| Recently, I spoke to a distributor for Magnum | | | | handled much more like any other small boat that |
| trimarans. These small sailboats are made by | | | | turns easily. In other words, they turn easily. |
| VirusBoats in France, and often serve as "day boats" | | | | The stern of their vaka (main) hull is basically flat. |
| for sailors who love to either sail solo or with a small | | | | This design, which combines with the a centerboard, |
| crew of guests. | | | | allows the Magnums to swivel to and fro quite easily |
| I was impressed by many of the things he shared | | | | ... almost as if they were single-hulled dinghies. |
| about these sailboats during our conversation, but | | | | Sailors who come back to shore after a sailing run |
| one thing in particular surprised me. Apparently, there | | | | for the first time often say they're amazed by how |
| is a bit of a misconception among some prospective | | | | easy these trimarans are to maneuver and turn. |
| buyers about these boats. The purpose of this article | | | | Apparently, their design shape allows such handling to |
| is to address it. | | | | be possible, and was unique when the boats originally |
| It seems that because Magnum trimarans are | | | | came out. A few other trimarans have now copied |
| multi-hulled craft, many sailors simply assume they | | | | this feature in recent years. |
| handle much like double-hulled catamarans. But this | | | | The flat surface along the back of the boat's principle |
| couldn't be further from the truth. It's an assumption | | | | hull, combined with the centerboard, permit this fast |
| that should be quickly set aside. | | | | boat to be nimble as well. And if you consider the |
| You see, catamarans have a generally well-deserved | | | | fact these boats are stable on the water, such |
| reputation for being difficult to tack. Their 2 long | | | | handling ease often comes as a nice surprise for |
| slender double-hulls, combined with the fact they | | | | users. |
| often glide along the water's surface on just one of | | | | More about the Magnum will be included in a |
| them, make it hard for those boats to turn easily. | | | | forthcoming book by the author. This new book will |
| The Magnum trimaran sailboats, however, are very | | | | cover small trimarans exclusively. And readers may fill |
| different. | | | | out any short survey posted in exchange for a free |
| When the Magnums first came on the boat scene | | | | trimaran-related information product in development. |
| several years back, they gave sailors a trimaran that | | | | |