High-Performance Trimaran Cape-WT10 from White Tip Yachts: Featuring collapsible wings for easier towing
The Cape-WT10 Performance Trimaran, designed for both speed and stability, is a remarkable sailing vessel that combines innovative design with advanced materials to deliver an exceptional sailing experience. This high-performance trimaran, despite being built by Cape Performance in South Africa, is owned by a UK company.
A Trimaran Built for Performance
Trimarans, with their unique design of a main hull and two smaller side hulls (amas), offer a wide beam for stability and a slim main hull for reduced drag. This configuration makes them ideal for racing and fast cruising.
The Cape-WT10, designed by Francois Perus and Romain Scolari of Yacht Design Collective, is a 33ft performance trimaran. It boasts a significant beam, shallow draft, and minimal displacement, all key features that contribute to its high performance.
Key Specifications
- Length: The overall length of a typical trimaran in this class can range from 10 to 12 meters (about 33 to 40 feet).
- Beam: The beam of a trimaran is substantial compared to its length. It can vary, but a typical beam for a 10-meter trimaran might be around 6 to 8 meters (about 20 to 26 feet).
- Draft: The draft is usually shallow, allowing the vessel to navigate shallow waters. It can range from 0.5 to 1.5 meters (about 1.6 to 4.9 feet).
- Displacement: The displacement for such vessels is typically minimal, often around 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms (about 2,200 to 4,400 pounds), depending on the build materials and design.
- Sail Area: The sail plan includes a large mainsail and genoa, which can provide a significant sail area for speed. The exact sail area depends on the specific rigging and sail makers.
- Speed: Trimarans are known for their speed, with top speeds often exceeding 20 knots (about 37 km/h) in favorable conditions.
A Design Focused on Performance and Stability
- Main Hull: The central hull is designed for minimal drag, allowing it to cut through the water efficiently.
- Amas: The side hulls (amas) provide stability and help prevent capsizing. They are typically narrower and lighter than the main hull.
- Cockpit and Deck: The cockpit and deck are designed to be functional for both racing and cruising, with features such as a large cockpit area for comfort and ergonomically designed control stations.
- Accommodations: While performance trimarans focus on speed, they can still offer basic accommodations like bunks and a small galley (kitchen).
Built for Optimal Performance
- Materials: High-performance trimarans are often built with lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, foam cores, and advanced composites to minimize weight while maximizing strength.
- Construction Process: The construction involves careful planning and precision to ensure the optimal balance of weight and strength. This includes vacuum-bagged composite construction techniques and precise engineering to optimize the structural integrity.
- Customization: Many builders offer customization options to suit the buyer's preferences for performance, comfort, and style.
The Cape-WT10: A Versatile Sailing Vessel
The Cape-WT10 can be cruised or raced offshore, offering a diverse program. According to Thomas Wilson, the vessel allows sailing and racing in the Solent, and towing to the South of France for family fun.
The expected price of the Cape-WT10 is €425,000, and the first boat of the Cape-WT10 will belong to White Tip Race Academy, a new race school in Haslar.
The Cape-WT10 is foldable and trailable, with an interior that appears spacious, light, and suitable for short cruises. It has a LOA of 10m 32ft 9in, a Beam of 3.5m-8m 11ft 6in-26ft 3in, a Draught of 0.4-1.8m 1ft 4in-5ft 11in, and a Displacement (light) of 2,100kg. The sail area (100% foretriangle) of the Cape-WT10 is 182.3m2 1,962ft2.
White Tip Yachts can be contacted for more information at whitetipyachts.com. The Cape-WT10 is expected to be finished for the Solent season of this year. For boat tests, trimaran lessons, and multihull races, interested parties can look forward to White Tip Race Academy's facilitation.
Thomas Wilson and his wife, Sigrid, commissioned the Cape-WT10 due to a lack of modern appeal in existing 30-40ft trimarans. The couple, who are enthusiastic sailors, saw the potential in this innovative design and are excited to bring it to the sailing community.
- The unique design of the Cape-WT10 Performance Trimaran, with its main hull and two narrower side hulls (amas), makes it ideal not only for racing but also for fast cruising, similar to other trimarans in its class.
- Built with lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, foam cores, and advanced composites, the Cape-WT10 showcases a design focused on performance and minimal weight, offering speed and efficiency while maintaining stability and functionality for both racing and cruising.
