I am a long time powerboater who wants to get into sailing. I like the looks and features of the Corsair 31' cruising trimaran. I know these boats are not made for "blue water" cruising, but are there any down sides to this type of boat used for day sailing and coastal cruising? I have learned a great deal from this forum and look forward to gaining even more knowledge. George
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Mark
Trimaran
I have never sailed a trimaran but I cut my sailing teeth on a custom made 16' catamaran. Since you are a powerboater, it seems to make perfect sense for you to own a multihull boat. Multihulls are incredibly fast for sailboats. I know people who swear by their multihulls (too expensive for me at this time). I have also noticed that alot of powerboats are going catamaran. Gives them great stability, no bobbing back and forth and excellent speed. One of the downsides to multis is that sailors fear they are not self-righting (no ballast). I have heard recently, (I'm out of touch with multis) that they now have excellent self-righting systems. I think you would enjoy this venture! Best of luck, Former multi
I have never sailed a trimaran but I cut my sailing teeth on a custom made 16' catamaran. Since you are a powerboater, it seems to make perfect sense for you to own a multihull boat. Multihulls are incredibly fast for sailboats. I know people who swear by their multihulls (too expensive for me at this time). I have also noticed that alot of powerboats are going catamaran. Gives them great stability, no bobbing back and forth and excellent speed. One of the downsides to multis is that sailors fear they are not self-righting (no ballast). I have heard recently, (I'm out of touch with multis) that they now have excellent self-righting systems. I think you would enjoy this venture! Best of luck, Former multi
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MArk
Tri-boat
Tris always remind me of a bike with training wheels. You can't beat a multihull for crusing barrier islands in the tropics. Mark is right about them not being self-righting. Having no ballast is the main reason they are so fast, though. The main advantage of not having balast is that if it does flip, unlike a ballasted boat, it will stay on the surface (with your supplies). Besides, it's a lot easier for the CG to spot an overturned boat than a lone drifting crew member. The tri is a good compromise between a mono and a cat. As a cruiser (as opposed to a stripped down racer), it's not as stable or as fast as a cat. The big advantage is slip width (even possible trailering). But then again, if you can afford a Corsair, you should have no problem shelling out a grand-or-two-a-month for a slip, right? And speaking of price, did you know you could buy each member of a family of 4 their very own well equipped MacGregor 26M for the same price as the Cosair? If you're looking for a tri with even more speed under power (and trailerable), check out the Telstar 28: http://www.performancecruising.com/Default.htm I'll keep looking for my perfect proa. http://www.schachtdesign.com/proafile/primer.html Happy sail *_/), MArk
Tris always remind me of a bike with training wheels. You can't beat a multihull for crusing barrier islands in the tropics. Mark is right about them not being self-righting. Having no ballast is the main reason they are so fast, though. The main advantage of not having balast is that if it does flip, unlike a ballasted boat, it will stay on the surface (with your supplies). Besides, it's a lot easier for the CG to spot an overturned boat than a lone drifting crew member. The tri is a good compromise between a mono and a cat. As a cruiser (as opposed to a stripped down racer), it's not as stable or as fast as a cat. The big advantage is slip width (even possible trailering). But then again, if you can afford a Corsair, you should have no problem shelling out a grand-or-two-a-month for a slip, right? And speaking of price, did you know you could buy each member of a family of 4 their very own well equipped MacGregor 26M for the same price as the Cosair? If you're looking for a tri with even more speed under power (and trailerable), check out the Telstar 28: http://www.performancecruising.com/Default.htm I'll keep looking for my perfect proa. http://www.schachtdesign.com/proafile/primer.html Happy sail *_/), MArk
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Daryl
Tri's
The up side is performance and shallow draft. The down side is finding a wide slip, price, and small accomodations. They don't like to be loaded down with crew and gear
The up side is performance and shallow draft. The down side is finding a wide slip, price, and small accomodations. They don't like to be loaded down with crew and gear
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Don Flowers
Not so gentlemen!!!!
If I remember correctly, the Corsair is foldable, and I have seen them in a regular slip, of course in the folded position. With that said, if he chooses to keep the boat in a sailing position he will as stated need to get a slip wide enough for a tri. fair winds Don Rockport Tx.
If I remember correctly, the Corsair is foldable, and I have seen them in a regular slip, of course in the folded position. With that said, if he chooses to keep the boat in a sailing position he will as stated need to get a slip wide enough for a tri. fair winds Don Rockport Tx.
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George Smith
Thanks Guys.....
I'm happy I didn't uncover a list of negative things I didn't know about. The points that drew me to these boats in the first place are the fact they may be trailered (no slip fees), they heel only 15 degrees (keeps the crew happy), they have ample storage (in the amas), good speed for a sailboat, easy to maintain (no teak), can be beached (no dingy needed), powered by 9.9 HP outboard (no deisel to maintain), unsinkable. It would be even better if they were less costly, but "you pays your money and you makes your choice" George.
I'm happy I didn't uncover a list of negative things I didn't know about. The points that drew me to these boats in the first place are the fact they may be trailered (no slip fees), they heel only 15 degrees (keeps the crew happy), they have ample storage (in the amas), good speed for a sailboat, easy to maintain (no teak), can be beached (no dingy needed), powered by 9.9 HP outboard (no deisel to maintain), unsinkable. It would be even better if they were less costly, but "you pays your money and you makes your choice" George.
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Ben
Corsair 28
I had the chance to take a demo sail on one of these last fall, and I was impressed. I had never been on a multi-hull before, and didn't really know what to expect. It was much more stable than I expected; I never felt that we were in danger of capsizing. And this was while we were making use of some strong wind from an approaching storm. Sailing just outside Annapolis, the crew pushed it close to 20 knots, which was simply mind-blowing for someone who'd only sailed on monos before. The cabin also seemed very livable for daysailing/weekending, though not as big as it would be on a 28 foot monohull. They are very expensive, but I guess if you can afford it and you like the boat, why not?
I had the chance to take a demo sail on one of these last fall, and I was impressed. I had never been on a multi-hull before, and didn't really know what to expect. It was much more stable than I expected; I never felt that we were in danger of capsizing. And this was while we were making use of some strong wind from an approaching storm. Sailing just outside Annapolis, the crew pushed it close to 20 knots, which was simply mind-blowing for someone who'd only sailed on monos before. The cabin also seemed very livable for daysailing/weekending, though not as big as it would be on a 28 foot monohull. They are very expensive, but I guess if you can afford it and you like the boat, why not?
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