dragonfly 800 trimaran

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• Sailboat Reviews

Dragonfly 800

The dragonfly is a speedy danish import that goes head-to-head with the popular f-27..

At the 1992 U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, there were more than a dozen multihulls on exhibit. How times have changed; just a few years before, bitter from lack of interest by the boating public, multihull builders and designers seemed to be saying, “If you ain’t gonna buy me, then I ain’t available…it ain’t me you’re looking for, babe!” Scorned, they pretty much kept to themselves.

But many multihullers persisted. And the record times of the big cats and tris in long-distance singleand double-handed events were too spectacular to go unnoticed. We’ll never forget motoring out in a Mako photo boat to meet Chay Blyth and Rob James finishing the Two-Star off Newport, Rhode Island. His Brittany Ferries GB had made landfall off Cape Cod, then turned southwest toward Newport. We came upon him just as the sun set, making 20 knots in a rainbow of spume. It was hard to keep up, even with a Chrysler 318 V-8 under the saddle.

Over the years we’ve had a number of unforgettable experiences aboard multihulls—skimming across Saginaw Bay with Meade Gougeon aboard his 35-foot Adagio, sailing close-hauled downwind; cruising the Chesapeake aboard a Gemini catamaran, the only boat our son with cerebral palsy ever felt really comfortable on; and ripping up Buzzard’s Bay on Chris White’s Atlantic 50 cat, everything wire taut, slicing the chop as neatly as a Veg-A-Matic.

You’ll never be converted from a monohull to a multihull without first taking a ride. What gets you is this: 1. In light air, when you would be motoring your monohull, you can make six knots, and in higher wind speeds you double or triple your speed. A good multihull does to ocean passages what the Concorde does to air time between Paris and New York. 2. No heel. You begin to realize that much of the fatigue you’ve experienced in the past comes from sailing on your ear, every muscle tensed. 3. The multihull is a vast platform offering new freedom, new vistas, and, for the slightly misanthropic, new opportunities to get away from the rest of the crew. Multihulls have arrived, folks. And so has the Dragonfly 800 Swing Wing.

The Design and Construction

The Dragonfly 800 comes in two configurations, one for racing and one for what the company calls cruising, which is a misnomer only in that it implies a plodding demeanor, which is hardly the case. The essential difference is a taller mast and Kevlar sails for the racing model. Our test sail was aboard the “cruiser.”

The designer of the Dragonfly is Borge Quorning, a Dane who also builds them. The first boat was launched in 1981; the 800 Swing Wing is a third generation model, introduced in 1989.

Construction is unidirectional fiberglass with Airex coring in the hull and deck. The glass work looks first-class with no ripples, clean edges, and many nice details such as a comfortable angle for the cockpit coaming/backrest. Most of the hardware is of good quality, including Frederiksen blocks and Andersen winches. An alleged bad batch of resin caused delamination of several rudders a couple of years ago, but, according to the importer, the problem has been rectified.

To retract its amas for berthing or trailering, the Dragonfly 800 incorporates a different method than the F-27, to which it is often compared. Whereas the F-27’s crossbeams pull up and in, the Dragonfly’s pivot aft. The advantage is that it’s extremely easy to pull in an ama: Remove the aluminum strut between the hull and crossbeam, ease tension on the rig, loosen the netting and winch it in. The down side is that with both amas drawn in, the boat’s beam is just over nine feet, which is wider than the legal road limit. For trailering, four bolts on each ama must be unscrewed and the ama removed. They stow upside down on the trailer. This isn’t a big deal, but it does take a little longer than commissioning or decommissioning the F-27.

Clearly the rigging of the Dragonfly has been refined over the years as everything is very well thought out. All sail handling operations can be accomplished from the cockpit. For example, the drum of the roller furling gear is located below the deck (at the forward end of the anchor locker), and its control line is led aft to emerge underneath the traveler in the cockpit. Lines to haul the amas in and out emerge from seemingly nowhere on top of the cockpit coaming, right next to a winch. Very convenient.

And a barberhauling system, led from the bow of each ama to blocks on the jib sheet, then to the aft end of each ama and into the cockpit, permit infinite and precise sheeting. The rotating mast also can be controlled from the cockpit. Most controls run through rope clutches on the coachroof.

Performance

We test sailed the Dragonfly 800 on Long Island Sound, on a chilly but sunny day in October. Winds were light—5 to 8 knots. Reaching we were able to sail at the speed of the wind, and nearly so upwind. We were reminded that in a monohull we’d probably be motoring.

Top speed, according to company literature, is about 25 knots, which would have to be one hell of an experience. Above 12 knots, we were told, you get a beautiful roostertail.

The boat tacks easily, pivoting about its centerboard. There is little if any helm, at least at slower speeds, and with the main and jib sheeted in for most points of sail, you feel like you’re driving a go-cart in an empty mall parking lot—just aim and go.

Dragonfly 800 Diagram

Broad reaching we set the spinnaker, which on a multihull is easy because no pole is necessary. And with each clew sheeted to an ama, there is no fear of it wrapping the forestay.

An interesting characteristic of the Dragonfly is that when overpowered, the hull begins to lift and the rudder cavitates, causing the boat to round up. We’re not sure we’d rely on this as our only clue to possible danger, but it’s nice to know that the boat’s natural inclination is to round up rather than flip.

The recommended outboard size is 6 hp., which will move the Dragonfly in flat water at 7.2 knots. It can be controlled from the cockpit, allowing you to turn both the motor and the tiller at the same time, in which case it will do donuts in its own length.

We’ve grown accustomed to the fact that small trimarans don’t have the interior volume of a similar monohull. That said, we found the Dragonfly’s accommodations cheerful and tastefully done.

The V-berths are quite long (about 7 feet), with a tinted skylight overhead. You can’t sit up in bed, but there’s ample leg room. A pull-down privacy blind separates the V-berths from the settees. An optional toilet may be installed under one cushion.

The settees in the main cabin have fold-out panels underneath the cushions that secure against the centerboard trunk; the backrest cushions then fit over the panels and presto, you’ve got two 30-inchwide bunks. Fitted over the centerboard trunk is a teak drop-leaf table. Aft is a small split galley with sink (17-gallon water tank) and single-burner Origo alcohol stove. We did note that the seacocks did nothave flanges, which are recommended by ABYC.

With ash plywood overhead, designer lights, teak trim, and a nice view out the windows from a seated position, time spent belowdecks is pleasant and comfortable. Especially appreciated is the forward facing hatch, which allows a good deal of light and air into the cabin.

The cockpit can become an extension of the living space with the dodger and Bimini erected and zipped together. Both fold unobtrusively out of the way and are further illustrations of how everything on this boat fits together just so.

For us, buying a Dragonfly would be like buying a Porsche, a strong move that puts you back in touch with the road. Though company literature states that boats may be custom equipped at the factory for transoceanic passages, we would not attempt it. In fact, we like this boat better without confusing its purpose. To our mind it’s a terrific daysailer and an adequate coastal cruiser.

Choosing between the Dragonfly 800 and F-27 is tough. With a 1993 base price of $49,500, the Dragonfly is about the same as an F-27, but includes many standard items that are optional on the F-27, such as sails and roller furling. It’s also a foot shorter and does not have the F-27’s aft cabin with extra berths. Frankly, we like the looks of the Dragonfly’s open transom better, as well as the convenience it affords swimmers. On the other hand, the F-27’s aft cabin gives some folks an added sense of security in the cockpit. Which you favor may depend on whether you need those extra berths. As far as main cabins go, we favor the Dragonfly’s.

Our final impression of the Dragonfly 800 is that it’s just plain fun to sail. We like it.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Hi! Darrell, I’ve recently acquired a damaged Dragonfly trimaran 8M, and while I love the tri with lots of multi experience, I’ve fallen into a rut and need some help. I’ve searched the web for info on the ‘folding system’ and can only find a different model to mine, (Canadian model) with ‘balsa core’. The system I did find has ‘folding ropes’ coming from ‘inside’ the beams and mine doesn’t. any help from you or your readers would be greatly appreciated. Also to help motivation, (as I get older), I’d like to acquire a MODEL of an 8 or 9.2M MODEL of the tri., I’m quite happy to beg, borrow (with deposit) or buy it if available. I appreciate the great work you do, and Thank You very much, ‘B J’.

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DRAGONFLY  800 – DF 800

The Dragonfly folding trimarans are built in Denmark by Quorning Boats: Dragonfly.dk

The Dragonfly 800 started off as a “fixed wing”. Later came the first “swing wing” version of the Dragonfly 800 trimaran. The unique Dragonfly Swing Wing system has been standard on all Dragonfly Trimarans since the introduction of the system in 1989. A very important feature by the Dragonfly Swing Wing system is the fact that the boats can stay folded in a marina berth. This special design, where the floats move down deeper into the water when folded and actually lifts the centre hull by 7 to 10 cm, gives this extra stabile comfort. All successive models of Dragonfly trimarans used the same type of folding mechanism.

There where two versions of the DF800 a standard and a racing version. Details for the racing version are in brackets. The DF800 has been replaced by the DF25.

Dragonfly 800 FOR SALE

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• Sailboat Guide

Dragonfly 800

Dragonfly 800 is a 26 ′ 2 ″ / 8 m trimaran sailboat designed by Børge Quorning and built by Quorning Boats starting in 1986.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Boats are available with a racing rig and a smaller cruising rig. The ‘swing wing’ system (aft folding akas) allows the beam to be reduced to 2.9m.

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Dragonfly 800

The dragonfly 800 is a 26.25ft frac. sloop (rotating spar) designed by børge quorning and built in fiberglass by quorning boats since 1986..

The Dragonfly 800 is an ultralight sailboat which is a very high performer. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a very short water supply range.

Dragonfly 800 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Round Denmark 2021 - A Dragonfly 800 claims victory in the two-handed class!

Article published on 02/07/2021

By Emmanuel van Deth

published in n°SP16 aug. / sept.

Lars and John Kämpfe - a father and son crew - won in real time in the latest edition of the Round Denmark, a 650-mile event that was particularly hard on the nerves this year... due to the lack of wind. 

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Dragonfly Trimarans

Dragonfly trimarans for sale.

The Dragonfly 25 is a easily trailerable trimaran for sailors looking for both performance and comfort.

Dragonfly 25.

The Dragonfly 28 is an excellent trailerable trimaran built for performance and cruising comfort.

Dragonfly 28.

The Dragonfly 32 is the perfect combination between family cruising, racing, and offshore adventures.

Dragonfly 32.

The all-new Dragonfly 40 Performance Cruiser is a cutting edge design with a spacious cockpit and stylish interior.

Dragonfly 40, dragonfly trimarans for sale in the us.

Dragonfly Trimarans are built in Denmark to extremely high standards by Quorning Boats. The current Dragonfly range extends from the trailerable 25 and 28 footers, up to the larger 32 and 40 foot models. All Dragonfly Trimarans employ their hallmark “swing wing” system for retracting the floats for docking or in the case of the 25 and 28 for easy trailering. One feature of this system is that the floats remain in the vertical orientation, which is an advantage when keeping the boat in a slip because it eliminates the issue of fouling of the outside surfaces of the floats. Another hallmark of Dragonfly trimarans is their attention to detail in the interior design and finish, creating a beautiful comfortable place to spend time inside the boat. If you are looking for a Dragonfly Trimaran for sale, Windcraft Multihulls is a US dealer located in the Southeastern United States. Contact us for more information.

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

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The Dragonfly Swing Wing System

The unique Dragonfly Swing Wing system has been standard on all Dragonfly Trimarans since the introduction of the system in 1989.   A very important feature by the Dragonfly Swing Wing system is the fact that the boats can stay folded in a marina berth. This special design, where the floats move down deeper into the water when folded and actually lifts the centre hull by 7 to 10 cm, gives this extra stabile comfort.   Even when folded, you can still get into the floats storage and still you have no fouling problems. Further, to improve the stability, this is also why all the taller mast comes standard in carbon on the Dragonfly series.

The Dragonfly 25 and 28 can easily be folded manually, but on the Dragonfly 32 you can operate the Swing Wing system with one or two optional electrical winches. On the Dragonfly 40 you get 4 electric winches on a standard boat which you can use to operate the Swing Wing system.

Last but not least, the folding system today makes it possible for the Dragonfly 25 to fold and fit directly into a 40’ container. The Dragonfly 25 and the 28 to trailer easily when just folded. For the bigger boats, road transport is still possible by truck, and winter storage also much easier.

Over the years, the Dragonfly folding system has obviously been finetuned and is for sure the fastest and easiest folding system for trimarans in the world.

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