voilier trimaran tricat

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The idea of a folding, habitable trimaran is an attractive one: speed, fun to daysail, enjoyable semi-offshore cruising with minimum draft, shippable by container, and all these qualities in a compact format suitable for modern marinas. Until now, Dragonfly and Corsair have been the dominant players in this market, but the sector swarms with creative initiative (sadly not always winning commercial success!) Tricat, who have built 140 boats in 22’, 23.5’ and 25’ versions, are unveiled their Tricat 30. We took one for a test sail on a nice windy day in late fall.

The double bunk aft is wide and easily accessed by removing the companionway ladder. Note the folding bunk good for cargo stowage!

Once the purchase securing the forward trampoline is released, the operator opens the clutch securing the side trampoline and pulls on the line on the arm (here in the hands of Antoine Houdet), and the folding process is completed effortlessly. Note the

Practical info

Builder : Tricat

Finance your Tricat 30
Articles about the Tricat 30
Available in issue # 152

Boat Test price 5.00 € Inc. tax

Add several tests to your cart

and get an extra discount!

A more diverse production than you might think

Beyond the two most well-known brands, several builders have taken up the challenge: there was the formidable Seaon 96cr with break-taking performance, but whose production halted after just a dozen superbly-built examples; the Trimax, which never got beyond prototype stage; the Bandit 870, which is struggling to get over confidentiality and logistical problems linked to relocated production in Asia; the very sharp T29 by Pauger; or the Challenge 30 by Naval Force 3. All these likeable multihulls have qualities which are becoming rare: ease of use and great fun to use. But they have several difficult obstacles: price (small and technical production runs are costly to build); the absence of much brand awareness, or mistrust beyond a select few connoisseurs; and the premium placed on interior space, much more favorable on a monohull especially secondhand), all of which limits their distribution.