Trimaran

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Polynesian (Hawaiian navigators) sailing trimaran, ca 1781

A trimaran is a multihull boat consisting of a main hull (vaka) and two smaller outrigger hulls (amas), attached to the main hull with lateral struts (akas). The design and names for the trimaran components are derived from the original proa constructed by native Pacific Islanders.

1 History
2 Construction
3 Safety
4 World Record
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

The first trimarans were built by indigenous Polynesians almost 4,000 years ago, and much of the current terminology is inherited from them. Multihull sailboats (catamarans and trimarans) gained favor during the 1960s and 1970s. Modern recreational trimarans are rooted in the same homebuilt tradition as other multihulls, though there are a number of production models now on the market, such as the folding, trailerable trimarans from Corsair Marine[1], Quorning Boats[2], Performance Cruising Inc.[3], and Ian Farrier[4], see also the new, 2005, fully Carbon autoclave build SeaCart 30 [5].

The Trimaran design is also becoming more widespread as a passenger ferry. In 2005 the 127 metre (417') trimaran "Benchijigua Express" data page was delivered by Austal [6] to Spanish ferry operator Fred.Olsen, S.A. for service in the Canary Islands. Capable of carrying 1280 passengers and 340 cars, or equivalents, at speeds up to 40 knots this boat was the longest aluminium ship in the world at the time of delivery. The trimaran concept has also been considered for modern warships. The RV Triton was commissioned by UK defence research company QinetiQ in 2000. In October 2005, the U.S. Navy commissioned for evaluation the construction of a General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) trimaran data page designed and built by Austal.

[edit] Construction

Trimarans have a number of advantages over comparable monohulls (conventional, single-hulled sailboats). Given two boats of the same length, the trimaran has a shallower draft, a wider beam, less hull area, and is able to fly more sail area. In addition, because of the wide beam, trimarans do not need the weighted keel required in monohulls. As a result, the trimaran offers much better straight-line performance than a monohull, is able to sail in shallower water, and maintains its stability in stronger winds. However, its wider beam makes it a little more cumbersome to maneuver, so tacking and jibing can be trickier, and the narrower hulls provide less living space than an equivalently-sized monohull.

As the righting moment (the force that resists the opposite torque of the wind on the sails) is produced by a float on either side called an ama and not a heavy protruding keel, trimarans are lighter and faster than a monohull of equivalent length. A lightweight retractable keel, referred to as a centerboard is often employed to resist lateral movement, making many models easily beachable. Most trimarans are nearly impossible to flip sideways given a reasonable degree of caution, however, trimarans can reach speeds so great in a storm that they can plow into a wave and flip end-over-end. This hazard is especially dangerous for a multihull because of their wide beam. The front of the boat, often covered by trampoline, acts as a giant paddle rather than a narrow monohull would. To avoid this unfortunate scenario trimaran sailors are advised to use trampolines with a large weave and employ parachute drogues and sea anchors whenever appropriate.

The father of the modern sailing Trimaran is Victor Tchetchet a Russian émigré was a strong proponent of multihull sailing. Mr. Tchetchet who was a fighter pilot during the First World War in the Czar’s Air Force, lived in Great Neck, New York from the 1940’s until his death. He built two Trimarans while living in the US, Eggnog 1 and 2. Both boats were made of marine plywood and were about 24 feet long. Mr. Tchetchet is credited with coining the name Trimaran. Aside from boat design Mr. Tchetchet earned his living as a landscape and portrait painter.

[edit] Safety

Overall, trimarans are considered safer than a monohull as the lack of a heavy keel, combined with the two (usually sealed) amas makes for a nearly unsinkable boat. However, a trimaran can still capsize and is hard to turn upright. Because of their stability and safety, trimarans such as the Challenger class have become popular with sailors who have restricted mobility.

Potential buyers of trimarans should look for one that is designed with amas with multiple sealed partitions, controls that all run to the cockpit, a collision bulkhead, partial or full cockpit coverings or windshields, and drain holes in the cockpit that can adequately drain the cockpit quickly, among other things.

[edit] World Record

The British sailor Ellen McArthur set a new world record for solo circumnavigation of the world in her trimaran B&Q/Castorama, arriving in February 2005 after just over 71 days at sea.