Which Small Trimaran is Right for Me?

The answer to, "What small trimaran is the best one for me?" is completely subjective, of course. Opinions will differ based upon personal goals and preferences. So while it's impossible to answer this particular question in general, it is possible to isolate the main variables that seem to affect how an individual may answer it.

-- "What kind of small trimaran do I want?" This is probably the first question. Another way to approach this one is to ask yourself, "What do I want to DO with my sailboat?"

Do you want a super-speed-machine? A recreational day cruiser? A relatively well performing (fast and easy handling sailboat) that also features a small cabin -- thus allowing it to become a "weekender" instead of a just a "day cruiser?" How comfortable do you want your boat to be ... do you absolutely want a cozy sit-down seat, or are you willing to ride on just a small hiking seat or trampoline? How big do you want your boat to be? (The smaller a boat is the more "wet" your ride is likely to be. If you really want a wet and wild ride during the dog days of summer then regularly getting doused with water is fine).

-- "Do I want to simply buy or factory-order a commercial boat, or am I willing to build one myself?" If you want to get a small trimaran that is only available commercially then, naturally, you're choices among boats will be restricted to what is available from commercial manufacturers. If you're willing to build then you have to ask yourself if you've got the skills (or if you can realistically acquire the skills necessary) to build your own boat?

-- "Am I willing to buy a used small trimaran?" If you're willing to buy a used sailboat then you may be able to save some money ... whether choosing a boat that is either commercially manufactured or owner-built.

-- "How much cash can I spend?" This is a big one. Your "recreation budget" set aside for sailing will more often than not determine if you can purchase a brand new boat ... or what kind of a boat you can afford to build yourself, including the cost for plans and building materials.

-- "How long am I willing to wait for my prized sailboat?" If you want to buy a commercially available trimaran then you can save for it instead of buying on credit if you don't have all the money upfront. If you'd like to build a small trimaran on your own then you will have to plan for how long a building project like that is likely going to be. Will it be a few months ... or might it be a year or more ... and if it is a year or more then could you simply save the money to buy the boat you want during this time instead of building it yourself?

There are other questions you can (and should) answer, of course. For example, where are you going to store your boat? Will you borrow or buy your own trailer to get your new sailboat to the dock? How much effort is it going to take to keep the boat in excellent condition? Etc.

If you consider questions like those above it may help you understand the market better so you can choose just what kind of trimaran is the right one for you. A hasty decision is more prone to be regretted later on.

Enjoy the research process. When it comes to small trimarans, your initial research may be almost as much fun as finally deciding which boat you're going to sail.