Another hallmark of the brand is the tried-and-tested system for sliding the hulls together on the new Astus 26.5, which reduces the width in port or enables road transport. The principle is very simple: the beams consist of solid aluminium round tubes, which are arranged in a staggered pattern and run through correspondingly larger guide tubes integrated into the hulls. On land, the floats are pushed parallel and close to the centre hull; on the water, they can be retracted using a sheet line operated by the winch. This works well in testing.
More volume, more buoyancy
The new Astus 26.5 was designed by the renowned firm VPLP Design. The strikingly slender side floats feature a distinctive wavepiercer design and are higher, particularly in the forward section, to provide sufficient buoyancy even in rough seas. At the stern, too, the hulls are significantly more voluminous at the sides, higher and more angular at the frame. The special shape is designed to prevent the floats at the stern from sinking too deeply and thus slowing the boat down.
Further articles on this topic
Another distinctive feature is the pronounced bilge lines of the central hull along its entire length. The tulip-shaped frame (‘Tulip Shape’) ensures a sleek waterline, whilst at the same time providing sufficient volume for an interior layout suitable for cruising.
Easy to use, lots of possibilities
A deep swivel blade in the central hull can be fully retracted. Together with the attached rudder, which can also be retracted, the trimaran can be sailed right up to the beach on cruising trips and during sailing holidays. This also makes launching and hauling out via a slipway straightforward. Thanks to its reducible beam of just 2.52 metres and a weight of only 1.1 tonnes, the Astus 26.5 can also be easily transported by road on a trailer.
The Astus 26.5 is available in various configurations and can be tailored to the owner’s specific requirements right from the shipyard. Corresponding equipment packages, such as those including a gennaker or Code Zero, are available at an additional cost. Below deck, the trimaran offers up to four people a high standard of living and cruising comfort. Two side-mounted galley units meet the requirements for cruising, whilst a chemical toilet is housed beneath the forward berth.
Impressive sailing performances
During the YACHT test off La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany, the sporty Astus 26.5 impressively demonstrated its full range of capabilities in ideal wind conditions. The full test report, covering all our impressions of sailing and manoeuvring, as well as our assessments of living and cruising comfort on and below deck, will follow in one of the upcoming issues of YACHT.
Technical Specifications for the Astus 26.5
- Designer: VPLP
- Concept: Jean-Hubert Pommois
- CE design category: C (5)/D (7)
- Fuselage length (mid-fuselage): 7.90 m
- Overall length including bowsprit and rudder system: 8.90 m
- Beam (ready to sail): 5.80 m
- Reduced width: 3.10 m (at the port) / 2.54 m (on the trailer)
- Weight: 1.2 tonnes
- Draught with swivel blade: 0.35–1.80 m
- Sail area when sailing close-hauled: 36 m² (Leisure + Cruising version) / 41.0 m² (Sport)
- Mast height above the waterline: 11.30 m
- Code Zero: 35.0 m²
- Gennaker: 52.0 m²
- Engine power: up to 10 PS / outboard engine
- Price: 98,075 euros (gross), including 19% VAT / including sails
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
