2026 Sail Buyer's Guide

20 to 30 feet

The under-30-foot multihull category seems to be waking up at last with the launch of two new models this year - the Astus 26.5 and the Tricat 8.50, along with an interesting project – the Kavagavom’s. On the other hand, there’s still no involvement from the major manufacturers. And yet, the sharp rise in prices observed after the Covid crisis, and with economic and geo-political uncertainty and persistently high interest rates, are motivating many buyers to think smaller. Here, in the 20- to 30-foot sector, it’s the trimarans that are in charge. Most of the models on offer feature a folding or telescopic float system. These units can fit into a standard marina slip and can even be transported by road. And this is what makes them ideal for coastal cruising and for discovering waters far from your home port. Or why not a bit of racing?

1 / 1

Publié le 27/11/2025

Par

Numéro : 205

Parution : Jan. / Feb. 2026

Découvrir cenuméro

Astus 20.5

Designed for Cruising, it Makes a Great Racer!

Test MW171

This trimaran has seen remarkable success, with almost 100 units built since its launch in 2018. Our test revealed that this VPLP designed multihull is as fun to sail as it is practical and easy to operate. The most active owners have been working together with AstusBoats to establish a one-design class. The 20.5 is particularly exciting in the Sport version, as it offers 260 sq ft (24 m²) upwind for a weight of under 500 kg (1,100 lbs). Like the other models in the range, it adopts a telescopic link system for the arms. The interior layout is compact but still offers a mini saloon and a double berth.

Builder: Astusboats
Architect: VPLP
Length: 19’6” (5.95 m) Beam: 8’2”/14’9” (2.48/4.5 m) Light displacement: 1,036/1,080 lbs (470/490 kg) Draft: 10”/4’1” (0.25/1.25 m)
Upwind sail area: 226/260 sq ft (21/24 m²) Sail area downwind: 366/452 sq ft (34/42 m²)
Gennaker: 215/280 sq ft (20/26 m²) CE category: C5/D7
Drivetrain: 6 HP outboard
Price (2025): € 29,833 ex-tax www.astusboats.com

Kavagavom’s

A Rocketship on Three Hulls

NEW

Specialist in fast, blue water cruising multihulls, Philippe Tournier presents this year an attractive 21-foot trimaran, the brainchild of his grandson Thibault Armengaud. Beyond this wonderful family story, this multihull can be dismantled and therefore easily transported. Built in composite sandwich construction, it features a rotating mast (optionally in carbon) and promises excellent performance thanks to its generous sail area. In terms of appendages, the central hull has a mini-keel, while each float is equipped with a daggerboard. Kavagavom’s has therefore been designed for the simple pleasure of sailing fast, even in light airs, whether at sea and or on inland waters. Its considerable beam (19’8”/6 m) and generous freeboard (2’/0.6 m) guarantee stability and buoyancy - enough to sail at over 20 knots in a good breeze, hiking out on the wing of the windward float!

Builder: Tournier Marine
Length: 21’ (6.4 m)
Waterline length: 21’ (6.4 m)
Beam: 19’8” (6 m)
Draft: 15” (0.38 m)
Displacement: 1,100 lbs (500 kg)
Mainsail: 301 sq ft (28 m²)
Masthead drifter: 312 sq ft (29 m²)
CE Category: C
Drivertrain: 4 HP outboard
www.tourniermarine.fr

Astus 22.5

Hulls Made for Skimming Across the Water

Test MW179

Astusboats has focused on this rigid, high-off-the-water trimaran to establish itself in the United States. This particularly lively multihull is simply waiting to make long runs, propelled by its gennaker. With less than 23 feet (7 meters) of central hull, this small trimaran built in infusion is of course foldable - and easily transportable. The interior volume of the central hull, with its daggerboard well offset to port, is sufficient to accommodate four proper berths.

Builder: Astusboats
Architects: VPLP
Length: 22’8” (6.9 m) Beam: 8’2”/9’10”/15’5” (2.5/3/4.7 m)
Mast height: 29’6” (9 m)
Draft: 13”/4’7” (0.34/1.4 m)
Displacement: 1,590 lbs (720 kg)
Headroom: 5’3” (1.6 m)
Mainsail: 226sq ft (21 m²)
Jib: 97 sq ft (9 m²)
Gennaker: 345 sq ft (32 m²)
Price (2025): € 49,083 ex-tax www.astusboats.com

Tricat 6.90

Small but Strong!

Test MW179

Specialists in folding trimarans since 2003, and with more than 200 units built, Tricat launched a new model at the end of 2020 that sat between the Tricat 20 and the 25, both of which have recently retired from the catalog. We got to Test this 6.90 - now known by a metric name - in particularly heavy conditions: at just 7 meters (22’8”) long, it showed itself to be as safe as it is fast. The main innovation of this new model is the removal of the traditional aft beam, freeing up circulation around the cockpit, especially for the helmsman. For the interior, some well thought-out packages and options allow you to increase the level of comfort.

Builder: Tricat
Architects: BE Tricat/Jack Michal
Material: polyester-infused GRP
Length: 22’8”/24’11” (6.9/7.6 m)
Beam: 15’1”/8’½” (4.6/2.45 m)
Draft: 11”/3’11” (0.28/1.2 m)
Light displacement: 1,590 lbs (720 kg)
Mainsail: 205/237 sq ft (19/22 m²) Jib: 104/117 sq ft (9.7/10.9 m²)
Gennaker: 258 sq ft (24 m²)
Spinnaker: 366 sq ft (34 m²)
Drivetrain: 6 HP outboard
Price: € 56,000 ex-tax www.trimaran-tricat.com

Corsair 760

Great for Both Cruising and Racing

Like all Corsairs, the 760 is a folding trimaran, yet it remains easily transportable given that its displacement is just under a ton. The hull offers significantly more comfort than its predecessors in the range; the 760’s cabin makes a great shelter if you go rallying or on a coastal camping trip thanks to its marked steps above the waterline. We also love the hinged roof: in fine weather, it offers good headroom. When under way, the Corsair 760 shows great potential, especially in the Sport version (carbon mast and specific deck hardware). Its performance earned this trimaran the title of Multihull of the Year 2018 in its category.

Builder: Corsair Marine
Architect: Yacht Design Collective
Length: 24’3” (7.39 m)
Beam: 8’2”/17’11” (2.5/5.46 m)
Draft: 12”/5’3” (0.3/1.6 m)
Light displacement: 2,095 lbs (950 kg)
Mainsail: 268 sq ft (24.87 m²)
Jib: 143 sq ft (13.30 m²) Asymmetric Spi: 540 sq ft (50 m2)
Drivetrain: 8 HP outboard
Price: $ 75,599 ex-tax
corsairmarine.com

Dragonfly 25

100 Miles a Day is Perfectly Achievable

Test MW142

Thanks to its excellent performance, the Dragonfly 25 is easily capable of 100-mile days. Reliable and pleasant to helm, the 25 is positioned as a very high-end unit compared to its direct competitors. This folding trimaran - the arms swivel backwards – is available in Touring or Sport versions. Inside, despite the marked chines, the volume remains a bit on the small side, with headroom limited to 4’10” (1.47 m) and narrow bunks. But you’ve got the option to order various comfort elements such as toilets or additional hatches.

Builder: Quorning Boats
Length: 25’1” (7.65 m)
Beam: 7’7”/19’ (2.3/5.8 m)
Light displacement: 2,535 lbs (1.15 t)
Draft: 14”/4’11” (0.35/1.5 m)
Mainsail: 258/312 sq ft (24/29 m²)
Genoa: 108/130 sq ft (10/12 m²)
Asymmetric spi: 495/645 sq ft (46/60 m²)
Drivetrain: 6 HP outboard
Price (2025): € 105,900 ex-tax
www.dragonfly.dk

Astus 26.5

The Biggest Trimaran in the Range

Test in this issue

The biggest boat in the Astus range has been unveiled at the La Rochelle boat show. Interest in small liveaboard multihulls is certainly evident at the show, and yards capable of positioning themselves well in terms of price clearly have a card to play… Astusboats specialize in transportable trimarans and have made no mistake with their forthcoming 26.5. For the Breton boatbuilder, even though this is the largest model they’ve ever offered, this trimaran obviously remains very accessible, both in terms of handling and budget. This, their fifth collaboration with renowned naval architects VPLP, results in a rather sober design featuring significant volume in the central hull above the chine. A taller rig and longer appendages augur well for excellent performance.

Builder: Astusboats
Architect: VPLP
Hull length: 26’ (7.9 m) Beam: 19’/9’10” folded afloat (5.8/2.99 m)
Width folded on trailer: 8’3” (2.52 m) Light displacement: 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg)
Mainsail: 269/301 sq ft (25/28 m²) Solent: 118/140 sq ft (11/13 m²)
Gennaker: 323/366 sq ft (30/34 m²) Max power: 10 HP outboard
CE Category: D7/C5
Price (2025): € 82,417 ex-tax
www.astusboats.com

Smart Cat S280

A Livable Platform Transportable by Shipping Container

This compact unit, presented at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show, uses (in its basic version) the open cockpit/nacelle principle popularized on Edel Cat, Corneel 26 and Kat 28 of the 1980s - but also on the small Aventura from the 2000s. The galley is located in the starboard passageway. There are 3 berths and 1 bathroom, or 2 berths and 2 bathrooms. As the disclaimer preceding this presentation suggests, the S280 has no pretensions to performance under sail: it is relatively heavy, moderately canvassed and its hulls are reasonably beamy at the waterline. But this little catamaran has the advantage of being dismountable to fit into two 40-foot shipping containers. The S280 can be fitted with a variety of engines (inboard, outboard or electric) and can even do without a rig.

Builder: S Com Tech
Length: 28’ (8.50 m)
Beam: 17’5” (5.29 m)
Draft: 2’10” (0.89 m)
Displacement: 10,000 lbs (4.5 t)
Mainsail: 417 sq ft (38.8 m²)
Genoa: 344 sq ft (32.2 m²)
Drivetrain: 2 x 10/25 HP outboards or 2 x 21 HP
Fuel: 27 US gal (102 l)
Water: 36 US gal (135 l) www.smartcatamarans.com

Tricat 8.50

Small, Fast and Smart!

NEW

Test MW201

Specializing in folding trimarans under 30 feet since 2002, Tricat has replaced its venerable 25. Still foldable, of course, the new 8.50 is logically much more modern than its predecessor, with an added touch of comfort and agility. The daggerboards are fitted in the floats, freeing up the central hull. The companionway hatch has three positions and can be supplemented with a sprayhood and sun awning.
Down below, thanks to two levels of chines, the 8.50 offers a fairly decent headroom of six feet (1.82 m). There are proper berths, a fixed galley, a toilet, and plenty of clever storage space.

Builder: Tricat
Architect: BE Tricat/Jack Michal
Length: 27’11”/32’8” (8.5/9.95 m)
Beam: 21’4”/9’8” (6.5/2.95 m)
Light displacement: 4,300 lbs (1.95 t)
Draft: 18”/4’11” (0.45/1.5 m)
Mainsail: 365 sq ft (34 m²)
Genoa: 194 sq ft (18 m²)
Drivetrain: 6 to 15 HP outboard
CE Category: B4/C6
Price: € 155,000 ex-tax
www.tricat.com

Corsair 880

Worthy Successor to the F-27

Test MW185

An easy-to-transport trimaran that’s comfortable for both cruising and racing. This is how the 880 comes across, a worthy heir to the famous F-27, an iconic model launched back in 1986. This time, the yard started from a blank canvas and integrated elements of comfort previously unknown on board a trimaran of less than 30’ (9 m): complete lighting system, refrigerator, manual or electric toilets, and even reversible air conditioning are available! Performance enthusiasts can rest assured: the air conditioning and generator are removable... And the Sport version with its carbon mast promises great things in view of the flattering performances already offered by the standard version. A top-of-the-range and very complete trimaran that will satisfy the most demanding of sailors.

Builder: Corsair Marine
Length: 28’11” (8.8 m)
Beam: 22’4”/8’3” (6.8 / 2.5 m)
Mast height: 39’4” (12 m)
Draft: 18”/5’3” (0.45 / 1.60 m)
Light displacement: 3,660 lbs (1,660 kg)
Sail area: 554 sq ft (51.5 m²)
Max drivetrain: 15 HP outboard
Price: $ 138,250 ex-tax
corsairmarine.com

Dragonfly 28

The Undisputed Best-seller Under 30 Feet

Test in MW110

This is a model that’s delighted cruisers and racers alike since 2008: foldable, the Dragonfly 28 can slip into any harbor and can be easily transported on the road. The 28 offers great accommodation thanks to its large central hull - at deck-level because the hull remains narrow at the waterline, the 28 offers surprising comfort for its size. Two versions are available: Touring and Performance. The floats of this latter version have inverted bows (20”/50 cm longer and 20% more volume, i.e. 18 cu ft/500 l, giving more lift) and an extended and reinforced rudder.

Builder: Quorning Boats
Length: 29’6” (9 m)
Beam: 8’4”/21’4” (2.54/6.5 m)
Light displacement: 4,630 lbs (2.1 t)
Draft: 16”/5’7” (0.4/1.7 m)
Mainsail: 398/463 sq ft (37/43 m²)
Genoa: 199/231 sq ft (19/21.5 m²)
Spinnaker: 645/895 sq ft (60/83 m²)
Drivetrain: 15 HP outboard
CE category: B5/C7
Price (2025): € 183,500 ex-tax www.dragonfly.dk

Tags : 2026 Sail Buyer s Guide

3€/mois

Abonnez-vous à partir de

Recevoir la newsletter

Astus 20.5

Designed for Cruising, it Makes a Great Racer!