A high-end construction
With a length of 12.03 m, the Rapido 40 benefits from a careful construction usually reserved for racing prototypes. Indeed, this cruising trimaran is entirely built in carbon fiber. The hulls and decks are made of infused sandwich, while the beams and appendages are made of pre-preg fabric, with post-curing in an autoclave. With a displacement of only 5.2 tons empty, the Rapido 40 confirms its ambitions as a fast cruiser.
Proposed as an option, the C foils have the function of relieving the leeward float, and of offering an increase in safety on this fast multihull. Their very advanced position will limit the swamping, and offer an effective anti-drift plan.
Like its racing counterparts, the Rapido 40 is equipped with Harken and Karver deck hardware. All the maneuvers come back to the cockpit and are within easy reach of the helmsman. The self-tacking solent makes tacking easier. The foil is easily raised and also returns to the piano.
As a trimaran is very sensitive to the weight on board, the engine and the diesel and water tanks have been centered in order to optimize the weight distribution.
A runner's character but a cruise program
The arms of the Rapido 40 can be folded to limit its surface area in the harbor. The width is thus reduced from 7.45 m unfolded to 4.60 m folded. Once the foils are raised, its draft is limited to 0.87 m, which allows it to beach quickly in mild conditions.
The helmsman has a very comfortable seat at the helm, which gives him an elevated view of his sail plan and the leeward float. The trampolines are easily accessible, with a large surface area for storing the inflated dinghy.
The performance of a trimaran and the habitability of a monohull
For a 40-foot trimaran, the Rapido 40 benefits from a very good habitability. The Pilot House type roof provides a lot of volume and visibility from the inside.
The absence of a centerboard frees up a lot of space in the saloon. All the fittings, table, drawer and worktop, are also made of carbon fiber.
The Rapido 40 offers 7 berths to its crew, in a basic comfort, but in accordance with the DNA of the Rapido range. In order to limit its displacement, the fittings are reduced to the strict minimum. No panelling or woodwork, which could have made this cruising multihull a little more welcoming.
The shower room benefits from a nice luminosity due to the presence of the evacuation hatch, mandatory on multihulls.
A well-placed but still elitist pricing
Offered at 650,000 euros before tax, the model we visited, with many options, came in at 840,000 euros before tax. There are few cruising trimarans on the market today. The main competitor of the Rapido 40 is the Dragonfly 40. With a more luxurious layout, but a Divinycell PVC foam sandwich construction, it is available at 670,000 euros HT in its basic version.
