TRIMARAN FOLIER TF 10

PART OF THE TEST PUBLISHED IN MULTIHULLS WORLD ( available on their web site)
Concerto and symphony
I am struck by the pretty “street art” decoration of the Ferrari red hulls of our test model; it gives creative desires to personalize this boat (easy with a self-adhesive transfer)! The goal is not to remain discreet; a little good-natured flashiness never hurt anyone! The recent passage of a strong Mediterranean depression has dented the deep blue, but behind the deluge, a splendid Catalan day is opening up before us. The small 4-stroke 6hp outboard engine is sufficient to tow the boat and maneuver, it hides completely in the skirt via a mobile chair sliding on rails and a stretched mesh hides it from view during navigation. The North 3DI black mainsail (equipped with carbon battens and 2 large reefs) is hoisted in large strokes made easy by the Antal slides. The Southern Spars rotating carbon mast is superb, the half wishbone boom splendid and clever. The self-tacking Solent 3DI without reefs is immediately sent and we start under the first gusts of a NW breeze forecast at 8-18 knots. First observation: moving around on board this flying trimaran is easy, the grip underfoot is reassuring and everything has been done for optimized ergonomic comfort. The trampoline covering (neoprene skin) is extremely pleasant for the feet, knees and hands, it does not hurt; a huge strong point! The availability of hydraulic energy which assists the appendages and the autonomy generated by the lithium battery allow 2 full days of sailing with the necessary rake adjustments (anterior-posterior tilt of the foils and rudders)! The maneuver is carried out from the cockpit via 2 large up and down buttons for the foils and 2 others for the rudders. Visual reminders (red balls for the rudders and yellow for the foils) slide on a fine dyneema along graduated rulers located on the arms; perfectly analogical markers! Minimum positive rake so as not to generate too much drag, we leave the bay and immediately take pleasure in this racy, powerful and light multi, we have to manage the mobility of the crew in this light wind so as not to crush the windward float and launch the machine. The wind rises (sorry the trimaran accelerates …) and in a first gust (8-9 knots under gennaker), the boat relieves and rises gracefully on its foils, it is quite stealthy, but at the second acceleration, the flight stabilizes for a few seconds. It’s my turn now! The helm position is remarkable, the accessibility of the maneuvers is excellent and the readability of the deck plan is impeccable. The ideal curvature of the carbon bars, the magnificent articulated rudder boxes, the admirable connections (by ball joints) with the large transverse inter-rudder link, the small telescopic stick and the comfort of the bench seat make up a super ergonomic cockpit. The Pontos mainsail winch (4 speeds including a super fast trim) falls to hand. I find my bearings at the helm in the first gusts above 12 knots, luffing to generate apparent wind, the machine accelerates frankly, you have to bear away quickly by anticipating while keeping enough power to not rest the central hull. A very addictive subtle game! The wind comes in offshore and the sea becomes hollow, agitated by around fifteen knots; we keep the code 0 and the first big accelerations are triggered. The reactions of the platform are lively, but reassuring. Good coordination between helmsman, trimmer, grinder (for the headsail) is necessary to play the permanent transitions of wind, speed and sea state. Change of position, I find myself grinder, in position in the central hull in order to also be able to take the video photo… not so simple! The accelerations now follow one another in gusts, the short and choppy sea does not favor a stable flight of very long duration and the landings are sometimes violent, but these acrobatics remain reassuring thanks to the geometry of the trimaran. The noise of the appendages is furious, the atmosphere humid, saturated with spray, the feeling underfoot is magical, made of accelerations, braking, changes of course to stay in the vein of wind. The perception of the body of water from our ocean balcony is truculent, the pleasure, maximum; the intensity of this ride is comparable only to an off-piste descent in powder on a steep slope! Multihull sailing at this level is an art! We have been hurtling down the slope for over an hour at between 15 and 23 knots (with 15-18 knots real) when the wind seems to drop, I quickly take the helm again to take advantage of the upwind climb, but it doesn’t last. We have to adjust the appendages for the conditions to come, strong chop, close-hauled, irregular wind! By applying myself, I discover another range of sensations that of an intermediate zone where the boat still benefits from its agility of foiling without being in constant elevation, the platform feeling is extremely pleasant and, while the wind is running out of steam, the fact of almost flying, of moving on the wave at 10 knots in a finishing wind provides intense pleasure. There is so much to discover with this mutant boat!
Conclusion
This machine offers truly extraordinary sensations! It requires good coordination between the crew members to get the most out of it, but allows a family or friendly team to get to know the world of flying safely. This exceptional instrument is capable of astonishing performances yet to be defined, it is probably one of the most exciting reasonably sized wind machines in the world.