[Paul Koch]

The Neel 65 looks a whole lot more complex to me and you can't see forward from the rear unless at the helm. Not being able to see forward would drive me nuts. The Neel design is just too holistically avant-garde for my taste. I think the design tries a little to hard and it does not know if it is a tri or a cat.

I agree that their would be a lot more production experience though with the Neel as they have completed a few hulls and I am sure there will be some big engineering issues to be proven off with this Rapido. Hull #3 #4 will have them ironed out.

Hi All ,

I am actually new to this forum but I am not new to boat building ! The management team behind Rapido have actually have a combined 60 years multihull building experience including 1500 Corsair Trimarans and numerous large cats . Might be a bit more than most ! Check out the web site for the latest updates , first boat sailing late early March 2016 !

We have used the best designer and a really experienced team, and only bought the best equipment to put the Rapido 60 together , it will live up to expectations .

Regards Paul

 

[Paul Koch]

I think they will use a double mainsheet on the coach roof. Other than that would be a proper traveler after the rear deck. Think a double on coach would be safer.

It is growing on me. You could really be a sea gypsy in that.

The mainsheet is actually aft of the stern rail with " a proper travellor " and well out of harms way . Much safer where it is ! Winch is just in front of the helm .

 

[Paul Koch]

So it goes across the steps to the stern and tries to rip the stern pulpit thingie around the completely exposed cockpit off during a gybe?

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No it cant rip the stern pushpit thingie off because the track is well clear of it and the mainsheet goes to the boom well behind it . I've done 30 plus tris like this before with no issues ! Much safer than most boats ! Sure if you tried really hard you could get your head knocked of by the mainsheet in a uncontrolled jibe but you have to consciously put it in harms way for it to happen !

 

[Paul Koch]

Hi Bleemus ,

You will see many answers to your questions on our web site at rapidotrimarans.com

There is a gate in the stern rail , the track is between the rail and the first step and is recessed so you don't trip over it when going down the steps .

Draft board down 3.7 Metres ( 12 feet )

Draft Board and Rudder up .75 M (2.5 Feet ) Rudder and daggerboard lift up

Regarding the rudder , please see the quote from Pete Melvin when I asked him to explain why the wings are on the rudder

"The Rapido 60 has winglets on the rudder for several reasons. Dynamic stability is improved, especially on the pitch axis. Pitch reduction increases the comfort of the people on board but also improves performance. Less pitching improves air flow over the rig and increases total drive force. More energy is used to drive the boat forward rather than being absorbed by pitching motions. Winglets also help control trim. Bow-up trim creates a positive angle of attack and vertical lift on the elevators, helping control excessive trim and associated hull drag. The boat is safer and easier to sail downwind in more extreme conditions since the elevators create downforce at the transom when the bow pitches down, helping lift the bow back up.

When we first tested winglets we thought that there would be a tradeoff in performance where we would gain speed and control in windier conditions, especially in larger seas, but that there would be additional drag in lighter winds that would reduce performance. What we found in reality is that the winglets never seam to be detrimental and almost always actually improve performance through the range of wind and sea conditions."...

Best Regards,

Pete Melvin
Morrelli & Melvin Design & Engineering, Inc.

 

[Paul Koch]

Where do you dock a square boat?

18 Metres x 12 metres is not square , but really made for sailing not docking ! There are still places in the world where you can dock it !

Life is one big compromise , can't please everybody !

 

[Paul Koch]

Pete that's one hell of a boat. Congratulations on an excellent design. Are any going to be on east coast U.S. to be seen?

Hull number 1 will be doing a bit of a world tour in 2016 !

March , Vietnam , Cambodia , Gulf of Thailand , Malaysia , Singapore , Langkawi , Phuket Thailand ,

Summer in Europe , then Newport Boat Show , Annapolis and so on.....

That's the rough plan anyway subject to change of course due to weather etc... Will be a great test for the boat and crew !