriented builder, who pointed to the seemingly endless features he’d employed to make this maybe the most memorable sailing boat of the year. At one point, I looked down at the GPS speed-over-ground number, which read 6 knots, then glanced at the true wind gauge: 5.2! Faster than the wind! The interior of the Dragonfly was elegant, with the furniture rendered in elm—not a wood we often see. But most impressive was the walk-in aft cabin instead of the crawl-in bunk often found in the narrow confines of a tri’s slender center hull.” 

Judge Herb McCormick was as astonished as his colleagues: “There isn’t a thing on the Dragonfly that Quorning hasn’t thought long and hard about, and then executed to a stellar degree. Take that centerboard arrangement, which is built into the central dining table and is integrated so well into the interior that it’s a functional piece of furniture as well as a foolproof cruising solution. What else can we say? It’s a magnificent freaking boat.”

Runner-up: Rapido Trimarans 40

The design brief for the Rapido 40 is straightforward: fast cruising and racing for a couple or crew; ocean-ready but able to sail and moor in shallow water. Nobody was more psyched to sail the boat than judge Herb McCormick, who was not disappointed. 

“I was first exposed to the brand at a multihull regatta in the Caribbean, where a larger Rapido 50 was in attendance,” he said. “I was on another boat, and we spent a lot of time looking at the Rapido’s transom. Then I stepped aboard the Rapido 40 for our trials and was handed the tiller extension; under the code zero, in about 15 seconds, we were making 14 knots. Whoa!”

Judge Mark Pillsbury said: “From stem to stern, the Rapido 40 came packed with features, including a double-taper carbon rotating mast, a Park Avenue-style boom for easy sail handling, daggerboards for upwind performance, and a very comfy cockpit. There’s an optional all-carbon version of the boat, including the drawers in the galley. The layout, with a comfortable V-berth and raised table in the salon—offering outstanding views of the great outdoors—is cruising-couple friendly.”

Judge Tim Murphy added: “The Rapido 40 is built in Vietnam by Paul Koch, the previous owner of Corsair Marine who started Rapido Trimarans in 2014. Rapido builds three models, all designed by the renowned team of Morrelli & Melvin. Our test boat had the standard infused construction, which is mostly E-glass with vinylester resin and a PVC core. There’s also carbon fiber near the bulkheads where the crossbeams meet. Carbon-fiber C-foils in the amas are intriguing and provide lift in two directions: up (to reduce sailing displacement but not fly) and to windward. Sailing the boat on the raised web seat with the tiller extension is gorgeous. It feels very sporty. Rapido’s latest claim to fame: The YouTube channel Sailing La Vagabonde has taken delivery of a Rapido 60, which will definitely raise the profile of the brand.”

• More: 2024 Boat of the Year , multihull , Print January 2024 , Sailboats
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Catamaran Vs Trimaran

Last Updated by

Gabriel Hannon

August 30, 2022

As boatbuilders make faster and more luxurious multi-hulls for cruising and racing, it is time to settle the debate: Catamarans vs. Trimarans.

Catamarans and trimarans have distinct characteristics regarding comfort, sailing performance, safety, and personal preference. The dual- or tri-hull designs both confer significant advantages over traditional monohulls and each fill an amazing niche in the sailing world.

Though both are based on traditional Austronesian outrigger canoes, the dual-hulled catamarans and tri-hulled trimarans have distinct design goals that make them ideal for very different purposes, and it is important to take into account your goals when trying to decide which to sail! We’re going to discuss both types as they rate across performance, safety, comfort, and possible uses. There is no one solution to this age-old problem, but we can help you understand which design is best for you!

From boatbuilder releases to the history of their development, it is important to access lots of sources when trying to make this decision. As a performance sailor, my heart is always in the speed and upwind abilities of the trimaran, but modern catamarans are dynamic and incredibly comfortable. Still, in my opinion, anything that gets you on the water is a great boat, so let’s find the right one for you!

Table of contents

‍ Sailing Performance and Safety

While most traditional boats over 20 feet are monohulled keelboats, there are major limitations to the type of sailing you can do with a monohull. First of all, monohulls depend on their keel to keep them upright, which is effective, but the force of the wind almost always causes the boat to heel to leeward by angles of up to 25° under reasonable cruising conditions, which can be quite uncomfortable for the crew! This design, which relies on giant lead ballast in a deep-set keel, is vulnerable to capsizes and, in drastic cases, sinking.

Additionally, the single-hull only provides so much volume for accommodation and storage, while the more horizontal layout of the multi-hulls can increase cockpit and cabin sizes substantially. Beyond that, both types of multi-hull can experience higher speeds at a given hull length than monohulls.

So how do cats and tris compare to each other? Well,

Catamarans: Stability and Ease

With their dual ‘pontoons,’ Catamarans make use of their floats to always remain on a flat and consistent angle of heel, rarely sailing under more than 10° of heel. This distribution of floatation also makes it nigh on impossible for them to capsize, though the distance between the hulls can make it a problem in the rare cases that they do flip. They do suffer a bit from not having any wetted surface underneath the center of effort, causing them to slide sideways while sailing upwind and making it difficult for them to beat tight angles to the breeze. While they make up for this with speed on the reach and downwind, catamarans are an inferior option for trying to make progress upwind in heavy sea and wind conditions.

These tradeoffs do come with some advantages. Unlike monohulls, catamarans have very shallow drafts, allowing cruisers to sail close to shore without concern, and their common dual-motor design allows them to maneuver incredibly well in tight spaces with a built-in backup for single-engine failure. They heel minimally because of the horizontal distribution of weight, and this means that they are incredibly stable and comfortable while underway or at anchor. In addition, their sail plans and maneuverability characteristics do make them easier to sail with a smaller crew, requiring fewer highly experienced sailors in your party.

Trimaran: Speed and Safety

While traditionalists have finally come around on the aesthetics of the dual-hulled catamaran, the tri-hulled lines of trimarans can still be a bit of a shock to viewers. They combine the vertical stability and upwind capabilities of a monohull with the speed and lateral stability of a catamaran.

When it comes to performance sailing, modern trimarans are well ahead of any other hull design. Due to the relationship between speed and the ‘waterline length’ of a boat, i.e. that more hull length in the water leads to higher speeds, the third hull actually makes trimarans drastically faster than any other hull shape at a given length. Most current speed records, including those for circumnavigation, instantaneous velocity, and single-day distance, are held by Trimarans. In competition, the 2013 America’s Cup is a perfect example of the superiority of Trimarans over Catamarans in terms of speed, as the challenging Trimaran from Golden Gate Yacht Club handily beat the defending Spanish Catamaran in a best-of-three series. With their signature central hull, they can make better upwind progress without drifting and often heel even less than contemporary catamarans.

Further, trimarans far outclass both catamarans and monohulls in terms of safety. The central hull gives the trimaran that signature central righting moment from monohulls, while its winged pontoons provide it the lateral balance that makes catamarans so safe themselves. Combined, this gives a modern trimaran a righting moment of 27°, which is almost impossible to reach in any breeze condition because of the pontoons. For a comparison, modern cats can only maintain 12° of heel before flipping, which is not entirely uncommon in heavy seas.

Therefore, in a purely technical sense, trimarans are safer, speedier, and more rewarding. Still, to reap these benefits you often need to be a little more prepared to engage with the more advanced aspects of sailing, and the tri-hull design does make some sacrifices in other areas.

Though performance is an important metric for all sailboats, every added knot of speed or degree of heel comes at a price of comfort, and it is here that we need to consider the full implications of that cost for both cats and tris.

Catamaran: The Ideal Platform

When it comes to comfort, space, and luxury, it is hard to bet against the catamaran. Because of the geometry of the dual deep hulls and built-up central platform, catamarans offer the ideal vessel for a large crew, a party yacht, or a comfortable getaway vessel. They heel minimally, are highly stable at anchor, and the central platform can be carefully built to maximize the area between the wings. Most catamarans can offer the living space and horizontal area of much larger monohulls, making it the ideal choice for a pleasure cruise.

Trimaran: The Cost of Speed

For all their advantages in terms of performance, the hardware required for the central hull subtracts substantially from the accommodations that are available for a cat of the same size. New trimarans, like the Neel 51 which made waves back in 2017, are pushing back against this perceived comfort gap, the large central hull with the two performance-oriented wings does make it harder for tris to haul the same amount of weight and provide comparable space as most cats.

Preferences

The beauty of modern sailboats is that design advances in both catamarans and trimarans make it possible for all sailors to find the exact right boat for them. Speed demons who want to sail tight to the wind and feel that rush may find themselves enticed by the capabilities of the newest Trimarans, while cruisers looking to get the biggest space for the length are still thrilled by how fast and stable modern Catamarans are off the breeze. While no one would complain about being invited to a cruise on a new Trimaran, you can certainly fit more of your friends in the spacious decks of a Cat.

Both multi-hull styles excel at maneuvering in small spaces and shallow waters, perfect for island hopping or inland sailing. Their wide platforms, which can run a slightly higher cost at marinas than comparable monohulls, enable stability without sacrificing performance. Both are regarded as incredibly safe in nearly all conditions, though Trimarans do have the slight edge in truly nasty weather.

In the end, it all comes down to how you want to sail and what is going to make a good trip successful! For those looking for a leisurely cruise with a minimum of work and a maximum of space, find the most spacious catamaran you can, and don’t worry about missing out on speed as you’ll more than hold your own off the breeze. If you’re excited to go fast no matter what direction the wind is coming from, with the knowledge that you’re nigh on unsinkable, a performance trimaran is the way to go!

Happy Sailing!

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I have been sailing since I was 7 years old. Since then I've been a US sailing certified instructor for over 8 years, raced at every level of one-design and college sailing in fleet, team, and match racing, and love sharing my knowledge of sailing with others!

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

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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
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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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Specifications

General Details

• Length: 18.1m (59.3 ft)
• Beam: 11.7m (38.4 ft)
• Draft: 1.0m (2.5 ft)
• Average light displacement (subject to final options): : 9,700 kgs (21,385 lbs)
• Displacement (max load): 12,000kg (26,456 lb)
• Headroom (average): 2.1m (6 ft 11 inches)
• Mast height above water: 25.3m (83 ft)
• Storage volume of floats (at greatest dimension): (l) 4.5m x (w) 1.3m x (h) 1.5m
• Storage volume under cockpit (at greatest dim.): (L) 2.2m x (W) 3.3m x (H) 1.4m

Further information:

• For detailed specifications, click onto  Rapido 60 Specifications (30 Nov. 2021)
• Click to download Rapido 60 General Arrangement .

Sailing La Vagabonde post a video of the launch of La Vagabonde III (Rapido 60 #04) on 2 November 2023. See video below.

• Mainsail: 125m² (1,345 ft²)
• Solent: 71m² (764 ft²)
• Reacher: 130m² (1,399 ft²)
• Asymmetric Spin: 225m² (2,422 ft²)
• Stay sail: 25m² (269 ft²)

General Information

“I  sailed Rapido Hull #01 on the Mediterranean Sea the other day and we were doing 14 knots upwind while cooking in the spacious kitchen!" Ferdinand van West (former F18 World Champion working with designers, Morrelli & Melvin ). ( Click here for original article in Catamaran Racing.)

Billed as the World’s Ultimate Ocean Cruising Trimaran , the Rapido 60 really is the Queen of the Oceans . It offers speed, safety, performance – and luxury.

The inspiration behind the Rapido 60 comes from Paul Koch (co founder of Rapido Trimarans), arguably, the man who has built more production trimarans than anyone else on the planet.

The design is by world renowned naval architects, Morelli & Melvin Design and Engineering who use some of the most sophisticated technology in the world. Triac Composites  is our exclusive builder.

While the foam sandwich and carbon construction is lightweight which gives the boat its speed, it also provides an extremely strong and rigid structure that has been designed to withstand the might of the oceans.

An additional benefit of the foam sandwich construction is the high degree of insulation, protecting the Rapido when the sun beats down.

Morelli & Melvin enjoy a very strong international reputation. Their designs even include entries for the America’s Cup .

https://www.facebook.com/raceweek/videos/1868118026600225/UzpfSTM1ODI2NDQ5MTAwMzkyMjoxMDU2MjY4MzMxMjAzNTMx/

[Video caption: Take a tour onboard Rapido 60, Romanza with owners, Dougall and Jaz Love, during Hamilton Island Race Week.]

Morrelli & Melvin’s computer modelling said that the Rapido 60 was very strong. And so we tested it.

We bolted the centre hull of the Rapido to the factory floor in HCMC. We then brought in two mobile cranes – each took a diagonal corner of the two outer hulls. With one diagonal corner each, the two cranes began to lift while the trimaran’s centre hull remained bolted to the floor, causing it to twist. One tonne of lifting pressure… Two tonnes… Three tonnes…

As the trimaran twisted it began to creak and groan. But the sensitive electronic equipment we had measuring every move and twist remained unphased. Everything was within design parameters.

Seven tonnes… Eight tonnes… Nine tonnes…

The pressure was eased and the Rapido spring back into its original condition – totally unaffected by the enormous twisting pressure that had been placed upon it.

The computer modelling had accurately predicted the incredible structural strength of the composites used in the Rapido. The Rapido is built to take on the oceans.

Rapido is, simply, the Queen of the Oceans.

Incredible storage capacity

The Rapido 60 has amazing, dedicated storage capacity. Floats (4.8m x 1.3m). Beneath the cockpit seats (2.1m x 0.5m). Beneath the cockpit floor (2.1m x 2.9m x 1.3m). Forward of forward cabin (1.4m x 1.2m x 1.2m).

Other videos

[Video above: Rapido 60, Romanza, races effortlessly at 24 knots during the opening day of Airlie Beach Race Week (Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia) in August 2018.]

[Video above: Owners of Rapido 60, Romanza, take the organisers of Hamilton Island Race Week on a walk thru tour.]

[Video above: Owner of Rapido 60, Ineffable, Steve Bourne is interviewed about his boat for the 39th St Maarten Heineken Regatta.]

[Video above; Rapido 60, Romanza wins the PIC Coastal Classic in New Zealand in November 2020. And it wasn’t all hard sailing out there over the 21 hours.]

• For more videos, visit the Rapido Trimarans’ You Tube Channel .

FAST AND POWERFUL

Trimarans are safe, powerful and fast as demonstrated by the fact that they consistently win races and hold the solo speed record for circumnavigating the world.

Safety at sea is the No. 1 priority and this thinking is reflected throughout the design and construction of the Rapido.

The Rapido 60 has some truly amazing living spaces which provide more open, private and intimate areas than monohulls or catamarans.

stable and comfortable

Trimarans are comfortable on all points of sail.

The combination of safety, performance and comfort put the Rapido in a league of its own. The enormous trampoline nets add fun and excitement as you watch the blue water rush underneath you – or as you lounge on the nets while gently floating over a reef. You will be instantly hooked..

look inside the

Rapido 60 in action.

See more Rapido Trimarans videos (You Tube)

View all Rapido 60 photos

60 in the media

Below is a list of articles which have appeared in various publications regarding Rapido Trimarans.

• Sailboat Review, Rapido 40, A sailor’s dream boat , by Mark Pillsbury, Cruising World magazine, 6 May 2024
• Rapido host much anticipated launch of first Rapido 53XS , Sails magazine, 1 May 2024
• Rapido 53XS – a peak speed of 24 knots during initial sea trials , by Emmanuel van Deth, Multihulls World, 19 April 2024
• Rapido 53XS, the new 16m globetrotter of a trimaran , by Aldo Fumagalli, Vela magazine, 24 January 2024
• First look – Rapido 53XS, a 20 knot cruiser , by Toby Hodges, Yachting World, 29 December 2023
• Video. Sailing Bliss: Unveiling the Rapido 40 Trimaran – GIDDY UP!!! , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Video. The Rapido 53XS: Tour, review and ideas , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Rapido 53XS Review , by Yachting World, 9 November 2023
• Video. Der Kat-Jäger: Carbon-Trimaran Rapido 40 aus Vietnam (“The cat hunter: carbon trimaran Rapido 40 from Vietnam”) by Yacht TV, 12 October 2023
• Cruising World announces Rapido 40 as Boat of the Year 2024 nominee , Cruising World, 26 September 2023
• Rapido 40 carbon trimaran from Vietnam – the test , by Michael Good, German Yacht Magazine, 21 September 2023
• C-foils on a fast cruising trimaran? This looks rapid!, Rapido 40 tour, Yachting World magazine video by Toby Hodges, 8 September 2023
• Rapido 40: The Alternative Trimaran , by François-Xavier de Crécy with photos by Ludovic Fruchaud, LE MONDE DU MULTICOQUE #24 by Voile Magazine. July, 2024.
• The Rapido 40 is a 20 knot cruising tri , George Day, Cruising Compass, 24 May, 2023
• Boat Review of Rapido 40, Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 4 May 2023
• Rapido 40: ultra fast cruising in complete safety on three hulls , Maxime Leriche , SailboatNews.com, 25 April 2023
• Boat anomaly: Rapido 40 Trimaran , No Frills Sailing, 19 April 2023
• Rapido 40 – Fast, foldable and worry free!,  Multihulls World magazine, No. 189, May-July 2023
• Shipyard Focus: Rapido Trimarans , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, August / September 2022.
• Rapido, changing the game , by Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 23 March, 2022
• Rapido 40: A livable sailboat for cruising on 3 hulls , Briag Merlet, Sailboat News, 23 February 2022.
• Rapido, changing the game , (takes a detailed look at the cutting edge design and technology of Morrelli & Melvin) by Zuzana Prochazka, Multihull Sailor, December 2021
• Boat Review: Rapido 50 , Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 2021
• Harnessing Speed , by Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 2021
• Rapido 60 Trimaran Boat Review: A Bold Gamechanger For Performance Bluewater Cruising , by Zuzana Prochazka, Yacht World, 23 September, 2021.
• Harnessing the wind , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, September / October 2021 issue, 6 page spread on Rapido Trimarans.
• Sailing La Vagabonde choose Rapido 60 to sail world’s oceans , video announcement by SLV to their 1.59 million subscribers, You Tube, 8 June 2021
• The Ultimate Racer-Cruiser: Clients on Romanza are turning heads on the racetrack when they’re not cruising at high speed , North Sails, 19 April, 2021
• Making Short-handed Short Work – Onboard Rapido 60 , Anna Merchant, Sail-World, 11 February 2021
• Rapido 50 News from the Shipyards , Multihulls World, 2 February 2021
• Buyers’ Guide 2021, Rapido 50 , Multihulls World, 18 December 2020
• “New breed” Rapido 40 & 50 , Yachting World magazine, November 2020
• Cruising Helmsman reviews Rapido 60 , October 2020
• Romanza takes top spot in Yates Cup , SEA Yachting magazine, September 2020
• Rapido Trimarans relocates production arm into Vietnam ,  SEA Yachting  magazine, Nov/Dec 2019.
• Rapido Trimarans, On the March, Seahorse Magazine , October 2019.
• (French)  Rapido 40, un trimaran repliable de 12 m , Bateaux.com, 29 August 2019.
• Rapido 60 – The most exciting production multihull in the world?  (or  click here  for selection of quotes), Multihulls Magazine, Summer (July) 2019.
• Rapido , Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, June 2019 (pp23-24)
• Ineffable’s Steve Bourne: I’m a nutter for sailing , Daily Herald, 26 February 2019.
• Rapido 60′ the fastest production multihull in the world? , International Multihulls World, December 2017
• RAPIDO 60’ : Le multicoque de série habitable le plus rapide du monde? , Multihulls World, 23 November 2017
• Finding Mrs Right , Boating New Zealand, August 2016
• Blue Water Cruising Trimaran , Australian Multihulls World, August 2016
• Rapido 60 , Cruising World, 25 August, 2016
• Rapido 60 , by Emma Bamford, Sailing Today.

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Mastering Precision Drilling: How to Use Drill Guides

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Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

Comparing trimarans & catamarans.

Trimarans tend to be more performance oriented than catamarans. In part, this is because it’s easier to design a folding trimaran, and as a result Farrier, Corsair, and Dragonfly trimarans had a disproportionate share of the market.

In spite of this and in spite of the fact that many are raced aggressively in windy conditions, capsizes are few, certainly fewer than in equivalent performance catamaran classes.  But when they do go over, they do so in different ways.

Trimarans have greater beam than catamarans, making them considerably more resistant to capsize by wind alone, whether gusts or sustained wind. They heel sooner and more than catamaran, giving more warning that they are over powered. 

Waves are a different matter. The amas are generally much finer, designed for low resistance when sailing deeply immersed to windward. As a result, trimarans are more susceptible to broach and capsize when broad reaching at high speed or when caught on the beam by a large breaking wave.

In the first case, the boat is sailing fast and overtaking waves. You surf down a nice steep one, into the backside of the next one, the ama buries up to the beam and the boat slows down. The apparent wind increases, the following wave lifts the transom, and the boat slews into a broach. If all sail is instantly eased, the boat will generally come back down, even from scary levels of heel, but not always.

In the second case a large wave breaks under the boat, pulling the leeward ama down and rolling the boat. Catamarans, on the other hand, are more likely to slide sideways when hit by a breaking wave, particularly if the keels are shallow (or raised in the case of daggerboards), because the hulls are too big to be forced under. They simply get dragged to leeward, alerting the crew that it is time to start bearing off the wind.

Another place the numbers leave us short is ama design. In the 70s and 80s, most catamarans were designed with considerable flare in the bow, like other boats of the period. This will keep the bow from burying, right? Nope. When a hull is skinny it can always be driven through a wave, and wide flare causes a rapid increase in drag once submerged, causing the boat to slow and possibly pitchpole.

Hobie Cat sailors know this well. More modern designs either eliminate or minimize this flare, making for more predictable behavior in rough conditions. A classic case is the evolution of Ian Farrier’s designs from bows that flare above the waterline to a wave-piercing shape with little flare, no deck flange, increased forward volume, and reduced rocker (see photos page 18). After more than two decades of designing multihulls, Farrier saw clear advantages of the new bow form. The F-22 is a little faster, but more importantly, it is less prone to broach or pitchpole, allowing it to be driven harder.

Beam and Stability

The stability index goes up with beam. Why isn’t more beam always better? Because as beam increases, a pitchpole off the wind becomes more likely, both under sail and under bare poles. (The optimum length-to-beam ratios is 1.7:1 – 2.2:1 for cats and 1.2:1-1.8:1 for trimarans.) Again, hull shape and buoyancy also play critical roles in averting a pitchpole, so beam alone shouldn’t be regarded as a determining factor.

Drogues and Chutes

While monohull sailors circle the globe without ever needing their drogues and sea anchors, multihulls are more likely to use them. In part, this is because strategies such as heaving to and lying a hull don’t work for multihulls. Moderate beam seas cause an uncomfortable snap-roll, and sailing or laying ahull in a multihull is poor seamanship in beam seas.

Fortunately, drogues work better with multihulls. The boats are lighter, reducing loads. They rise over the waves, like a raft. Dangerous surfing, and the risk of pitchpole and broach that comes with it, is eliminated.  There’s no deep keel to trip over to the side and the broad beam increases the lever arm, reducing yawing to a bare minimum. 

Speed-limiting drogues are often used by delivery skippers simply to ease the motion and take some work off the autopilot. By keeping her head down, a wind-only capsize becomes extremely unlikely, and rolling stops, making for an easy ride. A properly sized drogue will keep her moving at 4-6 knots, but will not allow surfing, and by extension, pitch poling. 

For more information on speed limiting drogues, see “ How Much Drag is a Drogue? ” PS , September 2016.

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Trimaran Neel 43 Review

This review is dedicated to the unique three-hull yacht Neel 43 trimaran , which has collected all possible prizes in its category since its release in 2021 by the Neel Trimarans shipyard. Here's what impressed the selection committees when determining the winner, and what attracts sailing enthusiasts and businessmen to Neel 43.

Traditionally, in addition to the review from the topRik team, we present the opinion of the leading yachting media, whose journalists participated in testing this unique catamaran. What makes it unique? Find out in our review!

To avoid tormenting the most impatient, we will hint at the main signs by which you can recognize a sought-after Neel 43 at a glance.

This is a loft-style deck - here, on one level, you can find all the main areas where the owner of the trimaran and his guests stay.

This common space without any frills is subject to the main thing: the optimal ratio between the performance of the boat, the ease of management, on the one hand, and the sufficient comfort of life on board, on the other.

TopRik team, before offering the Neel 43 trimaran to you, intends to check all the claims of the shipyard about its advantages on board this three-hull yacht. Follow us on this endeavor!

Features of Neel 43 Trimaran

• Brand: Neel Trimarans
• Hull type: Trimaran
• Overall length, m: 13.1
• Width, m: 7.5
• Displacement, t: 9
• Air draft, m: 19
• Water tanks, l: 500
• Exterior design (Architect): Marc Lombard/Yacht Design Group
• CE Certification: ICNN
• Mainsail type: Fully battened
• Jib type: Furling genoa
• Mainsail area, m²: 58
• Jib area, m²: 43.2
• Engine: diesel sail drive 50 hp
• Fuel tanks l: 300

Max speed Neel 43

The maximum speed of the Neel 43 trimaran depends on various factors such as wind conditions, sea state, sail configuration, and the weight of the vessel, crew, and equipment. However, the manufacturer states that the Neel 43 has a maximum speed of around 20 knots (23 mph or 37 km/h) under ideal conditions.

It's worth noting that cruising trimarans like the Neel 43 are typically designed for comfort and stability rather than speed, so their top speeds are usually lower than those of racing trimarans.

Review Neel 43 by topRik Team

No, no, the photo above is not the topRik team, we do not look so romantic, we do not wear bikinis, and we do not mix yacht testing with cocktails. We just have a good imagination - and we immediately imagined how this transom might look in a "busy" state. Note that a good third of the transom on the starboard side is not even included in this photo. Let's take a closer look at one of the ladders - this is the one where the girl in the blue bathing suit stands, on the port side.

You can see that this is not just a ladder , but at the same time a rather extensive swim platform - this is hinted at by the onboard ladder and common sense. Exactly the same platform, or gangway, is located on the starboard side.

And between these two ladders there is a huge main platform, which can serve as a boathouse for a PVC motorboat, jet ski, folding bikes, kiteboards, windsurfers and other useful things. Especially when you consider that under it you can find a very roomy locker for a life raft.

A Bit of Theory at a Glance

From the pier, we have a view of the massive roof over the cockpit, low lowered boom, slightly sloping mast and bimini over the helm station. The ribbed contours of the hulls attract attention - this will limit the rocking of the trimaran. A very wide vaka with a normal amas width may indicate that a large amount of equipment is placed in the central body to balance the weight distribution for high performance.

Although, as far as we know, the weight of this trimaran is even less than most catamarans of the same size. This was achieved through the use of technologies that have already proven themselves to be reliable in hull manufacturing process, as well as through innovative technologies used in making non-structural elements. In the first case, sandwiches made of foam and glass reinforced with a polymer fabric are used, in the second, a cork core is used.

The reduction in weight also reduces the wetted surface area, which makes it easier to control the trimaran when maneuvering and tacking under sail.

While there are enough theories, it's time to climb the ladder to the cockpit. While our skipper moved straight from the transom steps to the steps leading to the helm station, the rest of the topRik team decided to test the capacity of the cockpit and, of course, the capabilities of the aft galley.

Loft Is Such a Loft

Let's not forget that the Neel 43 is billed as a 10-passenger boat, which is important not only to those future owners who plan to bring as many friends on the cruise as possible or take the whole extended family on the trip. The maximum capacity of the yachts is also important for entrepreneurs who rent them out.

So, we inform all interested parties: the yacht will freely accommodate 10 passengers, even without the skipper and crew - this ten will have enough space even in the cockpit.

And if suddenly someone does not have enough space, you can always move to the saloon. Moreover, the shipyard has remained true to itself and has retained this deck in the loft style, where the cockpit almost imperceptibly merges with the saloon. Yes, this is the famous “cockloon”, where the cockpit and saloon are separated or, more correctly, united by large sliding doors.

We have already shown the view from the cockpit to the saloon: both tables are practically adjacent, passengers can freely communicate through a large open window. Through it, you can also transfer dishes cooked in the galley.

And in the photo below there’s a good view from the saloon to the cockpit - you can appreciate the galley and its linear arrangement. More than one cook can handle it at the same time, since the approaches and aisles are very open. You see plenty of seating around the table and on the double sofa. What is behind the curtain? Bed? Exactly! It’s the loft.

But wait to be surprised and perplexed. Everything is very logical if you see the rest of the cabin. There is a full-fledged charting table - the second control post after the one our skipper has already taken at the helm. And when he is replaced after the night watch, he can immediately go to rest on this comfortable large bed, taking some time out from the navigation table, marine tools and chartplotter .

And if you are traveling with your family, this is a great place for children to sleep or play – it can always be under the supervision of adults, both day and night.

Some may be surprised by the amount of storage space for food and kitchen utensils, but we were struck by the spaciousness, which seems simply immense due to the large area of glazing. Panoramic views and natural light add to this feeling of freedom on board Neel 43.

The height of the rooms on the test yachts, as usual, was tested by our expert, whose height reaches 2 meters. In the cockpit and saloon, he didn’t even need to bow his head - he walked, proudly straightening up all the way, and there was still a lot of free space above his head.

Always on Duty

– What are you doing here?

In our fascination with the “cockloon” and the possibilities of the grill and galley, we somehow forgot about our skipper, who stayed to study the helm station.

– Testing, - the team mumbled indistinctly with their mouths full. - We decided to share the responsibilities: since you are on duty, we’ll cover this area just fine...

After everyone paid tribute to dinner, they went to inspect... no, not the cabins, but the control station in the cockpit. We studied the charting table quite well - nothing unexpected: a large chart plotter, communication equipment, radio, electrical panel, tool indicators that control all the equipment of the trimaran.

Located on a raised platform on the starboard side, the helm station has an entrance from the transom side and from the cockpit side. In front of the helm there is a skipper's chair, where an assistant will comfortably fit.

All lines, except for spinnaker sheets, are brought to the winches located at arm's length or within walking distance. The staysail sheets pass through one fixed hawse. Our trimaran had an electric winch, which makes it much easier to work with the rigging.

The control panel is practically a double of the saloon control panel in terms of the set of instruments. To the right you get your throttle.

From the helmsman's seat there was an excellent view of all three bows of Neel 43’s hulls until the sails were raised. There are some problems here depending on the rig used. Later we found out that the front view is still blocked when the headsail is raised on the starboard tack or an asymmetric spinnaker is raised on both tacks.

In the Engine Compartment

Spacious and with a high ceiling - everyone liked this compartment, even the aforementioned crewman, who still had more than 10 centimeters of space left above his head. The compartment is located in the central float, the entrance to it opens from the cabin.

In the photo you can see that the engine and steering gear are shifted to the stern, and in the center there are water and fuel tanks, batteries and other equipment. We liked that most of the equipment is concentrated in one place, and not distributed throughout the yacht. Of course, this was done not so much for our convenience in service, but to achieve the most productive balance of the vessel, and this perfectly coincided with yachtsmen's ideas about serviceability.

In Cabins and Forepeak

On this boat, the forepeaks can be used for more than just storing fenders if the Neel 43 is intended for charters. There is plenty of room for the crew. Ten passengers can be perfectly accommodated in a trimaran if all the options for sleeping places are well utilized.

To visualize these options, let’s take a look at the Neel 43 passenger and crew layouts.

The first schematic shows the bedding option suitable for a cruise with 2-4 people. These can't even be called cabins - just places fenced off for sleeping on the loft deck. One of these places, at the navigator's table, we have already shown - it is fenced off only by a curtain.

The second one can be called the owner's cabin variation – you get a high and roomy space with a large double bed and many windows.

On the second schematic you see how it is possible to equip additional berths in the bow of the central hull and fore peaks.

The first berth is quite spacious, although it narrows somewhat towards the headboard, but the ceilings are high, and natural light is provided through the skylight and side porthole.

Living spaces in the forepeak are reserved for crew members - one berth per one person. And no, we were not mistaken: although there are only 8 beds on the diagrams, do not forget about the folding table in the cabin, which can be transformed into 2 beds.

Since we were examining the forepeak, we could not help but pay attention to the bow of the Neel 43.

This is how you can characterize the bow of this trimaran. Everything here is subject to expediency. The bowsprit is used to shift the center of sail and carry the sail armament forward.

The nets between the noses of the hulls are not for the sake of sunbathing area here. They perform their direct function - they dampen the waves and do not allow the trimaran to bury its nose into the wave.

Advantages of Neel 43

Since we didn’t find much shortcomings, we will immediately announce the main one - there is no signaling equipment whatsoever warning you about the ingress of water into the engine compartment. So, it is necessary to either order such equipment on your own, or simply check the condition of the compartment more often. And here are the pros:

• High performance, excellent maneuverability.
• Obedience to the steering wheel and rudder.
• One rudder and an obedient helm provide a great helmsman's feel to control the sails.
• The quality of the hulls, which ensures the reliability and safety of being on board.
• Enough comfort for a cruise as a couple, as part of a family, with friends or a charter flight.
• Affordable price with great features.

The last point allows you to actively use this boat for commercial purposes.

Another advantage that we have noticed is that an experienced skipper is able to manage this beauty alone.

Reviews of Neel 43 from Professionals

Rupert Holmes and Dave Reed are well-known yachtsmen and journalists, who participated in the testing of the Neel 43 trimaran. And Dave did it as part of the Sailing World Magazine team, which conducted its annual test, seeking out the 2023 Boat of the Year nominees.

From the very first lines of his review Rupert Holmes immediately offers a solution for those who hesitate between a monohull yacht and a catamaran. Cruising trimaran Neel 43, according to the author, can be an ideal option. Rupert goes on to substantiate his claim.

A well-known journalist and yachtsman remembered the trimarans of the 60-70s, which did not quite justify their title of "cruising". In contrast, Rupert picks light and fast three-hull yachts of the last decades, the credit of the revival of which largely belongs to the Neel shipyard from La Rochelle with its cruising models with spacious rooms. Neel 43 trimaran designed by Marc Lombard is the discovery of 2021.

Test team with active participation of Rupert Holmes tested the Neel 43 at La Rochelle in light to moderate seas and 12-16 knots offshore wind.

The journalist specifically noted that despite the spacious deck and massive roof, the Neel 43 is three tons lighter than most 42-foot catamarans. He was surprised by the low wetted area during maneuvers when windward ama rises out of the water. This area is several times smaller than that of a catamaran of the same size. In addition, the Neel 43 has a low displacement. Together, this makes the trimaran remarkably fast.

Then the author described in detail the trials of the boat under sail. The crew turned off the engine, hoisted the mainsail, turned the staysail downwind on the beam, and with a true wind of 14 knots, quickly accelerated the trimaran to a stable speed of 10 knots.

The change in true (65°) and apparent (40°) wind angles reduced the speed by just one knot. Rupert noted that if they had more advanced rigging rather than Dacron sails, it would add a few useful degrees closer to the wind without sacrificing speed.

The helm is connected to one rudder by straight cables. The steering was remarkably responsive during testing. At the same time, the direct sensations from handling it were much brighter compared to a catamaran.

Maneuvering was as easy as navigating a monohull. The trimaran turned deftly into the wind, and the speed rarely dropped below five knots.

Rupert Holmes explained how the developers achieved light and smooth movement of such a seemingly bulky vessel. They did an excellent job with the distribution of heavy equipment in the central building, concentrating it in the middle. Under the central hull of the trimaran, they placed one keel instead of two, as in most cats.

But in order to heel the trimaran at angles of more than 14°, great efforts are required - the boat quickly reaches stability. The high freeboards also provide a large margin of buoyancy in the amas, even with a strong gust of wind or a squall.

A single fin keel makes it impossible to beach the trimaran like most cruising boats.

Since the trimaran was heading towards the wind from the canal into the open sea, we found out how easily controlled underwater elements behave during motor navigation. With one 50 hp engine and 2400 rpm the boat was moving at a speed of 8 knots.

When turning downwind the asymmetric kite was raised, since the speed at a true wind angle of 150° began to decrease. This maneuver made it possible to raise the speed to 9 knots, and the best VMG downwind was 7 knots.

When the wind increased to a true speed of 15-16 knots, the crew deviated from the true wind up to 115°. The boat accelerated to 10.5-11 knots. At the same time, Neel 43 demonstrated excellent stability: no change in roll was noticed.

Concluding his review, the journalist and yachtsman noted that the Neel 43 has become a cruising trimaran concept for the mass market. The popularity of triple-hulled vessels is evidenced by the fact that the shipyard produces at least two trimarans every month.

Test team loved the new concept of Neel's latest trimarans, which consists of one large connected living space that is visible from float to float. Wherever you are on this ship, you feel your involvement in the overall life process, as in any residential family building.

There is only one "sunken" living space for passengers - in the bow of the central float. All other berths are located on the same level as the saloon and cockpit, which distinguishes the Neel 43 from most catamarans and many trimarans from other manufacturers.

Although the trimaran is primarily intended for family sailing, it should be the family of the yachtsman who prefers high performance boats.

It was no coincidence that the gigantic, according to the shipyard, mechanical compartment below was especially noted. It is only necessary to open the hatch in the saloon and descend into a spacious and well-lit area, where free access to all trimaran systems is provided.

Dave Reed quotes Chuck Allen, the senior judge of this competition, who notes that the trimaran is more stable and faster than a catamaran, as a result of which the pleasure of driving it is much higher. Riding a trimaran is a great experience. The adjustment of the amas becomes similar to balancing, which is provided by the rudder, mast and keel in the central hull. At the same time, there is no strong roll, the trimaran is very stable. "It's an adventure platform," Chuck Allen summed up.

He was surprised that a trimaran sails against the wind like a monohull sailboat, and when it glides over a wave, it simply takes off. “I got the impression that you can really sail on the coast with the right selection of sails,” Chuck jokes.

He noted that this trimaran was easily handled by two people at high speed and expressed his confidence that the crew of 4 would be great in a coastal race.

The team of judges noted the good location of the steering wheel on a starboard raised platform, which ensured good visibility. They also liked the fact that all reefs and sail control cables run close to the helm and are folded into special bags.

It was noted separately that the shipyard commits to environment protection technologies through the use of environmentally friendly and recyclable materials, in particular, epoxy resins, foam plastic, and cork. To power the refrigerator and electronic devices, solar panels are provided on the roof of the trimaran.

Video Reviews of Neel 43

Prepare to enjoy the trimarans beauty in video format!

Let’s start with well-known Multihull Solutions – their video review in comprehensive and interesting at the same time:

Moving on to Aeroyacht and their in-depth 22-minute-long review:

Another great yachting test at the sea by Multihull World:

And, if you are not interested in commentary, here’s a silent interior review of this roomy boat:

All of the above information leads us to the following conclusion: Neel 43's affordable price, its excellent seaworthiness, stability and reliability, ease of handling make it desirable for many sailors, including:

• couples who love the speed and challenges of sailing;
• friends ready to strengthen the bonds of friendship in sea trials;
• families with or without children who want to spend time together without the presence of strangers on board;
• lovers of the sea, speed and sails;
• yachtsmen who do not like excessive luxury, but do not want to completely deprive themselves of comfort.

In addition to private ownership, this trimaran is ideal for commercial purposes. It can be successfully rented out both to passengers who never met each other before the charter, and to groups of friends or colleagues.

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Where to buy neel 43 at a bargain price.

If you are reading this, you already know the place where you can buy the Neel 43 for a low price without the risk of receiving services or accessories that you do not need.

All marketplace employees topRik have been and regularly go to sea on motor and sailing yachts , monohulls and multihulls. We all know perfectly well what needs to be done so that your boat fully meets your requirements, and also that you do not overpay for imposed options.

If you put your trust in us, then all you have to do is state your requirements, consult our team and wait for us to deliver your yacht to its destination.

We will take on:

• negotiations with the manufacturer;
• control over the package options of the boat;
• trimaran delivery;
• providing the missing equipment and accessories from rigging equipment to a watermaker ;
• further maintenance of the boat.

If you are a novice yachtsman, before going to sea on your own, you can enroll at our skipper school SimpleSail to receive "International Bareboat Skipper" after finishing IYT Yacht Training Course .

Call, send an e-mail or contact our consultants using the website feedback system.

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Trimaran Performance vs Hull Form

QUESTION: If I build a multihull with straight sides of plywood to make construction easier, how much performance would I lose compared to a more ideal shape?

Now let's compare that to the shape with a semi-circular bottom that has the least wetted surface. Superimposed, the two might look like this (picture on right). Although I might refer to this simple shape as 'a Vee-hull', the shape I prefer actually has a little wider flat bottom in order to provide useful buoyancy lower down - see later. See also the article on relative virtues of flat panel shapes .

Right away, for the same displacement, one can see that the boxy hull has more draft, is narrower at the waterline but will have more underwater (wetted) surface. In practice, the Vee hull is likely to be 10% heavier in construction, but that might only mean say 5% required increase in overall displacement as the deadweight (crews, supplies etc.) could double the dry weight.

Now we need to look at how a boat's resistance varies with its speed and this is much related to its length. About 140 years ago, a William Froude discovered that up to a Speed/Length ratio (SLR)* of about 1, resistance is mostly made up of frictional resistance and in such a case, would be directly proportional to the wetted surface. From a SLR of 1 to about 2 (for a typical multihull), there's an increase in hull resistance due to waves made by the hull through the water, and the wetted surface resistance, although still there, takes a more minor role.

Once over a SLR of about 3.0, the wetted surface is again on the increase (although wave resistance is still significant).  So for different boat lengths, here are the speeds we are talking about.

*SLR = speed (in knots) divided by the square root of Waterline Length (ft)

So, below the speed given for SLR=1 and above the speed given for SLR=3.0, the majority of resistance would be directly affected by the roughly 20% increase in the wetted surface for the Vee (or 15% for the Box shape) and if we add in the 5% weight penalty, this could go to about 24%. ( While these percentages might also apply for speeds well under SLR of 0.5 or over 3.5, they would in fact be somewhat less than that at the SLRs listed, as not all the resistance would be due to surface friction )

But between the two values listed, wave resistance grows to a peak at around SLR=2 (for the average multihull) and at this point, the narrower beam of the Vee hulls could lower wave resistance enough to offset the frictional resistance and therefore be quite efficient in the range between the two speeds listed above for each length.   The box or Vee'd shape would also offer less leeway and that will also help to compensate.

If we widen the hull at the bottom, the sides can become more vertical and this more box-like section can further lower the wave-making compared to the Vee-section we started out with, as it disturbs the passing waves even less.

Of course, there are other aspects to consider too—like having less interior space at the waterline with the V-hull and also, that the V-hull would initially sink about 15% more for each 100 lbs of extra weight loaded on. The extra draft of a Vee hull is sometimes used as a longitudinal keel to resist lateral drift and that 'might' annul the need for a dagger board or centerboard, although deep fins are clearly more efficient for sailing upwind.

But if you're content to sail in the speed range indicated by the table, which is surprisingly broad, and can accept the other compromises, there's definitely a case for using the box hulls and keeping it simple. Outside of that, expect speeds at around 10% slower at the low end and similar at the much higher end beyond SLR of 3.5.

Of course, even 'ideal hulls' are seldom perfectly semi-circular and the total resistance also depends on many other things, such as the hull ends and even air resistance etc., but this gives a general idea of speed performance for such differing hull shapes, assuming all other factors are alike and comparable. On another aspect, the deeper V-hulls will also have more directional stability but in turn, be harder to tack—helpful for long trips but not for short tacking.

True V-hulls are seldom used for the center hull of a trimaran as they offer so little space. However, they have been used for easy-to-build catamarans and trimaran amas, for owners ready to accept the performance sacrifices noted above. However, the more box-hull can be justified for the sake of easy building. and at least offers more foot space than the narrow Vee'd for a main hull.   [Deep, near vertical flat-sided hulls are also drier than Vee'd hulls and have more recently proven to have less wave drag].

Recent tests (2009) on a small prototype trimaran with this Box-hull form and flat bottom, demonstrated that performance can be surprisingly good and some of what is lost through increased wetted surface is indeed made up by the slimmer form. While this may not be true at low speeds (below say 4 kt), the flat of bottom may give enough dynamic lift over at least part of the hull length to offset the theoretically greater surface, and show that the higher speeds of a light trimaran will not be as adversely affected by this box form as one might first think.

Editors Note: For this reason, this simple-to-build form was chosen for the new W17 that has since proven to perform very well indeed. The added resistance at the very low end (say under 4 k) will still be there and will need some imaginative boat trimming and added light-wind sail area to overcome. But for a significant speed range above that, this boat, especially when built to design weight, is proving that the flat underbody surface can indeed offer a very clean running hull with some dynamic lift at higher speeds that some W17 owners are calling 'oiling', as it reportedly feels 'like the boat is running on oil'. Even with the very moderate cruising rig, a speed of 14.9 k has already been recorded (by GPS) in this mode, so this is impressive and promises to offer lots of fun. So for this particular design at least, the high end restriction of a boxy hard chine hull has been overcome by the relatively narrow hull, the flat of bottom and its low-rocker design profile. Compared to a round bilge, the box-hull also offers additional lateral resistance, so the dagger board wetted surface can be slightly reduced for another small speed gain.

"New articles, comments and references will be added periodically as new questions are answered and other info comes in relative to this subject, so you're invited to revisit and participate." —webmaster

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The neel 47 successfully combines the benefits of cruising or blue water yacht : safety, performance and comfort living. the neel 47 offers a new design and sporting look. the optimization of its exterior and interior ergonomics makes it a unique multihull. its layout is thought to promote a better cohabitation and to keep the privacy of each person., photos and videos, neel 47 exterior, the helm position is elevated, its accessibility and ergonomic allow safe centralized maneuvering as well as an optimized communication with the cockpit. the « full beam cockpit® » extending the cockpit to a size never previously seen on a 47-footer, is instantly seductive..

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Questions for Investigators Trying to Unravel Mystery of Luxury Yacht’s Sinking

The investigators searching for answers about the shipwreck, leaving seven dead, face questions about extreme weather and possible human error or problems with the yacht itself.

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By Alan Yuhas

More than 180 feet long, with a mast towering about 240 feet and a keel that could be lowered for greater stability, the Bayesian luxury yacht did not, in the eyes of its maker, have the vulnerabilities of a ship that would easily sink.

“It drives me insane,” Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company that made the ship, said after its wreck last week. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

But the $40 million sailing yacht sank within minutes and with fatal results: seven dead, including the British technology billionaire Michael Lynch, his teenage daughter, four of Mr. Lynch’s friends and a member of the crew. Fifteen people, including the captain, escaped on a lifeboat.

Mr. Lynch had invited family, friends and part of his legal team on a cruise in the Mediterranean to celebrate his acquittal in June of fraud charges tied to the sale of his company to the tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

The Italian authorities have opened a manslaughter investigation, searching for answers from the survivors, the manufacturer and the wreck itself. They face a range of questions and possible factors.

An ‘earthquake’ in the sky?

When the Bayesian sank around 4 a.m. on Aug. 19, the waters in its area, about half a mile off the Sicilian port of Porticello, were transformed by an extremely sudden and violent storm, according to fishermen, a captain in the area and meteorologists.

But what kind of storm is still a mystery, compounded by the fact that a sailing schooner anchored nearby did not have its own disaster. Also unclear is whether the crew was aware that the Italian authorities had issued general warnings about bad weather the night before.

Karsten Börner, the captain of the nearby passenger ship, said he’d had to steady his ship during “really violent” winds . During the storm, he said, the Bayesian seemed to disappear behind his ship.

Severe lightning and strong gusts were registered by the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, according to Attilio Di Diodato, its director. “It was very intense and brief in duration,” he said.

The yacht, he said, had most likely been hit by a fierce downburst — a blast of powerful wind surging down during a thunderstorm. His agency put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about possible storms.

Locals have said the winds “felt like an earthquake.” A fisherman in Porticello said that he had seen a flare go off in the early-morning hours. His brother ventured to the site once the weather had calmed about 20 minutes later, he said, finding only floating cushions.

The Italian authorities have so far declined to say whether investigators had seen any structural damage to the hull or other parts of the ship.

Open hatches or doors?

The boat executive, Mr. Costantino, has argued that the Bayesian was an extremely safe vessel that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing. His company, the Italian Sea Group, in 2022 bought the yacht’s manufacturer, Perini Navi, which launched the ship in 2008.

Mr. Costantino said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, would be to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

At a news conference on Saturday, almost a week after the sinking, investigators said the yacht had sunk at an angle , with its stern — where the heavy engine was — having gone down first. The wreck was found lying on its right side at the bottom of a bay, about 165 feet deep.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

Water pouring into open hatches or doors could have contributed to the sinking, experts say, but that on its own may not account for the speed at which such a large boat vanished underwater.

Asked about the hatches at the news conference, the authorities declined to comment on whether they had been found open at the wreck.

The authorities have also not specified whether the boat had been anchored, whether it was under power at the time or whether its sails had been unfurled.

A retracted keel?

The Bayesian had a keel — the fin-like structure beneath a boat that can help stabilize it — that could be retracted or extended, according to its manufacturer. On some yachts, keels can be raised to let the large vessel dock in shallower water, and extended downward to help keep a boat level.

But like the hatches, the status of the keel alone may not explain why a large ship sank with such precipitous speed. Investigators have not disclosed what divers may have seen at the wreck, aside from saying divers had faced obstacles like furnishings and electrical wiring in tight quarters. Officials want to raise the wreck to better examine it, a process that may take weeks.

Human error?

Ambrogio Cartosio, the prosecutor in charge of the case, said at the news conference that it was “plausible” crimes had been committed, but that investigators had not zeroed in on any potential suspects.

“There could be responsibilities of the captain only,” he said. “There could be responsibilities of the whole crew. There could be responsibilities of the boat makers. Or there could be responsibilities of those who were in charge of surveilling the boat.”

It remains unclear what kind of emergency training or preparation took place before the disaster, or what kind of coordination there was during it. So far, none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened the night the ship sank.

Prosecutors said they want to ask more questions of the captain and crew, who have been in a Sicilian hotel with other survivors. They said that neither alcohol nor drug tests had been performed on crew members, and that they have been allowed to leave Italy.

Prosecutors also said they were also investigating why the captain, an experienced sailor, left the sinking boat while some passengers were still on board.

Besides possible manslaughter charges, the authorities are investigating the possibility of a negligently caused shipwreck.

The bodies of five passengers were found in one cabin, on the left side of the yacht, the authorities said. The five were most likely trying to flee to the higher side of the boat and were probably sleeping when the boat started to sink, they said.