Fast Tri's

My post on the Dick Newark deigned performance trimaran Moxie got me thinking about the benefits of a trimaran for coastal cruising. Able to float in a few inches of water, one would open up lots of interesting anchorages. The ability to dry out, upright on a beach during those windless days, would be great for family harmony. Best of all is the speed, cruising at 10 to 18 knots means extended cruising possibilities for the weekend sailor.

I spotted these two examples out on the river the other day, outboard motors push these lightweight craft along without the need for a complicated inboard installation and can be taken home for winter maintenance. Most of these trimarans have the ability to "fold" so they can be trailed or to fit into an marina berth without paying excessive beam.

The accommodation might be a little limited, but for two adults and a small child, summer weekend camp cruising is more a matter of attitude than square feet.

The biggest problem with these high performance tri's is that they're relatively expensive, but where there's a will there's a way - Small Trimarans features a home built performance tri based on a Soling keel boat