History of trimaran

The first trimarans were built by the Polynesians about 4 thousand years ago. Most of the terms associated with boats and their components originated from Polynesian names.

Multihull ships (trimarans and catamarans) became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Naturally, modern trimarans differ from the popular multihulls of those times both in design and speed, and in their "stuffing". 19 - 36 feet long trimarans have been designed and built in the last 30 years. Many of these trimaranes were collapsible for transport on trailers.

Soon, trimarans became a fairly common means of transporting people. In 2005, the 127-meter Benchijigua Express trimaran was delivered to Spain. It accommodated 1280 passengers and 340 cars! With a top speed of 40 knots, it was the longest aluminum ship in the world at that time!

Trimarans have many advantages over monohull boats: wider beam, shallow draft, good stability and the ability to travel long distances. In addition, due to the wider beam, the trimaran does not need a weighted keel, unlike monohulls. As a result, the trimaran offers more options than a single hull boat. He is able to walk in shallower waters and "confidently float" on the water in fairly strong winds and storms. However, the trimaran's wider beam makes it a little awkward when maneuvering, again in comparison to single-float boats.

Another advantage of a trimaran is that it is lighter and faster than a monohull of the same size. Some trimarans have a light lifting keel. Some trimarans can reach excellent speeds in storms and travel through waves. But such an experience can be dangerous for a multihull due to the wide beam. The bow of the boat, often covered with a springboard, acts like a giant paddle. In order to avoid unfortunate outcomes, experienced yachtsmen advise using a springboard with a wide "weave" and a suitable anchor.

The "father" of the modern trimaran is Viktor Chechet, a Ukrainian immigrant from Kiev and an avid adherent of three-hull boats. During World War I, Mr. Chechet was a fighter pilot. He lived in New York from the 1940s until his death. During his life in the United States, he built two Eggnog trimaranes 1 and 2. Both boats were 24 feet long.

Most trimaranes are virtually unsinkable. Even with two "flooded" hulls, the buoyancy of the remaining hull is sufficient to keep the entire vessel afloat. Due to their reliability, trimarans (for example, the Challenger class) have become very popular among sailors around the world.

18.03.2008