The first foil trimaran for pleasure craft
In 2017, Polish builder Libertist Yachts presented the Libertist 853, an 8.53-meter cruising trimaran equipped with foils, signed Erik Lerouge. While the idea is to create a range of foiling "tris" for the general public, the goal is nevertheless to offer cruising boats.
"The foils are deliberately short so as not to fly, but they relieve the drag effect. The boat starts to take off from 3 or 4 knots of wind. It also allows to sail flat to have always the leeward float out of the water and therefore not to sink" explains Alain Margerie, importer for France and Southern Europe.
Before adding: "The Libertists take a bit of the philosophy of racing boats, but without flying. We could do it, but it would require having a person on board dedicated to the adjustments. But these are family boats. With this fixed foil system, there is no need for trimming."
Lightweight construction
Built in the Gdansk region of Poland, the trimarans are made of vinylester infusion sandwich (and optionally epoxy). The arms and appendages are made of carbon, as are some of the interior bulkheads, to make the platform as rigid as possible. The carbon mast is rotatable and three choices of sail materials are offered:
- Mylar as standard,
- DCX
- Carbon
The boats are equipped with a mainsail with horn, a self-tacking jib with snap hook (or optional furler), a gennaker and a spinnaker.
A range of six models
Today, the range consists of 6 models - the 603, 703, 853, 1003 and 1203. "3 for three hulls. In line with this, we will also have a range of catamarans - the plans for which are already in the cards - and a range of monohulls, all designed by Erik Lerouge." explains Alain Margerie.
The 703, next model to be released
Today, two 7m trimarans are under construction, the construction site having been delayed by the confinement. This model is a dayboat designed for coastal cruising, even if it offers a nice headroom of 1.70 m. There is a double berth at the front, two side benches and a kitchen block on the port side between the centerboard.
"There is a water supply on board and we can install chemical toilets. We can also install tents on the trampolines for coastal hiking." adds the importer.
Thanks to their lightweight construction, speed is at a premium. So, with an empty weight of 780 kg for the 703, the importer estimates a speed of 15 to 20 knots "easy."
One of the other advantages of the Libertist is that it is able to beach. Indeed, the foils do not go deeper than the central hull. Thus, during the ebb tide, the trimaran will remain supported on its central hull and its two foils.
Foldable and transportable
With the "Swing Wing" system, the Libertist's floats fold back to the stern, which saves a lot of space in the harbor. On the 703, the beam is reduced from 5.50 m to 2.80 m. The latter can also be transported by road, reducing its width to 2.50 m. Dismasting is easy, and the mast can be attached to the boat during transport.
The 703 will be sold at a price of 67,000 euros without trailer. Count about 90 000 euros TTC for an optional boat, with trailer and complete equipment.
