THE MAGIC NUMBER

CAN’T DECIDE BETWEEN A MONOHULL AND A CATAMARAN? THE SURPRISING TRUTH IS THAT A FAST CRUISING TRIMARAN COULD BE THE IDEAL SOLUTION

- RUPERT HOMES

Where we tested: La Rochelle, France

Wind: onshore, 12-16 knots with a slight to moderate sea

Model: Extra options: rigid bimini, bow thruster, spinnaker gear, watermaker

Until recently it would have been easy to assume the pioneering cruising trimarans of the 1960s and 1970s showed that cruising on three hulls has too many drawbacks to be viable for most, despite the extra space and speed they offered. However, the past decade has seen a resurgence of lightweight fast cruising designs, with spacious accommodation, led by La Rochelle-based yard Neel.

The latest model, a Marc Lombard-designed 43, is one of those rare boats that defies both expectation and easy classification.

It has the deck space and massive coachroof of the most spacious of cruising catamarans, yet is at least three tonnes lighter than most 42ft cats.

Another surprise is the low wetted surface area once the windward ama lifts out of the water. Each hull has a narrow waterline beam, so wetted surface area is a fraction of that of a catamaran of similar size. Combined with the light displacement this translates into a boat that’s surprisingly quick.

After hoisting the mainsail we cut the engine and bore away, unfurling the headsail with the wind on the beam. In only 14 knots of true wind we quickly accelerated to a consistent 10 knots of boat speed. Sheeting in and squeezing up to a true wind angle of 65° – and 40° apparent wind angle – only saw speed drop by one knot.