Sailing is about freedom, adventure, and the joy of being on the water. But when it comes to choosing the right boat, the decision can be overwhelming. While monohulls have long been the traditional choice, and catamarans have gained popularity, trimarans offer a unique combination of speed, stability, and comfort that makes them an excellent choice for many sailors.
The Key Advantages of a Cruising Trimaran
1. Unmatched Speed and Performance
Trimarans are significantly faster than both monohulls and catamarans of similar size. Their lightweight design and narrow central hull allow for reduced drag, while the amas (side hulls) provide stability, enabling the boat to reach high speeds even in moderate wind conditions. For sailors who enjoy performance cruising or covering long distances quickly, a trimaran is an ideal choice.
2. Superior Stability, Safety, and Folding trimaran
One of the main concerns for any sailors is stability. Trimarans have a natural resistance to heeling, making them more comfortable than monohulls. This means less rolling at anchor and a more level sailing experience, which is great for families, general comfort, and those prone to seasickness. Additionally, trimarans are incredibly difficult to capsize due to their wide beam and buoyant amas, making them one of the safest choices for offshore cruising. Dragonfly’s are also unsinkable, which is quite an advantage in case you e.g. have a collision with a UFO (unidentified floating object) and the boat starts to take in the water. It is unsinkable due to the sandwich foam construction, where the foam core is made with enclosed air cells. The foam core that is in the whole lamination of the boats therefore has the same function as a life jacket.
Dragonfly’s are also standard equipped with spring loaded cleat-system which pops open in case of hitting the ground. Hence the swing centerboard and rudder also have a foam core these will float up once released and you will there only experience scratches in the antifouling if you hit the ground.
The Dragonfly Swing Wing system is a unique and revolutionary feature designed by Børge and Jens Quorning in 19891. This system allows the trimaran to be folded to reduce its beam by more than 50% in less than one minute per side, using no tools and operating only from the cockpit manually or with an electric winch. This makes it incredibly convenient for docking in marinas and for trailering.
When the trimaran is folded, the floats move deeper into the water, lifting the center hull by 7 to 10 cm, which provides extra stability and comfort. Even when folded, you can still access the float storage without any fouling problems. The Swing-Wing system has been standard on all Dragonfly Trimarans since its introduction.
3. Shallow Draft for More Exploration
Unlike deep-keeled monohulls, trimarans typically have a shallow draft, allowing them to anchor in shallow waters and access secluded coves and beaches that other boats can’t reach. This makes them perfect for island hopping, coastal cruising, and exploring areas with tidal variations.
With the Swing centerboard and -rudder on all Dragonfly’s, you can dry out the boat when the tide is low, and you can even beach the boat. On the Dragonfly’s equipped with an inboard engine the sail drive is always protected because the bottom of the main hull is the deepest point of the boat.
4. Spacious and Comfortable Living Areas
Modern cruising trimarans and especially Dragonfly’s are designed with comfort in mind. While their central hull is narrow, clever design solutions provide ample space for sleeping, cooking, and relaxing. Trimarans also feature trampolines between the hulls, offering additional lounging areas and a unique connection to the water.
5. Easy Handling for Short-Handed Sailing
Despite their size and performance capabilities, trimarans are often easier to handle than monohulls and catamarans. They respond quickly to helm input, tack efficiently, and are less reliant on complex sail adjustments. Many cruising trimarans are designed for short-handed sailing, making them a great option for couples or solo sailors. On all Dragonfly’s all lines are led back to the cockpit, so they are always withing reach. It features an ergonomic cockpit, a self-tacking jib, and an optional mast-raising kit for effortless rigging. That in mind with the combination of an autopilot you can easily sail and handle the boat as a couple and even solo.
Who Should Choose a Cruising Trimaran and especially the Dragonfly?
Adventure Seekers and Performance Enthusiasts
If you love the thrill of fast sailing, a trimaran will provide an exhilarating experience. They offer the best balance between speed and safety, making them ideal for sailors who want to cover long distances efficiently, but it is also perfect to enjoy day sailing, where you are able to reach further due to a higher boat speed.
Families and Leisure Cruisers
With their stable platform and comfortable living spaces, trimarans are an excellent choice for families. Children and less experienced sailors will appreciate the level sailing motion and extra security provided by the wide beam which is often used as big sun decks while sailing and anchoring.
Offshore and Expedition Sailors
For those dreaming of blue-water cruising, trimarans provide a safe and fast passage-making option. Their speed allows sailors to avoid bad weather more easily, and their stability makes them more comfortable for long journeys.
Swing Wing system
The Dragonfly’s lightweight yet strong sandwich construction provides high stiffness and low weight, and the Swing-Wing system allows the width to be reduced by more than 50% within minutes, using no tool, for easier handling in harbors, or even put it on a road trailer which can be done with the smaller versions.
Conclusion
Trimarans and Dragonfly’s are a fantastic choice for a wide range of sailors, offering speed, stability, luxury and comfort in one package. Whether you’re a performance-oriented sailor, a family looking for safe and fun cruising, or an adventurer wanting to explore remote waters, a trimaran can be the perfect vessel for your journey.
Are you considering making the switch to a Dragonfly trimaran? Let us know what excites you most about sailing one!
