Well, I took the trimaran out for its first sea trial a couple of days ago. Launched at about 4:00 pm on an incoming tide in north winds initially ranging from maybe 8 to 13 knots. I had the jib sheets routed incorrectly through their cleats, but soon got that sorted out. Did some reaches, tacking and jibing, making sure I had adequate steerage and the ability to return to my launch spot. No problems there. Then sailed downwind for 5 or 10 minutes to the port marina for my town of Poulsbo, WA. The wind was stronger than I thought it would be. That with the low/mid 50s air temp and gray skies made me think I should head back and do a longer trial in nicer conditions. I sailed upwind back to my beach quickly. The boat points really well with its 5' long carbon daggerboard. Then I thought, what the heck, I'll sail downwind a couple of miles to my friends house and back. Did some running almost directly downwind, then some broad reaches. Reached my friends house, did some beam reaches, then headed back upwind home. Was out for maybe an hour and a half. Got pretty cold. My findings and impressions:
The amas could be a bit higher, but I think they're going to be fine the way they are. When I got to my most downwind point, the wind was gusting to maybe 16 or 17 knots at times. There were whitecaps. While heading upwind home I had the windward ama typically about a foot or a foot and a half out of the water. Easy to modulate the height off the water by shifting weight around on the giant tramps (they're 8x9' each). So in light wind, both amas will probably be in the water unless the crew intentionally puts weight on the leeward ama. Still very fast though. In heavier air, the windward ama flies naturally.
The boat tacks pretty well. On the latter part of the trial I was making every tack without going into irons or backwinding the main. Jibing is pretty exciting.
The boat has tremendous speed potential. I should have reefed the main given the gusts. I was sheeted out to shed wind most of the time so as to not scare myself. I didn't have an app or device to gauge my speed, but it seemed very fast. Probably over 15 knots at times. Acceleration is alarming. I almost went off the back of the boat one time after jibing and getting the main sheet set.
I sailed sitting down at first, but then stood up like I used to when it was a foil boat. That was the right thing to do. Much better control over weight shifting. One hand on the tiller and main sheet, the other hand on either the boom or the shrouds. Will probably put a piece of garden hose on the shrouds where it's convenient to hold on to to form a comfy handhold.
It's a pretty dry ride. On slower speed reaches and when sailing downwind, I didn't get wet at all, even when sitting down. Then when sailing fast and/or upwind, the spray wasn't bad at all. I'd say it's a comfortable boat. I like the giant tramps a lot.
The helm is pretty light. No extraordinary effort to keep going on a reach of any direction. With hands off the tiller, the boat tends to turn downwind. I may try to cant the mast back a bit to fix that.
Nothing broke! It didn't make any funny humming or whistling noises, even at higher speeds.
When viewing the boat at its mooring ball, I could see the the amas were pitched upward at their bows, too high of an angle of attack. I made the rear attachment points adjustable and have since raised the rear of the amas by about 4". Looks about right now (see pic below). Next time I haul it out of the water on its dolly, I'll cut off excess metal on the adjustable ama/aka attachment plates.
I ditched the struts supporting the rear aka and made water stays from 1x19 stainless cable instead. I didn't notice any weird flexing while I was standing back and towards the amas during the strong gusts.
It's super fun to sail. My being able to sail it solo in such strong gusts on its first run is really encouraging. I can't wait to sail it with a friend so we can sheet in properly and explore its speed potential. Pic of the mainsail below.
