Astus 14.1

The Astus 14.1 is a 14ft (4.18m) trimaran aimed at recreational sailing and racing. The trimaran design is unusual for a boat of this size but is said to combine the features of other types of design: pointing ability of a monohull dinghly (the ability to sail close to the wind), reaching ability of a catamaran (ability to achieve high speeds on a beam reach), and planing ability of a skiff (ability to surf and go faster than the theoretical speed limit of a displacement boat of the same size). The stability provided by the floats makes the boat accessible to beginners and single-handed racers.

Construction

The Astus 14.1 is built in glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) covered with white gelcoat. The cockpit floor has a honeycomb core, offering rigidity and durability.
The floats are mounted on dismountable arched tubes and can be removed for storage. However given that the overall width with floats in space is 2.50m, the boat can be towed on the road with the floats in place.

Cockpit

The cockpit of the Astus 14.1 is large enough to accommodate two adults, or one adult with two children. The cockpit floor is flat with a daggerboard well. The mainsheet purchase tackle is attached to the aft tube. A small watertight locker is located at the fore end of the cockpit.

pars

The Astus 14.1 is equipped with a self supporting mast for the 6sqm mainsail version. On the 8sqm mainsail version the mast is secured by spectra halyards. The mainsail is footed on a boom.

ails

The Astus 14.1 is equipped with a full-batten Dacron mainsail which is available in two sizes: 6sqm for sailing schools and beginners, or 8sqm for racing. as standard. A furling gennaker mounted on a bowsprit is available as an option.

Trailer

The trailer offered as an option with the Astus 14.1 is a combination trailer with a launching trolley that can be detached from the road base.

ailing Categories

The Astus 14.1 falls into the following sailing category:

Dinghy

Sailing dinghies are boats of small size (up to 5m/16ft) aimed at recreational sailing and racing in inland or coastal waters. Their light weight make them easy to handle by a single person.

uitability for Trekking

Pros

*Watertight locker offers storage and protection for personal belongings
*Light weight
*Comfortable sitting position
*Stable and dry

Cons

*Watch out for the daggerboard when beaching
*Cockpit not large enough for a long trek with two adults

pecifications

ee also

*Astus 16.1
*Astus 20.1
*Multihull
*Trimaran
*Dinghy sailing

External links

* [http://www.exaqua.co.uk/ Astus Trimarans]

* [http://www.nouvellegenerationvoile.fr/ Images Gallery of Astus Trimarans from Nouvelle Generation Voile]