Any Trimaran owners?

graham

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It surprises me how few Trimarans are about in British waters. i think a tri has a lot going for it ,speed shallow draught unsinkable roomy decks etc.

I found this picture of A "Hartley Lively 28" which appeals to me.Apparently one Lively 28 has circumnavigated Australia which answers any doubts to their seaworthiness.

live28e.jpg


Anyone with first hand knowledge that can talk me out of the idea(or into it).

i must add that I am only daydreaming at the moment.tommorows daydream could be something totally different. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 

boatmike

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Nothing wrong with tri's. They are less popular principally because most tri's dont have as much accomodation as a cat for cruising and they are even worse than a cat in a marina! Just like cats there are "cruising" types like the one you have found that tend to be less fast than the more sporty designs that can be fantastic performers.
I guess all multis used to be a bit of a specialist item but cats are becoming more popular. The Tri's are still probably in the specialist bracket for cruising but there is no such thing as a perfect boat so if it appeals, why not? Make sure you get to sail one before buying though. It's an acquired taste!
 

chippie

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I have had my 34' trimaran for about 8 years and like it a lot. Mine is less of a cruiser than the Hartley you pictured, if not overloaded they can sail quite fast. The large deck area is good for NZ's climate.
You can go for a walk and your coffee cup will be where you left it because they sail quite flat. The interior accommodations are tighter than a keelboat of similar length.

A good tri is a joy to sail once you get it into the groove. Because there is less boat in the water, one has to be aware of how much windage a high built cabin can present.

Older tris such as mine are often glass over ply, a good survey from a surveyor familiar with the materials, and tri specifics is important when making the final decision.
Be aware that in terms of surface area there is a lot to look after.

Good luck.
 

boatmike

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Hi chippie!
I am just cleaning and polishing my 37ft cat for the summer season. In terms of surface area there is a lot to look after indeed! It's the only time of year I envy monohulls. As a tri owner, you would be the right guy to say why a tri and not a cat? Assuming both were the same length and price of course......
 

alahol2

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Had a Telstar 26 hundreds of years ago and I still think it was the best boat I ever sailed for the fun of it, 15knots in the right conditions. Unfortunately it wasn't particularly well built and I got rid of it before it fell to bits. If you can afford the mooring/winter storage fees, you find one that suits you, I'd say go for it.
 

Telstar26

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Well I've still got my 30-year-old Telstar and it's still falling to bits!

Great off the wind but a pain beating in a short chop. But I can get some good day-sailing runs in the right conditions - Southampton to Exmouth for the weekend, Dartmouth to Studland in a day...
 

ShipsWoofy

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Only experience on a Telstar was crossing one to a rafted boat in Barmouth last year in a F9. The boats were somewhat sheltered against the wall and although sitting quite steady she was bouncing a little. I noticed that there is a massive no mans land with nothing to grab on to as you cross the sponson to the side rail.

Does this cause anxiety at sea?

It was just a person observation.
 

Telstar26

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As I'm usually singlehanded, I hook on to a wire jackstay on the main hull, and haven't ever slid across the leeward sponson. That wide area's dead useful for handling the cruising chute, reefing the main - and sunbathing!
 
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