The redesign is aimed at owners who want to spend longer periods on board, are looking for a lot of living comfort and want more privacy on board. The main change is the elimination of the forward cabin in the centre hull. Instead, Neel uses the space in the foredeck of the centre hull for a second bathroom. Each of the two cabins now has its own en-suite bathroom, which is more comfortable than the basic model with just one bathroom but more berths. Another new feature is the option of lowering the saloon table to create two additional berths in the saloon.
The latest trimarans from Neel in the YACHT test
The individual living and functional areas are essentially distributed over an open-plan area. Only the owner's cabin on the starboard side is separated, but remains visually connected to the saloon thanks to a long row of windows. The second double berth on the port side, on the other hand, is openly integrated into the saloon. This area can only be separated with curtains and is suitable, for example, as a lounger for a nap in between, as a pilot's berth on long trips or as a play area for the children.
Proven sailing characteristics are retained
The new layout does not change the sailing characteristics or the hull shape. The Neel 43 Duo retains the sporty genes of the basic model. In the YACHT test in four to five force winds, the standard version reached a speed of around eight knots with a tacking angle of 90 degrees - quite respectable figures for a multihull of this size. The trimaran can easily reach double-digit speeds under a Code Zero.
The shipyard builds all parts of its trimarans as sandwich constructions using the complex but weight-saving vacuum infusion process. For the Neel 43, the shipyard has now also changed the materials used and is focussing on more sustainable alternatives. Wherever possible, the components are now constructed using flax fibres instead of glass fibres; natural cork or foam panels made from recycled PET are used as the core material. Of course, this also applies to the Duo version.
With a gross ex-shipyard base price of 625,990 euros (incl. 19% VAT), the Duo version of the Neel 43 is priced slightly higher than the basic version, which starts at 590,300 euros.
Technical data of the Neel 43
- Design engineer: Marc Lombard
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 12,90 m
- Width: 7,40 m
- Depth: 1,50 m
- Weight: 9,0 t
- Mast height above waterline: 19,0 m
- Mainsail: 58,6 m2
- Furling genoa (115 %): 43,4 m2
- machine (Volvo P.): 36 kW/49 hp
