trimarã

A trimaran is a type of multihull boat consisting of three hulls: a main central hull and two smaller outrigger hulls, known as amas, attached to the main hull by beams called akas. This configuration offers several advantages over monohulls, including increased stability, speed, and deck space. The amas, by extending outwards, provide buoyancy and resist heeling, allowing the boat to carry more sail area and achieve higher speeds.

Historically, the design of trimarans can be traced back to ancient Polynesian outrigger canoes, which used a single ama for stability. Modern trimarans, however, are typically high-performance sailing vessels, though they are also built for motor cruising. The design allows for a very wide beam, which provides significant stability and reduces the need for ballast, making them lighter than comparable monohulls. This lightness contributes to their speed.

Trimaran hulls are often narrow and sharp, designed to cut through the water with minimal resistance. The amas can also be designed to retract or fold inwards, which is useful for docking or navigating in confined spaces. The deck space on a trimaran is often extensive, spread across the main hull and the akas, offering ample room for leisure activities or cargo. They are popular for offshore racing, long-distance cruising, and as recreational boats.