corsair 36 trimaran

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Corsair 36, Fast Cruising Tri

• By John Burnham
• Updated: June 7, 2005

What I thought was the weirdest thing about the boat at first turned out to be one of its outstanding features. The Corsair 36 has a stern deck at the back of the cockpit with two large bench seats made of mesh and stainless steel tubes, and they looked bizarre. But after a day or two of cruising with my wife and three daughters, I looked at those seats with complete appreciation. They were the most coveted, comfortable places from which our crew would sunbathe, snooze, and read. If I was lucky, sometimes I even got to sit in one to steer.

I’d been looking forward to cruising on Corsair’s new flagship and comparing it to our experience on the 31 a few years earlier ( “It’s Not All About Speed,” March ’01 ). Like the 31, the 36 is built with a vacuum-bagged foam/glass sandwich laminate, plus carbon and Kevlar reinforcing. The beams are made entirely with carbon, and the overall weight is a little over 2,000 pounds more than the 31. With 817 square feet of upwind sail area, the tri was fast-roughly as fast as the 31, but without the same twitch in the gut when it accelerated. Under main alone we broad-reached across a windy Vineyard Sound doing a relaxed 12 knots. Later, on a beam reach in about 12 knots on Narragansett Bay, with my 12-year-old daughter steering (one hand on the tiller extension, one hand holding a book), our speed jumped from 11 knots to 15.3 as I trimmed in the main and the sprit-mounted genoa (known as a screacher). And when I crewed in a local race with Multihull Source dealer Bob Gleason, we saw 17 knots on a tight reach. I’m told that reaching speeds in the low 20s are common, but what impressed me most was the light-air trip we made from Martha’s Vineyard, to Jamestown, R.I., in seven hours-40 miles upwind. To me that’s the big benefit of a boat like the 36; you can sail it quickly and quietly, eating up the miles while others are going no faster under iron genoa.

Because of its larger accommodations, compared to the 31, the 36 got the thumbs-up from my daughters. But it’s still a trimaran with a relatively skinny main hull; that’s the price you pay for speed. The narrow waterline reduces storage, but the hull flares outboard above the waterline, which provides room for an enclosed head on one side of the daggerboard trunk, as well as the dinette, which converts to a small double berth. There’s also a small galley area to starboard with a sink and two-burner alcohol stove.

On our boat, the fridge had been removed and an Igloo cooler was used in place of the bottom companionway step; but the standard configuration has a 12-volt fridge to port, just forward of the dinette area. An option is available for a propane-fired stove and propane on-demand hot water. There were five of us aboard, with two girls in the forward cabin, one in the dinette double, and the adults in the aft double, which is reached by lifting part or all of the stern deck at the back of the cockpit. We loved sleeping in that wide aft berth, although getting in and out required agility, and changing clothes in there was like dressing inside a tent. We decided if there were a follow-up cruise, we’d claim the forward cabin and move the girls aft.

Despite the constraints of the interior, the on-deck living spaces are expansive. With amas and trampolines to port and starboard, a small foredeck, plus the stern seats, any of the five of us could escape the others when we felt like it. We could easily carry our tenders-single and double kayaks lashed between the forward and aft beam on one side-and the large-volume outer hulls had plenty of room for storing anchors, paddles, even garbage. On the foredeck and forward beam, we found plenty of room to take solar showers and/or have some fun by dashing outboard and swinging off the spinnaker halyard. Speaking of solar devices, a flexible solar panel lived on the cabintop or port netting and provided an all-day trickle charge to our batteries.

The 36 we sailed was one of the first built, and while we were racing in hard reaching conditions, we heard a crack at theinboard end of the forward beam. Installed under the beam’sinboard end was a fiberglass block that gives a tight fit for the beam after it’s unfolded and bolted to the main hull. “The block we made,” says Paul Koch, Corsair’s president and design team member, “wasn’t up to the job. We’ve replaced it on all boats with a stronger aluminum casting.” Hull No. 8 is under construction at press time.

Overall, I liked the boat’s sailhandling systems-a full-length traveler across the stern deck and pairs of winches for main, jib, and screacher or spinnaker. While racing, I went forward to help with the asymmetric spinnaker and found that it was too big for me to take down to windward unless the skipper was willing to bear off. (For some reason he wanted to keep sailing toward the mark, so we dropped it to leeward instead.) But while cruising, the combination of the roller-furling headsails (jib and screacher) and a mainsail equipped with lazy jacks and jiffy reefing made sailhandling easy.

It was tough to balance on the boom to remove the full-length batten in the square-top mainsail, and I figured that was another small price to pay for performance. I learned later from sailmaker Dave Calvert that a quick-pin on a new Tides Marine batten-car design now releases the head so the batten can lie flat along the boom. Under power, with a 15-hp, long-shaft, four-stroke Honda, the 36 moved well and steered easily thanks to a small bar that is dropped into place to link the top of the engine and the outboard, kick-up rudder. An electric starter and power tilt made getting underway simple.

Compared to other Corsairs, which go on and off their trailers quickly, the 36 is a much more substantial boat. It’s considered a “transportable,” not a “trailerable” boat, in the sense that it’s not the type of boat you’ll launch for a quick afternoon sail. Except when traveling to new sailing areas, it will probably live on the end of a dock or a mooring-or in about five minutes it can also be folded up to fit in a slip. Manufacturer estimates for stepping the mast and launching are about two hours.

If your kids like to read and swim and you like to sail from harbor to harbor-whether at 17 knots in a breeze or 6 knots in light airs, go for a test sail . With a few agile, fit crewmembers to manage the spinnaker, you can race it hard as well. Whatever you do, don’t let the funky bench seats put you off.

Corsair 36 LOA 36’0″ LWL 35’0″ Beam (overall) 25’7″ Beam (folded) 9’10” DSPL 5,500 lbs. Draft (hull only) 1’8″ Draft (daggerboard down) 6’0″ Mast length 47’6″ Sail area 817 sq. ft. (1,084 w/screacher) Base price $208,000 www.corsairmarine.com

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The new Corsair is a fast cruising platform, light and bright belowdecks, but with a bit less elbow room than you'd find on a 36-foot monohull, and pricy. For many, these are worthy trade-offs.

Twenty years ago, when Corsair Marine first entered the U.S. market with the F-27 trimaran (which PS reviewed in September, 1990), “family” multihulls were not generally thought to have stellar sailing characteristics. They were difficult to tack. They did not sail well to weather. They required large parking places. In ensuing years, Corsair’s 24- to 31-footers have helped change the perception in the marketplace. These boats are fast, sail well, and are easily trailerable since they fold to 8′ 6″. The major shortcoming has been accommodations that are one cut above camping. The introduction of the Corsair 36 has allowed the company to step into the real world of “cruising comfort.”

Company History Corsair Marine was founded in 1983 by John Walton (of the Wal-Mart family), who envisioned production of a fast, easily trailerable trimaran. A compromise would be accommodations limited by the narrow beam of the main hull.

Walton convinced Ian Farrier, a talented multihull designer, to abandon a thriving practice in Australia, move to California, and execute his vision.

In a morning-long session with PS, Farrier, who sees the world only through multihull lenses, elaborated on the many reasons he considers multis preferable to monohulls, not the least of which is that, “Corsair boats are unsinkable. They have watertight compartments, so even if they pitchpole the crew can crawl inside a capsized hull and have air to breathe and protection from the elements. In a monohull, the crew will most likely be adrift in a liferaft.”

Walton and co-owner Paul Koch, also an Aussie, succeeded, despite the complicated, people-intensive construction process necessary to produce foldable boats capable of withstanding loads endured at sea and on the highway. A by-product was pricing that ratcheted the boat to the very high end of the market when measured on a cost-per-foot basis.

Prior to introduction of the Corsair 36 in February, 2003, the company’s line included the 24-, 27-, and 31-foot models. Boats were built primarily in Chula Vista, California, though the first six F-31s, introduced in 1992, were built at Tillotson-Pearson (TPI) in Rhode Island.

In 1994, Koch purchased Walton’s share and consolidated all of the manufacturing operations at the California plant, where boats are now built.

In its first two decades, Corsair has produced 1,260 boats; annual production is typically 72-75 boats, Koch says.

The 36-footer has been well-received; seven have been ordered since its introduction.

Design Though Ian Farrier is credited with the design of the first three models, and influenced the 36-footer, his affiliation with Corsair ended in the mid-’90s. Paul Koch says that a team of in-house engineers and outside consultants are responsible for the design of the 36.

All of the boat’s design elements— hull, deck, and sailplan—bear a strong resemblance to its predecessors, but the extra LOA allows more graceful lines. Her long, low profile is accented by a downward-sloping cabintop and long, narrow, dark windows. Viewed from the bow, the hull presents a fine entry. The amas also have a fine entry, and near-flat sheerline offset by very round shapes and downward curving bottoms.

However, the new model adds enough load-carrying capability to provide creature comforts suitable for extended cruising. She’s only 900 pounds heavier than the F-31, and performs as well under sail.

All of the Corsair boats, when folded, have the appearance of a giant Daddy Longlegs. The 36-footer also features a tilt-up rudder and shallow draft that allows her to anchor in less than two feet of water, or sail onto a beach. In tight quarters, she can be folded when at anchor.

With a folded beam of 9′ 10″ she’s wider than other models, so owners may be required to secure wide-load permits in some states. To assist owners in avoiding the expense of acquiring a trailer ($7,638), and, perhaps, more powerful tow vehicle, the company has organized fleets of truckers that transport the boats for $1.50 mile, including the cost of a driver.

After the introduction of hull #1 (the boat we tested), input from dealers and consumers at two boat shows brought about a few design modifications and refinements.

Deck and Rig Layout The organization of spaces and layout of gear on the C-36 is almost a carbon copy of its predecessors.

The cockpit is as big as those on monohulls of about the same LOA—wide enough to seat a crew of 4-6 comfortably, and narrow enough to allow a shorthanded crew to work large headsails. The regular cockpit seats are well-proportioned, and there’s additional seating set into both sides of the stern pulpit. These mesh-bottomed seats are good places to be while underway, since they’re elevated, clear of the action, and softer to sit on than fiberglass.

The cockpit is enclosed by a pulpit, and the path forward is atop the cabin or on the trampolines, so a certain amount of agility is required to move forward when necessary. Because of the narrowness of the main hull, shrouds are located on the amas, not close at hand, and the deck is devoid of handrails and lifelines. The trampolines fitted between the hull and amas provide a sturdy, though bouncy, platform.

Corsair outfits boats with high-quality hardware. On the 36, all of the deck gear, including winches, is supplied by Harken or Spinlock.

In its standard configuration she is fitted with Harken B40 self-tailing winches on the cabin top, two Harken B42.2 winches in the cockpit, and two Harken B32.2 self-tailing halyard winches on the mast. Working halyards at the mast instead of leading them aft to the cockpit makes sense, according to multihull sailors, because multihulls sail flatter, and a walk to the mast and back doesn’t present as much of a challenge as it does on a heeling monohull. It also reduces cockpit clutter and friction.

The mainsheet is located at the end of the boom and led to a Harken traveler track that spans the stern, an arrangement that produces excellent sail shape, allows the helmsman to trim the sail, and also reduces the amount of clutter in the cockpit. The system is fitted with a Harken Big Boat Series double-block and tackle led to cockpit winches.

To maximize performance off the breeze, a spinnaker control kit ($3,720) adds two winches in the cockpit, carbon fiber bowsprit , and sheets, blocks, control lines, and cleats necessary to complete the installation.

Corsair is constructing aluminum masts at its factory from extrusions produced by Sparcraft. Our test boat was equipped with a double-spreader rig with swept spreaders and stainless steel wire rigging. At the time of our test, Koch was considering replacing the double spreaders with singles, because, “the second set was redundant.” He has since made that change.

The standard rig is a 3/4 fractional. With the addition of spinnaker gear and bowsprit, a second stay is attached to the mast approximately one foot higher and terminated near the end of the sprit.

The rotating mast is deck-stepped on a ball atop a Delrin bearing that allows it to rotate 45 degrees. Its movement is controlled by a block and tackle arrangement and stainless steel ring on the aft side of the mast. The result is a significantly more aerodynamic presentation of the mainsail to the breeze, which translates to acceleration and speed when sailing to weather or on a reach.

Two steps on the stern provide access for swimmers. Since the rudder is transom-hung, an outboard is located off-center in a hull recess.

Belowdecks When Corsair stretched the F-27 to 31′, owners were rewarded with living spaces large enough to be marginally comfortable on an extended trip. With more stretching, the C-36 still doesn’t have as spacious a main cabin as a 36-foot monohull because of her narrow beam—but she closes the gap significantly.

The accommodations are an excellent example of what can be accomplished using fiberglass and other weight-saving materials, since virtually all of her components are exposed. In fact, there’s so much exposed white in the fiberglass and headliner that only the red cushions and cabin sole provide some relief from the brightness. In addition to concealing wiring, the headliner also acts as a sound deadener. It’s stuck to the overhead with hook-and-loop fasteners. We were concerned about sagging, but found it difficult to remove. If the glue behind the hook-and-loop tapes fails eventually, it will be easy enough to replace.

The area is well lit by two ports on each side of the cabin, and light entering from the companionway. Our test boat had hatches only over the head and the forward berth. In subsequent boats Koch has added a third in the main cabin.

Given more volume below, designers were able to increase standing headroom to 6′ 6″. The saloon measures nearly 6′ from companionway to the head on the port side. A proper C-shaped, elevated dining area, also to port, converts to a 6-foot berth, tapering in width from 41″ to 30″. The galley is to starboard, aft of a second settee that can double as a berth for a small person, and the V- berth.

Stowage space in the boat is at a premium. Although the amas have large storage areas for light gear, accessing those spaces can be a pain, as is true on all cruising trimarans.

The dining table is constructed of fiberglass, but finished to give the appearance of a shiny wood grain. Similarly, the vinyl sole looks like teak, but is a lightweight composite that comes with a 10-year guarantee. Since the boat has no nav station, the dining table is a likely candidate. Odds are, the VHF radio will be mounted on the companionway bulkhead, and instruments on the companionway hatch, close at hand to a navigator working below.

The galley on our test boat was equipped with an optional stainless steel, two-burner propane stove, and double stainless steel sink. A clever arrangement is a recessed faucet that pops up when needed. All are mounted in a fiberglass cabinet with a tiny storage area below. An insulated ice box is standard; refrigeration and pressure hot and cold water are available as options.

The head is a low-maintenance, smoothly finished fiberglass pan measuring approximately 40″ x 35″, consisting of a molded vanity/sink combination with a medicine cabinet outboard, toilet, and handheld shower. It will prove functional, utilitarian, and just large enough for average-sized adults. It will not be confused with the space on a typical 36-foot cruising monohull. The head shares space with a fiberglass shell housing the daggerboard. The shell is so well finished and fitted in as to be nearly invisible. (The daggerboard is constructed of balsa encapsulated in fiberglass.)

The V-berth offers accommodations for two in an enclosed area that has a hatch overhead and Halogen lights and ports on each side. The berth measures 6′ 4″ long on the centerline. It’s 5′ wide at the head, and fitted with 4″ thick cushions. The hull liner is a combination of fabric and shiny fiberglass. Storage and a holding tank are under the berth.

A second berth with a queen-sized mattress is located below the cockpit sole. It’s accessed via two hatches aft of the cockpit, in what would be called the lazarette area, or by removing companionway steps. Two ports provide ventilation at anchor. This is the most spacious sleeping area, and will be fun for kids to climb in and out of (especially since it also hosts the transparent escape hatch). However, the mattress will be ruined quickly if people climb down there with dirty or wet deck shoes, and the space will be noisy if used while underway.

A large storage area under the steps provides a bed for an optional diesel engine. In our view, the 20-hp outboard and a solar panel or two will be the better choice. Don’t overburden a butterfly.

Construction The high cost of Corsair’s boats is attributed to several factors, not the least of which are tooling costs associated with a boat that has more than 30 different moldings, including 10 in the deck and hull, and 11 in the areas belowdecks, as well as two amas, four akas (crossbeams), and all the precision-engineered parts that allow the whole thing to be folded up.

In addition, the company uses high-tech raw materials, including vinylester resins, carbon fiber, double-bias fabrics with Kevlar, and a vacuum-bagging and curing process that relies on precise blends of fiberglass, resin, and catalysts.

Since light weight and high performance are closely related, Koch says hull #1 was built to within 200 pounds of her design weight. Subsequent boats have been further reduced by 100 pounds, mostly by eliminating a set of spreaders and their related parts.

The lamination schedule consists of a layer of NPG gelcoat, a skin layer impregnated with vinylester resin to prevent blistering, and multiple layers of uni- and bi-directional fiberglass. Kevlar is laid in high-stress areas on the bottom, daggerboard trunk, and at bulkheads.

Akas are constructed of layers of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and foam, which increases stiffness. Additional strength and buoyancy in the amas is afforded by watertight bulkheads.

Performance PS editors have sailed most of the Corsair boats over the years, often in racing conditions, and can attest to their speed under sail and their strong construction. This time, we wanted to see if the company could add creature comforts without compromising performance.

Koch’s hopes were for a 15-knot cruiser. “I was surprised,” he told us, “when she sailed at 20 knots during early testing of a prototype in Australia.”

Aside from the long waterline and low wetted surface of the main hull, and the light overall weight of the boat, the biggest contributor to performance is the rotating mast, which supports a square-topped, full-battened mainsail with oversized roach. The advantage of the rotating mast is that it presents a clean, aerodynamic shape to the wind, as opposed to the slab of aluminum of a fixed spar. As we learned during our day-long test sail, trimming the main involves driver and trimmer coordinating their point of sail and mast position. In heavier air, “de- rotating” the mast brings it closer to the apparent wind, flattening the mainsail, and spilling wind to prevent heeling.

We sailed on Biscayne Bay in winds that built from 5 to 15 knots. We had a crew of six—one crewmember stretched out on the V- berth, another snoozing on the trampoline, and four of us trimming sails.

Several manufacturers were testing their new products to see how they performed, using a two-year-old Corsair F-31 as the rabbit. Koch’s goal was to compare the performance of the old and new boats.

From a mechanical standpoint, the boat is easily managed from the cockpit, except that the main is hoisted at the mast. The genoa is on a furler, and main and jib sheets are close at hand.

With Steve Marsh of the Finish Line, a dealer in Stuart, at the helm, we sailed close-hauled in 8-12 knots of wind with boatspeed consistently registering 8-10 knots. She sailed higher and tacked faster than other boats in the fleet, and as quickly as the F-31. She seems to pivot on her daggerboard, and tacked through 95-100°.

When the wind angle moved deeper than 35°, we hoisted a “screacher,” essentially a high-clewed, 180% drifter, and speed increased to 12-15 knots. She heeled 5-10°, carving through a modest chop on the surface. Performance in these conditions was as good or better than the F-31.

The sheeting angle of the headsail is adjusted via a canvas strap attached to the hull beams. It allows the clew position to be moved in and out, much like a barberhauler.

As the wind backed, we punched through small swells by elevating the height of the screacher tack, easing the tack line from the cockpit.

A big difference between monohulls and multihulls is that when a puff hits, most monohulls will use up some of that force by heeling to it, while a good multihull will stay firmly on its feet and use the force for acceleration. The C-36 does this admirably.

Steering through a jibe with a screacher on the sprit-equipped boat is challenging, since the screacher moves between forestay and furler. Once the boat is headed dead downwind and the boom centered, the jibe is completed by quickly turning to weather to fill the sail while the crew tensions the new sheet and the mainsail is eased.

The boat moved easily through the harbor at 5-7 knots with the quiet 20-hp. four-stroke outboard.

Price The current base price for the Corsair 36 is $199,000, including the 20-hp. motor, FOB Chula Vista. In reality, a well-equipped boat will cost closer to $215,000-$225,000, including sails and trailer ($7,638) but without race gear or spinnaker. Options include the propane stove with hot water system, ($875); pressure water ($2,275); Standard Eclipse VHF radio and antenna ($645); spinnaker control kit ($3,720), and screacher controls ($1,969), which require the spinnaker controls.

Conclusion When we first examined Corsair boats years ago, it was with a skeptical eye. While sailing characteristics weren’t questioned, folding tris are complex. We worried about the lightweight construction methods and durability; the toughness of the ama-aka combination; viability as a trailerable vessel, and high price.

Time has alleviated most of those concerns, even the ones about cost, because, in this case, you’re paying for things that work.

The C-36 is certainly fast. Not many boats this size, even other multihulls, will cruise easily at 12-15 knots. She’s also versatile. Her shallow draft offers opportunites to picnic on the beach, or anchor close to shore, away from the mooring field, and yet her foldability means that she can hover in crowded areas when necessary. And she can be towed down the highway for cruising or racing far afield.

Corsair says the boats can be rigged, unloaded, and ready to sail in an hour. Based on real-life observations, we think the time will vary with the size and physical prowess of the crew.

Cockpit seating is large enough to seat six comfortably underway or at the dock. Down below, it’s bright and clean-looking, but creature comforts don’t compare in size or appointments to a middle-of-the-road 36′ monohull equipped with nav station, wine rack, and entertainment center—if that’s your bag. On this boat, the entertainment is found underway.

The high initial cost for trailerable folding trimarans tends to produce sticker shock, since a similar-sized monohull can be purchased for 25% less. On the upside, well-maintained, newer used tris are selling for 75-85% of their original price.

This new boat will appeal to sailors who prefer sleekness and speed to “cushiness,” which is not the same as “comfort.” Aboard boats, comfort is linked to function, and by that definition she’s comfortable enough.

Contact – 877/FASTTRI, www.corsairmarine.com

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Corsair 36: A big folding trimaran from the ‘global village’

The design of the central hull offers both interior volume and good performance under sail! Bravo...

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Corsair was created by a New Zealand architect in California, and has built more than 1,200 folding trimarans between 1984 and 2008, which makes it the leader in this segment, along with the Danish Dragonfly. We have just tested the biggest of these trimarans, the Corsair 36...

The 36’ has now been replaced by the Corsair 37, a re-styled version of the same boat. Taking into account the small number of examples present in Europe, we leapt at the chance to test one, whilst waiting to present the 37’ carbon (RS) development.

Aluminium rotating mast, carbon bowsprit and nice Pentex sails by Calvert Sails: the Corsair 36 offers simple but high-performance choices!

The split with the founding architect

In 2000, Ian Farrier left the Chula Vista company that he had created and of which he was the vice-president and the emblematic architect. The disagreement with Paul Koch, the new strong man at Corsair (an Australian who built the Farrier Ostac), led the designer to return to his New Zealand offices, from where he re-launched his own range (F82, 32’, 36’ and 39’), intended for individual (up-market) construction, and Australian and Phillipine (Melvest Yard) production.

A really liveable trimaran which allows you to envisage offshore cruising...

The 36’- 37’: the flagship of a turbulent range

The 36’s characteristics show clearly that it belongs to the Farrier line, and it is obvious that despite the difficulties, the Corsair research and...

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A folding trimaran just right for fast passages between thin-water cruising grounds

What elements combine to make the perfect cruising boat? Of course that is a wildly subjective question, the kind of question that can ruin an evening among friends and strain an otherwise good marriage. Still, for the sake of argument, lets start with: seaworthiness, stability, ease of handling, shoal draft and comfortable accommodations. Now add terrific performance, an unsinkable hull, solid construction and low operating expenses. Toss these ingredients into the blender and what do you come up with? No, not a frozen drink. How about the new Corsair 36 folding trimaran? Surprised? While it may not be the perfect cruising boat for everyone, it is certainly one of the most innovative.

Launched earlier this year, the 36 is the flagship from Corsair Marine, the Chula Vista, California, builder that has produced nearly 1,300 trimarans since 1985. Australian Ian Farrier developed the concept of a folding trimaran in the 1970s and all Corsairs trace their roots to his original 18-foot Trailertri. Corsair Marine's best-known boat is probably the F-27, which is no longer in production. Today the company produces a 24, 28 and 31. All of its models are folding, trailerable and extremely fast under sail. When hull No. 1 of the new 36 turned up in Florida this past spring, photographer Walter Cooper and I arranged a SAILING Magazine Boat Test.

We joined Corsair dealer Steve Marsh on a quiet canal just off the north fork of the St. Lucie River. Marsh, a multihull enthusiast and owner of Finish Line of the Treasure Coast, Inc., had recently displayed the boat at the Miami Boat Show.

"Sailing back up the coast after the show we touched 20 knots," he said as we powered away from the dock. "And that was in about 20 knots of wind yet the ride was incredibly smooth."

The details When you examine the Corsair 36 on paper you quickly realize that there are two sets of figures, those for when the boat is assembled and spread like a butterfly on the water and those for when it is folded up for trailering or docking in a conventional slip. The speed potential is obvious-the LWL is 35 feet or about 98 percent of the LOA, the sail area is 758 square feet and the approximate weight is 5,500 pounds. You don't have to be Bob Perry to realize that these numbers translate into raw speed.

The main hull shape has a fine entry with U-shaped midsections trailing into a broad flat run aft. Rocker is kept to a minimum to encourage planing. A retractable daggerboard drops the draft to 6 feet when fully deployed. When in the raised position, the draft is just 20 inches and of course Corsair can't resist using beautiful pictures of the 36 beached on the sands of an idyllic island in its brochures. The 25-foot, 7-inch beam creates a lot of initial stability, in fact the angle of heel is usually around 5 degrees and almost never surpasses 15 degrees. The folded beam is just 9 feet, 10 inches.

Once past a sneaky shoal that would give most monohulls grief, we slipped into the broad expanse of river. We canned the 20-horsepower, four-stroke Honda outboard, lowered the daggerboard and raised the sails. The standard sailplan includes a full-batten square-top main and a roller-furling jib set on a fractional forestay. The boat was also fitted with the optional "screecher," (an oversized reacher) set from the retractable carbon fiber bowsprit and an asymmetrical spinnaker. The aluminum rotating wing mast is deck stepped. The mast is 47 feet, 6 inches long for trailering considerations while the air draft is just over 50 feet.

The acceleration was impressive. With moderate winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots, we quickly powered up to double digits under main and screecher. The cockpit is small but mesh seats stitched along the aft rails prove to be the ideal steering position, freeing the cockpit area for sail handling. Tiller steering is standard and natural, it would be a pity to clutter the boat with a wheel. The boom is quite long and the mainsheet traveler is placed all the way aft, keeping out of the way and effecting efficient purchase. Most other sail controls are led aft to a port side winch and port and starboard rope clutches perched on the deckhouse.

On deck There were five of us aboard and the boat did not feel crowded. Of course that's an advantage of a trimaran; there is plenty of space between the hulls to stretch out on the bow and wing nets. Moving from the cockpit to the outer floats can be tricky, the only real handhold is the single upper shroud. There are storage lockers in the floats and a small anchor locker forward. Offsetting the outboard engine slightly to starboard allows stern steps on the transom. The standard engine is a 20-horsepower, four-stroke outboard, although an inboard diesel is optional.

The Corsair 36 has a very solid feel in the water, if you didn't know it you would never suspect that the boat actually folds up. The hulls are foam sandwich construction. This coring material not only provides excellent stiffness and impact resistance but also contributes flotation that makes the boat unsinkable. Carbon fiber and Kevlar unidirectional glass fabrics are employed to reinforce high-load areas. Vacuum bagging is used throughout the laminating process to keep the glass-to-resin ratio as high as possible. The cross beams are stiffened with multiple layers of unidirectional carbon fiber.

Down below Two easy steps deposit you into the bright, airy cabin. Corsair Marine is proud of the level of comfort, or as they call it, luxury, achieved in the 36. And, the design does an ingenious job maximizing the available space, but there still isn't a lot of space in the center hull to work with. The galley is to starboard and includes a two-burner alcohol stove and a clever folding sink with hot and cold pressure water. There is storage behind and below, and when the stove and sink covers are down, there is a decent amount of counter space. Opposite the galley is a C-shaped settee draped around a table that also converts to a double berth. The electrical panel is on the aft bulkhead, making it prone to wetting in rough weather.

An enclosed head is to port with a straight settee to starboard. The head is a molded unit that is easy to clean and maintain. The forward V-berth is long enough to sleep comfortably and there is a well-placed hatch overhead. There is a large locker to port and additional storage underneath. The interesting feature of the interior plan is the aft cabin. Tucked under the cockpit and accessed from a large hatch on deck, this is a genuine double berth with a nice view of the stars when the hatches are left open. Technically the 36 sleeps up to seven, but that would be like a troop ship. It is, however, well suited for two couples or a family with a couple of kids.

Under sail Back out on the water we rolled in the screecher and hauled up the asymmetrical. The boat reached another speed level as we screamed across the river at 14-plus knots. Sailing nearly as fast as the wind, we kept bending the apparent wind forward, creating ideal reaching conditions. We executed a series of jibes and the boat, and all its 25 feet and 7 inches of beam, came through the wind with alacrity. The entire crew at Finish Line of the Treasure Coast, Inc., took the afternoon off to sail with us and they tweaked and primed and were never satisfied until the center hull hummed. The sea state was minimal, creating ideal conditions for speed sailing. We eventually dropped the chute and unfurled the jib. We sailed fairly close to the wind and it was obvious from landmarks ashore that we were tracking effectively. That's where the 6-foot daggerboard really pulls its weight. With the true wind around 12 we sailed close-hauled at near 8 knots, and with minimal heel. The helm was light, especially for a tiller.

Reluctantly we made our way back toward the dock. I asked Marsh about the practicality of owning a 36-foot folding, trailerable trimaran. He explained that most people will likely leave the boat assembled and try to find a T-head or side tie dock to accommodate the wide beam. However, folding and unfolding is really not a major operation and the 9-foot, 10-inch folded beam opens up a lot of docking avenues. Corsair does not use corrosion-prone wire braces on the float to beam joints. Instead, they rely on solid aluminum folding struts with stainless steel pivot pins. As to the practicality of trailering a 36-foot boat, Marsh explained that most people will likely only trailer the boat between major sailing areas or at the end of the season when you can park the boat in the driveway and avoid winter storage fees. A loaded boat and trailer weigh less than 10,000 pounds and can be towed by a good-sized pickup truck.

Of course, you could just sail the Corsair 36 between major sailing areas and leave the Interstates to the maniacs on wheels. The Corsair 36 will no doubt follow in the illustrious wake of her smaller sisterships whose accomplishments include transpacific and transatlantic crossings. I won't be surprise to learn that a Corsair 36 sailed around the world in a few years. Open-minded sailors looking for a true performance cruiser should take a good hard look at this boat, it just might change your perspective.

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• Sailboat Guide

Corsair 36 is a 35 ′ 11 ″ / 11 m trimaran sailboat designed by Corsair Marine and built by Corsair Marine starting in 2002.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Opinions on Corsair 36/37?

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Just wondering what anyone has to say about these boats, if anything. They seem way too expensive for my budget, and produced in such small numbers as to be an unknown quantity, possibly. On the upside, they seem to offer an incredibly fast boat that I could cruise on with my family in Long Island sound. Given my limited time, I view the speed as a way for me to go farther, maybe getting out to Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard in a relatively short time. I know the accomodations are more cramped and spartan than a similar sized monohull, but they also offer a large amount of trampoline space and sound like a heck of a lot of fun. Life is full of tradeoffs...  

Are you talking about the Corsair 36 trimarans?? The fact that you're saying Corsair 36/37 is a bit confusing, since there has never been a Corsair 37 AFAIK. If so, they're not an unknown quantity. Most of the Corsair trimarans are based on boats originally designed by Ian Farrier. However, he didn't design the 36 IIRC, as it was designed after Ian Farrier had broken his ties to Corsair Marine. The trampolines do offer a lot of space for sunbathing and lounging. They're pretty decent boat, but I'd be a bit wary of the most recent ones, as Corsair Marine has moved their manufacturing to Vietnam and some quality control issues appear to be cropping up. Also, the company's quality control process standards have dropped since Ian Farrier left the company--and it was Corsair's refusal to meet his requirement to have very rigid QC processes in place that led to his leaving IIRC. If you have questions more specific questions about the boat, please let me know... as I've sailed on the Corsair 28, 31, and 36 quite a bit. One point I'd make about the Corsair ama folding system is that it really can't be used with the boat in the water. The way the amas fold leaves the amas with their outer sides submerged, so unless you've painted the topsides of the ama and the deck with antifouling, it will become a serious problem. Most Corsair trimaran owners leave the amas extended for the entire season and keep their boats at moorings, rather than in a marina slip, which is generally not possible due to the extreme beam the boats have with the amas extended. In terms of full disclosure, I own a Telstar 28 trimaran and am one of the few trimaran sailors on this site.  

Yes, I mean the trimarans. If you look on the corsair marine website, they seem to have replaced the 36 with a 37 model. I would leave mine on a mooring so retracting the amas would not be an issue. The quality control issue that you mention seems like a big issue for a rather expensive craft. What also bothers me is that I have emailed corsair twice for more info and they haven't responded to me. When you say the 36 is a known quantity, would you happen to know about how many of these have been built? Also, how are the accomodations of the Telstar 28. I am asking as someone who would like to sleep 2 adults and 3 kids ages 2-8 in one. And, are you satisfied with the quality of the boat overall? I have read a few comments here and there that some people were not fully satisfied with quality or durability, but I don't know if this has any real basis. Thanks  

I'm not familiar with the Corsair 37 and haven't sailed on one or seen one. They must be a new model that has come out since moving production to Vietnam. You'd never fit two adults and three kids in a Telstar 28 comfortably IMHO. As for the boat itself, I'm very happy with my Telstar 28. I've posted several videos on youtube.com that were taken in various conditions, usually when it is blowing like stink and there is a small craft advisory. Here is one of the videos: While some boats, particularly the Quorning Dragonflies, are much better finished, I'm very happy with having bought a Telstar. My reasoning for choosing the Telstar are on my blog, and if you're interested in reading more, let me know. The biggest reasons I went with the Telstar 28 are: It has almost as much cabin space as a Corsair 31, and much more space than a Corsair 28, at a lower price. It is also designed for cruising, rather than racing, and the cabin design reflects that. The Corsair 28 doesn't come with a real galley or head, usually having a camping stove and porta-potty respectively. The Telstar has a galley with a sink and propane stove/broiler and a marine head with a holding tank. The mast-raising system is far safer and easier to use than that of the Corsairs. Three of the six Corsair 31s I had looked at had the masts replaced due to being dropped, and one was being sold because of the danger that dropping the mast presented to his son.  

Corsair 36 I am a Corsair 36 owner in Sweden, I bought a used one from Finish Line in Florida (Great people) and shipped it to Europe. Having been sailing the boat for two seasons, both on the race course and with my wife and two kids on vacation/weekends. I got to say this boat is amazing! I used to sail a 40 ft J-120, packed with hungry, thirsty, sleepy, people on the rail every race, felt like a €#&-charter captain... With the Corsair 36 I smoke 50 ft monohull racers with my 7 year old daughter at the helm. The only drawback I can think of is mooring in shallow waters, it takes some time to get used to the drift when the centerboard is up. But if speed and comfort is your thing, look no further!  

Attachments

whoooop said: I am a Corsair 36 owner in Sweden, I bought a used one from Finish Line in Florida (Great people) and shipped it to Europe. Having been sailing the boat for two seasons, both on the race course and with my wife and two kids on vacation/weekends. I got to say this boat is amazing! I used to sail a 40 ft J-120, packed with hungry, thirsty, sleepy, people on the rail every race, felt like a €#&-charter captain... With the Corsair 36 I smoke 50 ft monohull racers with my 7 year old daughter at the helm. The only drawback I can think of is mooring in shallow waters, it takes some time to get used to the drift when the centerboard is up. But if speed and comfort is your thing, look no further! Click to expand...

i had an corsair c/f-31 for 6 years (is for sale) and presently have an f-39 (custom boat by farrier). these boats are amazing, but expensive. you would not want to buy them new, since there is an active used market and you can get 30-40 percent off. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I am on my second generation farrier design. I cannot imaging sailing anything else. the speed, outside room, trailerability, resale value etc. is hard to beat. only drawback is price (get a a used one if that is the problem) and relative small INTERIOR space for a given length is about equal in space to a monhull several feet shorter. THe outside space on the nets, however is much bigger. I figure my f39 farrier is about equal to a 34 or 36 foot monohull in interior space, but is does 15-20 knots in a good wind  

Corsair 37 in LIS Hi. I sailed on the sprint 750 in Long Island Sound last summer out of Stamford. We would zoom all the way over to Oyster Bay and beyond and back while all the monohulls were flogging and motoring. I was astounded that multihulls are not more popular in an area of dead wind. I've also had extensive experience crusing a 47 Leopard cat. Cats are great for space. Both are great for summer boating as there is greater recreational room and you can truly sail at 5 knots and drift with less wind. Anyhow, the skipper is expecting his new 37 the end of December. It is true it's coming from VietNam. It does seem a bit sketchy. However, multihulls are so expensive, they have been building in places like Argentina and South Africa. A lot of control issues do exist in those places, but also some incredible boats come out of those places. I guess a good concern may be the all carbon fiber aspect of it. The boat is a bargain considering the material. However, as I understand, not anyone can just slap carbon fiber together properly. And when carbon fiber gives, it just explodes, no warning, no stress. Just snap, like a crystalline structure. But if you just want it for LIS, and not planning on taking it to max speed in hurricane winds, I think it is the wave of the future. Not expensive for what you get and won't be outdated anytime soon.  

Yup, still sailing this fantastic boat! Drop me an e-mail at lannerstedt(at)yahoo.se and I'll send you some PDF's. Best, Jorgen  

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Top Contributors this Month

Corsair Trimarans are versatile, exciting and offer superb performance for racing and cruising with the family. They also feature unique trailerability (trailer to sailing in 30 minutes), shallow draft and uncompromised comfort and safety. All of The Multihull Source team members own and race Corsair trimarans - no other dealer can offer more knowledge about all the different models.

Since 1986 Corsair Marine has built over 1700 trailerable trimarans, including the 750's, 24s, F-27, Corsair 28, Corsair 31 and the Corsair 36 & 37. Corsairs evolved from Ian Farrier's original folding trimaran, the Trailertri 18, launched in Australia in 1974. Prominent features of the Corsair tri include: efficient design, ample accommodation, superb construction and engineering, planing hull configuration, high-buoyancy, incredible stability and minimal heel. Built to be strong and light, Corsair Trimarans incorporate state-of-the-art aerospace composite technology.

The ease of trailerability is one of the hallmarks of the Corsair line. The exclusive Farrier Folding System enables the overall beam of the boat to be reduced to a mere 8'-2" (2.5 M) without loss of structural strength or on-the-water stability. Proven reliability and ease of use have made this the most practical multihull folding system for twenty-five years.

Corsairs also feature highly efficient fractional rigs with clear anodized aluminum spars and rugged stainless steel standing rigging. High-tech, light-weight carbon fiber wing-masts are standard on the Corsair 37. Many Corsair boats have roller furling booms that make mainsail furling, reefing and stowage especially easy. All models except the 37 have custom mast steps to facilitate easy single-handed mast raising using the trailer

Farrier International

a Division of Daedalus

The F-36 is a large, ocean going, cruising multihull, with the capability of being demounted (not folding) for occasional trailering at 10′ (3.05m) wide. This gives tremendous versatility for an ocean capable boat.

F-36 Sails Around The World!

The trimaran’s superior handling and performance makes it the knowledgeable sailor’s cruiser of choice. Other advantages include a drier ride, with no immersed windward bow to throw back spray, no problems with wingdeck pounding, nor is a high windage boxy cabin required for standing headroom.

The fractional rig is efficient and easy to handle in all conditions, and the boat can be sailed to its full potential with a minimum of sails. A self-tacking jib is optional with the centerboard version and boom can be roller furling. A wire luff genoa (Screacher) set from the bow pole, eliminates the traditional genoa and multiple sail changes, making sail handling a breeze. It’s even more ideal for cruising. Rig size is conservative and this coupled with the F-36’s enormous 108,000 foot-lbs righting moment, gives a very safe cruiser.

Daggerboard or centerboard are optional, while a kick-up spade rudder is housed in its own retractable rudder box in the transom. Wheel steering is standard, but a tiller is optional with the aft cockpit version. The self-draining center cockpit can seat six adults, aft cockpit eight to ten.

An inboard of 20 to 30HP is recommended, located in a roomy and accessible area under the cockpit. Maneuverability is excellent under power, due to the trimaran’s superior turning ability, its center hull and daggerboard being natural pivots.

The beams are demountable, to give an occasional trailering capability at 10′ (3m) wide. The strut reinforced beams eliminate the need for full width beams, increasing interior room. The beams are smaller, lighter, easier to demount, and allow standing headroom between the forward beams.

Interior can accommodate six to eight, with standing headroom throughout. Galley is to port, and a chart table is on the starboard side, along with a wet locker. Dinette will seat five, and can be converted into a large double bunk. Starboard settee is wide and comfortable, and can be converted into top and bottom bunks.

Downloadable drawings:

Aft Cabin Interior Layout

Aft Cockpit Interior Layout

F-36 Profile

F-36 Deck Layout

F-36 Aft Perspective

F-36 Plan Contents

Forward, there is a private bathroom with head, washbasin, and a separate shower. Forward cabin has a double berth, with seating room aft, and large storage areas underneath. The aft cabin has a double or two single berths with full sitting headroom. Access is through a hatch in the aft cabin front, or through under the cockpit.

An optional pilothouse can shelter the cockpit, giving standing headroom to the forward end of the aft cabin, and an all weather passage to the main cabin through the cockpit. The optional aft cockpit version gives even more main cabin space, while the cockpit size is considerably increased, with easier access over the stern.

Material or building options include both vertical stripped foam and strip planked Cedar or Durakore®. As with all Farrier designs, a monocoque structural system is used, with interior panels being designed to absorb and distribute structural loads making the hull a very efficient, strong, and light unitary structure. The connecting beams are made from either fiberglass or carbon fiber with foam core.

The F-36 JAM TODAY has now crossed the Atlantic (twice) and another has sailed from New Zealand to Japan.

F-36 Launching in San Juan Islands

F-36 Specifications

F-36 plans are being regularly updated, and many new features that are have been incorporated in the F-39 are available on request to keep the F-36 a ‘state of the art’ design. These include the F-39 carbon fiber chainplates, rotating mast, and daggerboard rudder option.

(Can vary depending on owner’s preferences)  

Video of the latest F-36 launched is also now available on the Video Page

The F-36 has now been joined by the F-39

IMPORTANT: It should be noted that the F-36 and the Corsair 36/37 are two different designs – More details

• BROKERAGE LISTINGS

Loyalty around the globe—and for good reason.

Corsair trimarans are famously dependable, fast, and responsive—with a folding system that makes transport a breeze. It’s no wonder they’ve earned a devoted community the world over from sailors of all stripes.

The Corsair 37’s all-out design is known the world over for everything from winning big races to exploring shallow lagoons.

• 37 ft intelligently designed multihull
• Retractable dagger board & rudder
• Built for intuitive handling and control

CORSAIR 970 SPORT

A rocket engineered with Corsair’s defining responsiveness and durability. The 970 Sport pairs serious performance with true comfort.

• 32 ft rugged multihull construction
• 22′ 7″ beam
• Increased headroom and two spacious cabins

CORSAIR 880

The 880 improves on the renowned F-27’s sailing with a complete redesign to make your next journey equal parts effortless and breathless.

• 29 ft sailing for all skill levels
• Designed for complete safety and comfort
• Below-deck cabin sleeps five

CORSAIR 760

There’s no slowing the 760. After three decades at sea and exponential acclaim, it’s even better thanks to a big new redesign.

• 24 ft multihull refresh by Perus Yacht Design
• Nimble performance cruiser can be folded while afloat in one minute
• Suitable for up to 7 people

CORSAIR PULSE 600

Attention all racers: The 600 is quick to launch and fast on the water, thanks to its lightweight construction and high-volume floats.

• 20 ft vessel built for fun at every skill level
• Agile yet dependable reputation
• Suitable up to 6 people

CORSAIR TRIMARANS

Corsair trimarans promise performance you can feel. A brand known for agility and remarkable consistency — and their vessel’s folding system means efficient transport.

A proven leader, one customer at a time

Wright Yachts is the leading dealer of Seawind catamarans in the U.S. and Canada and the Pacific Northwest multihull center for NEEL and Corsair trimarans. Contact us today.

Wright Yachts 243 Lovell Ave SW Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 356-8698

A new one design 20′ Corsair trimaran – more compact and affordable than ever before, to appeal to modern sailors and families who can now join the growing Corsair trimaran community. The Pulse 600 sailboat offers countless hours of fun, excitement and adventure in an easy-to-launch convenient package.

CORSAIR 760

More performance, comfort and safety than any other trimarans of this size, and the greatest 24′ Corsair trimaran yet. This is a beautiful new Corsair sailboat in a legendary size which offers a comfortable new cruising interior to sleep a couple and kids on a weekend getaway with a galley sink and stove. Corsair Marine has launched over 700 trimarans of this size.

CORSAIR 880

This is the legitimate heir to the trimaran revolution started by the Hall-of-Fame Corsair F-27 way back in 1986. The pinnacle of trimaran design, this all-new built from the ground up Corsair trimaran has full boat systems, an aft cabin to sleep 5 in total, enclosed heads and standing headroom.

CORSAIR 970

The “Cruze” – this 32ft trimaran combines the performance of the F-31 and comfort of the 37. While in Sport or Carbon guise, this trimaran sailboat approaches the blistering speed of the Corsair 37.

Overall Length

19'8" / 6 m, 14'9" / 4.5 m, beam folded, 8' / 2.45 m, draft (hull only), 9" / 0.22 m, draft d/b down, 3' 11" / 1.2 m, mast length, 31' 2" / 9.5 m, unladen weight, 992.2 lbs / 450 kg, 24' 3" / 7.39 m, 17' 11" / 5.46 m, 8' 2" / 2.5 m, upwind sail area, draft d/b up, 5' 3" / 1.6 m, 34' 5" / 10.5 m, 2,094 lbs / 950 kg, 28' 8" ft / 8.8 m, 22' 3" / 6.8 m, upwind sail area sq.m, 554.3 sq ft / 51.5 m2, 1' 5" / 0.45 m, 39' 4" / 12 m, 3,659 lbs / 1,660 kg.

• Folding Corsair Trimarans: Legendary Ability, Unbeatable Reliability
• 5 Reasons Why The Corsair 760 Trimaran Won Multihull Of The Year
• Corsair Range Brochure
• Corsair Community
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