A new phase begins at Neel Trimarans. The shipyard from La Rochelle, known for its habitable cruising trimarans with sporty aspirations, found itself in troubled waters after the departure of company founder and idea generator Eric Bruneel. The past few years have been characterised by economic difficulties, changing owners and changes in management. Now the brand is set to get back on track.
Proven cooperation
The new owners Martin Volt, Maxime Vedrenne and Martin Lepoutre want to reorganise Neel Trimarans. Vedrenne and Lepoutre know the French boatbuilding scene well; both previously worked together at RM Yachts and Fora Marine respectively. At the Multihull Boatshow in La Grande Motte, the brand presented itself with much more confidence. Maxime Vedrenne said there that the task was a big one - but at the same time, Neel used the appearance to announce a new project: the Neel 48.
However, the project is not entirely new. A new Neel 48 had already been announced a good year ago under the previous management, albeit as a limited special edition at the time. The current project has now been thoroughly revised once again. According to the shipyard, the moulds are already under construction and work on construction number one is due to start this year.
Typical of the brand: the "Cockloon" concept
The Neel 48 is the successor to the Neel 47, which YACHT tested in issue 8/2020. The predecessor model was primarily known for its unusual room concept: habitable side hulls with separate companionways provided a lot of privacy, but also a very special layout. This concept has been significantly changed in the new 48. The separate companionways in the side hulls have been omitted. Instead, there are hatches aft as access to two possible skipper cabins in the stern. If these areas are not converted into cabins, they serve as large, accessible storage spaces.
Further links on the topic
At the centre remains Neel's typical "cockloon" concept, i.e. the functional connection of saloon and exterior cockpit on one level. The living area is designed to be open, bright and strongly orientated towards the outside. The owner's cabin is generously integrated into this saloon area. From there, a companionway leads into the side hull, where the owner's own wet room and a utility room are located.
On the starboard side, the Neel 48 can be equipped with one or two cabins, depending on the layout. In the version with two cabins, the occupants share a common wet room in the foredeck. In addition, a staircase leads down from the saloon to the basement of the central hull. This is where the shipyard concentrates the on-board technology, tanks and the built-in engine.
Easier handling with Traveller
Neel Trimarans is also staying true to its sailing line with the launch of the new model. The brand is known for powerful, performance-orientated sailing plans, and the 48 is also to be equipped with a fully battened mainsail with square top. An overlapping genoa and a jib (trinquette) are also included. In this configuration, both headsails can remain furled.
As before, the helm position remains elevated to the side. All sheets, halyards and trim lines are led into the cockpit. The mainsheet guide is new: instead of the double sheet pulls as on the older Neel models, the 48 now has a traveller on the rear beam. This is intended to simplify operation and make less re-trimming necessary, especially after manoeuvres.
Premiere in autumn 2027
With the presentation of the project at the Multihull Boatshow in La Grande Motte, the new management has already announced an initial price classification: the trimaran in its simplest version will cost 898,000 euros net. Including 19 per cent VAT, the launch price is 1,068,600 euros. However, the sails (main, genoa, trinquette) are not yet included, but are supplied with the so-called premium package and other components up to the ready-to-sail equipment. This package costs a further 76,000 euros gross. The premiere of the Neel 48 is scheduled for September 2027 at the Grand Pavois trade fair in La Rochelle.
Technical data Neel 48
- Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design
- Hull length: 14.75 m
- Width: 8.65 m
- Draught: 1.80 m
- Weight: 10.6 tonnes
- Mainsail: 76.2 m2
- Genoa: 58.6 m2
- Mast height above waterline: 21.8 m
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
