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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Discovery 20 Trimaran
See Discovery 21 .
The Discovery 20 trimaran is a fast, fun daysailer with the potential to be a camper/cruiser for the adventurous. The D 20 design has been updated as an exciting and powerful new daysailer. It is available as a kit or a complete boat. This design is intended for enjoyable day sailing, although there is space below deck for camping gear. There is a 7' by 7' cockpit that is roomy for 4. You sit upright, with a backrest, not sprawled on a trampoline. My 75 year old mother-in-law found the boat very comfortable. The D-20 is quite fast; the all up weight of the boat is 527 pounds. She utilizes a daggerboard, a rotating aluminum mast and streamlined crossbeams. Construction is wood/epoxy/glass composite.
I really never appreciated how fast the Discovey is until about 10 years after she was designed when I raced mine in a Wednesday night yacht club series against a new Newick 24' trimaran (longer, wider, taller rig, new laminate sails). The other boat was sailed by a very experienced sailor and I was expecting to get my butt kicked. During the first upwind leg (in about 8 knots breeze) the Discovery 20 blew everything away, including a fleet of Etchells. I was so impressed I hove to at the weather mark and waited for the other tri to catch up so that I could get a better comparison on the down wind leg (he had a spinnaker I didn't). As expected, I lost some ground here but not really that much, and I was able to get it all back on the next upwind leg.
Design Archive
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BoatNews.com
Tricat 20, a habitable mini trimaran
Tricat announces a 20 feet folding trimaran for small cruising and coastal raid. A model delivered ready to sail very well equipped.
The Tricat range consists of 3 models ranging from 6m ( Tricat Acces 6) to 9.30m ( Tricat 30). So when the shipyard told us that the next model would also be 6m, we were intrigued! Why release a Tricat 20 while keeping the Acess 6 in the catalogue?
The Tricat Acess 6 has been deliberately simplified to offer an accessible trimaran (hence its name!) both in terms of use and price. Thus the Access 6 has no daggerboard (the floats have fins) and above all the floats fold against the central hull with two telescopic tubes. Simple and cheap, the counterpart of this system is to block the central hull with the tubes that cross it on both sides.
The new Tricat 20 no longer plays the low cost card but the performance card. It will be part of the range alongside the Tricat 25 Evolution and the Tricat 30. The design is identical to the Tricat 30's floats, with a lot of volume forward and a positive shearing on the deck to increase the bow height. These floats are equipped with 2 sabre daggerboards.
For the linking arms, the Tricat 20 uses the same arms as the 25 Evolution with this "crossover" shape so that they don't hit the sea. Of course, these arms fold backwards, a simpler and faster handling than with the telescopic arms.
Delivered from the tubes and with a larger deckhouse, the Tricat 20 offers a beautiful habitability. Thus the front triangle accommodates a bed for 2 adults while the benches can accommodate 2 children (berths of 1.30 m).
As on all Tricat boats, the fittings remain of high quality and the sails delivered in series are in Mylar ( mainsail and jib). There is no doubt that performance and pleasure at the helm will be the order of the day with this little trimaran .
The official presentation of this new model will take place at the Düsseldorf trade fair (in Germany in January 2018). The boat will be offered at 33,800 euros including tax. By way of comparison, the Acess 6, which remains in the catalogue, is available at 28,800 euros (incl. VAT).
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Trimaran 20 cruising twin-berth with bowsprit
Characteristics
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0.3 m, 1.2 m (0'11" , 3'11" )
3.5 ch (3.5 hp)
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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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10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)
Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.
So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.
Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.
All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.
There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.
In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.
So without further ado, let's roll on.
Table of contents
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The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.
With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.
This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.
Catalina 16.5
{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}
Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.
The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.
As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.
All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.
{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}
There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.
With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.
For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.
Montgomery 17
{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}
Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.
This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.
In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.
Norseboat 17.5
{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}
As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.
Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.
This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.
{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}
If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.
This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.
The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.
{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}
Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.
Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.
{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}
As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.
Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.
This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.
{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}
If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.
This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.
You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.
{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}
Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.
With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.
Bottom Line
There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.
Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!
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Daniel Wade
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Review of nine small, folding day-trimarans (2010)
by mike waters n.a.
As much as I like the basic concept of Jim's new boat, there are a couple of aspects that I need to mention. To put a light rig from a Hobie 16 on a boat that is FAR heavier and more stable than the boat for which it was originally designed, might prove too much for this mast, especially since the shrouds are more inboard than normal—so raising the mast compression. Normally, a Hobie would just 'go over' and so relieve the load—but not this beamy 800 lb twenty-footer! Also, the too-typical, puny 4-oz sail cloth of a regular Hobie 16 sail, is hardly man enough for this job. It's certainly a low cost start up solution and we've all admired Jim for his support to those with lesser means, but I think any builder should plan on something more substantial to be a better match for this cruiser. Finally, as the ama looks to be quite substantial in volume (guessing about 800 lbs buoyancy?), I have some concern for the strength of the single plank akas (cross beams) that act as swing arms for folding, should the builder decide to choose regular construction lumber. Sooner or later, someone will push this boat hard enough to bury an ama and that's a LOT of leverage on those arms, even if they are cleverly designed to act like huge flexible wooden leaf springs. But without seeing the details, I can only suggest that some good laminated material might be in order for these parts and perhaps Jim's plans already call for that or even some added carbon here as well. But I like the general concept and even though the boat will be no speedster, it's a design that can give a young couple on a small budget, a lot of weekend pleasure provided the conditions are within what the rig and swing arms can take.
- This particular Performance Index is simply a product of the principal things that affect multihull performance (LOA × BOA × Sail Area) all divided by the listed Weight. By taking the square root of this value, you then get a figure that very roughly reflects speed for comparison purposes. Yes, I agree there are a lot of factors NOT taken into account with this crude approximation, but the base figures used are easy to find and at least the general trend is indicated—and quite fairly so I believe.
TRIKALA 19 The Trikala 19 is from the board of imaginative designer Kurt Hughes. This boat was actually in production for a while in Spain but since then, a few have also been built by amateurs. A couple reportedly even cruised the Mediterranean in one! This is a boat design that always frustrated me—perhaps wrongly so.
For me as a designer, the looks of a boat are almost as important as its performance and the Trikala looks quite stunning from the bow, with its long fine entry and streamlined deck lines. But then, as it opens out to encompass a very wide cockpit aft, it always appeared to me that something distracted the designer or he just lost interest, as the view from the stern quarter is not so elegant. It's no doubt practical but it's a shame that its wonderful efficient appearance from the bow could not in some way be maintained at the stern. But with that very personal comment aside, this is an interesting boat with no doubt a good performance. It would be a particularly interesting boat to build for someone wanting to learn about composite construction with a larger boat in mind 'down the road', as the Trikala is lightly built of foam core under fibreglass skins and would therefore provide a good learning experience. The boat does not fold in a conventional way but like some other small designs by Kurt, uses a sliding system with tubular akas, the port ones, sliding into tubes with Teflon runners behind the starboard ones—so the two sides are not exactly symmetrical—a factor that some potential buyers find disturbing, though the difference is purely cosmetic. (The larger 7 m, L7 by Mike Leneman, also uses a similar sliding system – though in this case he uses fiberglass channels—see my REPORT on SMALL TRIMARANS for more on the L7, available through my website.)
W17 This design of mine was created during 2009 and completed in 2010. It's hard to review your own boat designs without being accused of inevitable bias, so I will simply tell you about it and point out the features I've incorporated and why. However, time has now shown [2020] it's as good as I had hoped and expected her to be.
This is a primarily a boat 'to just enjoy sailing in'. She's designed to be comfortable, way drier than average, fast and efficient and is just at home on a weekend camping cruise as on the circuit. With several boats now [2020] having each sailed and cruised over 1000 miles and with open sea passages of up to 60 miles safely accomplished, she is certainly proving very capable in experienced hands, employing intelligent sail reduction when things get rough. Her seemingly simple hull forms give a very high efficiency and she has proven quiet and dry through a chop and with her wing mast and unique ama shape, shows an unusual ability to climb to windward with minimal leeway. [Following an independent test and review by Wooden Boat Mag., I was asked to explain why the W17 performed so well with such simple shapes and my reply to this was published in the prestigious Professional Boatbuilding magazine #169 .. and is available to read on this website under 'Published Articles'].
Sailing this boat is indeed a magical experience and dozens of boats are now (2020 update) being built in over 30 countries. She's a little more time-consuming to build than others her size, but numerous owners have since dubbed her, 'The Miata of the Seas' . For them, a few more hours is well worth the effect and this boat will take you to a whole new level above any production boat of this size out there .... and also cost you less.
Comparison Chart (created in 2010)
Model >> | Fulmar 19 | Windrider 17 | WETA 4.4 | Seaclipper 20 | Discovery 20 | Trikala 19 | Strike 18 | Cross 18 | W17 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Designer | Blackline Prod | Jim Brown | Weta Marine | Jim Brown | Chris White | Kurt Hughes | Richard Woods | Norm Cross | Mike Waters |
Description | Cruise Tri | Day Tri | Sport Tri | Cruise Tri | Day Tri | Day Tri | Cruise Tri | Day Tri | Day Tri |
Length | 5.8m / 19' | 5.3m / 17' | 4.4m / 14.4' | 6.1m / 20' | 6.1m / 20' | 5.8m / 19' | 5.5m / 18' | 5.49m / 18' | 5.2m / 17' |
Beam OA | 3.35m / 11' | 3.4m / 11' | 3.5m / 11.5' | 4.72m / 15.5' | 4.65m /15.25' | 4.12m / 13.3' | 4.3m / 14.1' | 3.57m / 11.6' | 4.2m / 13.8' |
Folded | 1.83m / 6' | 2.4m / 8' | 1.7m / 5.6' | 2.6m / 8.5' | 2.6m / 8.5' | 2.44 / 8' | 2.4m / 8' | 1.98m / 6.5' | 2.2m / 7.2' |
Float volume | Low | Medium | Low | Med-high | Med-low | High | Medium | Medium | Med-high |
Weight listed | 118kg / 260# | 145kg / 320# | 100kg / 220# | 363kg / 800# | 238kg / 525# | 245kg / 540# | 272kg / 600# | 181kg / 400# | 190kg / 420# |
Sail Area m² / ft² | 7.43 / 80 | 13 / 139 | 11.5 / 124 | 20.4 / 220 | 21.8 / 235 | 19.25 / 208 | 19.2 / 204 | 16 / 175 | 18.6 / 200R |
Sail source | Custom | Custom | Gaastra | Hobie 16 | Custom | Beach cat | Beach cat | Custom | Custom |
Construction Matl | Vinylester | Polyethylene | Glass/foam | Ply-epoxy | Veneer-epoxy | Composite | Ply-epoxy | Ply-epoxy | Ply-epoxy |
Cross beams - akas | Vinylester | Alloy tubes | CF tubes | Wood | Wood | Alloy tubes | Alloy tubes | Box beams | Box beams |
Estimated Matl. Cost | ~$8000 | ~$9500 | ~$13000 | ~$4000 | ~$5000 | ~$6000 | ~$4000 | ~$3500 | ~$4000 |
Accessories | Vinylester | Al-alloy | Carbon | Hobie 16 | x | x | Cuddy | Wood | Wing mast |
Features | s | F&A sitting | CF Mast | Swing arms | Beam fairing | Telescopic | Hinged | Hinged | Hinged+fairing |
Plan Cost | N/A | N/A | N/A | $250 | $295 | $500 | ~$230 | $20 per sheet | $195-> 230 |
Appearance | Kayak style | Day cat style | Day cat style | Large cockpit | Large cockpit | Large cockpit | Large cockpit | Large cockpit | Large cockpit |
Year of availability | ~1995 | ~2002 | 2007 | 2010 | 1986 | ~1995 | 2009 | ~1980 | 2010 |
Comfort | good for 1 | good for 2 | sport sailing | very good | excellent | very good | very good | good | excellent |
Space | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
P.I. = L*B*SA / Wt | 64.3 | 81.2 | 93.3 | 85.2 | 136.5 | 97.3 | 86.3 | 91.3 | 112 |
Sq.Root of Perf.Index | 8.01 | 9.01 | 9.66 | 9.23 | 11.7 | 9.86 | 9.29 | 9.55 | 10.6 |
Rough speed | comparison | ||||||||
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20 to 30 feet
Up until 2010, this was a category still dominated by catamarans. Today, most builders loyal to twin hulls have deserted the under 30-foot niche. It is therefore trimarans that are now more popular. Most of the models on offer are equipped with a folding or telescopic float system. These units can fit into a standard marina slip, and can even be transported by road. And these features make them ideal for coastal sailing and for discovering waters far from your home port.
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Published 27/11/2020
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Published: jan. / feb. 2021
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ASTUS 20.5 - A ONE-DESIGN CLASS STARTING NEXT YEAR! TEST MW171
This model, first presented to the public in 2018, is as fun to helm as it is practical and easy to set up. The Astus is a pocket trimaran designed by VPLP that has seen remarkable success, with 44 examples already built in less than three years. The most active owners have got together and are working, in association with the Astus Boats shipyard, to establish a one-design class. The immediate objective is to participate in the next Spi Ouest France regatta in France. The 20.5 is particularly exciting in the Sport version, as it offers 260 sq ft (24 m²) upwind for a weight of less than half a ton. Enough to have fun and sensation, especially when the gennaker is out! Like the other models in the range, it adopts a telescopic link system for the arms. The interior layout is compact, but still offers a mini saloon and a double berth. The strong points of the 20.5 for coastal cruising: pivoting appendages and a large 172 sq ft (16 m²) sailing platform.
Builder: Astus Boats Architect: VPLP Length: 19’6” (5.95 m) Beam: 8’2”/14’9” (2.48/4.50 m) Light displacement: 1,036 or 1,080 lbs (470 or 490 kg) Draft: 10”/4’1” (0.25/1.25 m) Upwind sail area: 226 or 260 sq ft (21 or 24 m²) Sail area downwind: 366 or 452 sq ft (34 or 42 m²) Gennaker: 215 or 280 sq ft (20 or 26 m²) CE category: C5/D7 Engine: 2 to 6 HP Price: € 23,166 ex-tax (Leisure)
www.astusboats.com
CORSAIR PULSE 600 - RADICAL AND EFFICIENT TEST in MW148
The Pulse 600 is the smallest of the Corsair trimarans, but is no less attractive! As the name suggests, this little rocket weighing less than 1,000 lbs (500 kilos) is above all, made for racing, and some small fleets have begun appearing, notably in Australia. Its three sharp and inverted bows give it a great look... a design as radical as it is efficient because on the water, you’re immediately won over by the potential of this machine. The cockpit is large enough to accommodate three people – and you can quickly hike out onto the floats to give the Pulse even more power. The removable coachroof houses a large watertight locker. No fitting-out or berths: it’s simply a shelter that can be used at anchor. The Pulse 600 is of course transportable and foldable
Builder: Corsair Marine Architect: François Perus Length: 19’6” (5.95 m) Beam: 8’/14’9” (2.45/4.50 m) Weight: 992 lbs (450 kg) Draft: 9”/4’ (0.22/1.20 m) Mainsail: 205 sq ft (19.1 m²) Jib: 76 sq ft (7.1 m²) Spinnaker: 345 sq ft (32 m²) Price: € 29,999/US$ 35,900 ex-tax
www.corsairmarine.com
TRICAT 20 - FOR RALLIES AND PERFORMANCE TEST in MW163
Introduced in 2018, the Tricat 20 is the smallest model in the range. Though designed primarily for day-sailing, it also excels on coastal trips, where its compact size, maneuverability and performance are outstanding. The Tricat 20, with over 40 units already built, naturally reflects the success of its predecessors, ...
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Non-foiling trimarans under 20'
Discussion in ' Multihulls ' started by Tom Makes Things , Sep 25, 2019 .
Tom Makes Things Junior Member
I've been doing research on the options for building a small trimaran under 20' that can carry 2 people (more or less). I'd like to summarize what I've learned and see if it fits with the general consensus. I'm no expert, and I welcome all advice from those with more experience than I. Seems like we can break up this category of sailboat into 3 main branches: 1) Triple Hotdogs: Long skinny shaped central hulls with long amas, sometimes with auxiliary propulsion like Hobie Mirage drive, pedal/prop drive, oars or paddles. Benefits to this design are lighter weight, easier paddling, better in light winds, lower cost to build/own. Drawbacks are limited weight capacity, lower top speed, wet ride. Boats in this category include: Hobie Tandem Island Metz TriRaid 560 Metz Boats - Triraid 560s Trimaran http://www.metzboats.de/htm/designs/multihulls/triraid560s/triraid560s.htm Frank Smoote's Slingshot 19 New Page 1 http://www.diy-tris.com/2012/11-19-footer.htm 2) Skiff with Training Wheels: Wider planing central hulls with low volume amas mounted higher that act more like training wheels for a sporty skiff or dinghy. Benefits are more weight carry capacity, faster top speed when planing, more exciting to sail. Drawbacks are- heavier than above, still a wet ride, lesser performance in light winds, slow below planing speed, and difficult to paddle/peddle. Are they better at pointing due to being sailed like a monohull? Boats/Projects in this category include: Weta: Weta Trimaran - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weta_Trimaran Sea Rail 19: http://www.searail19.com Astus 6.5: Astus 16.5 http://www.astusboats.com/astus-16-5-copie.html ISO Skiffmaran: ISO Skiffmaran https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/iso-skiffmaran.56971/ I14 Training Wheels: I14 training wheels http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/208203-i14-training-wheels/ 3) The original: Wider planing central hulls with larger volume amas that provide greater righting moment. These boats might have higher freeboard, small cuddies or cabins. Benefits include more carrying capacity, dryer ride, higher top speeds? Drawbacks are heavy weight, high cost to build, difficult to paddle/peddle, slower in light winds than #1 due to weight. Richard Woods Strike 15 Sailing Catamarans - Strike 15 trimaran performance daysailer http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/27-trimarans-under-25/223-strike-15-trimaran W-17 W17 Trimaran | Main Page https://smalltridesign.com/W17/greybox/W17-Trimaran.html Can anyone add to my list and or correct my assumptions? Thanks very much. -Tom
Richard Woods Woods Designs
I'd class my Strike 15 in the narrow hull category. And I'd suggest the Strike 20 as more suitable for you Richard Woods of Woods Designs www.sailingcatamarans.com
upchurchmr Senior Member
The wide central hull doesn't affect stability much, the fact that the ama or outrigger is so far off to the side is most of the influence. A wide central hull is mostly for accommodations.
Dolfiman Senior Member
For the comparaison, I would also use the ratio Ama volume (liter) / [ light weight equiped + average targeted payload (e.g. 2 persons ~ 150 kg)] (kg) . Examples : ** For the Triraid 560 : Light weight equiped = 110 kg Ama volume = 180 liter >>> 180 / (110 + 150) = 0,69 ** For the Astus 16,5 : Light weight equiped = 210 kg Ama volume = 500 liter >>> 500 / (210 + 150) = 1,39 Triraid 560 will be little powerful, cannot sail with the a full flying central hull, but its capsize mode will be around the central hull (ratio < 1) , more easy to prevent. A boat oriented to raid sailings without high speed objective. And lighter to trail, to launch. Astus 16,5 will be more powerful, up to sail on the leeward ama alone. But its capsize mode around the ama (ratio > 1) can be more brutal , and finished upside down (critical if the waterdepth is lower than the mast height). Twice heavy than the Triraid (210 / 110), but the Astus 16,5 can be sailed quietly, reversely the Triraid cannot be hard sail because the limited volume of its ama. The Astus 16,5 is more relevant in your cat. 3 although the central hull is not specially wider planning, she is more like a baby oceanic trimaran racer. In your cat. 2 skiff with training wheels, when the amas are high enough for a sail on the central hull only, the ratio can be < 1 as the power (the RM) comes from the crew in hiking posture and the amas are for extra stability when necessary (more often during tacks , gybes, than for gust of wind).
Another example of skiff wider planing with training wheels, the Epoh, but for me can hardly be named a trimaran :
Doug Lord Flight Ready
Just out of curiosity : why non-foiling?
My list has grown since the original post, as has my understanding of some of the hull designs. I'd like to at least have a passenger with me, so I've removed boats that are too small for my needs, though you can argue that some of these are still too small to offer good performance with 2 onboard. My newly silly renamed categories: "Triple Pickles": Canoe/Kayak with floats- these are mostly lighter weight, carry less payload, and sometimes can be paddled, peddled, or rowed for auxiliary power. Generally it's sailed while sitting in the boat facing forward, which in some cases allows for a spray skirt or dodger to keep the spray down. Some love the "armchair sailing" experience, while other folks find the limited seating options uncomfortable. You can't really hike out, at least not if you are steering, as most steer with foot pedals. Commercial offerings include: Hobie Tandem Island, Windrider 17 Buildable plans include: TriRaid560s (though it doesn't really support 2 people very well), TriRaid 620 (prototype), Slingshot 16 Tandem, Slingshot 19 "Jack LaLanes": Narrow at the waterline, but usually with a larger cockpit- these are generally heavier than the pickles, allow for more seating positions, and rarely have a human power option. Some have small cabins. All are designed so you sit "on" rather than sit "in" them. Commercial offerings: Pulse 600, Robinson 5000, Ninja Spider, Astus 16.5 Buildable plans include: Strike 15, Strike 16, Strike 18, W17, Trikala 19, Scarab 16, Scarab 18, Sardine Run, TC601 "Kardashians": Wide planing central hull, similar to a sportboat with training wheels. Commercial offerings: Weta? Epoh?
kleppar Junior Member
Thanks for useful categorization, although as a Norwegian, I have no idea what these names indicate.....I used to own an Adventure Island (category 1); it was extremely wet, but great fun; forward facing was OK when combining paddling and sailing, but uncomfortable for sailing. I sold it after a few years.... Category 3 boats - most of them seem to be sporty and wet, offering very little comfort for the cruising sailor. Category 2 seems to me to be the best compromise when you want to combine performance, cruising, reasonable payload and comfort. Here is one more candidate: Kanka 14 , by the designers of Pulse 600. As I belong to category 2 ("Jack LaLanes"), I seem to have three worthy candidates: W17, Astus 16.5 and Kanka 14.
More info about Kanka 14, proto under construction by Nicolas Arnoult, but not yet photo available (?) : PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines. https://www.pressreader.com/france/voile-magazine/20190809/282037623779301
I received some building photos from the designer (I need his permission in case of publishing). This is the ply epoxy prototype. I have been told price around € 15,000.
patzefran patzefran
kleppar said: ↑ I received some building photos from the designer (I need his permission in case of publishing). This is the ply epoxy prototype. I have been told price around € 15,000. Click to expand...
I do not think the design brief for Kanka was racing - it is mainly for pleasure.
Kleppar, What boat are you talking about?
In my last message I was talking about Kanka 14. As you can see, I am interested in a proper trimaran ("category 2"), and I have so far identified three good candidates - Kanka 14, W17 and Astus 16.5.
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The picture of the Kanka is pretty. I hope the ama bows are not so fine, they are needed thicker to prevent nose diving while reaching. And I hope you will have trampolines outboard of the seating. Heavy is not so good. I assume you have to dis-assemble the boat to transport it?
Ultra lightweight deck+Nonskid DIY style...
drag vs global strength - cat vs tri (non ILAN) or even quad
Dual Route du Rhum winner Laurent Bourgnon lost in diving accident
Yvan bougnon's circumnavigation in a beach cat project.
Scale up a Tornado for Round the World Non Stop
Home built foiling tri
Early UK foiling cats and tris, Mayfly and Force8
Foiling Cat Project
Has anyone seen this foiling cat before.
Foiling modification to a Corsair F28 - anyone tried it ?
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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.
The Discovery 20 trimaran is a fast, fun daysailer with the potential to be a camper/cruiser for the adventurous. The D 20 design has been updated as an exciting and powerful new daysailer. It is available as a kit or a complete boat. This design is intended for enjoyable day sailing, although there is space below deck for camping gear.
Tricat 20, a habitable mini trimaran. Tricat announces a 20 feet folding trimaran for small cruising and coastal raid. A model delivered ready to sail very well equipped. The Tricat range consists of 3 models ranging from 6m (Tricat Acces 6) to 9.30m (Tricat 30). So when the shipyard told us that the next model would also be 6m, we were intrigued!
Meet the Corsair Sprint 750 Mark II trimaran, a slippery 24-footer that weighs just 1,800 pounds and folds so it can be trailered (or stored) anywhere. ... Best-Selling Bowrider Over 20 Feet. Orlando Boat Show: August 18-20, 2023. Best Boat Brands. The Marguerite SuperYacht: 200 Feet of Dreams by Lürssen. Advertisement. Advertisement. boats.com.
All the TRICAT know-how will be gathered in this 20-foot trimaran to ensure a sensitive helm and marine qualities worthy of a TRICAT.Its voluminous floaters will provide fast and safety sailing.Its size, allow it to be easy to handle, easily trailerable and financially accessible.The cruising version will be equipped with many comfort ...
Back in 2010, sailor/naval architect Mike Waters published a 22-page report covering 20 small trimarans. It includes charts, graphs, photos, and critical objective reporting on many of them.
With the recent spike in trimaran popularity, these days there is a perfect tri for every sailor. ... Models: Astus 16.5, 18.2, 20.2, 22, 24. ... 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 ...
Catalina 16.5. jlodrummer. Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker.
Draft: 9"/4' (0.22/1.20 m) Mainsail: 205 sq ft (19.10 m²) ... Test MW163. This is the smallest model in the range: first presented three years ago, this trimaran was designed primarily for day-sailing, it also excels on coastal trips, where its compact size, maneuverability and performance are outstanding. The Tricat 20, with over 50 units ...
SEACLIPPER 20 Well, Jim Brown (in partnership with John Marples) has been at it again and he's come up with something that could certainly interest those ready to go weekending in a small but tough and stable trimaran—a boat with enough heft to glance off a few underwater obstacles without much damage, as well as taming down the nervous excitement that a small light boat like the WETA offers ...
WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that's easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak.
Gennaker: 215 or 280 sq ft (20 or 26 m²) ... TRIMARAN FARRIER F9AX Location : VANNES, France Year : 1998 89 000, 00 Inc. tax€ Privilege 515 (2010 - refit 2021) v. 3 cabins Location : Canet en Roussillon, France Year : 2010 900 000, 00 Ex. tax€ Power catamaran Fountaine Pajot Greenland 34 - fully self-sufficient
Second sea trial of Tough Jim, a 20 foot trimaran made from a Supercat 20 hull and 2 Nacra 5.2 hulls.Since making this video I converted the jib to be furlin...
Twice heavy than the Triraid (210 / 110), but the Astus 16,5 can be sailed quietly, reversely the Triraid cannot be hard sail because the limited volume of its ama. The Astus 16,5 is more relevant in your cat. 3 although the central hull is not specially wider planning, she is more like a baby oceanic trimaran racer.
trimaran preowned sailboats for sale by owner. trimaran used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. ... 28.58' Ericson 29 foot sloop Madison County FL, Florida Asking $2,000. 25.5' Hunter 25.5 Oak Point, Texas ... 20' Ranger 20 designed by Ray Richards Polson Flathead Lake, Montana Asking $4,000.
Trimaran. Ideal for overnight cruising and day sailing these Trimaran boats vary in length from 17ft to 78ft and can carry 4 to 15 passengers. There are a wide range of Trimaran boats for sale from popular brands like Corsair, Neel and Dragonfly with 56 new and 121 used and an average price of $223,631 with boats ranging from as little as $10,650 and $1,798,691.
The small size makes it more suitable for daysailing in good weather rather than multiday cruising, although more experienced sailors will of course push the limits of this boat. 6. WindRider 17. The 17.4-foot (5.3-meter) WindRider 17 is one of the more versatile trimarans in the market.
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.
USA-17—a 90-foot-long (27 m) trimaran, type BOR90. A traditional paraw double-outrigger sailboat from the Philippines. A trimaran (or double-outrigger) is a multihull boat that comprises a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls (or "floats") which are attached to the main hull with lateral beams. Most modern trimarans are sailing yachts designed for recreation or racing; others are ...
These sailboats have a minimum total sail area of 645 square feet, a maximum total sail area of 2,077 square feet and an average of 1,361 square feet. Boat Trader currently has 10 trimaran sailboats for sale, including 0 new vessels and 10 used and custom yachts listed by both individual owners and professional boat dealers mainly in United States.
Walter Cooper. 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.