Inshore cruising by multihull

As we begin to witness the first glimmers of a timid global deconfinement, sailing far away is still complicated and events in the medium and long term are unpredictable. Joining up with your multihull, if it is moored in a country overseas, can become an uphill struggle. Sailing in confined onboard mode with almost no contact with land is not very enjoyable. And the same goes for one quarantine period after another. So, before you find the scent of ocean crossings again, why don’t you explore the archipelagos within driving range (or canal range) of your home? The perfect supports for this exercise are the transportable multihulls - mainly folding trimarans or those with telescopic arms - and the slightly larger units, which are nevertheless compact enough to squeeze through the inland waterways. On the US East Coast, the air draft restriction on the East Coast waterways is 65 feet - almost 20 meters, which leaves room for most multihulls up to 40/42 feet. But in Europe, the Canal du Midi for example, requires sailing without a mast with the air draft sometimes limited to 2.36 m (7’9”) for boats that are close to the maximum permitted beam of 5.35 m (17’6”). These last numbers are to remind you of the road gauge: 2.60 (8’6”) in the United States, 2.55 m (8’4”) in Europe. Our multihulls, which are perfect for coastal cruising, can therefore be divided into two categories: transportable vessels and compact cruisers - up to 35 feet in both categories. Take a look at our favorite models which are designed for coastal sailing before a nice trip to the Baltic Sea on board an Astus 24.

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Published 20/06/2020

By Emmanuel van Deth

Subscribers Only

Issue: 14

Published: aug. / sept. 2020

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16 to 26 footers - Trailable multihulls: we’re off camping on the water!

Here, we’ve selected here a few models that are easy to transport by road and/or foldable, even dismantlable, but that are still livable. Admittedly, the double berths are sometimes (very) narrow, the galley might be limited to a bucket and the head to a chemical toilet... In this category, the majority are trimarans, even though there are some small catamarans for selfbuild on offer from Australia, that are quite attractive...

DOUBLE SHUFFLE 5,6 - A good deal, on sale!

Team Scarab Multihulls, led by Australians Ray Kendrick and Fran Sneesby, are offering no less than 15 plans of small transportable multihulls for amateur construction. Among them, the complete plan file for the Double Shuffle 5.6 catamaran is offered for only AUS$ 100! The construction in epoxy plywood is accessible to amateur woodworkers. Light and limited in beam to 2.48 m (8’2”), the Double Shuffle is easily transportable on the road and easy to step the mast - air draft is limited to 5.7 m (18’8”). Inside, the architects have managed to accommodate a saloon convertible into a double berth.

Architects: Team Scarab Multihulls
Construction: Epoxy plywood
Length: 5.6 m (18’5”)
Beam: 2.48 m (8’2”)
Draft: 0.25/0.90 m (10”/35”)
Displacement: 570 kg (1,260 lbs)
Mainsail: 9 m² (97 sq ft) Jib: 5 m² (54 sq ft)
Air draft: 5.7 m (18’8”)
www.teamscarab.com.au

ASTUS 20.5 - Signed by VPLP!

This mini-racer is as fun to helm as it is practical and easy to set up. These qualities have already earned it a good reputation - 28 units built. Designed by VPLP (like the 16.5), the Astus 20.5 is particularly exciting in the Sport version, since it offers 24 m² (260 sq ft) of sail area upwind with a weight of only 400 kg (880 lbs). Something to have fun with, especially when you’ve got the gennaker out! Like the other models in the range, it adopts a system of telescopic link arms. The interior is compact, but still offers a mini saloon and a double berth. The highlights of the 20.5 for limited cruising: pivoting appendages and a large 16 m² (172 sq ft) sailing platform.

Test in MW171

Builder: Astus Boats
Length: 5.95 m (19’6”)
Beam: 2.48 / 4.50 m (8’2” / 14’9”)
Light weight: 390 kg (860 lbs)
Draft: 0.25 m / 1.25 m (10” / 4’1”)
Upwind sail area: 21 m² / 24 m² (226 / 258 sq ft)
Total sail area downwind: 34 m² / 42 m² (365 / 452 sq ft)
Gennaker: 20 m² / 26 m² (215 / 280 sq ft)
E category: C5/D7
Motor: 2 to 6 HP
Price: € 22,417 ex-tax (Leisure version) and € 25,642 ex-tax (Sport version)
www.astusboats.com

CORSAIR PULSE 600 - Radical and efficient

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 500 kilos (1,000 lbs) is above all, made for racing - a One Design class is being considered. Its three sharp and inverted bows give it a great look... a design as radical as it is efficient because on the water, ...

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