Trimarans & Sailing
Trimaran information from
VirusBoats announce that they will be launching a new trimaran, the Magnum 18, simultaneously at the Paris International Boat Show and in London at the Earls Court Boat Show.
To whet your appetite, I can reveal that the 18 footer follows the same lines, shape and style as the Magnum 21.S, but is only 4m wide, like the classic Magnum 21, and comes with options of gennaker and/or spinnaker. To find out more you'll need visit the Ahoy-Boats Stand (1H9) at the show.
Length: 5.50m
Beam: 4m when sailing and 1.70m on its trailer
Sail area: 18m2 - Options gennaker 15m2 and asymmetric spinnaker 18m2
Engine: 2 to 5HP
Weight: 200 kg
Homologation CE: Category C: Crew 3 adults - Category D: 4/5 crew (250kg)
And NO you are not losing your marbles. YES I did write the EARLS COURT BOAT SHOW. There is a new show at the old venue, which is where the vast majority of people think that the London International Boat Show takes place anyway.
The latest creation from VirusBoats took to the water for the first time on Thursday. Here are the first photos of this exciting new trimaran, designed to replace the aging VirusPlus 16, talking of which, I have a used one for sale at a very good price. See the boats for sale section.
I am going to France on Tuesday to collect one of these to show at the Earls Court Boat Show between Dec 1st and 9th. Do come and buy one. They are significantly fast and a stimulating and rewarding sail.
They are aimed at the small family with the shallower pocket and at the single-hander who might be intimidated by the 21 or 21S. Although they are obviously going to be very fast when close in shore on sheltered, flatish water, or on lakes they are nevertheless classified as unsinkable Category C boats so you can go up to 10 miles from a harbour in one, even in a strong breeze. And of course you can turn your beach trimaran into a day boat by the simple addition of a small outboard motor. The engine mounting is a standard fitting.
The one shown here has a slightly taller mast and bigger sail set than will actually be made available to the public because it was found to be too twitchy. But it is worth noting that the boat will nevertheless have a sail area to weight ratio that is the same as the Magnum 21.S.
Also the light wind sails will be different from what is shown here. It will be more similar to the Magnum 21 with a radial cut sail on the bow and a star cut asymmetric on the bowsprit.
On Saturday by moonlight I left the VirusBoats boat yard in Brittany with the first Magnum 18 IN THE WORLD (and two yoles). I will be showing the MAGNUM 18 trimaran at the Earls Court Boat Show between Dec 1st - 9th. Do come along.
List price for the MAGNUM 18 is £10,695 including VAT and including jib and main sail.
I have already posted some photos of the new trimaran. Have a look at this photo though. You can clearly see the major differences between principal hulls of the Magnum 21 and the Magnum 18.
I shall be taking the boat to Chichester Harbour on Tuesday 11th Dec for a test so if you would like to join me then please phone 07985 043 981 and put your name forward. Bring a Magnum of champagne with you!
Come and see the magnificent Magnum 18 trimaran at the new Earls Court Boat Show, which is on NOW.
Too bad if you missed the new Magnum 18 at the Earls Court Boat Show in December 2007, especially as I'll not be showing at the London Boat Show at Excel in Docklands next week.
The GOOD NEWS is that I will be showing the MAGNUM 18 at the RYA Dinghy Show at ALEXANDRA PALACE on March 1st / 2nd 2008. See you there.
During the recent spell of fine weather VirusBoats managed to get some more photos of it to whet your appetite.
Come and see the new Magnum 18 trimaran at the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexander Palace on March 1st / 2nd. The show will be opened by double olympic champion, Ben Ainslie at 10am on the Saturday.
Check out this short video clip of the Magnum 18 on youtube, the very first video of this new boat. Not very exciting but then not very much wind either.
Then come and see the boat at the RYA Dinghy Show this weekend.
The Magnum 18 trimaran made its debut at the RYA Dinghy Show last weekend.
She was one of the biggest boats there and definitely the widest. There were a few extreme catamarans with taller masts and bigger sails. There was also a good showing of trimarans. More than at any other show I have been to in the UK. Nothing compared to Paris, of course. The French have really taken to them.
I heard from a customer recently that in Florida, where he goes quite often, monohulls are not selling but multihulls are very popular. The world is waking up to the benefits of multihull sailing.
I am off today to Carmarthen to exhibit a Magnum 21 the Welsh Boat Show over the bank holiday weekend.
Meantime I have uploaded a number of photos of the Magnum 18 which give you a flavour of the boat. I have yet to complete the FAQ, Assembly and the Main descriptive page of the Magnum 18 so the links to these pages will not work yet.
At last I have some really good video of the NEW Magnum 18 trimaran, which I have uploaded for you to view.
I am gradually rebuilding the .co.uk site around the new trimaran and so not all of the links work yet. A set of videos on asembly are next in line.