Bambi Awards: Did Kevin Costner sail the most ingenious trimaran of all time?

Kevin Costner (69) is being honoured with a Bambi today. Costner? That rings a bell! That's right, older people will immediately remember the Hollywood film "Waterworld", which was released in cinemas in the mid-90s. Probably not because of the plot or the extremely elaborate scenery and stunts for the time, but because of a trimaran that caused heated discussions in sailing circles at the time. If you haven't seen the film yet, you should definitely do so because of the boat alone!

The most ingenious trimaran of all time

Bambi award-winner Costner lives in a flooded world on a trimaran. This has features that simply have to be described as ingenious.

• On a stub mast there are large vertical rotor blades, similar to a whisk, which are used to generate energy and can be folded onto the mast for sailing operation
• The mast is telescopic, the upper half extends automatically
• The main boom is concealed below deck in island mode and can also be telescoped out for sailing operation
• What's particularly cool is that the mast and boom as well as the furling mainsail and genoa are operated using sandbags that have been pulled into the mast as counterweights. Costner only has to operate a few levers and the trimaran transforms from a residential island into a racer within seconds
• Another feature is the combination of grinder and tiller. This allows Costner to trim and steer at the same time.

This scene electrified the sailing world

How the "Waterworld" trimaran really worked

Could that be possible? That would be too good, thought many sailors, especially single-handed enthusiasts. Or was it all just a Hollywood fake? Both, as well as.

There were actually two versions of the boat. One was fully operational and was used for sailing sequences at sea. It reached a top speed of around 30 knots. The other version, the transformable one, was used for filming above and below deck, especially for shots that required special effects. These effects included the wind rotor and telescoping capability. So these were not really operational. But this version was also sailable, although not at the speed of the racing version. Both versions were made of GRP, but were elaborately trimmed to steel and a high degree of rotting using a can of paint.

The combination of grinder and tiller was also fake. Costner only played the helmsman. Trimmer and the real helmsman sat below deck. They saw the sails and the boat via video screens and were able to make the appropriate adjustments. The fact that this seemingly ingenious feature did not catch on in single-handed sailing is apparently due to the advent of autopilots. Having separate winches or grinders near the tiller or steering wheel has also proved to be more effective.

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Who developed the "Waterworld trimarans"?

After Frenchwoman Florence Arthaud won the Route du Rhum in 1994 on the trimaran "Pierre 1er", the French design studio VPLP (Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prevost) was commissioned by Universal Pictures to design and build the boat for the film "Waterworld".

Both versions were 60 feet long and were built in the moulds of "Pierre 1er" at Jeanneau under the direction of Bruno Belmont, later marketing director of the Jeanneau brand Lagoon. The boats were shipped to Hawaii on a cargo plane. The fully functional trimaran was then sold to the American yachtsman H. L. Enloe, who later used it in numerous regattas. In May of this year, the boat was offered completely disassembled in an advert for 26,000 dollars. The transforming version is privately owned.

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The "Waterworld" story

The post-apocalyptic science fiction tale has become a cult classic over the years and is particularly known for its ambitious depiction of a world completely covered in water as the polar ice caps have melted. The few survivors are forced to live on improvised settlements on the open sea, and their search for the last piece of untouched land drives them on. Kevin Costner plays the Mariner, a mutant loner with gills and webbed feet who traverses the watery world on a highly advanced trimaran.

When the Mariner visits a floating city, he is captured due to his genetic mutations. There he meets Helen and the girl Enola, whose tattoo harbours a riddle. This riddle could be the key to the mysterious "Dryland". The Smokers, led by the brutal Deacon, are also after this secret and drive the plot forward. Kevin Costner's character, the Mariner, develops a relationship with Helen and Enola over the course of the film, which contributes to the central emotional tension of the story.

The challenges of filming "Waterworld"

Filming for "Waterworld" mainly took place in Hawaii and began in 1994. The production was characterised by numerous challenges, including weather-related delays. For example, the floating city was destroyed in a hurricane and had to be rebuilt, which delayed filming for six months. This was another reason why the originally planned budget of around 100 million dollars was hugely exceeded.

With a budget of around 175 million US dollars, "Waterworld" was ultimately considered one of the most expensive films of its time. However, this financial investment was reflected in the impressive sets and special effects, which caused a sensation throughout the film industry. The set design included large floating platforms and artificial islands as well as a replica of the wrecked tanker "Exxon Valdez". The impressive stunt work, including spectacular chases on jet skis, was a trademark of the film.

One of the reasons for the immense costs was the filming location in Hawaii. Almost all the backdrops and all the set equipment had to be transported to the archipelago by plane or ship. This included the two trimarans. In addition, all scenes were shot on the open water. Although Kevin Costner did not win a Bambi for his role at the time, he was recognised for his commitment and acting performance.

Commercial success of "Waterworld"

When "Waterworld" hit the big screen, the film received mixed reviews. Some praised the visuals and creative world-building, while others felt the plot was too contrived. Financially, the film grossed over $264 million worldwide, which ultimately covered its production costs, even though expectations were higher. The financial success was also due to a strong international performance and subsequent sales in the home video market.

10 more top films by Kevin Costner

1. "Dances with Wolves" (1990) - Costner not only directed, but also played the lead role in this epic western film, which won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
2. "The Bodyguard" (1992) - A romantic thriller in which Costner plays a former Secret Service agent who becomes the bodyguard of the singer played by Whitney Houston. The film was a huge commercial success and is known for its iconic soundtrack.
3. "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991) - Costner played the role of the legendary Robin Hood in this adventure story, which was a box office hit and is famous for its soundtrack.
4. "Field of Dreams" (1989) - In this fantasy drama, Costner plays a farmer who is haunted by visions of building a baseball field. The film is considered a classic of American cinema.
5. "JFK" (1991) - A historical thriller directed by Oliver Stone, in which Costner plays the role of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, who investigates the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
6. "The Untouchables" (1987) - A crime film about Prohibition, in which Costner plays the lawman Eliot Ness. The film was a financial success and was praised for its strong performances.
7. "Wyatt Earp" (1994) - In this western, Costner plays the role of the famous lawman Wyatt Earp. The film tells the life story of the iconic character of the Wild West.
8. "Open Range" (2003) - A western co-directed by Costner, in which he also plays a leading role. The film was praised for its impressive landscape shots and authentic western atmosphere.
9. "Hidden Figures" (2016) - A historical drama about African-American female mathematicians at NASA during the space race. Costner plays Al Harrison, a senior NASA engineer. The film was a huge commercial success and received several Oscar nominations.
10. "Molly's Game" (2017) - A biographical drama in which Costner plays the role of the protagonist's father. The film received positive reviews and achieved recognition for its screenplay and directorial achievements by Aaron Sorkin.