24 Knot Speed Trimaran - The Dragonfly 40 Ultimate

Most people who want to go cruising to tropical destinations on a sailboat buy a Beneteau or Dufour, but those who want an extremely fast sailboat will be impressed by the Dragonfly 40 folding swing-wing trimaran.

This 40-foot cruising sailboat has room for two couples to go cruising, hitting a top speed of 24 knots depending on conditions. The interior accommodations are more than adequate with two beds, one head, and a functional galley. The double roller-furling and laminate sails make this sailboat excellent fun on every point of sail.

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[sailfast]

As an owner of 3 Dragonfly trimarans over a 21-year period here's where some of your conclusions are off base. 1) Carbon rig is very durable and does not need special care compared with aluminum, except if modifying it. 2) Resale is much higher than more mainstream boats because of the niche market and supply/demand. Keep in mind that the cost of a new boat and availability (lead time) sets the bar for the used market. Of the 3 Dragonfly tris I owned 2 were sold for more $ than I paid, and on the 3rd I lost only 26% after 11 years of ownership. In my experience TCO (total cost of ownership) was MUCH less than most production boats would have been, due to the high resale price. All my boats were sold quickly. In the case of Dragonflies the exchange rate of the dollar to the Euro also is a factor. Also your point about selling a 10-year old boat is moot -- condition is the most important factor in ANY 10-year-old used boat.

[CarlStaelinPhd]

I own a Dragonfly 40C, and I love it. My 85 year old mother can sail her at 14+ knots with no strain (and lots of fun), and with her stability I have no worry about losing footing or mobility issues due to a high heel angle (max is perhaps 10 degrees). I haven't taken her trans-oceanic yet, but island hopping in the Mediterranean is a joy. With her shallow draft she can duck into small, shallow coves to anchor that are simply off-limits to any keel boat.

[SailingTipsCa]

Point of clarification on pointing ability of multihulls versus monohulls: A good trimaran with decent daggerboards can point just as high as a monohull, however it will also go about the same speed as a monohull of similar length in doing so. By cracking off a few degrees it can get a 50% increase in speed which results in better VMG by pointing a bit lower.

[davidstorer]

I have been building my trimaran. For the last 2 years.. nearing completion. Hull speed 23 knots. 20 feet x 18 . 10 mtr mast. Cannot wait. Next year.

[RexWhite-rwpg]

Getting warmer...Simplicity requires visionary engineering or a third world sailing community where survival is evolving along with sailing design inovations with all the best compromises. You are still the best reporter out there. The force is with you.

[thomasgcampbell]

Absolute dream boat. It's possible that I picture myself sailing that while sailing my Hobie Tandem Island.

[config]

Something often not mentioned about these performance tri's is light wind performance, when everyone else is stuck in the anchorage or marina due to light wind, they are out sailing.

[NomadGio]

Los últimos dos minutos son vitales para mi...me gusta el concepto, pero a esos valores lo hacen muy difícil para la mayoría de navegantes.
Muy buen review. Gracias !

[ripharwood]

I own the last (hull 16), of Hinckley’s SW59’s. It’s an amazing boat. Rugged, capable, reasonably fast, and so comfortable. But my next boat may well be a lightly used D40 for all the reasons described in this video. There are few sailboats in the world that would coax me to part with my beloved Hinckley, but the super cool D40 is one of them.

[UJLite]

The ultimate rich boy's toy! Very interesting boat Tim, crewing would rock. But 24kn, I'd rather do it in a skiff. Btw you'd have to get the 80hp lol. I'm more the MacGregor end of this market! 🇦🇺 ⚓

[kirks]

800k? Guess I'll be stuck sailing my Hobie Tandem Island and I love it!

[billb]

I do own a Corsair 31R and enjoy it as speed equals fun! The Dragonfly 40 is my dream boat as I would love to sail in luxury at 20-25kts.

[jaysonbowerman]

My introduction to cruising was through a beautifully home built Farrier F27, and while the experience at anchor was more akin to car camping than typical multi-hull luxury, she sure was an intoxicating boat to sail.
Our primary learning curve was around repeatedly smashing out miles at speeds far exceeding our passage planning and arriving at tidal gates too early. I guess that’s not the worst problem to have, just something to recalibrate expectations around.
Once you get used to double digit average speeds, exhilarating surfing even on a reach, sub 1’ draft for close in anchoring and that feather light tiller, it’s hard to step onto a typical cruising cat without just a twinge of disappointment.

Maybe when the family is grown one of these will finally be in my price range…..

[Analog_nomad]

I saw an older version of the 40 ft dragonfly (the 1200?) for sale on yachtworld for under 500k. I think the overall length was 38 ft. Looked like a great way to sail fast!

[markusbroyles]

I was with Roy Seaman and Tim Hunter on his 36 foot Nacra as we sailed to Los Angeles Harbor in the 80's for the speed trials ~WE WON ! We had a record too for that year. I got to take my girl along and what a run ! The Yacht host was kinda pathetic and hostile and we spartaned it out without any food or showers as the whole thing went impromptu and we just got on board and went without prep...no wallets, gear, special cloths... HAD MY WETSUIT THOUGH ! Nothing like it... the avalanche of water coming off the bow south of Pt Dume swept me off the boat one day and I narrowly missed the rudder as I flailed off the boat. No cabin Just sheets blocks and traveler. Basically a huge shore boat... I didn't get sea sick on this stable craft... A bigger boat would be awesome. COUNT ME IN !! Three men was too small a crew for that thing. Can you believe we had trouble getting more guys sometimes !?!

[WillNGo]

Wow! I don't think resale is as great a problem as most multihulls. This would fit nicely into my 46' monohull's slip. All the other multis are on the ends of the docks or on mooring balls in the next marina up the coast. When you said ocean crossing? My heart starting beating faster. This boat seems well worth its price. The real question about boat pricing is: Can you afford it? It doesn't matter than the Beneteau 50 in the next slip cost less and has more room -- just don't mention it to your partner after she's bumped her head in your Dragonfly.

[romaniandracula]

This is the Bentley of sailboats. Corsair the Porsche. We only have a Corsair Sprint, a 24 little speedster and I could never go back to hauling around a chunk of lead.
Tris rule.

[michaeldenicola]

I think it is a great boat but I agree it is way out of my price range. I have a C&C 99. purchased it used in 2021 so it was 19 years old for under $50 K I am looking at a corsair 750 used for our place in FL. Thanks for sharing the video

[NedMenoyo]

Faster is better. The new Dragonfly 36 with main hull wave piercing looks amazing.

[raybelcher]

You can stop for night on every beach!