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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:
Astus 16.5, 18.2, 20.2, 22, 24 | 16’ – 24’ | Sport cruiser | Some models | ||
Catri 25 | 25’ | Cruiser/racer | Y | ||
Challenger | - | Day sailor | N | ||
Pulse 600, Sprint 750 MKII, Dash 750 MKII, Cruze 970, Corsair 28, 37, 42 | 19’8” – 37’ | Sport cruisers | Y | ||
Diam 24 | 24’ | Racer | N | ||
Dragonfly 25, 28, 32, 35, 1200 | 25’ – 39’ | Luxury cruiser | Y | ||
F-22, 24, 25, 82, 27, 28, 31, 9A, 9AX, 9R, 32, 33, 33R, 33ST, 36, 39, 41, 44R | 23’ – 39’ 4” | Sport cruisers/racers | Y | ||
Mirage Island, Mirage Tandem Island | 16’7” – 18’6” | Convertible kayak/trimarans | N | ||
Multi 23 | 22’ | Racer | Y | ||
NEEL 45, 65 | 44’ – 65’ | Luxury cruiser | Y | ||
Radikal 26 | 26’ | Sport cruiser | Y | ||
Sea Pearl | 21’ | Camper cruiser | Y | ||
SeaCart 26 | 26’ | Racer | Y | ||
SeaRail 19 | 18’ | Day sailor | N | ||
Triak | 18’ | Convertible kayak/trimaran | N | ||
Warren Lightcraft | 15’6” | Convertible kayak/trimaran | N | ||
Weta | 14’5” | Racer | N | ||
WR 16, 17, Tango, Rave V | 10’11” – 18’3” | Day sailor | N |
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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Sailboat Review: Rapido 40
- By Mark Pillsbury
- May 6, 2024
In the great debate among sailors about what’s better—a monohull or a catamaran—both sides make compelling arguments. Monohulls are more efficient at going upwind. Their sufficient ballast ensures stability in a seaway. Some would say that a keelboat is just plain more exciting to sail. But cat lovers counter that they don’t care to “sail on their ear.” They’re willing to motor to windward if necessary, they enjoy the ability to pull up next to a beach, and they rave about the outdoor living space that two hulls afford.
And then there’s the trimaran crowd, which, on a boat like the Rapido 40, gets the best of both worlds. Fast, flat sailing upwind and down? Check. Shallow draft for cruising in skinny water? Check. Lots of room to spread out on deck, and generous accommodations below for a cruising couple with kids or occasional friends? You bet.
The Rapido 40 is designed by the high-performance team at Morrelli & Melvin, and is built in Vietnam by Triac Composites. Rapido was co-founded in 2014 by Paul Koch and Richard Eyre. Koch is an old hand at trimarans—he was formerly president of Corsair—and he says that there is a market out there, albeit a niche one, for performance-oriented, oceangoing cruising trimarans.
Rapido’s 40 is the smallest in a line that ranges upwards of 60 feet—its original model. Just sitting at the dock, the all-carbon-fiber build is one sleek-looking boat. It has a rotating, spreaderless, double-tapered wing mast; a V-shaped boom; and a square-top main that’s paired with a versatile two-headsail sail plan. That sail plan includes a self-tacking jib for upwind sailing or days when it’s blowing, and a screecher set on a sprit. There’s also a continuous-line furler for off-the-wind or light-air conditions.
Underway, that package provides plenty of horsepower, as my Boat of the Year judging colleagues and I would discover on Chesapeake Bay this past fall. It was a ride where we all vied for the dubious honor of top tiller hog.
In 10 to 12 knots with the small jib rolled out, we skipped along at close to 8 knots, according to the GPS. Things got really lively when we rolled up that sail and unfurled the big dog. Twelve knots and change was about top end for us in those relatively light conditions.
And boy, was the Rapido fun to sail! The boat has bench-style seats outboard to either side of the cockpit, so skippers can sit with the tiller extension in hand and legs stretched out, watching the world fly by. C foils in the amas are adjusted up or down depending on the point of sail; strategically placed electric Harken winches raise them, and gravity drops them down. Sheets and halyards can also be led to the winches, so, for a shorthanded crew, sailhandling—especially with the self-tending jib—is pretty simple.
A base model Rapido 40 runs just under $700,000, though the boat we sailed in Annapolis—with top-of-the-line North Sails, B&G electronics and a composting head—carried a price tag of $800,000 and change. Other options include a performance mast and electric propulsion. Lithium batteries are standard.
I’ve been on smaller tris, where the interior can feel cramped because of the relatively narrow beam of the center hull, but the 40 has more-than-adequate living space. An inline galley takes up the starboard side of the salon, with a dining table opposite. The raised cabin top and windows all around provide 360-degree visibility and 6-foot-6-inch headroom. Rear-facing ports are removable for ventilation and to provide better visibility forward from the cockpit. I liked the look of the carbon-fiber countertops and drawers, which felt light as a feather to open. And the composite work was clean as a whistle.
Beneath the cockpit, there’s a double berth that’s accessible through a cockpit hatch or from below. It would be a great place to stash the kids, and two single berths are an option. I’m told that in later models, the cockpit sole has been raised 3 inches, making the aft cabin that much roomier. The owner’s stateroom, with a double berth offset to port, is in a cabin forward of the salon, along with a head and shower.
Hulls and deck are foam-cored. The prepreg autoclave-cured components such as the bulkheads, boom, mast, C foils, structural beams and T-foil rudder are all made in-house. The main hull and amas (which fold in, reducing the beam from 28 feet, 10 inches to 19 feet, 3 inches) all have watertight bow crash compartments. The engine compartment, which houses a 30 hp Yanmar with a shaft drive, is also surrounded by watertight bulkheads, just in case.
Rapido US importer Bob Gleason—an experienced multihull guy and owner of The Multihull Source in Cape Cod, Massachusetts—had fit out the boat that we got aboard to keep the weight down. I still found it packed with all that I’d need for a comfortable getaway. Workmanship and equipment was top-notch, just as I’d expect on a boat built to go places.
Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.
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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.
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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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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