We have been aboard Decathlon’s new inflatable drift boat

It is not yet available in Italy but will arrive soon (in April). It is the Tribord 5S,Decathlon’s new inflatable drift boat, 3.08 meters long and 1.40 wide, ideal for two people. At the Geneva Boat Show, there was CERN sailor-brainer Luigi Gallerani( his latest article on the Translemanique en Solitairehere ), who did not miss the opportunity to climb aboard.

TRIBORD 5S, FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I had the chance to see and try a preview of Decathlon’s new Tribord 5S inflatable dinghy at the Geneva Boat Show: the dream of having a truly portable small sailboat at an affordable price materialized in front of my eyes.

Transportability and preparation time. A 35kg trolley and an 11kg bag will definitely fit in the boat’s trunk or locker. Only 25 minutes for inflation and arming. I can take it anywhere and sail even on a mountain pond!

Hull. Forget about inflatable dinghies; the hull is extremely rigid. High-pressure drop-stich technique combined with the upper inflatable chamber that makes the sickle cell. Extremely stable, it is comfortable for 2 people. Very easy to get on, virtually impossible to scuff, immediately gives the idea of space and safety, ideal for beginners or even those who have never been sailing. I can take my mom there! Not one fin drift, but two, attachable under the hull, an ingenious solution that allows the boat to rest on a simple trolley for launching. The draft is minimal.

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Weapon. Simple and ingenious to secure the mast with 3 spectra lines rigged at boom height allowing, to leave over the shrouds line, something all laserists will appreciate. Mainsail 5.7 square meters, which can be reduced to 3 when rolled around the mast. Inflatable float included in the pen that prevents complete capsizing in case of a capsize. Light and very high boom pocketed in the base, a kicker and a sheet: more essential than that…

How it navigates. While waiting for a live-water test, I got to enjoy myself in the light artificial breeze of the boat show pool. The boat exceeded all my expectations. Given its decidedly light weight, it responds well even with little wind, tacking and jibing in very tight spaces, and can be easily “tugged” to get draft. No “drift” effect at the helm, because of the double drifts, it steers like a small catamaran.

Development. Talking with the builders, I find out that the boat has already been put to the test. The result of five years of work, 15 prototypes, 90 people in the project and feedback from more than 100 people. Behind this product are two professionals who certainly understand sailing, Tanguy de Lamotte (Vendee Globe and Route du Rhum skipper) and Anne-Clair Le Berre (French Olympic Yngling athlete).

A small boat for sailing anywhere in simplicity. We hope it will be successful and be a tool to bring a large public closer to sailing. Among the improvements already under consideration: a tiller-stick rudder and mid-boat straps for drifters who, like me, are looking forward to trying it out in 15 knots!

Luigi Gallerani

TRIBORD 5S NUMBERS
Overall length 3.08 m
Beam max. 1.40 m
Weight 39 kg
Sup. mainsail 5.70 sqm
Maximum load 160 kg
Price (in France) 2,500 euros

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