“Rapido 40 Carbon Trimaran from Vietnam – The Test“, Michael Good, Yacht Magazine (Germany), 21 September 2023.
The following is an edited and translated extract from the original German review. You can view the original article online by clicking here. Please note that the original text has been translated into English for our readers by Google.
An Exciting Multihull Alternative to Conventional Performance Cruisers
The carbon-built Rapido 40 from Vietnam is a game-changing multihull alternative to the conventional performance cruiser. Engineered for blistering speed without sacrificing touring comfort, it represents the next evolution in blue-water trimarans.
The Ultimate Stress Test: 2,000 Nautical Miles Across the Mediterranean
More than 2,000 nautical miles across the Mediterranean, mostly battling stubborn head-winds, stormy seas, and high waves: Paul Koch, cofounder of Rapido Trimarans, took it upon himself to personally deliver Hull #02 of the Rapido 40 from Greece to southern France for the Multihull Show in La Grande-Motte. It was a punishing tour for the skipper, a true trial by fire, and the ultimate stress test for the vessel.
“I just wanted to see what my boat can do on the long haul and where there is still potential for improvement,” Koch remarked after a demanding, yet completely trouble-free crossing.
Uncompromising Lightweight Carbon Construction
With a total displacement of just 5.2 tons, the Rapido 40 is exceptionally light. For comparison, conventional cruising catamarans of the exact same length displace roughly twice as much, tipping the scales at an empty weight of around ten tons.
Rapido 40 Performance: Unlocking Astonishing Speed Potential
This commitment to lightweight construction, combined with remarkably stiff carbon-fiber connections and a powerful sail plan flying from a rotating wing mast, results in an unusually massive performance potential. Further, the side hulls feature asymmetrical, curved C-foils that actively prevent drift while generating dynamic lift.
During our testing in southern France under a constant 12 knots of breeze, the Rapido 40 logged a respectable 8+ knots close-hauled using the standard sail plan (a fully battened square-head mainsail and self-tacking jib). Its upwind performance is equally elite; the trimaran tacks through an angle of just 85 degrees at moderate wind speeds. This is an astonishingly efficient capability for a multihull.
Explore the Rapido 40 further
- To read the original and unabridged article (in German), click here.
- To see 15 interior and exterior photos of the Rapido 40 from the review, click on the same link.
- Rapido 40 website
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