rapido trimarans

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

First look: Rapido 50 folding trimaran

• June 9, 2021

The recently launched Rapido 50 will share many of the same characteristics of her predecessors as a performance folding trimaran that should turn heads

When launched in 2016 the Morelli and Melvin-designed Rapido 60 quickly established this brand as a new breed of ultra-fast, yet practical, performance cruising/racing trimaran

The Vietnam-based builder has two further models in development, at 40ft and 50ft. Both are folding multihull designs, which enables them to slip into a regular monohull marina berth and reduces storage costs when ashore.

Construction of the Morelli and Melvin design is of infused carbon foam sandwich, with beams, daggerboards and rudder made of pre-preg carbon. The central hull is configured for single-level living, with the cockpit and deckhouse both on the same level, although the Rapido 50 has a higher helm station to give a clear view over the coachroof.

Polars for this model show it being capable of well over 20 knots of boat speed across a wide range of reaching wind angles, and as much as 18 knots beam reaching in just 14 knots of breeze. The first Rapido 50 was built for delivery to an owner in Palma, Mallorca.

Article continues below…

Sailing La Vagabonde explain their multihull criteria

Over the last seven years Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu have advanced from novice sailors to logging more ocean miles…

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The sky flashed a blinding white light and a spark came down just a few hundred metres to port. We…

Rapido is also working on a 40-footer with curved C-foils and T-foil rudders. As well as offering a performance boost, without the control issues of a fully foiling boat, these allow the interior to be opened up as there’s no need for a daggerboard in the central hull.

The result looks to be a very enticing high performance yacht with a civilised two-cabin interior and acres of deck space.

Base prices are ex works, ex sails and electronics, and with aluminium spars.

Rapido 50 specification

LOA: 15.24m / 50ft 9in LWL: 14.96m / 49ft 1in Max beam: 10.38m / 34ft 1in Folded beam: 5.5m / 18ft 1in Draught: 0.67-3.52m / 2ft 2in to 11ft 7in Displacement (light): 8,200kg / 14,400lb Base Price: US$1.25m ex VAT

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RAPIDO 60: The fastest production multihull in the world?

Rapido N ° 2 (Romanza) in New Zealand in a breeze, under 1 reef/solent, the central hull releases a good part of its wetted surface!

The silhouette of this animal won’t leave you indifferent! The mast section, the sail plan and the decor of the hulls herald something colorful. Note the comfortable stepped hull that offers a generous interior

With this boat, the upwind angles can be very closed, and even in the breeze with the chop, the spray seldom reaches the cockpit

Rapido, the two-faceted multihull! It knows how to be clever, but no question of going unnoticed at anchor!

Dynamic dihedron in operation, the windward hull well clear of the water. Rapido is cutting its course at a brisk pace on a flat sea and a wind below 12 knots. The foredeck and the anchoring station are like those of a cruising multihull

From the helm station, access to the cockpit is direct and secure, the trampolines fixed on laminated battens (so without holes or screws) are at deck- level making moving around more comfortable. Even under reacher, the upwind performance remains amazin

Very innovative ergonomics! Raised helm station, 4-6 seat bench seats, folding tandem seat. Note the sail-handling console with the big electric Lewmar 60 winch placed on the bimini and the large boom wings. The cockpit bulkhead is in a raised position un

The saloon, the cockpit and the galley can merge into a beautiful semi-outdoor space perfectly protected from wind, spray and sun (note the side fairing that closes the area in for high speed). Here the connecting door is tilted and stored under the bimin

The saloon table is removable. Who could have imagined not so long ago such a galley aboard a performance trimaran?

The continuity of accessibility is one of the Rapido’s strong points: at the bottom of the cockpit, access to the aft cabin

The forecabin of this trimaran is spectacular; the blend of materials (here on Romanza), the design and the perfection of the composite left visible testify to a very sure taste and a demanding finish!

From the aft lodge (it has its own bathroom), the view of the wake is seductive

The multifunction locker accessible by a large watertight hatch from the cockpit; there are even bunks and an access panel. Really practical ... and the weight is centered!

Practical info

• Builder : RAPIDO TRIMARANS
• Technical specifications

• Finance your Rapido 60 Ocean Cruiser
• Articles about the Rapido 60 Ocean Cruiser
• Available in issue # 157

Boat Test price $5.00 Inc. tax

Add several tests to your cart

and get an extra discount!

American ports and marinas, like those in Western Europe are struggling to accommodate large catamarans. How will they react to an 18x12m trimaran platform?  The question may seem incidental, but still made me think!  But why start a review of a multihull as attractive as this one with an off-the-cuff comment?  Nobody said that the Rapido was reasonable!

Trimarans: easy victims for dock fees

A large part of the world's yachting fleet is grouped around an infinitesimally small percentage of the coast (and not always the most attractive bits!). There remains, however, a variety of smart solutions in wonderful and less crowded sailing areas (estuaries, lagoons, large lakes, interior gulfs, drying areas ...). Countless shoal-draft areas would also be able to accommodate this type of boat (the Rapido has an integral daggerboard),  which would help to avoid the sometimes grotesque regulations and outrageous charges for moorings. This bleak comment made, let's get to the main course: I invite you aboard one of the most exciting liveaboard multihulls ever produced. Hold onto your hat… and your sunglasses! Welcome aboard the Rapido 60. 

How are ambitious projects born?

Richard Eyre (an English-speaking Canadian sailor passionate about trimarans) and Paul Koch (formerly of Corsair Marine) are the protagonists of the Rapido story whose genesis is explained through a deep and ancient immersion in the world of trimaran building and an ultimate will to achieve.  Paul is the industrialist of the pair. He bought Corsair from John Walton i...

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Rapido 60 Trimaran Review | Sailing La Vagabonde

Rapido Trimarans is thrilled to confirm that  Sailing La Vagabonde  (SLV) will sail the world’s oceans aboard a Rapido 60!

In fact, SLV’s video announcing the decision to their 1.59 million subscribers (yes, 1.59m subscribers!) will go live live at 8.30am, Adelaide time in Australia (GMT/UTC +9:30) on 8 June 2021.

See the SLV video embedded below.

Welcome Riley, Elayna, Lenny +1 to the Rapido family!!! It is so good to have you on board!

Who is Sailing La Vagabonde?

SLV comprises an Australian couple, Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu and their son, Lenny. Additionally – and literally – joining the team will be their new-born, any day from now!

Riley and Elayna’s job is to sail the world’s oceans and, each week, bring their adventures to our phones, desktops and iPads via You Tube.

They began documenting their evolving journey on You Tube back in 2014 with a single-hull vessel. After a time, they upgraded to a twin-hulled vessel and, for the last 18-24 months, have been researching which boat would become the future of their sailing story, and proudly wear the title  Sailing La Vagabonde III .

As part of their exhaustive selection process, they travelled to New Zealand in December 2019 for a test sail aboard the Rapido 60,  Romanza . Owners of Romanza Dougall and Jaz Love were there together with co founder of Rapido Trimarans, Paul Koch. Some photos from that trip are posted below.

Eventually, falling out of Riley and Elayna’s exhaustive selection process was a three-hulled 6o’ (18m) trimaran, the Rapido 60.

Riley and Elayna explain why they chose the Rapido 60 (comments from video above)

But now, let’s hear from Riley and Elayna as to why and how the Rapido 60 met their criteria:

Riley – Rapido offers sailing performance and space

I know that the Rapido sails unbelievably well which is the main thrust behind all of our decision making.

(When we went to New Zealand), I knew it was going to sail well. I knew it was beautiful. I knew it was very well made because I’ve got a lot of respect for the boat builders.

The only thing I was worried about was the amount of space on board.

I jumped onboard ( Romanza ), ran around and I was like, “Ahhhhhh!, this is perfectly fine!” (Later in video Riley describes the fore cabin as being “massive” with a “huge” bed. “When you’re standing in the saloon, you’re actually standing in a huge room.)

Elayna  –  Lightning speed at 25.7 knots

She goes at lightning speed. During the test sail, I was at the helm with one hand on the helm and we were going at 25.7 knots! I think I got the top speed for the day!

Riley  –  Maintaining a speed

25.7 knots – that’s extraordinarily fast. (And) that’s maintaining a speed; not surfing down waves.

Elayna – Just slightly heeling over

That was constant 25.7. In fact I think it was 26.7 but just n case, I will say 25. There you go!

It was fast and I was worried it would really heel over. (But) even at that speed, it was just slightly heeling over.

Riley – I want to be able to go at a good pace safely

I’m much more interested in average crossing times. I mean it’s good fun to go fast but that’s the least important on my list of things. I want to be able to go at a good pace safely.

It felt beyond comfortable.

When we were doing 20 knots, It felt like we were only going 10 – and it felt like we had so much more power just sitting there in reserve.

It felt like we were just ticking along and that is a nice feeling.

More Information

• Rapido Trimarans
• Rapido 60 Trimaran 
• Sailing La Vagabonde YouTube Channel

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Rapido Trimarans

For serious sailors. The Rapido 40 offers the benefits of the Rapido 60 – but only requires a single berth in a marina.

The Rapido 50 Trimaran is the world’s ultimate ocean-cruising folding trimaran. Designed by Morelli & Melvin.

Wide-body version of the Rapido 50 with eXtra Space. The performance of a trimaran with the space of a catamaran.

Rapido 53xs.

The world’s fastest cruising trimaran. Offering cutting-edge performance with a spacious and luxurious interior.

Why a rapido trimaran.

Why would you want to cruise on anything other than a Rapido Trimaran if you want the following:

• A stable boat which doesn’t heel.
• A boat that loves long distances, short sprints and the passage between.
• Discovering places that others cannot venture to when you sneak up alongside a secluded beach or glide over a reef (the draft of the Rapido 60 is just 0.75m with the rudder and daggerboard retracted).
• The Speed when you need! Having the flexibility to power up and sail away from bad weather systems is prudent. Powering up and sailing away while other boats are wallowing is, well, just a lot of fun!
• To sail short-handed with centralized systems, Karver reefing hooks, self tacking furling jib, furling reacher and stay sails.
• Safety . Safety is paramount on the water and the fleet of Rapido Trimarans are designed and built to put you in control for fast, safe, fun sailing (see “SAFE” box further below).

Click here to read more about why you should buy a Rapido Trimaran

Dragonfly Demo Sails

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Corsair Demo Sails

Windcraft is pleased to be able to offer demo sails with our partner Tommy Clark on [...]

Rapido Trimaran update

Rapido Trimarans offers four ultra modern, high performance cruising trimarans, the Rapido 40 and Rapido 50,Rapido 53 XS, and [...]

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Corsair 760 video

Corsair 760 video

• ENQUIRE NOW

Specifications

General Details

• Length: 18.1m (59.3 ft)
• Beam: 11.7m (38.4 ft)
• Draft: 1.0m (2.5 ft)
• Average light displacement (subject to final options): : 9,700 kgs (21,385 lbs)
• Displacement (max load): 12,000kg (26,456 lb)
• Headroom (average): 2.1m (3 ft 4”)
• Mast height above water: 25.3m (83 ft)
• Storage volume of floats (at greatest dimension): (l) 4.5m x (w) 1.3m x (h) 1.5m

Further information:

• For detailed specifications, click onto  Rapido 60 Specifications (30 Nov. 2021)
• Click to download Rapido 60 General Arrangement .

Sailing La Vagabonde to sail world’s oceans on a Rapido 60. 8 June 2021. See video below.

• Mainsail: 125m² (1,345 ft²)
• Solent: 71m² (764 ft²)
• Reacher: 130m² (1,399 ft²)
• Asymmetric Spin: 225m² (2,422 ft²)
• Stay sail: 25m² (269 ft²)

General Information

“I  sailed Rapido Hull #01 on the Mediterranean Sea the other day and we were doing 14 knots upwind while cooking in the spacious kitchen!" Ferdinand van West (former F18 World Champion working with designers, Morrelli & Melvin ). ( Click here for original article in Catamaran Racing.)

Billed as the World’s Ultimate Ocean Cruising Trimaran , the Rapido 60 really is the Queen of the Oceans . It offers speed, safety, performance – and luxury.

The inspiration behind the Rapido 60 comes from Paul Koch (co founder of Rapido Trimarans), arguably, the man who has built more production trimarans than anyone else on the planet.

The design is by world renowned naval architects, Morelli & Melvin Design and Engineering who use some of the most sophisticated technology in the world. Triac Composites  is our exclusive builder.

While the foam sandwich and carbon construction is lightweight which gives the boat its speed, it also provides an extremely strong and rigid structure that has been designed to withstand the might of the oceans.

An additional benefit of the foam sandwich construction is the high degree of insulation, protecting the Rapido when the sun beats down.

Morelli & Melvin enjoy a very strong international reputation. Their designs even include entries for the America’s Cup .

Onboard the Rapido 60 Romanza at its first regatta – Race Week Come on board the new Rapido 60 from New Zealand called Romanza & take a tour with the owners and hear from crewman Chris Nicholson #HIRW Morrelli & Melvin Design & Engineering Inc. @rapidotrimarans Posted by Hamilton Island Race Week on Wednesday, August 22, 2018

[Video caption: Take a tour onboard Rapido 60, Romanza with owners, Dougall and Jaz Love, during Hamilton Island Race Week.]

Morrelli & Melvin’s computer modelling said that the Rapido 60 was very strong. And so we tested it.

We bolted the centre hull of the Rapido to the factory floor in HCMC. We then brought in two mobile cranes – each took a diagonal corner of the two outer hulls. With one diagonal corner each, the two cranes began to lift while the trimaran’s centre hull remained bolted to the floor, causing it to twist. One tonne of lifting pressure… Two tonnes… Three tonnes…

As the trimaran twisted it began to creak and groan. But the sensitive electronic equipment we had measuring every move and twist remained unphased. Everything was within design parameters.

Seven tonnes… Eight tonnes… Nine tonnes…

The pressure was eased and the Rapido spring back into its original condition – totally unaffected by the enormous twisting pressure that had been placed upon it.

The computer modelling had accurately predicted the incredible structural strength of the composites used in the Rapido. The Rapido is built to take on the oceans.

Rapido is, simply, the Queen of the Oceans.

Incredible storage capacity

The Rapido 60 has amazing, dedicated storage capacity. Floats (4.8m x 1.3m). Beneath the cockpit seats (2.1m x 0.5m). Beneath the cockpit floor (2.1m x 2.9m x 1.3m). Forward of forward cabin (1.4m x 1.2m x 1.2m).

Other videos

[Video above: Rapido 60, Romanza, races effortlessly at 24 knots during the opening day of Airlie Beach Race Week (Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia) in August 2018.]

[Video above: Owners of Rapido 60, Romanza, take the organisers of Hamilton Island Race Week on a walk thru tour.]

[Video above: Owner of Rapido 60, Ineffable, Steve Bourne is interviewed about his boat for the 39th St Maarten Heineken Regatta.]

[Video above; Rapido 60, Romanza wins the PIC Coastal Classic in New Zealand in November 2020. And it wasn’t all hard sailing out there over the 21 hours.]

• For more videos, visit the Rapido Trimarans’ You Tube Channel .

FAST AND POWERFUL

Trimarans are safe, powerful and fast as demonstrated by the fact that they consistently win races and hold the solo speed record for circumnavigating the world.

Safety at sea is the No. 1 priority and this thinking is reflected throughout the design and construction of the Rapido.

The Rapido 60 has some truly amazing living spaces which provide more open, private and intimate areas than monohulls or catamarans.

stable and comfortable

Trimarans are comfortable on all points of sail.

The combination of safety, performance and comfort put the Rapido in a league of its own. The enormous trampoline nets add fun and excitement as you watch the blue water rush underneath you – or as you lounge on the nets while gently floating over a reef. You will be instantly hooked..

look inside the

Rapido 60 in action.

See more Rapido Trimarans videos (You Tube)

View all Rapido 60 photos

60 in the media

Below is a list of articles which have appeared in various publications regarding Rapido Trimarans.

• Shipyard Focus: Rapido Trimarans , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, August / September 2022.
• Cutting edge technology for multihull design , by Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 23 March, 2022
• Rapido, changing the game , (takes a detailed look at the cutting edge design and technology of Morrelli & Melvin) by Zuzana Prochazka, Multihull Sailor, December 2021
• Harnessing Speed , by Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 2021
• Rapido 60 Trimaran Boat Review: A Bold Gamechanger For Performance Bluewater Cruising , by Zuzana Prochazka, Yacht World, 23 September, 2021.
• Harnessing the wind , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, September / October 2021 issue, 6 page spread on Rapido Trimarans.
• Sailing La Vagabonde choose Rapido 60 to sail world’s oceans , video announcement by SLV to their 1.59 million subscribers, You Tube, 8 June 2021
• The Ultimate Racer-Cruiser: Clients on Romanza are turning heads on the racetrack when they’re not cruising at high speed , North Sails, 19 April, 2021
• Making Short-handed Short Work – Onboard Rapido 60 , Anna Merchant, Sail-World, 11 February 2021
• Rapido 50 News from the Shipyards , Multihulls World, 2 February 2021
• Buyers’ Guide 2021, Rapido 50 , Multihulls World, 18 December 2020
• “New breed” Rapido 40 & 50 , Yachting World magazine, November 2020
• Cruising Helmsman reviews Rapido 60 , October 2020
• Romanza takes top spot in Yates Cup , SEA Yachting magazine, September 2020
• Rapido Trimarans relocates production arm into Vietnam ,  SEA Yachting  magazine, Nov/Dec 2019.
• Rapido Trimarans, On the March, Seahorse Magazine , October 2019.
• (French)  Rapido 40, un trimaran repliable de 12 m , Bateaux.com, 29 August 2019.
• Rapido 60 – The most exciting production multihull in the world?  (or  click here  for selection of quotes), Multihulls Magazine, Summer (July) 2019.
• Rapido , Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, June 2019 (pp23-24)
• Ineffable’s Steve Bourne: I’m a nutter for sailing , Daily Herald, 26 February 2019.
• Rapido 60′ the fastest production multihull in the world? , International Multihulls World, December 2017
• RAPIDO 60’ : Le multicoque de série habitable le plus rapide du monde? , Multihulls World, 23 November 2017
• Finding Mrs Right , Boating New Zealand, August 2016
• Blue Water Cruising Trimaran , Australian Multihulls World, August 2016
• Rapido 60 , Cruising World, 25 August, 2016
• Rapido 60 , by Emma Bamford, Sailing Today.