Dream come true - Reichel/Pugh 45' Adaptive Trimaran "Trinity" delivers
by Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design 18 Feb 2023 10:26 NZDT
Reichel/Pugh Design No. 288, 45' Performance Cruising Trimaran Trinity, is a custom trimaran completely designed in-house, constructed at New Zealand Yachting Developments, with an interior plan by R/P and styling and furniture detailing by superyacht masters Design Unlimited.
A thoughtful adaptive design filled with beautifully integrated accessibility features to enable single-handed cruising and racing. A hydraulic mainsheet, furling main and jib and powered winches provide safe and barrier-free sail handling. She launched December 2022, was trialed by the owner Terri Nelson in Waitemata Harbour, Auckland at Christmastime and is scheduled to deliver home to Southern California February 2023.
Owner Terri Nelson fell for sailing on a 14-foot Hobie cat and went on to develop her blue water skills during yearly trips to the Caribbean and South Pacific for over a decade. "I became enamored by the art of sailing," Terri explains. In reflecting on the impetus of her new trimaran, "eventually, I transitioned from crutches to a wheelchair and it became more difficult to 'monkey around' on a boat or board. Parenting became my next pleasure and a new wonderful chapter opened ashore. Sailing, however, never left the back of my mind and I began to dream about building a wheelchair accessible boat."
Years later a chance meeting led Terri to the Reichel/Pugh office, and after a smooth initial meeting the project "felt like it was meant to be." After 3 months, I joined John Reichel and Jim Pugh as a member at San Diego Yacht Club, and had my name on waitlist for a berth. Then the designing began. Terri explains the design intent as, "a luxury yacht built for all abilities to enjoy," and soon realized that, "the greatest quality Reichel/Pugh brought to my sailboat design was innovation." "From my perspective the process went like clockwork. All the players were lined up and performed their part in succession. Being naïve about the construction and mechanics, I relied heavily on Reichel/Pugh, particularly Senior Naval Architect Tony Beale, for advice and decision-making. Collaboratively, we selected New Zealand Yachting Development for the Build. A perfect match as they were as knowledgeable and as easy to work with as Reichel/Pugh."
"After sea trials my daughter and I flew to New Zealand and when I first saw the new trimaran, I was speechless. She was beautiful," Terri reflects." Every aspect was designed and built for me! Once sailing, the feeling behind the helm was exhilarating."
"I hope this project can be an inspiration for more quality designs in our world that work for everyone. Family, faith and following my passion led to a yacht exceeding my wildest dreams. Trinity provides security, strength and stability as her name represents."
Trinity is constructed in carbon and foam core to achieve an open structural layout and maximize the useable space for the owner and guests. The entire main deck is accessible including a forward seating cockpit ahead the main saloon. The owner's cabin and head are on the main deck. Guest cabins are located in the ama hulls as well as a second head. The aft bulkhead doors open to join the aft cockpit with main saloon.
The center hull houses a forepeak sail locker with retractable bow thruster, the machinery space, steering gear and centerline rudder. A forward inside helm station and halyard pit provides shelter from inclement weather. Overhead windows provide slight lines for sail trim.
Push button powered operation of the doors, hatches and blinds are integrated into a C-zone system along with the other systems onboard.
Aft hull topside doors open to an adjustable height boarding platform and ramp for access from the dock. A centerline seat swings down for deck level to provide access to the water or tender.