When we read the press release announcing the new Astus 22.5, there was nothing to suggest that we were facing a revolutionary innovation. Indeed, this trimaran takes up the concept that made the brand's success, namely a trimaran that can be transported thanks to folding floats. The link arms slide to press the floats against the central hull.
Foils already in the boxes
For several years now, the shipyard has been calling on the services of VPLP (among others, famous for its offshore racing trimarans, but also for designing the Lagoons...). He has already designed the Astus 16.5 and Astus 20.5 with more aggressive lines and a more efficient design with bulky floats, giving a boost to these trimarans designed above all for family coastal cruising.
According to the first drawings that can be discovered, Astus 22.5 follows the same lines as its younger brothers. With a central hull of less than 7 m (6.90 m), this 4.90 m wide trimaran, once unfolded, boasts a beautiful sail area with a 20 m2 HS, a 9 m2 jib and a 32 m2 gennaker. But this time the float is not "inflated" to support the canvas. If the Astus 20.5 has 900 litres of volume, the Astus 22.5 will only have 1050 litres. But on this new model, which should already reach 20 knots in this simple configuration, the floats can be equipped with optional foils to go even faster.
These foils will not be there to make the sailboat take off, they will aim to relieve the leeward float and to be able to accelerate even more. An option only for pleasure, not to frighten..
To reduce costs and leave these foils accessible, the site, assisted by the architectural firm, thought of a symmetrical foil, built in the same mould. Only the end will have a different cutout to fit on the port or starboard side. These foils will be made of composite with a carbon reinforcement bar. With a well identical to a daggerboard well (but curved) these foils can be handled like a daggerboard without any adjustment (just up and down). The use of these foils requires a reinforcement of the connecting tubes with undoubtedly the use of a sub-barrel to triangulate the forces.
Still the same DNA
Thus equipped, the duality of use of the Astus remains intact: to offer a trimaran that is easily transportable and suitable for family cruises. But also offering the possibility to sail fast and why not participate in some regattas.
As for pricing, the yard would like to offer the Astus 22.5 for less than 50,000 euros in the basic version with a Sport version around 60,000 euros. The Foil option would then have to be added at less than 15,000 euros (i.e. nearly 25% extra cost).
It will be necessary to wait until the Paris 2019 Nautic to learn a little more about this project, which is already announced for a public presentation at the Nautic in December 2020.
