The Maxi trimaran 80 Prince de Bretagne was born from the extrapolation of a 60-foot platform, an ORMA trimaran, which made it gain a few metres in waterline length. It took two years for designers and builders to come up with a model that could push back the limits of ocean racing.
With a length of 24 metres, this multihull weighs the same as an 18-metre boat, explains Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, the boat's architect. She was launched in October 2012 after undergoing the necessary modifications: she only keeps the connecting arms, the rigging, appendages and fittings, while everything else has been changed, notably three new hulls incorporating the latest shape evolutions. Thanks to its greater length, it allows for more comfortable sailing. "In terms of maneuvering and effort, it's very close to an ORMA, but more seaworthy and pleasant to sail" confides Lionel Lemonchois, who has already been able to sail aboard many times.
Indeed, in January 2014, he tried to break Francis Joyon's record on the Mauritian and off the coast of Brazil he was capsized. The boat underwent two months of work in the spring before winning the Round the Isle of Wight. "On paper, the biggest boats go faster, but I believe it! I don't have a complex. Especially if the weather is complicated." announces the skipper.
| Type of boat | Maxi Trimaran 80 |
| Length | 24,38 m |
| Width | 18,20 m |
| Draught | 4 m |
| Air draught | 30,20 m |
| Travel | 7 tons |
| Upwind Sailing | 305 m2 |
| Downwind Sail | 400 m2 |
| Materials | Carbon - Composite |
| Architect | VPLP |
| Job-site | Multiplast |
| Launch date | 2012 |
