18' Trimaran built for camping. Cutter rigged.

[trip the light fandango]

View attachment 147982
New aka 40" x 10" openings. I am undecided on using hinges or a simple bunge cord laced thru small cleats. Definitely need to be secured for highway speed trailering, and life lined to the trimaran. Any ideas?

Assume the worst for peace of mind, make sure the lid is waterproof and can be submerged without taking on more than a few drips, the top of the old dagger board case has to be glassed over too I reckon . Batten down the hatches and/ or tie them off so they can't come loose ,those hinges that come apart are good, you could make them with glass and stainless bolts or rod cheaply, and as you say life lined. You can't really put weight in the outer hulls either,... I think that fuel container would be ok,, a good place for it... If the hull fills with water it will in foul weather, a good spot for blown up empty water bladders tied together or blocks of polystyrene[glues with waterbased liquid nails] that can't get out. Since last year I have seen a few boats online with centreboard forward of the centre of effort, I wonder if a kick up one could be made that hangs off the bow.. probably a leeboard to lighten the helm load would be easier though and could be adjustable fore and aft ,and can swing up easily. The jib fitting is neat, you could try binding joins with UV stable line[or painting the bind] looks neat and lasts better than tape and doesn't take long, those U bolt ties don't hold [on stainless] if the load cranks up, I know its not a priority but possibly worth mentioning. cheers

 

[markstrimaran]

300' ft of anchor rope to camp on added the sail winch to save my back. Probably dual purpose it for down rigger fishing when trolling.

 

[markstrimaran]

. You can't really put weight in the outer hulls either,... I think that fuel container would be ok,, a good place for it...

Why do you say not to load up the outer hulls? They are foam cored double glassed very rigid.
I figured about 100 pounds. Max on each. Not counting the 20 gallon live well. The center hull is a 12' x 4' x 8 inch foam sandwich.. So no way she going to sink.
Sailed 3 miles with one flooded outrigger on the Lee ward side. when the dagger board cassette busted.
Mostly loading out riggers with extra sails, dried food and sleeping bags all in waterproof bags.

 

[trip the light fandango]

The light stuff is fine, in case of high winds you need it to be as manoeuvrable as possible, so weight should be kept to the centre ideally.

 

[markstrimaran]

Too go were no sailboat has gone before. Notice the boom. It broke on the 350 mile trip north. The bungee cord came of in the 73 mph head winds going down the interstate.
Had a 80 mile drive home thru a technical Hurricane. The front cover is not water proof in storm conditions.
Minimal winds on the small lake but
Did manage to pass kayakers with just the small jib sail. They were probably too hot and thirsty in the hot humid weather. 90 @ 85% humidity.
Mirror lake in Wisconson had about 50 kayakers out and about.

Some times it's worth the extra 5 pounds to be able to fix things. With the welder.
30 minutes and it's as good an new.

 

[markstrimaran]

Just sitting around waiting for the ice to melt.

 

[Onefish]

Neat little kitbash you have here.