trimaran 22.5

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Astus 22.5 review: sporty little trimaran for the weekend?

• David Harding
• February 3, 2023

Adventurous sailors tend to be drawn to small multihulls but the new Astus 22.5 would suit the weekend and family user too

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Small multihulls like the Astus 22.5 can be remarkable boats in which you can do remarkable things. Like Richard and Lilian Woods: each sailing one of their own Woods-designed Strider 24 catamarans single-handed from Plymouth to Russia in a series of day-hops in 1989 – not long after glasnost and perestroika. Joined by Stuart Fisher in a third Strider, they regularly sailed up to 80 miles in a day and once covered the 70 miles between ports in seven hours.

Or Rory McDougall, who built a Wharram Tiki 21 and sailed it around the world singlehanded . A few years later, he finished a close second in the Jester Challenge before clocking up to 185 miles a day on the return Atlantic crossing .

Then there’s the Norwegian team that circumnavigated the globe in the Arctic Circle, taking in the north-east and north-west passages in one season. They chose a Corsair 31 because it had the necessary speed and could also be hauled up on to the ice if it threatened to crush them.

That’s going up the size range a little, but smaller and closer to home is another trimaran from the same stable, the Corsair Dash 750, that completed every race in a major UK regatta faster than a state-of-the-art 42ft racing monohull sailed by a professional crew. Then, while the 42-footer was still bashing her way back around the coast to her home port after the event, the Dash had been trailed home and parked in the owner’s drive.

Whether it has two hulls or three, whether it’s racing or cruising and whether it’s sailed locally or across oceans, there’s no doubt that small multihulls allow you to do remarkable things. It helps if you’re a remarkable person, of course. I have met and sailed with many of the people in these examples and none of them is your average weekend sailor – not that many weekend sailors aren’t also remarkable people, either as sailors or in different ways. They have simply chosen not to do what sensible people might regard as crazy things with their boats.

Steady as she goes: under gennaker we frequently exceeded 13 knots Photo: David Harding

So is it crazy to drive over to France, collect a 23ft trimaran fresh from the factory and spend two weeks cruising around the Golfe du Morbihan and southern Brittany before trailing it home? Hein Kuiper didn’t think so, and I agree. After all, Hein is the UK’s dealer for Astus Boats, and it was a brand new Astus 22.5 that he was collecting last summer to bring home as his demonstrator.

Time on the water

Some dealers spend little time sailing the boats they sell, but Hein takes a different view. If you do yourself what prospective buyers are likely to do with them, you’re in a much better position both to sell to them and to help them once they’ve bought.

So it was that Hein and his wife, Hilary, spent two weeks living aboard a sporty, slim-hulled trimaran in Brittany, sailing by day and spending the nights aboard too, usually on a mooring or at anchor. Given that trimaran of this nature will have less room below decks than a typical monohull of similar length, that takes some discipline and you need to accept that it’s camper-cruising.

Helming from the trampoline gives a good view forward, with space for three or four people in the cockpit. Photo: David Harding

The main hull of the Astus 22.5 is nearly 23ft (6.95m) long: unusually for a French boat, the designation understates the length. In sailing mode with the bowsprit rigged (so you can fly the gennaker), the total length is 8.3m. The sailing beam is 4.90m (16ft), but it takes only a few minutes, whether you’re ashore or afloat, to reduce the beam to 2.49m (8ft 2in) for trailing or to fit into a marina berth.

In many berths, such as the one in Mercury where I joined Hein for our test sail, you only need to slide in one float. There’s also a ‘marina position’ for the floats, giving a beam of 3m (9ft 10in) for greater stability than afforded by the trailing position.

On meeting the Astus 22.5 in the flesh I saw that, while looking as though she should still zip along nicely, she was distinctly chunkier than her little sister, the Astus 20.5 , that I tested in 2021. The knuckle low down in the main hull looks more pronounced, leading to relatively greater volume above the waterline, and the coachroof is significantly higher too.

Set on an endless furling system, the jib has an integral halyard and is zipped around the forestay to simplify rigging. Photo: David Harding

When you look down below, it’s clear that the difference in internal space is greater than would be accounted for simply by the greater length, significant though that would be in itself.

With the 20.5, fitting in anything more than overnighting accommodation would have entailed unacceptable compromises in performance, so that wasn’t attempted. Given an extra couple of feet or so, the designers (VPLP) had the opportunity to turn the Astus 22.5 into a genuine weekender – or even a two-weeker – so they pushed out the volume while still keeping the boat sporty.

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When I got to Mercury I was anxious to get out and sailing sooner rather than later. Dark clouds were gathering and threatening rain and, in any event, I wanted to sail before exploring below decks.

Light and fresher

As was consistently the case in 2022 – adding to the challenges of arranging boat tests – the weather forecast was wildly inaccurate yet again. Instead of sunshine and brisk winds (thunderstorms being promised for later), we were met in the Solent by drizzle and barely 6 knots of breeze. Hoping conditions would improve, we delayed the photo boat by an hour or two and did what we could in the breeze we had. The Astus 22.5 made respectable progress in the light conditions, clocking 4-4.5 knots upwind in the slight Solent popple.

Moving forward is easy along the wide trampolines, which also provide plenty of space for in-harbour tents or for carrying inflatables or paddleboards. Photo: David Harding

Eventually the south-easterly breeze began to build before settling down at 12-14 knots with occasional fresher spells. With the tide running east, the waves were soon big enough to notice. At least we had enough wind to power through them as long as we kept the nose down a few degrees. With a boat like this it’s all about finding the right balance between speed and pointing.

We could sail along happily enough at 6 knots, but leaning on the jib a little more would soon take us to well over 7 knots in the flatter patches of water. Our tacking angle when we sailed slightly freer was typically around 100° by the compass so, on the basis of an average boat speed of 7 knots, our VMG was around 4.5 knots.

Pitching was minimal most of the time and our motion reasonably smooth given the sea state; just the occasional thud when we hit a trough behind one of the steeper waves.

As it happened, the Quarter Ton Cup fleet was also in the eastern Solent. Keeping our distance, we had no opportunity to pace ourselves directly against them upwind but it was clear that, as you would expect, we were sailing a little lower and significantly faster. Had we been racing in the fleet I suspect we would have reached the windward mark first.

A pronounced knuckle above the waterline and a higher coachroof leads to a roomier forward berth than on the Astus 20.5. Photo: David Harding

As for downwind – well, of course you don’t sail a boat like the Astus 22.5 deep downwind. In such wonderful sailing conditions we didn’t even try, other than briefly for statistical purposes. We couldn’t resist the temptation to reach across the Solent at whatever angle gave us the best speed, heading up in the lulls to maintain the apparent wind and diving down as necessary in the gusts. In the lighter patches we dropped down to 9-10 knots; roughly what we had seen when two-sail reaching in a bit more breeze.

In the fresher spells we maintained closer to 12 knots for good periods and peaked at 14.8. All the time the boat felt perfectly comfortable. With 1,150 litres of buoyancy in each float, together with all that beam and a relatively modest sail plan – even given the square-top mainsail and tri-radial sails on our test boat – we never felt the need to de-power.

When you need to work your way downwind, as we did eventually, it’s perfectly possible without spoiling the fun too much. Just sail a few degrees lower all round, soak away as far as you can in the gusts, and you’ll soon get there. It’s like sailing any performance multihull or dinghy with an asymmetric. I don’t think the Quarter Tonners would have stood much chance.

One in, one out: with the starboard float in its ‘marina position’ and the port float extended for sailing, the Astus still fits easily into a normal berth. Photo: David Harding

Sitting comfortably

The cockpit will accommodate three people without a crush, or four if you’re not being too active. With the traveller running across the full width of the aft end, there’s plenty of open space – and that’s before you take into account the trampolines.

You can helm from the cockpit or, for a better view and more power in a breeze, extend the tiller extension and move on to the windward trampoline. Here you can lean against the backstay and brace your feet against the main hull. You stay pretty dry out here most of the time. Very little spray found its way aft. It’s the leeward trampoline that gets wet, especially if you’re pushing on.

Like most performance trimarans, the Astus 22.5 sails at a few degrees of heel so the windward hull is always clear of the water and the heel naturally increases as the wind builds.

The centreboard’s case is offset to port to minimise intrusion into the cabin. It also provides a handy step. Two decent-sized quarter berths extend aft with stowage between and below them. Photo: David Harding

If we got a gust when already at full power under gennaker, the rudder blade occasionally lost bite. That was mildly disconcerting, though laminar flow could quickly be restored with a brief wiggle to leeward first. It was the same blade as used on the 20.5. More area was clearly needed and I would have liked more balance too, so I was pleased to hear that Hein had commissioned a deeper, more balanced blade as a trial and, later, that Astus had also decided to offer their own alternative. It will be supplied with the Sport rig in the UK.

On the whole, the balance of boat and rudder were both fine. We carried a bit of weather helm when powered up on a reach, which we might have been able to reduce by partially raising the centreboard. As on the 20.5, it’s a hinging board, with the up/down control lines in the cockpit and the case offset to port to open up space in the cabin.

There’s space beneath the forward berth for a chemical toilet. Photo: David Harding

In terms of rig and hardware, it’s all pretty straightforward. The standard rig is aluminium and you can upgrade to carbon. Fixed bullseyes on the coachroof for the jib are standard too, though I would pay a little extra for tracks. You don’t need to winch the main halyard – just sweating it is enough, then use the cunningham to tension the luff. Spinlock clutches and Harken winches handle the lines. You need lots of backstay and mainsheet tension to get the best from a boat like this upwind. Both have 8:1 purchases, which are fine as long as you’re not too cautious when using them.

Wider beam and more headroom than on the Astus 20.5 make the forward berth into a proper double. Photo: David Harding

Sleeping and stowing

Space to sit down and stretch out in the cabin can be tight on a slim-hulled trimaran. So too can space to stow your kit, inside or out. Stowage is surprisingly good: there’s an open-fronted locker each side aft in the cockpit and a generously sized locker beneath a hatch in the sole. Then you have hatches in the middle of each float, the modest apertures opening into spaces that will swallow more warps and fenders than you’re likely to carry. Built into the forward end of the coachroof is the anchor locker, with space for a couple of fenders too.

Below decks is a 2m (6ft 7in) double berth in the bow (with a small hatch overhead and space for a chemical loo underneath), mouldings each side for a basic galley, two quarter berths and plenty of sitting headroom (1.6m/5ft 3in in total).

There’s a lot more room than on the 20.5 and even a little timber trim, but thankfully still no hullside or deckhead linings to minimise weight and allow easy access to the fastenings for the deck hardware.

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The Astus 22.5 is great fun to sail. You could spend all day reaching under gennaker for the sheer fun of it, but she’s pretty capable upwind too. If you like speed while still feeling fully in control and not remotely on the edge in most conditions, you will like this boat. I have always thought that monohull sailors are likely to find it easier to adapt to a trimaran than to a catamaran, and I think the Astus will appeal to many who are used to one hull. She comes with a vacuum-infused, foam-cored main hull as standard to keep the weight down to 650kg (just over 1,400lb) so she can be trailed behind an ordinary family car. Construction looks pretty solid, with stiffening members inside the hull where you would expect to find them, and the folding mechanism for the floats works well.

BoatNews.com

Test / Astus 22.5 : A trimaran with promising performance despite a light wind

3rd part of our test of the Astus 22.5. Pleasant sailing and promising performance, despite a light wind in Quiberon Bay. Upwind or under gennaker, feedback from our tacks on the latest Astus Boats trimaran.

A weight sensitive boat

It is at anchor that we board the Astus 22.5. So I could not tell you about the ease of launching or rigging. The manufacturer says that experienced owners can assemble their boat in less than an hour with the help of the goat. So we just send the gennaker, well rolled up on its furler, to the masthead. The boat is then ready to go. The current and the traffic in the channel of La Trinité sur Mer in this end of July invite to be careful. So we left with the engine. It is the occasion to notice that the small 5 HP Yamaha engine is not too much, especially that an error of length of the shaft (it is a short shaft instead of a long one) makes us not very maneuverable when a person is on the foredeck, placing the propeller at the level of water. Like all small boats, the Astus 22.5 is sensitive to the position of the weights.

Upwind : Faster with a windward angle close to a monohull

As soon as we passed the anchorages of the river of Crac'h, we hoisted the mainsail and unfurled the jib, using the furling line, cleverly positioned outside the cockpit coaming. Our test boat, the very first unit of the Astsus 22.5, was launched less than 3 weeks ago. A slight friction at the masthead, due to the positioning of the halyards, makes the maneuvering a little bit more delicate. This youthful error will be reviewed on the next trimarans. The boat accelerates quickly to reach 5 knots upwind, despite a light wind. Compared to a monohull of the same size, the speed is much higher and the angle of ascent to windward remains good. Well installed in the aft balcony to steer, we can see this by comparing ourselves to a Sun Fast 3200 training nearby. With the wind stabilizing around 10 knots, without exceeding 12/13 knots, the Astus 22.5 maintains a speed upwind between 6.5 and 7 knots.

A trimaran that glides downwind, despite a light wind

As we entered the bay of Quiberon, the sea was still light and only the wakes of the semi-rigid boats allowed us to confirm the good behavior of the boat in the chop. It is time to test the boat downwind. We lowered and unfurled the gennaker, whose furling line was returned outside the cockpit coaming, symmetrical to the jib. The sheets, returned on 2 winches at the back of the cockpit, are quickly tucked in. As the wind remains light, we will not reach double digit speeds and will not make long surfs. However, the meager 12-knot reefs allowed us to reach 9 knots with a crew of 3 adults. Installed on the trampoline with the steering stick in hand, driving the boat is pleasant, the boat remaining reasonably fiery in these windy conditions. We took the opportunity to play with the daggerboard height.

If the wind conditions did not allow us to see all that the Astus 22.5 had in its hull, this navigation allows us to glimpse the beautiful gliding sensations that the boat should offer. It also confirms that it will be perfectly suited to high performance sailing in light airs.

The major success of the Astus 16.5 and 20.5 has led to an extension of the model range signed by VPLP Design. As a result, the brand-new Astus 22.5 will be ready to sail summer of 2021.

True to the successful concept of Astus trimarans , the Astus 22.5 is also retractable and transportable, but this time with the option to install foils, a new thrilling feature on Astus trimarans. In addition, she is modern and fast, with a length of 6.95 m, a width of 4.90 m, and the possibility to sleep 4, which will be ideal for family outings.

The Astus 22.5 is road legal with a width of 2.52 m when folded on its road trailer. Changing the sailing area is no longer a problem thanks to the folding system of the floats without dismantlement. With the mast rising kit, you are independent of rigging your boat. With a weight of only 720kg, it can be towed by mid-sized vehicles.

If you choose the foils version, the mobile appendages in their wells will facilitate speed and glide for even sportier sailing; the foils relieve the floats limiting their drag, the central hull remaining in contact with the water.

Contact us for an appointment to see the new Astus 22.5

Teaser test:

The main features of Astus 22.5:

• transportable
• accommodation for 4 persons
• optional foils
• vacuum construction
• light, fast and fun!

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ASTUSBOATS, folding and trailerable trimaran expert, has developped a range of trimarans from16 to 24 feet, from 0 to 4 sleeps telescopic floats, masting kit and solo implementation , several versions: leisure, Raid, Sport and Sport+

• Yes you can keep any of these boats on a mooring.
• Yes you can easily trail these lightweight boats.
• Yes you can easily double the distance you cover in a day's sailing compared to conventional day boats with keels.

Astus 22.5 : The ultimate playground on three hulls in the YACHT test

Michael Good

 ·  01.02.2023

The range is modest and manageable: there are only a few small and trailerable trimarans that are also habitable. But the range is growing. In addition to the long-established brands such as Corsair Marine and Dragonfly, the younger French manufacturers Tricat and Astus are pushing into the niche. The space seems to be there: All are happy to see a steady increase in demand. This is understandable, as the handy three-hulls have a lot to offer: good performance, great fun potential, high flexibility. What's more, they are usually suitable for touring and even families - a mix of sports boat and small cruiser on three hulls, so to speak.

Unlike its competitors, who also implement the trimaran theme on a larger scale in their programme (Dragonfly up to 40 feet), Astusboats' range is limited exclusively to the compact format. The French shipyard's largest boat is the well-selling Astus 24 with a hull length of 7.40 metres (YACHT 13/2014 test). The latest model, the Astus 22.5 with a hull length of 6.90 metres, is expected to bring similar sales success.

Space-saving float concept

Every year, around 25 boats leave the production facility set up by Jean-Hubert Pommois in Brittany in 2004. He also came up with the technical concept of Astus and has stuck to it for all models ever since. Typical of the brand is the mechanism for less width in the harbour or for transport on the road. On an Astus-Tri, the outer floats are moved. The principle is very simple: the beams consist of solid horizontal aluminium tubes, which are arranged in a staggered arrangement and inserted into correspondingly larger fitting tubes that are integrated into the hull. On land, the floats are simply pushed parallel close to the centre hull or retracted on the water using a sheet pull and the winch.

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Astus has this simple and favourable patent exclusively within the competition. In the trimarans of other providers, the floats are either folded in (Corsair) or swivelled backwards (Dragonfly, Tricat). However, this requires stable hinges or joints, which are complex to produce and install and therefore expensive; and the hull constructions must be reinforced accordingly. The disadvantage of the Astus system is that the trampolines have to be loosened to retract and extend the floats and tightened again for sailing to ensure that the process runs smoothly. For regular use, for example for harbour moorings, the Astus principle is therefore somewhat more cumbersome than competitor applications.

The Astus 22.5 is a VPLP design

The design for the new Astus 22.5 comes from the renowned VPLP Design office. It is well known that they know a thing or two about trimarans. Many of today's most successful ocean-going trimarans come from the same source. The strikingly slender side floats have a distinctive wave piercer design and are built higher, especially at the front, in order to provide sufficient buoyancy in swell. Equally striking is the pronounced chine in the plump centre hull over the entire length. This keeps the waterline slim, while still providing sufficient volume for an interior suitable for touring.

The test with the new Astus 22.5 takes place off La Rochelle, in very challenging conditions. The wind was blowing between 20 and 25 knots, and the draughty south-westerly wind was pushing a substantial wave of at least 1.5 metres into the bay. The small trimaran struggles with this, but still performs well in the test. A reef is quickly tied into the fully battened mainsail with a wide top, and the short overlapping genoa remains in place. Leading the Astus 22.5 hard into the wind is difficult in strong winds and high waves. The three short hulls quickly get stuck in the waves.

Turning becomes a challenge

However, if you open the sails just a little and let the boat run, the tripod surprises with good speed, sails stiffly and also gets through the waves without any problems. At an angle of 50 degrees to the true wind, the log registers an average of 7.1 knots. Although a furling gennaker is part of the test boat's wardrobe, it remains in the bag in view of the delicate conditions. Nevertheless, the Astus achieved double-digit speed values almost continuously on the downwind leg. The record on the test day: 14.2 knots, which is quite impressive for a small touring trimaran.

Tacking becomes a challenge in the high waves. Only after several attempts with the jib held back does the overstay manoeuvre work. Shipyard manager Jean-Hubert Pommois says that the manoeuvres run smoothly in less wind and flat water, which other Astus models have already proven in previous YACHT tests. The very high rudder pressure on the test boat is unpleasant. This is because the tiller of the rear-mounted rudder system is clearly too short, which is due to the guidance of the main bulkhead buoy. The shipyard is aware of this and wants to check whether the traveller rail for the series can be built further forward on the deck and thus the tiller can be longer. In addition, the centreboard box will be moved five centimetres aft in future, which should further reduce the rudder pressure.

Handling and living space

Otherwise, handling is straightforward. The main sheet buoy, traveller and genoa sheet are the important and only trimming devices underway. The genoa sheet is only led directly to the winch through an eyelet on the coachroof. What is definitely missing here is a short centreboard track or at least a furling system so that the sheet angle can be adjusted. The Sport version of the Astus 22.5 is also equipped with a bowsprit for a gennaker or Code Zero. The aluminium tube is anchored in a trough on the foredeck and is fixed in place with a water stay. An extendable trunk is not provided because the shipyard wants to do without hull penetrations so that no water can get into the boat. For the same reason, the pipes for the float insertion system are routed above deck in corresponding recesses.

The living space below deck is sufficient for a short and undemanding cruise with the family. Four people can sleep inside, and the shipyard offers two optional galley modules with a small cooker and sink. There is also space for a portable toilet. With a width of 1.36 metres at shoulder height, the sleeping area in the foredeck is not generous, but is large enough for two people to sleep. And it is larger than the berths on the Dragonfly or Corsair boats. On the other hand, the two sofa berths built far to the rear are a maximum of 47 centimetres wide and do not offer adults sufficient comfort.

This is how much the new Astus costs

With a base price of 52,360 euros, the Astus 22.5 costs about the same as the new Tricat 6.90, which is also the same size. This puts the two French boats in more direct competition with each other than with the somewhat larger trimarans from Corsair Marine or Dragonfly, which are also significantly more expensive.

You don't necessarily have to hammer through a choppy sea in force six winds to have a lot of fun with the new trimaran from Astusboats. There is no doubt that it can also impress in more moderate conditions. The concept is simple, good and does not need any frills. Ultimately, this is also reflected in the attractive price.

The Astus 22.5 in detail

Technical data

• CE design category: C
• Hull length: 6.90 m
• Total length: 8.30 m
• Waterline length: 6.85 m
• Width: 4.70 m
• Width reduced: 2.52 m
• Draught / centreboard raised: 1.40 m / 0.34 m
• Mast height above WL: 9.00 m
• Theoretical hull speed: 6.4 knots
• Weight: 720 kg
• Mainsail: 21.0 m²
• Jib: 9.0 m²
• Gennaker: 32,0 m²
• Motorisation: Outboard up to 9 hp

Sailing performance (without drift/current)

Wind speed: 20-25 kn (5-6 Bft), wave height: approx. 1.5 m

• 50°: 7.1 kn
• 60° : 7.9 kn
• 90° *: 8.7 kn
• 120° *: 11.7 kn
• 150° *: 8.4 kn

Sporty character. The Astus 22.5 is light in comparison and carries a lot of sail area.

Hull and deck construction

• Centre hull built as a GRP sandwich construction using the vacuum infusion process with foam core
• Side floats hand-laminated in GRP sandwich
• The beams are made of aluminium tubes

Rig and sail

Aluminium rig from Seldén with conventional trimaran rigging. The rig can be set and lowered by hand using a hinge at the foot of the mast. Simple dacron sails are included, a gennaker or code zero is available as an option

Additional foils

Astusboats offers catch-up, profiled C-foils in the side hulls as an optional extra. They are designed to provide more buoyancy, less drag and therefore a noticeable increase in performance

Equipment and prices

• Base price ex shipyard: € 52,360
• Price ready to sail: € 60,010
• Warranty/against osmosis: 2/2 years
• Astusboats, F-56400 Brech
• astusboats.com

Distribution

• Sport Mohr e. K., 23858 Reinfeld
• sportmohr.de

YACHT rating

Design and concept.

• + Simple slide-in system
• + Proper construction
• + Trailer-compatible and slipable

Sailing performance and trim

• + Strong performance in the wind
• + Clear handling
• - Short tiller, lots of rudder pressure

Living and finishing quality

• + Touring suitability in modules
• + Large sunbathing area in the foredeck
• - Very narrow berths aft

Equipment and technology

• + Attached anchor locker
• + Foils as an option
• - Missing hole point adjustment

Alternatives on the market:

• CORSAIR 760: New folding runner from Vietnam
• TEST VIDEO: Danish fun box: Dragonfly 25
• TRICAT 6.90: Small fun maker for fast cruises

Matching downloads:

• Astus 22.5 (pdf)
• Dragonfly 25 (pdf)
• Dragonfly 25 trimaran comparison (pdf)
• Dragonfly 28: Generation comparison (pdf)
• Dragonfly 28 (pdf)
• Corsair Pulse 600 (pdf)
• Corsair Sprint 750 (pdf)
• Corsair 760 (pdf)
• Astus 20.2 (pdf)
• Astus 24 (pdf)
• Astus 16.5 Sport (pdf)
• Astus 18.2 (pdf)
• Weta 4.4 (pdf)

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Astus 20.5 Sailing Trimaran

A small and simple trimaran that makes sailing simple and fun!

Astus Makes Owning A Small Tri Easy. Here's How:

Cheaper Dockage

The Astus 20.5 has telescopic beams which means that it can easily be collapsed to a narrower width. This makes finding a slip or moorage both easy and affordable. The bottoms of the hulls stay the bottom of the hulls when folded, unlike Corsair's folding design, so you needn't worry about a scum line after being left in the water while folded. Many marinas have shallow, close to shore, slips available at discount as they are hard to rent. The Astus 20.5 can easily be docked at a slip suited for a boat as small as a Potter or Compac!

Safety First

Trimarans are very stable boats making it less likely for crew to trip or fall. The Astus 20.5 is unsinkable with multiple buoyant chambers. The 20.5 is a coastal weekender that is ready to make memories that will last a lifetime without the risk involved with sailing a monohull or catamaran!

Performance Focused

Trimarans are fast. The Astus 20.5 is designed and built to make it fast and responsive. With a centerboard and artisanally designed chines, this boat is designed to be driven hard on any point of sail and canvassed to provide all the power you could need to beat the weather or your fellow club mates.

Easy to Transport

The Astus 20.5 is both lightweight and easy to collapse which makes this boat a dream to transport. You can tow this boat with a Subaru Outback and many other small cars! The lightweight construction of the boat will allow this boat to be pulled by even the lightest weight cars on the road. The amas can be collapsed with 1 person, on the water, in only a few minutes and without any tools!

Easy to Rig

The French are at the bleeding edge of quality and technology in the sailing industry. In addition to this, they are also not known for being the biggest statured people, on average. This means Astus needed to design an easy way to step the mast and with an optional mast stepping rig, you can easily step the mast of this boat (on land or on water) with only 1 person in no time flat!

Fun for the Whole Family

The biggest issue with a small sailboat is...it is small, there's no room for kids to be kids. The Astus 20.5 solves this problem with its nearly 300 square feet of deck area! In addition to the large deck space, there is a small cabin capable of sleeping a family of 4 if needed or for the kids to escape the elements on an overly sunny or rainy day.

What Are the Members of the Press Saying?

• Mers & Bateaux
• Bateaux.com
• Voilee & Moteur (Boat & Motor)
• Boating Business
• Boat Industry Magazine

The Astus 20.5, designed by legendary French design firm VPLP, is the most practical small trimaran on the market.

This boat is capable of racing with larger boats, daysailing with the family and even camp sailing (coastal raiding)! The 20.5 is easy to rig, easy to dock; is essentially a beach tri with a cabin!

With enough capacity to carry and comfortably sail with the whole family the Astus 20.5 is the trimaran that checks all of the boxes and at a lower price point than a 22.5!

Shipping is not included in the price of this boat. Estimated shipping to anywhere in the USA is $4000-7000. Call to get your quote today! 410-705-5026

MAKE YOUR BOAT YOUR OWN

The options and accessories below are sure improve and enhance your time on the water!

We are working to add these options to our site. Please be patient. For any questions about Astus, please call 410-705-5026 or email us at [email protected]

Epoxy treatment plus antifouling or coppercoat

Antifouling of hull and floats

Sport version stickers

Carbon rigging (Mast, boom) & Textile shrouds

Infusion made hull

Contest 101 - compass

high comfort cockpit seating

mast stepping kit

Chemical Porta Potty

Motor bracket

Swim ladder

2 opening portholes or 2 bigger fixed portholes

Stainless steel pulpit

Carbon rudder and tiller

removeable cockpit table

Supplementary Spare Cushion

Mattress and bunk plank

Sport fittings upgraded main sheet and tiller extension

Continuous Furler - hook with spring loaded gate

Mainsail rail & carriage ( adjustable traveler)

Wing Mast Upgrade

supplementary reef

lazy bag + lazy jack

UV repelling strip for jib

Extra sails PX black

Extra for Sport Sails Square cross-cut

Extra for Sport Sails in Armid (Black Technora)

Asymetric Spi on bowsprit

Winch for sport gennaker

Gennaker SPORT Grand Prix STORMLITE 210

Gennaker SPORT MAXLITE 150 on bowsprit with furler

Gennaker liesure mp70 & furler, not the right boat for you let's find your perfect boat .

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Astus 22.5 - If you love sliding across the water...

Practical info.

• Builder : ASTUSBOATS
• Technical specifications

• Finance your Astus 22.5
• Articles about the Astus 22.5
• Available in issue # 179

Boat Test price $5.00 Inc. tax

Add several tests to your cart

and get an extra discount!

With this model, Astus Boats has completed the update of its range. All the models - the 14.5, the 16.5, the 20.5 and now the 22.5 - carry the prestigious VPLP signature. The Astus 22, which has been around for 12 years, has unsurprisingly slipped from the catalog. As for the 24, it is still in there for now, but is soon to bow out. The positioning of the shipyard is therefore more than ever the small, transportable, simple and accessible multihull.

Test location: La Trinité-sur-Mer, France Conditions: Wind - west 12 to 16 knots, Sea state - slight

The timing was very tight for us to publish this test in this issue: in fact, Jean-Hubert Pommois, founder and manager of Astus Boats, welcomed us aboard his brand new Astus after only one day of testing... A risky gamble, but one that paid off, since this 22.5 turns out to be particularly welldesigned. To begin with, we were lucky with the weather; this July in Brittany has been cool, wet and very windy... but for one day, we were able to enjoy clear sunshine and an ideal breeze of force 3 to 4.

Modern design

We discovered the Astus 22.5 on its mooring, almost under the famous white Kérisper Bridge. The steeply inverted bows, the marked chines and the plunging topsides at the front immediately evoke performance - the VPLP touch is at work here. The mast is slender (the profile is 30 feet / 9 meters in length) and the platform remains stable thanks to a slight dihedral form. The central hull manages to reconcile a narrow waterline with decent beam at deck level. The floats, with over 40 cubic feet (1,150 liters), have a remarkable volume of 160% compared to the light displ...

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• Boats For Sale ⁄ /
• 22.5 Trimaran

Astus 22.5 Trimaran boats for sale

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2024 Astus 22.5 Trimaran

Astus 22.5 trimaran.

22.5 trimaran is a boat Model part of the manufacturer Astus, under the category of multi-hull. YachtFocus currently has 1 Astus 22.5 trimaran boats for sale, including 1 new vessels listed by both private sellers and professional boat dealerships.

The oldest boat listed on YachtFocus was built in 2024, and the youngest was built in 2024. The prices range from 58.900 € to 58.900 €.

Other related boats from the same Astus are: 14.5 Prao & Trimaran, 16.5 Trimaran and 20.5 Trimaran.

What are Astus 22.5 trimaran boats used for?

Astus 22.5 trimaran models are typically used for a variety of commercial and recreational boating activities.

Astus 22.5 trimaran new and used boats

16 Best Trimarans For Sailing Around The World (And a Few For Daysailing)

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Trimarans are growing in popularity worldwide, due to their light construction and high stability these multihulls are even faster than catamarans. Trimarans are still one of the lesser-known boat types so in this article ill be checking out some of the most popular models.

The best trimarans include: 

• The Neel 43 
• The Neel 47 
• Dragonfly 28 
• The Pulse 600 
• Corsair 37 

These tris are built with your safety in mind while also packing powerful speed and a wide array of comfort features to optimize your sailing experience , some are even foldable making them possible to load on a trailer and transport to the sailing destination of your choosing.

In this article, I have created a list of the 16 best trimarans in the market and their unique features. You’ll also learn the best options for different purposes such as circumnavigation, weekend sailing, racing, and more. 

Table of Contents

What Is a Trimaran?

A trimaran is a multi hulled sailboat with three individual hulls; the main hull ( vaka ) and a pair of outrigger hulls ( amas ). These smaller outrigger hulls are attached to the main hull using beams. 

While trimarans have a rich history dating back nearly four millennia, these types of sailboats have only gained popularity in the late 1900s and early 2000s. 

Trimarans are primarily used as personal boats for sailing enthusiasts or racing. These sailboats draw their versatility from their lightweight design, making them faster and easier to handle at sea when compared to single-hulled boats (monohulls). Additionally, the three hulls also contribute to better stability, making it very hard to capsize (although more likely than a cat according to this study)

Trimarans come in various sizes, and some can be as small as 19 feet (5.8 meters) in length, while others go up to 60 feet (18meters). They’re also used for different purposes. Most trimarans are used for racing and recreational purposes, although some units are still used as ferries.

As with all things, to find out which is the best we need to understand what it will be used for. There is a big difference in requirements between a boat used for day sailing compared to offshore around the world sailing.

The list below highlights the best trimarans for different purposes.

Best Trimarans For Cruising, Liveaboard and Sailing Around The World

The Neel 43 is a French trimaran best suited for cruising. Its key features include: 

• Easy maneuverability on the open sea by only a small number of crew members 

This unit is also built for comfort, ideal for more extended travels. This 43-feet (13-meter) trimaran is also made with recyclable and bio-sourced materials, highlighting the manufacturer’s commitment to environmental consciousness. 

This trimaran has a base price of  €329,000 excluding VAT. This translates to approximately $370,138. 

2.Neel 47 Possibly The Best

Named the best full-size multihull for 2020, the Neel 47 is a strong contender for one of the best trimarans in the market. This 47-foot (14.3-meter) long trimaran features optimized exterior and interior ergonomics for a unique design and look. 

Still on design, the Neel 47 is ideal for couples looking to take a weekend off or spend some time as liveaboard. It has a spacious owner’s cabin and two bedrooms. It also features a spacious living room and kitchen and is optimized to ensure comfort for a couple. 

The Neel 47 also has two basic guest cabins so your friends or children can tag along on your sailing adventure. Accordingly, this unit is ideal for those looking to explore the sea for the sheer joy of sailing. 

The Neel 47 comes at a 571,139 euro ( $643,600 ) price tag, excluding VAT. 

3. Rapido 60 The Fast and Comfortable Circumnavigator

The Rapido 60 offers a blend of performance, safety, and luxury, making it one of the best options for bluewater sailing. Measuring 59.3 feet (18 meters) in length, the Rapido 60 is an imposing unit. It’s made from lightweight sandwiches and carbon materials that provide speed and strength, allowing it to stand up to strong ocean currents. 

The Rapido 60 also has spacious living spaces and is built for comfort at all points of the sail. Its design also optimizes safety. While it’s an ideal option for circumnavigating, it’s also an excellent choice for racing due to its speed. 

This is also the same boat that The Youtube channel La Vagabond just purchased.

The Rapido 60 retails at $1,400,000 . 

4. Rapido 40

The Rapido 40 measures 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length and is ideal for cruising around the world. The Rapido 40 features twin “C” foils, which provide added lift, enhancing its speed and performance whether you are sailing downwind or upwind. 

Because it has C foils, this trimaran doesn’t have a central daggerboard, increasing interior space. Accordingly, it’s an excellent option for couples looking to cruise and enjoy great performances .

The Rapido 40 is made from high-tech all-carbon materials for a lightweight yet sturdy design. This material is also used for the countertops and furniture, and the cork flooring adds a touch of style.

This trimaran retails for $595,000 , making it a cheaper option than the Rapido 60. 

5. Dragonfly 40

The Dragonfly 40 measures 40 feet (12 meters) in length. It features high-comfort standards, making it one of the best trimarans in the market for taking your family for a cruise. Because of its larger size, it has a better capacity, being capable of accommodating six to eight people, so you can bring your family and friends along. 

It’s easy to navigate and extremely safe. With a maximum speed of 24 knots (44.5 km/h), this trimaran also provides fast speeds to make your cruise even more exhilarating. 

The Dragonfly 40 retails from €509,000 exclusive of VAT, which rounds up to $572,000 . 

6. Dragonfly 32

The Dragonfly 32 is a high-performance cruiser. Like the Dragonfly 28, this unit features a contemporary design for racing. This trimaran can accommodate five to seven crew members. 

Although slightly longer than the Dragonfly 28 with its 32-foot (9.8-meter) length, the Dragonfly 32 has a max speed of 23+ knots (42.6+ km/h), making it one of the fastest trimarans for racing. This unit also has comfortable accommodation, which makes it an ideal option for a weekend cruise with family and friends. 

The Dragonfly 32 has a base price of $350,000 . 

7. Corsair 37

Thanks to a variable draft with a retractable rudder, the Corsair 37 is an ideal choice for shallow water exploration. This 37-foot (11.3-meter) long trimaran features advanced foam-cored construction designed for safety, making it virtually unsinkable. 

The carbon hulls minimize weight, this makes for a lightweight ocean exploration sailboat with blistering speeds. One of its selling points is that this trimaran has previously been used for Arctic expeditions, possibly marking it as one of the better options for circumnavigation and offshore sailing in the northern waters. 

This trimaran has a base price of $189,000 but can go up to $204,125 .

Best Trimarans For Day/Weekend Sailing

8. dragonfly 28.

The Dragonfly 28 is a 28-feet (8.75-meter) long sailboat that can accommodate up to five people. It comes in two versions: 

• Touring version: This version is ideal for families.  
• Performance version: This is built to provide optimal performance for the sports enthusiast within you. 

It clocks a maximum speed of 22+ knots (22+ km/h) and is beam-folded. It’s an excellent option if you want a high-performance, comfortable yet smaller unit for your day or weekend cruise. 

The Dragonfly 28 starts at  €188,280 inclusive of VAT, which comes to around $211,600. 

9. Dragonfly 25

Like other trimarans under the Dragonfly brand, this 25-foot (7.62-meter) trimaran is great for both racing and short term cruising. However, this high-performance boat delivers easy handling, making it perfect for couples looking to take a ride out over the weekend and seasoned sailors looking for an exhilarating racing adventure. 

The Touring version features a lightweight build and offers comfort and accommodation to keep you, and the few guests you can fit, comfortable during the ride. This trimaran also has a Sport version, which is optimized for racing. 

The Dragonfly 25 retails from EUR 86,800 . 

10. Pulse 600

The Pulse 600 trimaran is a compact sailboat. It’s made from lightweight, carbon-reinforced construction and vacuum-formed materials for optimal speed. This trimaran is an ideal option if you are looking for speed. 

It also features ample deck space, greater stability, and volume than most trimarans of similar size and build. 

This trimaran measures 19.8 feet (6 meters) in length and can be sailed single-handedly by one person with minimal effort. The Pulse 600 has a base price of $38,800 , which places it in the lower price range. 

The F-22 is one of the smaller trimarans in the market. Developed in New Zealand, the F-22 is a folding trimaran built for speed. The hulls are made from narrow fiberglass tied together using fiberglass beams and aluminum, minimizing bulk while optimizing speed. 

The F-22 is roomy and is not as pricey as other models in the market. This trimaran has two main versions: 

12. 2019 Weta Trimaran

The 2019 Weta trimaran is a 14.5-foot (4.4-meter) trimaran featuring a carbon frame, centerboard, rudder foil, and rudder shock. The hull is made from fiberglass and foam. The Weta is built for strength and speed based on these lightweight materials. 

The 2019 Weta trimaran is easy to sail and is worth considering whether you want to take a quiet sail, race with your friends, or take kids to a sailing lesson. It has a simple design and is easy to set up independently. Thanks to its collapsible design, this trimaran is easily stored away with minimal space demands. 

13. WindRider 17

The 17.4-foot (5.3-meter) WindRider 17 is one of the more versatile trimarans in the market. It packs high performance for a low cost. This trimaran has a light rotating mast to boost performance, and a full-battened mainsail optimizes visibility. 

This sailboat is made from rotomolded polyethylene, which is more durable than fiberglass and demands less maintenance.

The WindRider 17 has a comfortable interior and can fit six adults. This is an ideal choice for social sailing for a couple or a family and friends. It’s easy to ride, and a shallow draft allows easy maneuverability. 

14. Astus 22.5

If you’re looking for something small but still comfortable, this 22.5-foot trimaran is for you. Built for speed and maneuverability, the Astus 22.5 has optional foils to optimize speed. The modern design, coupled with the spacious interior, can fit up to four beds. Accordingly, this trimaran is suited for family outings. 

This trimaran also has a foldable design, collapsing to only 16 feet (4.9 meters) for easy storage. 

15. Multi 23 Trimaran 

The Multi 23 trimaran has a contemporary design, featuring a vinyl ester and PVC foam core construction. The section below the waterline is made of solid glass for a sturdy base.

The beams are made of lightweight carbon, and the trimaran features a 33-foot (10-meter) aluminum rotating wing mast for optimal harnessing of the wind. While ideal for weekend excursions with family, once rigged with the asymmetrical spinnaker will get your heart pumping.

This trimaran packs high performance at a lower cost than most other options in the market. It’s a good choice if you are looking for a high-performing unit without spending an arm and a leg. 

16. Challenger Class Trimaran

The Challenger Trimaran 15 is the best choice for persons with disabilities. It’s designed to provide disabled sailors an opportunity to explore their passion for sailing without worrying about aspects like safety or operation. 

A man named Geoff Hold circumnavigated the British Isles in 2007, becoming the first disabled person to achieve this feat. He had quadriplegia. 

Living up to its name, the Challenger can withstand harsh weather conditions while blending performance with speed. 

Final Thoughts 

Admittedly, no trimaran is best for everyone. But whether you are looking to race with your friends, take your loved ones or friends for a cruise over the weekend, or circumnavigate the ocean, you can rest assured that these lightweight trimarans will deliver speed, safety, and comfort to make it worth your while. 

These brands are innovatively designed and feature intricate safety mechanisms that make them virtually unsinkable. Give them a shot and begin your ocean adventure. 

• Basco Boating: A Comprehensive Guide & Introduction to Trimaran Yachts
• TheBoatAPP: New Trumarans: Which are the Best Ones
• Corsair Marine: Corsair 37
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 28
• Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 60
• Neel Trimarans: Neel 43
• Yachting World: World’s Collect Yachts: Maxi Trimaran MACIF
• Yachting Monthly: Dragonfly 28 Performance
• Rapido Trimarans: Rapido 40
• Dragonfly: Dragon 32
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 40
• Yachting World: Dragonfly 40 yacht tour: This cruising trimaran can do 24 knots
• Dragonfly: Dragonfly 25
• NauticExpo: Dragonfly 25
• Yachtworld: Corsair 37 boats for sale
• Cruising World: Neel 47 Trimaran: Best Full-Size Multihull0
• Neel Trimaran: Neel 47
• Multihull Solutions: NEEL 47 Boat Review | Cruising World
• Yacht World: 2022 Neel 47 for sale
• Farrier International: F-22
• Weta Marine: The Boat
• WindRider: WindRider 17 Trimaran Sailboat 
• Astus Boats: Astus 22.5
• Boat-specs: Multi 23
• National Maritime Museum Cornwall: Challenger Trimaran #1 – BC26

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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