[PCW] Fwd: Power trimarans

[Bob Kupps]

Hmmm... that got me thinking - what if you went back to a long, narrow and deep (mono) hull with all its advantages but a very bad roll problem and used minimal but similarly shaped displacement-type floats only for stability. If active stabilizing was wanted it would be relatively minimal too, the floats probably made to be foldable etc...
   
  No doubt it's been done already somewhere!

Note: forwarded message attached.

       
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Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:33:54 -0800
From: Robert Deering <deering@ak.net>
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Subject: [PCW] Power trimarans
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"Can anyone (especially someone with design experience) explain to me why 
there are so few, if any, power trimarans, particularly with three hulls of
equal 
length and beam?   It seems it would reduce draft, increase accomodation and

equipment space, and allow greater fuel load with little additional drag.   
Anyone?"

Paul, I've wondered the same thing.  My guess is that wetted surface area is
part of the problem.  Sailing tris normally run with one of the amas out of
the water due to heeling forces so it doesn't contribute to wetted surface,
but a power tri would be dragging all three hulls through the water.

But there are some advantages to consider too, such as the configuration to
power with a single primary engine, the ability to retract the amas for
better docking options, and the elimination of much under-deck slamming.

Bob Deering
Juneau Alaska
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