Small tri ( 17 ~ 23 f )

Yes Ray.
We have already been there.
IMHO a Piver Nugget is a better option as it can be configured with a Norm Cross LAR fin keel and will sleep four in a double formed by the fold down cabin settee and two full size singles in the ends.

I had one and cruised every summer weekend, and for two weeks every summer vacation --for four years, with my wife and two teenage sons.
I look back on that time--and that boat, with great affection.

My only criticism of it was the deep V floats caused it to rock violently in the wake of passing power boats.

 

I like the design of the sardine run best too, thats very cool. you could add a 100mm step in each side 200mm above the waterline to give it a lot more volume in the cabin.

 

Maybe more cabin than you're looking for but you might like to check out Graeme Delaveau's Explorer 21'
http://www.delaveaumultihulldesign.com/designs.php

Also the new Brown/Marples minimalist Seaclipper 24 folds, and has cabin and day-sailor options http://smalltrimarans.com/blog/?p=3387#more-3387

 

Hey Murban,

Have you decided what to build yet?

 

Murban,

No one seems to mention Dick Newicks Tremolino. It can be home built at 23 feet, can use a beach cats rig and hulls, or can use homebuilt outer hulls (Mark4 plans, the latest). This boat is a minimalist boat like the Sardine Run, but has a significant history from a well know designer. Visit tremolinotri.com. It doesn't fold. Folding will add a lot of weight and cost unless you do it like the CC23 Cyclone or Whites Discovery. Not as convienent as a Farrier System. Good luck.

Marc

 

" HOPIE 20 " Schooner rigged 20 ft Trimaran .

After a 12 year build my Trimaran is finally sailing . I call her " junkyard Blitz " as she is built of entirely second hand components . The Vaka is a 20 ft Australian " Lightweight " sharpie and the amas are stock Hobie 17 hulls complete with trapezing wings . She carries two 31ft masts ( H 17 ) up front and ( H18 ) at the rear with a H17 main and a H18 jib on the foremast and a H18 main and H18 staysail ( rear Jib ) on the aft mast . This gives me over 400 sq ft of windward sail area . As she is 20 ft wide between the outside of the wing frames and carries two on trapeze with the forward hand swinging from a wire coming from each mast ( to stop him swinging back into the skipper )who is swinging from a single wire from the aft mast . I have sailed her only three times so far and have found her good mannered with a slight ( healthy ) amount of weather helm and have the Vaka in full plane ( she is about 4ft on the waterline amidships ) and sails with the leeward ama around 60% immersed and this is adjustable with the helm . I will send in some pictures as they come to hand .

 

sardine run is handsome boat, but i wonder how comfortable a day on the tramp will be, and not a good base when muscle required, either.

i would budget for a hard seat on a simple transverse frame, but then it won't be pretty anymore.

 

LOL. As is should be called "Sardine Tin".

 

Barry - photos of the Sharpie/Hobie tri please!!! C'mon - grab ya camera mate!

 

Don't forget about the Kurt Hughes 23' trailerable tri. http://www.multihulldesigns.com/designs_stock/23tri.html
This one was on my short list. After looking and reading and thinking about his cylinder mold method it started to make a lot of sense as a fast way to build a really high performance hull. It's demountable rather than folding so in the end it wasn't for me, but it may be right up your alley. I decided to save some money and build a Marples Seaclipper 24- starting next week!

 

A few shots of my trimaran schooner " Junkyard Blitz " on her first outing !