A new chapter is beginning at Neel Trimarans. The La Rochelle-based shipyard, renowned for its live-aboard cruising trimarans with a sporty character, had run into troubled waters following the departure of the company’s founder and visionary, Eric Bruneel. Financial difficulties, a succession of owners and changes in management have characterised the past few years. Now the brand is set to get back on track.
A proven partnership
The new ownership team, comprising Martin Volt, Maxime Vedrenne and Martin Lepoutre, aims to reposition Neel Trimarans. Vedrenne and Lepoutre know the French boatbuilding scene well; both previously worked at RM Yachts and Fora Marine respectively. They have now announced a new project for the trimaran brand in La Rochelle: the Neel 48.
However, the project is not entirely new. A new Neel 48 had already been announced under the previous management a good year ago, although at the time it was presented more as a limited special edition. The current project has now been thoroughly revised once again.
A hallmark of the brand: the ‘Cockloon’ concept
The Neel 48 is the successor to the Neel 47, which YACHT magazine tested in its 8/2020 issue. The previous model had become known primarily for its unusual layout: habitable side hulls with separate access hatches provided plenty of privacy, but also resulted in a very distinctive layout. In the new 48, this concept has been significantly revised. The separate access hatches to the side hulls have been removed. Instead, there are hatches aft providing access to two potential skipper’s cabins in the stern. If these areas are not fitted out as cabins, they serve as large, walk-in storage spaces.
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At the heart of the design remains Neel’s signature ‘Cockloon’ concept – the functional integration of the saloon and the open-air cockpit on a single level. The living area is designed to be open, bright and strongly oriented 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 en-suite bathroom and a utility room are located.
On the starboard side, the Neel 48 can be fitted with one or two cabins, depending on the layout. In the two-cabin version, the occupants share a communal bathroom in the foredeck. In addition, a staircase leads down from the saloon to the ‘lower deck’ of the central hull. This is where the shipyard has concentrated the on-board systems, tanks and the main engine.
New: featuring Traveller and swords
In terms of sailing performance too, Neel Trimarans remains true to its heritage with the launch of this new model in its range. The brand is renowned for its powerful, performance-oriented sail plans, and the 48 is also set to be fitted with a fully-battened square-top mainsail. These are complemented by an overlapping genoa and a jib (trinquette). In this configuration, both headsails can remain furled whilst attached.
The helm station remains positioned higher up on the side, as before. All sheets, halyards and trimmers are routed into the cockpit. A new feature is the mainsail sheet routing: instead of the double sheet runs found on older Neel models, the 48 now features a traveller on the aft beam. This is designed to simplify operation and, above all, minimise the need for re-trimming after manoeuvres. In a first for the Neel Trimarans brand, the side hulls of the Neel 48 are fitted with fixed centreboards. They are available with two different draughts and are designed to further improve sailing performance, particularly when sailing close to the wind.
Premiere in autumn 2027
Meanwhile, Neel Trimarans’ new management has already announced an initial price range for the new 48-foot model: the trimaran is expected to cost 898,000 euros net in its most basic configuration. Including 19 per cent VAT, the launch price therefore stands at 1,068,600 euros. However, the sails (mainsail, genoa, trinquette) are not yet included in this price; instead, they are supplied as part of the so-called Premium Package, along with other components, to provide a fully sail-ready configuration. This package costs a further €76,000 gross. The Neel 48 is set to make its debut in September 2027 at the Grand Pavois boat show in La Rochelle.
Technical Specifications: Neel 48
- Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design
- Interior design: Piaton Yacht Design
- Fuselage length: 14.75 m
- Width: 8.65 m
- Draught / alternative draught: 1.75 m / 1.55 m
- Weight: 11.5 t
- Mainsail: 76.2 m²
- Genoa: 58.6 m²
- Mast height above the waterline: 21.8 m
- Engine: Volvo Pentag 60 PS / Saildrive
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology