trimaran 40

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2024 Boat of the Year Best Trimaran: Dragonfly 40 Ultimate

• By Dave Reed
• December 20, 2023

“Classy.” That was the first word that came to mind for Boat of the Year judge Mike Ingham when he stepped aboard the formidable 40-foot trimaran from Dragonfly, an unexpected and welcome late entry to the competition in Annapolis. “It almost feels as if the boat is intentionally understated but overdelivered because once you start looking closer at the details and craftsmanship, it just keeps getting more impressive.”

Builder and company owner Jens Quorning, whose family has been building trimarans in southern Denmark since 1967, says the Dragonfly 40 is the biggest boat they now build and a worthy holder of the flagship title. “Building a boat of this scale is complicated,” he says of the folding trimaran. “It takes three years to develop a new design, and this is for owners looking for a bigger boat, with better performance, capable of more long-distance sailing.”

The result is a powerful trimaran aimed at experienced owners who appreciate the sheer pleasure of racing and cruising on three hulls. This is not your average production multihull. It is a powerful and luxurious sailing machine capable of knocking off fast miles in comfort. Slip down below and you’re immediately immersed in a master class of woodwork and joinery. There are berths for four, including a giant master under the cockpit, plenty of standing headroom, and a comfortable salon and galley arrangement that’s monohull-cozy. “We do not offer a big house on the water,” Quorning tells the judges. “But if you really want a fine and elegant yacht with double-digit sailing, this is what we do.”

For our tests, Dragonfly presented its Ultimate edition, the midrange version. An upscaled Performance model is an all-carbon version with a taller mast. And in the lightest wind of the week, sub-10 knots, the trimaran teased the judges with its potential. Still, in the light stuff, the boat delivered a winning experience.

“It was a dream to sail upwind and downwind, almost effortlessly,” Ingham says. “With the gennaker up, at about 100 degrees true, we were going faster than the wind, and with winch pods on each side of the steering wheel, everything was as ergonomic as you could possibly imagine. The electric winches made it a cinch to furl and unfurl the headsails through the tacks and jibes, and the sails trimmed in perfectly every time.”

The feather-light feel of the helm, Ingham adds, was as smooth as a balanced dinghy. “With tiny movements on the wheel, the boat would immediately respond, but I could also walk away from the helm for a few minutes and the boat would stay right on track. Crazy—I think it steered itself better than I did.”

That’s the trait of a good trimaran, Greg Stewart says. The Dragonfly 40 has a lot of buoyancy in the bows, and while the center hull is substantial, the tall trussed rig and square top mainsail provide plenty of power. “The biggest thing that struck me is how easily accessible everything is,” Stewart says. “Clearly, every detail is painstakingly thought out, and I can’t believe how beautifully built the interior is. It’s top-notch, from the glasswork to the paintwork inside and out. Down below, we were all blown away by the finish.”

There’s no denying the boat is expensive at upward of $1 million, but the test boat had quality race sails, a full electric-winch package, and a long list of high-spec extras. At nearly 15,000 pounds light, it’s a substantial boat—not trailerable, but foldable with Dragonfly’s trademark technique that Corning describes as mimicking parallel rules. The floats are 2 feet longer than the center hull, with buoyancy pushed well forward into the reversed bows, and the center hull is narrow at the waterline before sweeping upward to a high and hard chine. This pronounced hull shape allows for the generous amount of headroom, and high bench seats that flank a long centerline table, which can, of course, drop down to create a double-size berth.

Allen noted that the center hull’s wide side decks provide a secure pathway to the bow, rather than across the trampolines. He was also impressed with the ease of sailing the boat and the comfort belowdecks. “When we were doing 9 knots, I went below and there was silence. It’s comfortable and beautiful. It would be a blast to do some long point-to-point racing on it, doublehanded or with like a crew of four, max.”

Stewart agreed, adding that beyond its noteworthy gunkholing attributes, the engine is well aft on the center hull, allowing it to be motored safely into shallow anchorages. The daggerboard is mechanically raised into the trunk, and the rudder kicks up. “I also think it would be great for a distance race or rally type of event,” Stewart says. “Its performance and versatility are what appeal to me, but the build quality is what really sets it apart.”

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Sailboat Review: Rapido 40

• By Mark Pillsbury
• May 6, 2024

In the great debate among sailors about what’s better—a monohull or a catamaran—both sides make compelling ­arguments. Monohulls are more efficient at going upwind. Their sufficient ballast ensures stability in a seaway. Some would say that a keelboat is just plain more exciting to sail. But cat lovers counter that they don’t care to “sail on their ear.” They’re willing to motor to windward if necessary, they enjoy the ability to pull up next to a beach, and they rave about the outdoor living space that two hulls afford. 

And then there’s the trimaran crowd, which, on a boat like the Rapido 40, gets the best of both worlds. Fast, flat sailing upwind and down? Check. Shallow draft for cruising in skinny water? Check. Lots of room to spread out on deck, and generous accommodations below for a cruising couple with kids or occasional friends? You bet.

The Rapido 40 is designed by the high-performance team at Morrelli & Melvin, and is built in Vietnam by Triac Composites. Rapido was co-founded in 2014 by Paul Koch and Richard Eyre. Koch is an old hand at trimarans—he was formerly president of Corsair—and he says that there is a market out there, albeit a niche one, for performance-oriented, oceangoing cruising trimarans. 

Rapido’s 40 is the smallest in a line that ranges upwards of 60 feet—its original model. Just sitting at the dock, the all-­carbon-fiber build is one sleek-looking boat. It has a rotating, spreaderless, double-tapered wing mast; a V-shaped boom; and a square-top main that’s paired with a versatile two-headsail sail plan. That sail plan includes a self-tacking jib for upwind sailing or days when it’s blowing, and a screecher set on a sprit. There’s also a continuous-line furler for off-the-wind or light-air conditions. 

Underway, that package provides plenty of horsepower, as my Boat of the Year judging colleagues and I would discover on Chesapeake Bay this past fall. It was a ride where we all vied for the dubious honor of top tiller hog.

In 10 to 12 knots with the small jib rolled out, we skipped along at close to 8 knots, according to the GPS. Things got really lively when we rolled up that sail and unfurled the big dog. Twelve knots and change was about top end for us in those relatively light conditions.

And boy, was the Rapido fun to sail! The boat has bench-style seats outboard to either side of the cockpit, so skippers can sit with the tiller extension in hand and legs stretched out, watching the world fly by. C foils in the amas are adjusted up or down depending on the point of sail; strategically placed electric Harken winches raise them, and gravity drops them down. Sheets and halyards can also be led to the winches, so, for a shorthanded crew, sailhandling—especially with the self-tending jib—is pretty simple.

A base model Rapido 40 runs just under $700,000, though the boat we sailed in Annapolis—with top-of-the-line North Sails, B&G electronics and a composting head—carried a price tag of $800,000 and change. Other options include a performance mast and electric propulsion. Lithium batteries are standard.

I’ve been on smaller tris, where the interior can feel cramped because of the relatively narrow beam of the center hull, but the 40 has more-than-adequate living space. An inline galley takes up the starboard side of the salon, with a dining table opposite. The raised cabin top and windows all around provide 360-degree visibility and 6-foot-6-inch headroom. Rear-facing ports are removable for ventilation and to provide better visibility forward from the cockpit. I liked the look of the carbon-fiber countertops and drawers, which felt light as a feather to open. And the composite work was clean as a whistle.

Beneath the cockpit, there’s a double berth that’s accessible through a cockpit hatch or from below. It would be a great place to stash the kids, and two single berths are an option. I’m told that in later models, the cockpit sole has been raised 3 inches, making the aft cabin that much roomier. The owner’s stateroom, with a double berth offset to port, is in a cabin forward of the salon, along with a head and shower.

Hulls and deck are foam-cored. The prepreg autoclave-cured components such as the bulkheads, boom, mast, C foils, structural beams and T-foil rudder are all made in-house. The main hull and amas (which fold in, reducing the beam from 28 feet, 10 inches to 19 feet, 3 inches) all have watertight bow crash compartments. The engine compartment, which houses a 30 hp Yanmar with a shaft drive, is also surrounded by watertight bulkheads, just in case.

Rapido US importer Bob Gleason—an experienced ­multihull guy and owner of The Multihull Source in Cape Cod, Massachusetts—had fit out the boat that we got aboard to keep the weight down. I still found it packed with all that I’d need for a comfortable getaway. Workmanship and equipment was ­top-notch, just as I’d expect on a boat built to go places.

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge. 

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Dragonfly 40

Design & Performance

• Reviews & Awards

Specifications

• Photo & videos

Maintenance

The Dragonfly 40 is available in four versions, the standard Touring version with self-tacking jib, the Ultimate version has a taller and more powerful rig and larger overlapping furling headsail for higher performance, the C Ultimate Carbon version with floats-, beams-, forward and aft structual main hull bulkheads and under deck cabin mast support in carbon Pre-Preg system cured in Autoclave and the C Performance version is similar to the C Ultimate version, but with an even taller and more powerful rig and sails. The Dragonfly 40 accommodates a crew of 6 to 8 persons.

Dragonfly 40 Videos

Reviews, articles & awards

Awarded as winner

Category: Best Trimaran

Category: Best Performance Trimaran

Category: Under 45 feet

Båd Magasinet, Denmark March 2021

Text: Morten Brandt Photos: Nils Günter/EYOTY

YACHT 4 February 2021

Text: Jochen Rieker Photos: Nils Günter/EYOTY

Category: Performance Cruiser

Multihulls World #175 November 2020

Text: Mark Bernie, Dick Sawyer, Paul Thomas, Francois Trégouët and Emmanuel van Deth.

Category: Multihulls

Category: Multihull of the year

MAINTENANCE

Dragonfly 40 Touring, Ultimate, Performance (built since 2020), and all C-version (built since 2022)

To inform and illustrate recommended service, maintenance, and refitting on an older Dragonfly, we have drawn this general information sheet. Rough elements, like strong winds and wave conditions, strong saltwater and UV do have some impact on the boat after a long sailing life.

We strongly recommend servicing and changing vital parts on your boat according to our recommendations. This information overrules any other former information you may have, as the following is based on updated knowledge.

Exchange intervals of structural parts

Dragonfly 40 Touring, Ultimate, and Performance (built since 2020), and all C-versions (built since 2022)

• Waterstays - every maximum 10 years or 25.000 NM.
• Side stays and forestay cables in Stainless Steel – every maximum 10 years or 20.000 NM.
• Fiber Side stay cables (DF 40C and sometimes ordered optional on other boats) to be replaced after 7 years and or max 20.000 NM.
• Diamond stays on the mast should be changed after 15 years at the latest, or, by max 25.000 NM.
• Beam stop cable to forward, outside beam under trampoline – every maximum 10 years.
• Halyards and Dyneema lines need regularly visual check for wear and tear.
• Steering cables – every maximum 7 years or 15.000 NM. Regular visual control is strongly recommended and especially before planning longer trips.

The above listing of exchange intervals is the recommendations from the Dragonfly yard, and it is not an extension of the 2-year warranty committed from when the boat was new.

From January 2024 we engrave the Dragonfly logo including a production year, on all rigging terminals on structural wiring such as waterstays, side stays and diamond cables, to make it easier for you as a customer to follow the above recommended exchange intervals.

Important: Always check very carefully that you replace cables in the same type of cable quality if not ordered/replaced by the Dragonfly Yard.

Visual check of all cables is still required before and when changing the rigging. We strongly recommend focusing on side stay cables, as these easily bend when stepping the mast. Bended side stay cables near the terminal may cause the side stay cable to break.

On all Dragonfly’s, please regularly check the forestay cable in the top by the terminal. When furling, the spinnaker or Code-0 halyard may block the forestay, which can cause failure of the forestay.

Trampolines

On all Dragonfly’s, we recommend re-stitching (sewing) along the stitching/seams of the trampolines every 6-7 years (in climates with strong UV, every 5 years). Normally, our clients change their trampolines after 10-12 years use. Please note this is an recommendation and it is still always the skippers responsibility to regularly check the condition of the trampolines.

Float deck Teflon pad rings

The white 5 mm Teflon pad rings on the float deck needs to be changed every 13-15 years – this is neither critical nor structural. For easy change of these pads/rings, you just bolt off the floats from the wings by the one bolt in each end of the Wing/beam.

Quick-Links

Over the years, Quorning Boats has used the riggings links, so-called Quick-Links, in the Dragonfly production quite often. When replacing these, it is of utmost importance to purchase links of same high quality or similar products carrying same strength (working load). Many products look the same, but do NOT carry the same strength/loads. If you are not sure about this, please contact your local dealer or the Dragonfly Yard.

The above picture shows a Quick link from Peguet that is used on all Dragonflys.

Caution for all painted surfaces on the boat and mast

Painted surfaces may not be covered with Plastic or other non-breathable materials, as water and condensation cannot be lead away from the painted surfaces, and these are not able to dry.

When water is stuck between the Paint and a non-breathable or non-ventilated material, blisters can occur between the paint and the gelcoat or the carbon sections of the mast.

Due to these circumstances, the permanent use of Ex. Matt-Fenders cannot be recommended, as water and Condensation can also get stuck between these and the hull, and lead to blisters in the Paint.

Quorning Boats cannot be held responsible for Blisters in the paint occurred due covering the painted surfaces with non-breathable materials.

Ordering Parts

Original parts can be ordered at Quorning Boats at [email protected]

Common spare parts can be shipped within two weeks, whereas special parts and/or custom-made parts usually are served within 6-8 weeks.

Parts ordered at Quorning Boats Denmark, will be produced in originally designed materials. Should you choose to order from other suppliers, please check that the same kind of materials are used – especially on the waterstays and other rigging parts, where stronger Dyeform cables are needed. 

Read the Dragonfly 40 brochure

Check out the other dragonflys.

Dragonfly 25

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Dragonfly 32

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Quorning Boats ApS

Skærbækvej 101 7000 Fredericia Denmark

+45 7556 2626

[email protected]

VAT No DK 18 88 83 78

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Specifications

* Please note, General Specifications are subject to change and should be confirmed with Rapido Trimarans Limited.

General Specifications

• Length: 12m (39’6”)
• Beam: 8.80m (28’10”)
• Beam folded: 5.8m (19’3”)
• Displacement: TBD
• Draft: boards down 2.18m (7’2”) boards up 0.87m (2’10”)

Download General Specifications

• To download the General Specifications of the R40 RACER, click here (dated 14 August 2024)
• Please note, General Specifications are subject to change. All specifications must be confirmed in writing by Rapido Trimarans at the time of contract signing.

Performance Carbon Rig

• Mast length: 19.5m (63’11”)
• Mainsail: 74m2 ( 796 sq ft)
• Solent/ jib: 35m2 (377sq ft)
• Reacher: 74.32m2 (800 sq ft)
• J1: 74.32m2 (800 sq ft)
• Stay: 14.64m2 (157 sq ft)
• Spinnaker: 169m2 (1,819 sq ft)

General Information

Rapido 40 racer.

Rapido Trimarans has commenced construction of their new class racing, high performance trimaran, the Rapido 40R. The mast is 2m taller than the standard.

*** The 12m Rapid 40 Racer is now under construction , Sails magazine, 4 September 2024. ***

*** A bunch of new models, Rapido 40 Racer , by Emmanuel van Deth, Multihulls World magazine, 19 September 2024. *** 

[Photo below: Rapido 40R Hull #001 is now under construction.]

While there are monohull race boats in this size range, this trimaran fills a void in the market, offering multihull racing enthusiasts a high-tech, affordable, alternative.

This racing version will be finished with paint instead of gelcoat to save weight. It also comes equipped with:

• Prepreg carbon spreader-less performance rig
• C foil dagger boards
• B&G Electronics
• North Sails’ 3Di race package
• New slide up/ down, kick-up T foil rudder blade; and
• Low-profile coach roof.

This model will appeal to both syndicates and individual owners and, as it meets CE A requirements, it will be able to compete in ocean races.

The Rapido 40R will be folding so that shipping, marinas and hard stands are less.

BENEFITS OF FOLDING FLOATS

• Access to single marina berths
• Access to all marinas
• Reduced marina, hard stand and shipping costs
• Stability of trimaran is maintained during folding and while in the folded position.

Safety and Watertight bulkheads

While some bulkheads are completely watertight, all are watertight below the waterline.

Further details

• Email co founder, Paul Koch

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 40 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 gliding over a reef. You will be instantly hooked..

look inside the

  trimarans in the media.

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

• Sailboat Review, Rapido 40, A sailor’s dream boat , by Mark Pillsbury, Cruising World magazine, 6 May 2024
• Rapido host much anticipated launch of first Rapido 53XS , Sails magazine, 1 May 2024
• Rapido 53XS – a peak speed of 24 knots during initial sea trials , by Emmanuel van Deth, Multihulls World, 19 April 2024
• Rapido 53XS, the new 16m globetrotter of a trimaran , by Aldo Fumagalli, Vela magazine, 24 January 2024
• First look – Rapido 53XS, a 20 knot cruiser , by Toby Hodges, Yachting World, 29 December 2023
• Video. Sailing Bliss: Unveiling the Rapido 40 Trimaran – GIDDY UP!!! , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Video. The Rapido 53XS: Tour, review and ideas , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Rapido 53XS Review , by Yachting World, 9 November 2023
• Video. Der Kat-Jäger: Carbon-Trimaran Rapido 40 aus Vietnam (“The cat hunter: carbon trimaran Rapido 40 from Vietnam”) by Yacht TV, 12 October 2023
• Cruising World announces Rapido 40 as Boat of the Year 2024 nominee , Cruising World, 26 September 2023
• Rapido 40 carbon trimaran from Vietnam – the test , by Michael Good, German Yacht Magazine, 21 September 2023
• C-foils on a fast cruising trimaran? This looks rapid!, Rapido 40 tour, Yachting World magazine video by Toby Hodges, 8 September 2023
• Rapido 40: The Alternative Trimaran , by François-Xavier de Crécy with photos by Ludovic Fruchaud, LE MONDE DU MULTICOQUE #24 by Voile Magazine. July, 2024.
• The Rapido 40 is a 20 knot cruising tri , George Day, Cruising Compass, 24 May, 2023
• Boat Review of Rapido 40, Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 4 May 2023
• Rapido 40: ultra fast cruising in complete safety on three hulls , Maxime Leriche , SailboatNews.com, 25 April 2023
• Boat anomaly: Rapido 40 Trimaran , No Frills Sailing, 19 April 2023
• Rapido 40 – Fast, foldable and worry free!,  Multihulls World magazine, No. 189, May-July 2023
• Shipyard Focus: Rapido Trimarans , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, August / September 2022.
• Rapido, changing the game , by Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 23 March, 2022
• Rapido 40: A livable sailboat for cruising on 3 hulls , Briag Merlet, Sailboat News, 23 February 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
• Boat Review: Rapido 50 , Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 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.