rapido 50 trimaran

For Sailors. The Rapido 50 Trimaran is the World’s Ultimate Folding Ocean Cruising Trimaran. Designed by Morelli & Melvin, it is built exclusively by Triac Composites.

Make or Manufacturer

Length overall, length at waterline, displacement.

About Rapido 50

When the idea to make the Rapido 50 a folding trimaran was first suggested, our initial reaction was, “ARE YOU CRAZY??”.

But after consulting with Pete Melvin from our designers, Morelli & Melvin, we thought, “Why not!”. After all, our management team has built more folding trimarans than anyone else in the world and if anyone understands the challenges and how to do it right, we do!

The folding mechanism will add a small amount to the initial cost but the ability to park the boat in any marina that accepts monohulls will make it all worthwhile and the payback will be huge!

Rapido 50 Sail Plan Click to download Rapido 50 Sail Plan in pdf format. Advantages of the Rapido 50’s folding system

The Rapido folding system keeps the floats vertical when in the folded position. This prevents growth from occuring on the sides of the floats which does happen on other folding systems. And, unless you are prepared to clean the floats prior to your next sail, it will look visually unappealing. Not so with the Rapido 50 which keeps the side of the floats in pristine condition. Compared with yet other systems, the Rapido model actually adds to the overall strength of the boat by reducing the loads on the beams when sailing and it does not make the boat any longer when folded thus reducing the length of the marina berth or slip required. The Rapido folding system is winch-assisted to take away, what some people say, the back-breaking force required on bigger boats with other systems. The Rapido folding system does add some cost and complexity but, we believe, is easily justified by the massive advantages in practice. And, having been designed by Morrelli & Melvin, it is designed to last. It’s bullet proof.

Why Rapido 50

FAST AND POWERFUL Trimarans are safe, powerful and fast as demonstrated by the fact that they consistently win races and hold the solo speed record for circumnavigating the world.

SAFE Safety at sea is the No. 1 priority and this thinking is reflected throughout the design and construction of the Rapido.

SPACIOUS The Rapido has some truly amazing living spaces which provide more open, private and intimate areas than monohulls or catamarans.

STABLE AND COMFORTABLE Trimarans are comfortable on all points of sail.

FUN The combination of safety, performance and comfort put the Rapido in a league of its own. The enormous trampoline nets add fun and excitement as you watch the blue water rush underneath you – or as you lounge on the nets while gently floating over a reef. You will be instantly hooked.

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BOAT REVIEW

MODEL DETAILS

Specifications.

• The elevated helm station gives good vision
• Living space and carrying capacity
• Rotating mast maximises performance
• All sail controls lead back to helm

Years ago, at the start of his new project building larger cruising trimarans, I met and talked with Rapido co-owner, Paul Koch. It was an interesting conversation, without hyperbole and very factual. It was a very no-nonsense Australian-style approach, in fact. “The whole Rapido trimaran concept came about because we felt the world needed a larger, roomier, cruising trimaran with good living space that delivered great performance,” he said.

Morelli and Melvin Mention design and the illustrious names Morelli and Melvin come to mind. They applied the latest technology when designing all three Rapido models, including clever use of Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis and Velocity Prediction Program. “The innovation in design comes with the layout of the main hull and reaching the balance between beam, draft and trim to carry the accommodation without too much compromise on performance,” said Pete Melvin. On the 40 and 50 models, Rapido overcomes the main issue faced by trimarans – berthing – by using folding amas. Separately, the Rapido 60 has a unique, highly innovative design that allows the main beams to be unplugged for shipping. The folding concept was already proven in Koch’s previous trimaran builds, which utilised the Farrier-designed folding system. He was the owner of Corsair Marine, where he was directly involved in the production of over 1,500 trimarans from 1994-2010. An enhanced carbon version of the folding amas has been developed for Rapido. In addition, this patented folding mechanism keeps the amas in the upright position, ensuring that the sides remain free from fouling.

Cruise faster There are good reasons to consider a trimaran, especially if looking to combine the best sailing features of a monohull with the stability of a catamaran. Trimarans can offer exhilarating performance while maintaining complete control. Trimarans are the fastest, safest offshore boats, as demonstrated by the massive French 105-foot (32m) Ultim trimarans keeping the (round-the-world) Jules Verne Trophy in their possession thanks to their record-breaking speed. My assignments have taken me on some of these beauties, including one of the newest, the Ultim Sodebo , several ORMA 60s and a crazily powerful MOD70 that I enjoyed for a race at Hamilton Island Race Week. But for mere mortals like me, it’s the humbler boats I have really enjoyed sailing, such as the versatile Dragonfly, spacious Neels, nimble Corsairs and classic Farriers. Now Rapido ups the ante considerably with its high-tech carbon beauties.

Liveability One of the perceived downsides of trimarans is living space and carrying capacity. In fact, often the first sensation experienced by people boarding the R60 and the R50 for the first time is the great feeling of space, as the crew from La Vagabonde declared on their test sail. There is an aft deck with side seating and an extra-wide helm seat for more than one. Then there are the expansive nets and a huge foredeck. The cockpit and saloon/dining/galley are all on one level and the door to the saloon can swing up into the roof when not in use so that the whole area opens into one enormous space. The daggerboard dominates the saloon on the 50 and 60, but the new 40 has ‘C’ foils in the amas and this completely removes the need for a daggerboard case in the saloon, which further opens the interior space.

Powerful yet controllable rig The carbon masts on each model are rotating to maximise performance. The standing rigging is synthetic. An extensive sail plan means there’s a manageable amount of power available, both upwind and downwind – an important safety consideration in a fast boat like this. The furling Solent genoa, mounted on the inner forestay, is self-tacking and the mainsail reefing system uses Karver reef hooks mounted on Dyneema straps around the boom to distribute the loads with minimal chafe. The boom has truss wings with netting to catch the full-battened mainsail, which is on Antal sliders for easy hoisting, reefing and furling. A furling fractional Code 0 and a masthead furling gennaker tack on the bow just ahead of the headstay. Two Harken winches on the cabin top forward of the helm station handle main and Solent sheet loads. Rope clutches for halyards, mast rotation and board up and down controls are positioned to use the same winches.

Stiff hull Rapido use infused carbon/vinylester laminates on closed-cell PVC cores for high-strength areas and E-glass with carbon elsewhere. Vinylester is used in the hull and deck laminates for good adhesion and better compatibility with the gelcoat finish. Epoxy laminates are used in the structural elements of the boat.

RAPIDO 60 FOR LA VAGABONDE YOUTUBERS

Young Aussie couple, Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu went from backpackers to superstar sailors via their video posts on YouTube. These gleaned them enough subscribers (a staggering 1.6 million) to enable them to sail full time. Recently, their fame was extended when they took teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic in order to reduce her carbon travel emissions. The couple began their sailing life on a small monohull and then an Outremer catamaran before ordering the Rapido 60. “We started looking to upgrade and while I wanted a boat that could go fast, I’m much more interested in average crossing times. I mean, it’s good fun to go fast but that’s the least important on my list of things. I want to be able to go at a good pace safely,” said Riley.

New Zealand Sea Trial After an extensive 18-month global search, well-documented on their YouTube channel, the family flew to New Zealand in 2019 for a sea trial with Paul Koch on the Rapido 60 Romanza , owned by Dougall and Jaz Love. The couple were duly impressed, as Riley recalls: “I know that the Rapido sails unbelievably well, which is the main thrust behind all of our decision making… The only thing I was worried about was the amount of space on board.”

Latest Boat Reviews

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

First look: Rapido 53XS – 20 knot cruiser

• Toby Hodges
• December 29, 2023

The new Rapido 53XS is an appealing two-cabin boat with a compact saloon that has an all round view, combined with easily achieved 20-knot plus performance

Product Overview

A desire for speed is leading to a revival of larger trimarans. This long awaited Morrelli & Melvin-designed ultra fast cruiser, offered in two distinctly different versions, is from a Vietnam-based yard that also produces 40ft and 60ft trimarans.

The standard Rapido 50, announced in 2020, is a pared down folding trimaran for the ultimate in performance, with the convenience of being able to fit into most standard marina berths – though interior space is limited compared to monohulls of similar length, yet alone catamarans.

Nonetheless the result is an appealing two-cabin boat with a compact saloon that has an all round view, combined with easily achieved 20-knot plus performance. Folding amas reduce overall beam from a massive 10.24m (33ft 6in) to a more manageable 5.8m (19ft 0in).

The new 53XS (extra space) version has more flare above the waterline of the main hull, together with a much more expansive main deck area and wider saloon. This comes at the expense of 800kg of additional weight but there’s space for a third double cabin on the bridgedeck.

This model also has C-foils in the amas, in place of the centreboard in the central hull of the standard model, freeing up more space in the saloon, which includes a large forward navigation and work station. Twin fixed pre-preg carbon rudder blades, one on each ama, extend to the lowest point of the main hull, allowing access to shallow water, while providing excellent control even when fully powered up.

The tall spreader-less carbon mast – air draught is 26.6m (87ft) – and V boom of both boats are made in house, as is the very deep daggerboard for the standard boat and the C-foils for the XS version.

On the downside, the amas of the 53XS can’t be folded to reduce the overall beam for easy marina berthing or storage ashore.

Rapido 53XS specifications

LOA: 16.1m / 53ft Max beam: 10.24m / 33ft 7in Draught: 0.67m-3.52m / 2ft 3in-11ft 6in Displacement: (XS) 9,350kg / 20,613lb Upwind sail area: 190m2 / 2,040ft2 Price: from US$1.75m Builder: rapidotrimarans.com

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New Morrelli and Melvin trimaran promises a speedy offshore adventure

T his month we have three very interesting multihulls to review—two cats and a trimaran. First is the Morrelli and Melvin-designed Rapido 50. You’ve heard me talk about my buddy Doug on the next beach with the Farrier tri. He’s thinking about a new tri with more comfort than his 27-footer and when I saw the Rapido I thought it would be a great fit for him. That way I could go for a sail on the new boat. I’m always looking out for my friends.

The appeal of a trimaran over a catamaran is speed and I think a better safety record in terms of capsize. You certainly don’t buy a tri for the accommodations. This tri has a D/L of 66.03 if I use the “loaded” displacement. This is still very light. If I adjust the overall beam that the specs give me, centerline of ama to centerline of ama, for 

As I said earlier, you won’t be attracted to a tri because of the accommodations. The skinny main hull, even with the splayed out topsides, precludes a spacious layout. The Rapido’s interior is about what you would get in a modern 32-foot monohull, at best. That said, it’s a comfy layout with an aft cabin with double berth and head. The main cabin features a dinette to port with a spacious nav station forward of the dinette. To starboard there is a very long galley. Given that you won’t heel much in this tri, there is no advantage to a U-shaped galley. Forward there is a large head to port and another double berth. The covered cockpit seats are long enough for sleeping but a bit narrow. There is access to the engine space from the swim step. Of course when it comes to deck space the trimaran is almost all deck space if you consider the trampolines part of the deck, which I do. They are perfect for laying about.

This is a high-powered boat. If I use mainsail and solent jib, which I would consider the working jib, I get a SA/D of 39.78. That should make my buddy Doug very happy. He loves to zoom by my shack, inside the mooring balls and tease me. “Next time Bob!” and off he goes. If you think that much sail area is a bit over the top for your nonsailing pals you can hoist the staysail and calm things down a bit. There is nothing on the drawings I have to indicate how the large, square-topped mainsail is sheeted although I think I see a traveler spanning the deck edge aft. The steering position is not in the cockpit, it’s on the raised deck aft and very exposed. I’m not sure how that would work offshore in a blow. You are “on” the boat, not “in” the boat. I would prefer some protection for the helmsman. But if you are running with autopilot I suppose it doesn’t matter.

Construction is in E-glass and carbon fiber. The build goal was to produce a strong, fast, offshore capable and unsinkable trimaran.  I’m going to pass this along to my buddy Doug. You never know.

LOA 49’ 10”; LWL 49’7”; Beam 33’11”; Draft 2’2”-10’10”; Displ. 10,078 lbs.; Sail area 1,711 sq. ft.; SA/D 39.78; D/L 66.03; L/B 1.49; Auxiliary Yanmar 53 hp; Fuel 132 gal.; Water 106 gal.

Our best estimate of the sailaway price  $850,000

The Catamaran Company

2330 Shelter Island Dr., Suite 203

San Diego, CA 92106

www.catamarans.com

619-363-3987

www.morrellimelvin.com

949-500-3440

Also in Perry on Design

• Outbound 5360
• Elan Impression 43
• Full Circle 30
• Tanton No. 309
• Dragonfly 40

Also from Robert H. Perry

Rapido Trimarans

For serious sailors. The Rapido 40 offers the benefits of the Rapido 60 – but only requires a single berth in a marina.

The Rapido 50 Trimaran is the world’s ultimate ocean-cruising folding trimaran. Designed by Morelli & Melvin.

Wide-body version of the Rapido 50 with eXtra Space. The performance of a trimaran with the space of a catamaran.

Rapido 53xs.

The world’s fastest cruising trimaran. Offering cutting-edge performance with a spacious and luxurious interior.

Why a rapido trimaran.

Why would you want to cruise on anything other than a Rapido Trimaran if you want the following:

• A stable boat which doesn’t heel.
• A boat that loves long distances, short sprints and the passage between.
• Discovering places that others cannot venture to when you sneak up alongside a secluded beach or glide over a reef (the draft of the Rapido 60 is just 0.75m with the rudder and daggerboard retracted).
• The Speed when you need! Having the flexibility to power up and sail away from bad weather systems is prudent. Powering up and sailing away while other boats are wallowing is, well, just a lot of fun!
• To sail short-handed with centralized systems, Karver reefing hooks, self tacking furling jib, furling reacher and stay sails.
• Safety . Safety is paramount on the water and the fleet of Rapido Trimarans are designed and built to put you in control for fast, safe, fun sailing (see “SAFE” box further below).

Click here to read more about why you should buy a Rapido Trimaran

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Upcoming Newport Boat Show

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Dragonfly Demo Sails

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Corsair 37 video

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Specifications

General Details

• Length overall (LOA): 16.1m (53ft)
• Length of waterline (LWL): 15.2m (50ft)
• Beam overall (BOA): 10.36m (34ft)
• Freeboard: 1.67m (5.5ft)
• Daggerboard up: 0.67m (2.2ft)
• Daggerboard down: 3.94m (11.5ft)
• Average light displacement (subject to final options): 9,350kgs (20,613lbs)
• Headroom in saloon and cockpit: 2.0m (6.6′)
• Headroom in forward cabin: 1.91m (6.27′)
• Floats – Storage volume (at greatest dim.): 4.6m (L) x 1.1m (W) x 1.5m (H)
• Beneath cockpit – Storage volume (at greatest dim.): 1.3m (L) x 2.8m (W) x 1.2m (H) 
• Air draft: 26.56m (87ft)

Download high resolution 53XS Layout drawing (11 May 2023)

• Main: 117m2 (1,259sqf)
• Asym Spin: 230m2 (2,476sqf)
• Reacher: 150m2 (1,615sqf)
• Jib / Solent: 73m2 (786 sqf)
• SA Staysail: 25m2 (268sqf)

The Rapido 53XS

The “Xtra Space” of the Rapido 53XS is for sailors requiring three cabins without unduly compromising performance.

*** Rapido 53XS – XS as in Xtra Space , Multihulls World Magazine, by Dick Sawyer, 14 September 2024. ***

Morrelli and Melvin have achieved this outcome in the XS by retaining the same efficient shape of the Rapido 50’s hull at the waterline level – and extending it. Above the waterline, she flares out to support an expansive deck at the cost of just 800kgs to the boat’s overall weight.

Other Features

• No central dagger board: two C curve pre-preg carbon dagger boards, one on each float hull
• No central rudder: twin fixed pre-preg carbon rudder blades, one on each float hull that extend to the lowest point of the main hull to facilitate access to shallow water. 
• Three cabins / two heads / additional informal sleeping arrangements which ensure the sailing experience is generously shared.

This version is non folding.

Register you interest

To register your interest for updates on the Rapido53XS, email:

• [email protected]

FAST AND POWERFUL

Trimarans are safe, powerful and fast as demonstrated by the fact that they consistently win races and hold the solo speed record for circumnavigating the world.

Safety at sea is the No. 1 priority and this thinking is reflected throughout the design and construction of the Rapido.

The Rapido has some truly amazing living spaces which provide more open, private and intimate areas than monohulls or catamarans.

stable and comfortable

Trimarans are comfortable on all points of sail.

The combination of safety, performance and comfort put the Rapido in a league of its own. The enormous trampoline nets add fun and excitement as you watch the blue water rush underneath you – or as you lounge on the nets while gently floating over a reef. You will be instantly hooked.

RAPIDO 53XS

Click for Rapido Trimarans’ You Tube channel

View all Rapido 53XS photos

– in the media

Below is a list of articles which have appeared in various publications regarding Rapido Trimarans.

• Sailboat Review, Rapido 40, A sailor’s dream boat , by Mark Pillsbury, Cruising World magazine, 6 May 2024
• Rapido host much anticipated launch of first Rapido 53XS , Sails magazine, 1 May 2024
• Rapido 53XS – a peak speed of 24 knots during initial sea trials , by Emmanuel van Deth, Multihulls World, 19 April 2024
• Rapido 53XS, the new 16m globetrotter of a trimaran , by Aldo Fumagalli, Vela magazine, 24 January 2024
• First look – Rapido 53XS, a 20 knot cruiser , by Toby Hodges, Yachting World, 29 December 2023
• Video. Sailing Bliss: Unveiling the Rapido 40 Trimaran – GIDDY UP!!! , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Video. The Rapido 53XS: Tour, review and ideas , by Naval Gazing at Camp David, December 2023
• Rapido 53XS Review , by Yachting World, 9 November 2023
• Video. Der Kat-Jäger: Carbon-Trimaran Rapido 40 aus Vietnam (“The cat hunter: carbon trimaran Rapido 40 from Vietnam”) by Yacht TV, 12 October 2023
• Cruising World announces Rapido 40 as Boat of the Year 2024 nominee , Cruising World, 26 September 2023
• Rapido 40 carbon trimaran from Vietnam – the test , by Michael Good, German Yacht Magazine, 21 September 2023
• C-foils on a fast cruising trimaran? This looks rapid!, Rapido 40 tour, Yachting World magazine video by Toby Hodges, 8 September 2023
• Rapido 40: The Alternative Trimaran , by François-Xavier de Crécy with photos by Ludovic Fruchaud, LE MONDE DU MULTICOQUE #24 by Voile Magazine. July, 2024.
• The Rapido 40 is a 20 knot cruising tri , George Day, Cruising Compass, 24 May, 2023
• Boat Review of Rapido 40, Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 4 May 2023
• Rapido 40: ultra fast cruising in complete safety on three hulls , Maxime Leriche , SailboatNews.com, 25 April 2023
• Boat anomaly: Rapido 40 Trimaran , No Frills Sailing, 19 April 2023
• Rapido 40 – Fast, foldable and worry free!,  Multihulls World magazine, No. 189, May-July 2023
• Shipyard Focus: Rapido Trimarans , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, August / September 2022.
• Rapido, changing the game , by Zuzana Prochazka, Sail Magazine, 23 March, 2022
• Rapido 40: A livable sailboat for cruising on 3 hulls , Briag Merlet, Sailboat News, 23 February 2022.
• Rapido, changing the game , (takes a detailed look at the cutting edge design and technology of Morrelli & Melvin) by Zuzana Prochazka, Multihull Sailor, December 2021
• Boat Review: Rapido 50 , Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 2021
• Harnessing Speed , by Kevin Green, Boating New Zealand, November 2021
• Rapido 60 Trimaran Boat Review: A Bold Gamechanger For Performance Bluewater Cruising , by Zuzana Prochazka, Yacht World, 23 September, 2021.
• Harnessing the wind , by Kevin Green, Multihulls World, September / October 2021 issue, 6 page spread on Rapido Trimarans.
• Sailing La Vagabonde choose Rapido 60 to sail world’s oceans , video announcement by SLV to their 1.59 million subscribers, You Tube, 8 June 2021
• The Ultimate Racer-Cruiser: Clients on Romanza are turning heads on the racetrack when they’re not cruising at high speed , North Sails, 19 April, 2021
• Making Short-handed Short Work – Onboard Rapido 60 , Anna Merchant, Sail-World, 11 February 2021
• Rapido 50 News from the Shipyards , Multihulls World, 2 February 2021
• Buyers’ Guide 2021, Rapido 50 , Multihulls World, 18 December 2020
• “New breed” Rapido 40 & 50 , Yachting World magazine, November 2020
• Cruising Helmsman reviews Rapido 60 , October 2020
• Romanza takes top spot in Yates Cup , SEA Yachting magazine, September 2020
• Rapido Trimarans relocates production arm into Vietnam ,  SEA Yachting  magazine, Nov/Dec 2019.
• Rapido Trimarans, On the March, Seahorse Magazine , October 2019.
• (French)  Rapido 40, un trimaran repliable de 12 m , Bateaux.com, 29 August 2019.
• Rapido 60 – The most exciting production multihull in the world?  (or  click here  for selection of quotes), Multihulls Magazine, Summer (July) 2019.
• Rapido , Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, June 2019 (pp23-24)
• Ineffable’s Steve Bourne: I’m a nutter for sailing , Daily Herald, 26 February 2019.
• Rapido 60′ the fastest production multihull in the world? , International Multihulls World, December 2017
• RAPIDO 60’ : Le multicoque de série habitable le plus rapide du monde? , Multihulls World, 23 November 2017
• Finding Mrs Right , Boating New Zealand, August 2016
• Blue Water Cruising Trimaran , Australian Multihulls World, August 2016
• Rapido 60 , Cruising World, 25 August, 2016
• Rapido 60 , by Emma Bamford, Sailing Today.