Purpose built Trimaran.

I know the Adventure Island is going out of production and that Tandem Islands will still be made. Will Hobie ever consider building a purpose built Trimaran instead of a hybrid like the islands. Something to rival the speed of the Hobie Cats

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

Honestly, if Hobie (or someone, anyone) sold a 18 to 20 foot trimaran that was still portable with a trailer, and certified for even lass C conditions, it would be my next purchase. My Tandem costs $11,000, and I think it would be possible to build a simple but robust tri at the $16,000-$20,000 price point.

I love this Hobie and all it can do (being the only sailor in my family, this needed to be versatile as well as a nice introduction to sailing for my family), but I will be buying something more "capable" in the future...would not be upset if it said Hobie on the side.

Maybe it would be based off one of their smaller cat boats? Don't know...my architecture knowledge doesn't go very far into the marine side, but I would love to see what they come up with.

Edit: I would still keep the TI

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Knuckles
2021 Hobie TI

Someone already does, but multiply the price by 10...

https://corsairmarine.com/pulse-600/

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http://www.masonborowatersports.com
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And this: https://www.nickelsboatworks.com/collec ... ducts/wr17

But not nearly as portable or versatile as the TI.

Good news! I found a 5 year old one on their site for only 42,389USD!

I think those are aimed toward a group to which I don't belong lol

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Knuckles
2021 Hobie TI

There are ideas like this, which I like:
https://www.pixelandtimber.com/small-trimaran

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Knuckles
2021 Hobie TI

I actually chose the TI (both times) over a Weta because it was more versatile and I could use it as more than just a sailboat.

https://www.wetamarine.com/

Very much agree. I was never a fan of the Weta, for no other reason than what you elude to; versatility. I love sports cars, but I always end up with an SUV or station wagon

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Knuckles
2021 Hobie TI

I am aware of other companies making trimarans. Looking at small trimarans like the size and price of something like the Windrider 17.
My question was, "will hobie ever consider making one"
I have owned 6 Hobie's over the years and I love their products. I would like to stick with hobie products.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

also check ASTUS trimarans

but I agree with the fact that everything is too expansive also because built in a limited number of items

The sweet spot for a purpose built trimaran is in the 15 to 17 foot range. This keeps it light and small enough to be trailerable, storable, rigged and sailed by one person, but large and powerful enough to go 2-up without any practical loss in performance. But you can't do it for the $18K to $20K you mention. Add at least another $5K to $8K to that and maybe.

In the meantime the Astus 16.5 meets your criteria but the price is closer to $25K.

There is something else in the works along these lines but it will be next summer before they are available.

As far as I know Hobie has had plans to do something with a small purpose built trimaran for several years but the "low hanging fruit" is in the kayak and paddle board markets currently, so that's where their attention remains at this time.

Are you referring to the Rocket 480, Tom?
(I've been following with interest on SA, but I'm expecting them to be rather expensive considering the amount of carbon).
Or some other craft?

I am involved with the Rocket project. We know what the market will bear cost-wise and are determined to hold the line to what we feel that market can and will pay. This has been a problem with so many Trimarans that were intended to reach the market at a certain price but by the time all was said and done many came in at twice or more that amount.

Carbon doesn't run the price up by as much as you might think. Trimarans run into cost issues for other reasons - the number of hulls (which also mean more tooling and molds) the beam structure and fittings, cost to assemble, etc. There's just a good deal more labor involved along with the more extensive up-front engineering and you can only split that cost up over so many boats initially.

^ Thanks - look forward to hearing (and seeing) more.

I own a 2020 Tandem Island and love its versatility, but sometimes I miss the speed of "pure" multihull sailing. So last week I decided that I will have both and will get a second-hand Weta by the end of January : perfect boat to race solo... and easier to handle than beach cats.