Test / Astus 22.5 : Combining small cruising trimaran and transportable boat

In this first part of our test of the Astus 22.5, we come back to the programme of the new trimaran from the Morbihan shipyard, reviewed by the naval architecture firm VPLP Design, and to the construction choices made by Astus Boats.

Briag Merlet Published on August 10, 2021

A range of trimarans brought up to date

With the launch of the Astus 22.5, the Astus Boats shipyard completes the renovation of its trimaran range begun in 2016. The Morbihan-based builder worked, as for the Astus 16.5 and Astus 20.5, with the naval architecture firm VPLP Design, whose know-how in racing multihulls, as well as cruising multihulls, is no longer to be demonstrated. The new model has the same aesthetics as its younger brothers, but with a more modern family look. The few extra feet even allow a more elegant integration of the roof, proportionally more discreet than on the Astus 20.5. The floats have a tighter rear shape, with a volume of 1150 liters each. They testify to the hydrodynamic work and the desire to compromise speed and safety in the shipyard's specifications.

Les formes de carÃ¨ne rappellent le travail de VPLP Design pour l'Astus 20.5 — The hull shapes are reminiscent of VPLP Design's work on the Astus 20.5

A transportable sailboat for small cruising

Thanks to its size, the Astus 22.5 allows the difficult synthesis between lightness and accommodation. Large enough, it is equipped with the fundamentals for small cruising, with 4 berths and a small kitchen block. Small enough, it keeps a measured displacement. The 720 kg trimaran can thus take place on a trailer behind the vehicle of a nomadic sailor. It opens the whole field of navigations sought with a transportable boat. The boat is approved for 5 people in design category C.

Coque centrale de l'Astus 22.5 en construction — Central hull of the Astus 22.5 under construction

The basics of Astus Boats multihulls

If the Astus 22.5 brings to the 22 feet the innovations of its little brothers, like its floats with marked wave piercing shapes and its tighter hull lines, it keeps the fundamentals of the shipyard. Built in infusion, the boat is made of fiberglass.

The system of telescopic beams, which has been identical since the creation of the construction site, makes it possible to go from a navigational width of 4.70 m to 2.52 m in about ten minutes, in compliance with the road gauge. The tubes located on the bridge do not cross the living area, avoiding any risk of water ingress.

Le systÃ¨me de repliage des bras du trimaran reste identique aux autres Astus — The folding system of the trimaran's arms remains identical to the other Astus

The pivoting daggerboard, slightly offset from the axis of the main hull to free up space, retains its lifting system using 2 simple lines, one of which serves as a fuse in case of a heel. A welcome safety feature with the speeds of trimarans. Once the appendage and the rudder are up, the trimaran can easily beached.

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