Trimarans

What are trimarans?

Introduction

What are trimarans? A trimaran is a type of sailboat that has three hulls, with the main hull in the center and two smaller outrigger hulls on either side. The history of trimarans can be traced back to ancient Polynesia, where they were used for transportation and fishing. Today, trimarans are popular among sailors for their stability, speed, and comfort.

There are three main types of trimarans: cruising trimarans, racing trimarans, and multihull sailing trimarans. Cruising trimarans are designed for comfortable long-distance travel and typically have more living space than other types of trimarans. Racing trimarans are designed for speed and performance, and are often lighter and narrower than cruising trimarans. Multihull sailing trimarans are specially designed for sailing in shallow waters or near shorelines.

When choosing a trimaran, it is important to consider your needs, budget, and experience level. If you are new to sailing, you may want to choose a cruising trimaran that is easier to handle. If you have a more experience, you may want to choose a racing or multihull sailing trimaran that can provide more challenging sails. Whatever type of trimaran you choose, make sure it is the right size for you and your crew and that it fits within your budget.

What are trimarans

The history of trimarans

The first trimaran was designed by an American, George Herrick Weiss in 1931. His design was based on the native Hawaiian canoes, which were themselves based on the Polynesian double-hulled canoe. The word "trimaran" is a compound of the words "tri" and "maran", meaning "three hulls".

Trimarans became popular in the 1960s and 1970s as racing boats. The first major race was won by Francis Chichester in 1966, when he sailed his boat Gypsy Moth III around the world in 226 days. Trimarans are also popular cruising boats, as they offer more space and comfort than monohulls of similar length.

The advantages of trimarans

There are several advantages to trimarans over monohulls:

They are faster – Trimarans are typically 20-30% faster than equivalent monohulls, making them ideal for racing or long-distance cruising.

They are more stable – The wider beam (width) of a trimaran makes it much more stable than a monohull of similar length. This is especially important in heavy weather or when sailing with a large crew onboard.

They have shallower draft – Because trimarans have two hulls instead of one, they have a shallower draft (the depth of water needed to float the boat). This makes them ideal for sailing in shallow waters or anchoring close to shore.

The disadvantages of trimarans

While there are many advantages to owning a trimaran, there are also some disadvantages:

Cost – Trimarans are typically more expensive than monohulls of comparable size, due to their complexity and the fact that they require more materials to build.

Maintenance – Trimarans also require more maintenance than monohulls, as there are more moving parts (such as the amas and crossbeams) which can corrode or break down over time.

Space – While trimarans offer more space than monohulls, they still have less internal volume than most multihull designs (such as catamarans). This can be an issue if you plan on living aboard your boat or entertaining guests regularly.

Types of trimarans

Cruising trimarans

Cruising trimarans are designed for comfort and long-distance travel. They typically have large cabins, spacious decks, and plenty of storage space for supplies and equipment. Many cruising trimarans also have features like swimming pools, hot tubs, and outdoor kitchens to make life onboard more enjoyable.

Racing trimarans

Racing trimarans are designed for speed and performance. They often have lighter construction, narrower hulls, and smaller cabin spaces than cruising trimarans. Some racing trimarans are even designed to be foil-borne, meaning they can “fly” above the water surface at high speeds.

Multihull sailing trimarans

Multihull sailing trimarans are a type of racing trimaran that is specifically designed for sailboat racing. These boats typically have two or three hulls (rather than the traditional one hull), which helps them achieve higher speeds on the water.

How to choose the right trimaran

Consider your needs

Do you want to sail for long distances or stay close to shore? Do you need a comfortable cabin for live-aboard cruising or just a simple cuddy for weekend excursions? How many people do you need to accommodate onboard?

Consider your budget

How much are you willing to spend on your new boat? Trimarans can range in price from around $20,000 for a used model to over $1 million for a brand-new, custom-built racing trimaran.

Consider your experience

Are you an experienced sailor or a complete novice? If you're new to sailing, you may want to consider renting or chartering a trimaran before making the commitment to purchase one.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a fast, stable and comfortable sailing experience, a trimaran could be the perfect boat for you. With three hulls, trimarans are designed to provide excellent stability and speed, while also offering plenty of space and comfort onboard.

While they do have some disadvantages – such as being more expensive than monohulls and requiring more maintenance – the advantages of trimarans far outweigh any negatives. If you're considering a new boat, be sure to take a closer look at trimarans and see if they could be the right fit for you.