The Trine is a 32-foot sailing trimaran designed by Victor Tchetchet, a key figure in the mid-20th-century development of modern multihull naval architecture. Introduced in the early 1960s, the Trine is recognized as one of the earliest production trimarans available to the recreational sailing market in the United States.
Design and Development
Victor Tchetchet, a Russian-born artist and sailor, is widely credited with coining the term "trimaran" in the 1940s. The Trine was a progression of his earlier multihull designs, which included the Tromp and the Triton. The vessel was manufactured by Nimble Boats and was marketed as a stable and efficient cruising alternative to traditional monohulls.
The Trine features a central hull flanked by two smaller outrigger hulls, or amas, connected by crossbeams known as akas. This three-hull configuration provides lateral stability through its wide beam rather than a weighted ballast keel. This design characteristic results in a vessel with a significantly shallower draft and a lighter displacement than contemporary monohulls of similar length.
Specifications and Construction
The Trine generally measures 32 feet (approximately 9.75 meters) in length overall (LOA). During its production era, the vessel was typically constructed using marine plywood, often sheathed in fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) to improve durability and water resistance. Later versions or individual builds may have utilized full fiberglass construction as the material became standard in the marine industry.
The interior of the Trine was designed for coastal cruising, providing modest accommodations within the central hull. While it lacked the interior volume of modern high-performance or wide-body cruising trimarans, it represented a significant step in making multihulls practical for overnight use and family sailing.
Historical Significance
In the early 1960s, multihulls were often viewed as experimental or unconventional by the established yachting community. The Trine, along with other early production models, played a role in demonstrating the safety and seaworthiness of the trimaran platform. Although it was eventually superseded by more advanced designs from naval architects such as Dick Newick and Ian Farrier, the Trine remains a historically significant example of the transition from experimental multihull prototypes to standardized production yachts.