What has your Commodore (Michael) and Vice Commodore (Alex) been up to lately? (just prior to the Corona virus shutdowns)

Well, a container carrying 2 Corsair 760s just arrived at the Multihull Central yard, and we had the job of assembling them and then handing the Corsair 760R over to it’s new owner Rob Laws.

The below is how we did this and also assembled the stock 760 all in a week.

In this photo we have already pulled the  760 out and have the slings attached to pull the stock 760. Note the masts attached at the top of the container, everything else was in or attached to the boats like a big mechano set and two “boys” ready to get into it.

The boats piggy back inside the container as it is only 12 metres long and we have two 7.6 metre boats – Corsair have done a great job in working out loading jigs. Once the boats were able to be accessed all of the bits that have to be attached were laid out including the masts (which by the way come full rigged and wired and only needed the forestay and shrouds attached to the mast)

The 760R was the piggy back boat

Lifting off the stands was easy (with a little bit of mechanical help!!) and the boats were lowered onto the trailers.

The trailers have fully adjustable everything so some time was spent under them with a jack to get the bearers in the right places to support the hull and then …..

Starting to look like boats albeit missing the fairly important beams, floats and mast.

The beams come wrapped up with support arms fitted and as these had been test fitted and adjusted in the factory they were marked as to where they had to go and on which boat.

Starting to look good here

Rob, the new owner, dropped by to see how his boat was going and was really pleased to see it in the flesh so to speak.

The floats attached and the trampolines fitted

Attached to Robs vehicle for the trip down to the launching ramp. Boat tows really well.

Rig up, sails fitted and in the water – took about an hour as this was the first time Rob has done this.

Had to get the iconic Sydney shot – Rob was very happy with boats performance as with the breeze about 8 to 12knts the boat was pretty much doing windspeed close hauled up the harbour and top speed for the trip was a bit over 12knts. Passing a lot of monohulls was great (Robs last boat was an Adams 10) and what a fantastic day to be out.

Rob was impressed with the light helm and responsiveness of the boat so after about 4 hours with the breeze fading it was back to the marina and short raft up next to a big boat. They both look great.

The trip back to the launching ramp , pack up and go home after a great sail.

For more on these boats see the below links:

http://corsairmarine.com/trimarans/corsair-760/#video-view

http://corsairmarine.com/trimarans/corsair-760-r/#video-view

Kind regards,

Michael – Commodore

Werner, thanks for your expert advice.  Let’s get straight to the point (and this is the one that we at Corsair are most interested in!):  Why are Corsairs the best trailering trimarans?

Number 1, it’s the legal trailering width – which is achieved by the folding system. Much is made of the weight, but the width is so crucial because it is a number which is not flexible across many countries.  The Corsair 970 is 2.55metres width on the trailer.  Right at the legal limit.  The new Corsair 880 will also be within that number.  Many people have been stopped by police on our roads and everything is a waste if you fall foul of those rules.

Number 2, the boat doesn’t become longer when folded.  This makes big difference for maeuverability, but it keeps the total towing package within the legal length.  Other brands might just stay within the width, but you can still have a big problem if you have an accident and your length was illegal.

Number 3, the weight of the boat + trailer is crucial.  I carefully consider the weight of the boat before suggesting which material the trailer is made from.  For a Corsair 970, an aluminium trailer is almost a must.  For the other models, depending on the specification, it might be steel.

Lifting a Corsair Folding Trimaran with a travellift

The wind is blowing you off the dock

How about the Spars?

Again as we said about the total length, it’s important to stay within that number – usually 19 metres total of car+trailer.   Remember that before buying a racing mast – or at least talk to us about it.  And don’t forget that keeping the mast light is also important.  You need to be able to handle it manually, and load it up high. However the boats come with a yoke and all necessary equipment to handle the mast – including raising it.

The length of the mast is a consideration for trailering, as is the overall length of car + trailer.

The wind is blowing you onto the dock

What car do you really need?

Clearly it’s up to you.  But up to the Corsair 28 and new 880 there are a number of family cars that can tow the package.  Consider the additional gear you’ll carry, and look to your car papers.  The total carrying load of car + trailer might also be printed inside your door.  And it will be different from country to country.  Finally, consider that 4-wheel-drive (4WD) is extremely helpful when departing the ramp (in retrieving your boat from the water).  It’s not such a bing concern for the actual driving part, unless the conditions demand extra grip for some reason.  But 4WD is very helpful indeed when driving up a slippery ramp with a heavily-laden boat on trailer behind.  As such the BMWX5 with X-Drive (shown below) and the Land Rover Discovery have been very attractive for Corsair owners.

Towing weight is critical – as is 4WD for larger models

Do you always launch in the water from the trailer?  Or do you often need a crane?

I prefer the ramp. But the boats are also prepared to lift from the trailer by crane or large forklift.  In that situation the boat should be lifted by lifting the main hull only – don’t wrap the straps around the floats.  I don’t like compressing boats regardless of the quality of the construction.  All of the trailers I provide are marinized and ready to launch boats in the water on the ramp.  We use a brake washing system, and stainless steel brake systems so they are well protected from the salt water.

Careful consideration should be paid to the trailer construction material and brakes

Are the trailers single axel or double axel?

We use single axel up to the Corsair 760, and any models above that size use a double axel. Again, it’s worth talking to us about this early on.

Why don’t you trailer the Corsair 37?

Even I don’t have the car, or rather truck, to pull this boat.  With a Corsair 37 I suggest you consider having a professional driver. The trailers for such a boat are expensive.  So unless you’re changing your cruising ground frequently, it sometimes makes better sense to have a professional driver.

How safe is trailering?

It comes down to how you load your boat on the trailer.  Always use CE certified straps.  You should spend time with us loading and unloading your boat when it is delivered, so you know exactly what to do.  This is a useful service we provide.  The AA has a lot of information about trailering.  If you have their breakdown service its worthwhile notifying them that you have a boat on trailer.

A big point is to know your maximum speed allowance in all of the countries you’re driving through – it will be different from country to country.

You also need to have the correct signal and break lights, and in Italy (where a lot of my boats go) you need a special plate with the load striping (a form of signal striping).  We’ll make sure you are prepared for such technicalities and are kept safe on the road as much as we can assist you.

Final point on safety – it’s important to know the weight at the point of the ball on the hitch.  That capacity varies from car to car, and it’s something that we will look at when we know which car and boat you have.

Anything you would like to add?

You didn’t ask me about the maximum height.  That’s important for obvious reasons.  For example, when entering a petrol station.  That’s a situation that’s all-too-often forgotten.  Know your height.  The Corsair 970 is 3.6 metres.  That’s too tall for the passenger train on the Eurotunnel for example.  You would have to take the cargo train (which is a common occurrence).  You really must just know your height.

Read more:

Corsair 880 Design News

Folding Corsair trimarans: Legendary ability, unbeatable reliability

6th Annual Trimaran Sailing Clinic with Corsair

Christoph, thanks for your expert advice.  Before answering questions, please give us the basic preparations for docking a trimaran in the harbour:

Number 1: The boat is very light, so you should think in advance even more than usual.  Know where the wind is coming from and know where the current is going.  A performance trimaran will be taken by the wind more easily.

Have your daggerboard down.  The boat pivots on the daggerboard so you need it to turn correctly, and especially if there is some wind the daggerboard is crucial. With anything like a strong wind the boat simply won’t turn, it will just drift, so the daggerboard must be down.

You’re planning in advance, so don’t dock bow-in even into the wind. When the wind is coming from the dock, you’ll ideally plan on docking stern-in. The boat follows the power of the engine every time in a lightweight trimaran. So keep the power at the leading end of the boat (stern-in in this situation). It’s also far easier to dock stern-in for beginners, especially as they can see the engine. If you’re tying up side-to, do the same thing: move along-side the space and shimmy (or drift) onto the dock using the engine to keep you in place, and the engine+rudder to control the lateral motion toward the dock.

The wind is blowing you off the dock

And if the wind is from behind or blowing you onto the dock?

Exactly the opposite. The engine needs to act like an anchor – it needs to be to the wind. So the bow goes into the dock, and you use the engine to control your speed and angle. Move in slowly and just be aware of your bowsprit.

The wind is blowing you onto the dock

2.  What are the big differences between docking the different Corsair models?

The big differences between docking the various models is between the aft-cockpit models, and the aft-cabin versions. In the aft-cockpit versions ranging from the Pulse 600, to 760’s, and older-versions like the 28, there is no outboard linkage between outboard and rudder. So YOU must be that link – literally you have the outboard in one hand and the rudder in the other.  You need to move them simultaneously. This means docking stern-in is even more important. And you’ll need to be standing to dock.

The new Corsair 880 has a generational improvement on the outboard linkage (see image). That will make docking the new 880 easier as the helm will feel in control. You have a more elevated position, and a bigger place to put a big fender at the stern (perhaps tied on the dock). So although the stern of the boat looks taller and flatter in a completely modern trimaran like the 880, the docking situations we’re talking about are where it comes in really handy.

Handling the new 880 will be made easier with an updated engine-tiller link

Now you’re approaching the dock so I’m thinking about some of the pitfalls! It’s also important to know that the stainless steel eyes used for tying the bow nets and wing nets are NOT used for docking lines – especially on the smaller models. You might use them for extra fenders – that can be useful because fenders on trimarans can ride up the dock and pop out. So it is useful for some extra fenders (anyway, be aware of that when attaching fenders). But don’t use the stainless eyes for docking lines – they’re meant to tension the nets where the forces are applied from a completely different angle, and I regularly see them damaged from misuse as a dockline fixing point. It is especially true on the smaller models where the eyes are obviously smaller as well.

3.  What about mooring?

The key difference between mooring a Corsair trimaran and something like a Seawind catamaran is in the use of the bridle.  A really heavy trimaran might not do this, but a Corsair is light enough to make forward motion just due to the windage of the boat itself! It will literally move forward over the bridle, anchor, mooring line, or whatever you’re tied to – sometimes resulting in loosening the anchor and starting to drift. So make sure the bridle is asymmetrical so that the boat wants to sit on a “tack” – this prevents the forward progression.  Also, take the daggerboard up. The daggerboard provides lift, so enables the boat to sail itself forward more efficiently. If you don’t know the waters, the sea bottom, and conditions, then do the opposite – Almost! Put about 20-25cm of daggerboard down because if the boat does drift and run aground its better for the daggerboard to run aground and catch on the bottom than for the boat hull to run aground. Allow the daggerboard to take the punishment because replacing that is a lot cheaper and easier.

4  And Mooring alone?

Well in advance of approaching a mooring field, I take my own (the boats) bow mooring line and attach it through the clew at the bow. I run it outside the shrouds back to the cockpit. Then I manoeuvre the boat stern-toward the mooring and pick up the mooring line. I then feed the bow line through the eye of the mooring line, keeping the line in hand, and put the engine in neutral. Then I walk the line forward and attach the line to one of the floats – in effect making a bridle. This is a manoeuvre that, once you’ve done it a few times, really takes the stress out of mooring. With a second person, obviously they can do some of this running around. Even still I often do the initial stern-in maneuver because the routine is now perfected. It allows me to approach the mooring from the correct angle, with the engine and rudder in easy reach. And even better it allows me to slowly ease the boat into the mooring position I want – because the boat and engine did all of the work in advance.

Read more:

Corsair 880 Design News

Folding Corsair trimarans: Legendary ability, unbeatable reliability

6th Annual Trimaran Sailing Clinic with Corsair

Corsair 970 Sport

To make way for our new Seawind Catamarans arriving, we have to make room on our docks.

We have a 2018 Corsair 970 Sport with a full warranty and is loaded to the gills! Commissioned, US duty paid, a custom trailer built a fully performance sail inventory and a Yamaha 9.9hp outboard included for $17,000 under MSRP ($262,386. USD).

In this limited time offer, and includes complementary moorage for 3 months in the Shilshole Bay Marina (a value of $2,400) OR delivery to you within any US or Canada destination up to 2,500 miles from Seattle, at no charge.

The Corsair 970 Sport retains the hallmark of the Corsair 31: speed, performance, safety, reliability and ease of trailering. However the CR970 Sport takes all of these features to the next level, with the addition of extreme style and comfort.

The hulls and deck have been structurally reinforced with carbon fiber, increasing construction strength and reducing weight. The floats molded seamless designed with more buoyancy forward and level with the bow to reduce cavitation or fluid resistance on the lee float.

A rotating carbon mast foils the apparent wind over a Doyle Aramid laminate full-battens, triple stitched reinforced, triple reef, square-top mainsail. When dropping, a Harkin fast-track guides the sail down swiftly into a Doyle stack pack. The furling jib is of the same sail material and has vertical battens. There is a Racing screecher on a continues furler and a racing spinnaker also included in this package offer.

Below, the deck has been built higher for increased headroom (6’2”) and overall volume. Two cabins are situated on opposite ends of the boat. Large windows, skylights, and port lights throughout the interior gives the feeling of a deck saloon, not a cave. Plenty of LED lighting and 12V/USB receptacles are in every cabin.

Learn more how a Corsair trimaran performs in a regatta:

• Geelong Race Week >>
• La Cinquecento 2018 >>
• Multihull Welcome Race – Kieler Woche 2018 >>

SPECS AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDED:

Built by CORSAIR MARINE, priced as equipped:

✔ E-glass laminate with extensive use of carbon kevlar on structural reinforcement, PVC closed-cell foam coring in the hulls and deck
✔ Stainless steel overhanging seats
✔ Rotating Tall Carbon wing mast, carbon
✔ Doyle radial carbon laminate Fully battened, triple stitched reinforced Mainsail, lazy-jacks & Doyle Stackpack.
✔ Furling Doyle radial carbon laminate, vertical-batten Jib
✔ Doyle Carbon laminate racing Screecher on a continuous furler
✔ Asymmetrical racing spinnaker in red
✔ Retractable 6’ Carbon Fiber Bowsprit
✔ High aspect ratio composite daggerboard and flip up rudder foils.
✔ Upholstered interior with 6’ saloon headroom
✔ B&G Navigation Package – 7” Chartplotter, autopilot, wind speed and depth. B&G VHF
✔ Marine toilet, 13gal holding tank and direct discharge.
✔ 12v LED Lighting with red/white led lamps, 4 x 12v USB outlets, DC Electrical switch panel w/ circuit breakers, LED indicator lights and voltage display
✔ Freshwater deck shower
✔ Anchor, chain and rode
✔ Aluminum removable swim ladder
✔ 3 x fenders, 2x mooring lines & boat hook
✔ Yamaha 9.9hp outboard with electric start, alternator and tilt
✔ Custom Tuff Trailer, aluminum frame, 4-axel electric over hydraulic breaks
✔ Commissioned and US Import duty paid

We are the PNW authorized dealers for Corsair Marine Trimarans and Seawind Catamarans and we work to serve the sailing and motorboat communities we also roam. Give us a call or drop us an email anytime. View more photos below.

Love this boat? Contact Wright Yacht Sales at (206) 356-8698 or email: sales@wrightyachtsales.com

Love this boat? Contact Wright Yacht Sales at (206) 356-8698 or email: sales@wrightyachtsales.com

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