Neel 47, the fast trimaran where salon and cockpit are one. PHOTOS

We had seen it under construction during our visit to La Rochelle (Read HERE) and now here it is sailing. We are talking about the new Neel 47, the French shipyard’s sport cruising trimaran.

THE CONCEPT OF NEEL TRIMARANS

The project manager of the Neels is Eric Bruneel, a well-known name in the offshore sailing world for having participated in a number of prestigious international regattas, including winning the 2004 Ostar. Bruneel’s idea was to use his technical skills as a racer and sailor and apply them on cruising trimarans to raise their average quality, maneuvering solutions, and level of construction.

The result was the Neels, for all intents and purposes cruising multihulls, yet they have in their DNA something of ocean racers beginning with the performance they are capable of. Their basic concept is to be able to sail on a technologically advanced but at the same time very comfortable craft capable of grinding out sailing miles with ease even in light wind conditions. The latest addition is the Neel 47, a mature boat with absolutely outstanding interior space and simple solutions for handling, on whose living cell stands out a 360-degree window, which is an increasingly sought-after feature in cruising multihulls.

THE NEEL 47

The Neel 47, designed by Marc Lombard, is fully in the company’s trimaran family, but in a way it enhances and expands with some new features some of the Neel’s core concepts. Over all is the idea of the single space between interior and exterior, or rather between salon and cockpit that become for all intents and purposes a single environment to be exploited in different ways depending on the context and weather.

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In fact, the two rooms are placed on exactly the same level, with the absence of any steps, and most importantly, the deckhouse of the trimaran continues all the way to the stern, in fact protecting the entire cockpit area. Otherwise, the Neel 47 has the sportsmanship and performance characteristics typical of these trimarans: tapered hulls low on the water, sail plan with large square top, low displacement, maximum beam of 8.30 m, with a boat concept that is a perfect mix of long high-speed sailing and comfort. There are two command posts, one elevated on deck and one fully covered inside, which takes advantage of the nearly 360-degree view offered by the deckhouse.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.

Length f.t. 14.20 m
Maximum beam 8.30 m
Draft 1.60 m
Height above water 19.00 m
Empty displacement 10.60 tons.
Sup. sail mainsail 70 sqm
Genoa 50 sqm
Trinchetta 20 sqm
Water reserve 600 liters
Diesel fuel reserve 300 liters
60 hp sail drive engine
Design Marc Lombard

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