Trimaran Sailboats
Trimaran sailboats have 3 hulls and are rather like their catamaran multihull buddies. However trimarans are the most stable boat ever invented as they have two sponsons that support the main hull.
This makes them ideal for use in Sailability schemes to help the disabled sail easily and in comfort.
I have sailed a Challenger, which is owned by a friend of mine at the Welsh Harp who is disabled, but still absolutely loves sailing and is trying for Paralympics in 2012!
It is great fun in a large blow, because of its stability and I found even myself shouting and screaming as the windward sponson started to lift into the air. However when there is little wind, it doesn't go very fast and may be quite boring.
The Challenger is a single handler craft, but a 'buddy' seat may be utilised for a second person to sit on one of the metal rods holding the sponson to the main craft.
You sail it sitting down and turn it using a steering wheel, which turns the rudder. All the controls are nearby and are colour-coded to make it easier to remember what does what.
The three hulls make the trimaran perfect for those who are disabled and are unable to sit easily on a hull and also those who fear the movement of a boat. Since you are sat down, the movements are more difficult to feel.
This however does not remove the wow factor from the trimaran, which in strong winds, will go very fast and still stay stable.
My friend David uses the Challenger frequently on the Welsh Harp and races against the lasers and the GP14s. In strong winds he will go very fast and may overtake even the lasers. In low winds, he will struggle to keep up with the fleet.
However, in actual racing he goes out with the lasers usually as there is only one challenger racing, but sometimes two, if someone wants to try them out.
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