MULTIHULLS on Design

The Tramp

Designed by IAN FARRIER

The Tramp stole her way into Texas a year ago. She did not remain unnoticed for long... A trailerable, foldable trimaran which fits almost anyone's garage or backyard, requiring no yacht club or mooring fees - and a production boat, to-boot - she quickly generated interest.

Designed by Ian Farrier of Australia (known to MM's readers for his Traflertri 18 and 680) the Tramp demonstrates that Farrier is conscious of the times when he sits down at his drawing board. His goal was to keep sailors w&g despite the worldwide drawstring economy. This resulted in a boat that is affordable, with enough accommodation to be enjoyable, but making no compromise in performance. With the Tramp he has reached that goal. A fact which was recognized by the Australian manufacturer Haines Hunter, better known for their motor and speedboats... now producing their first multihull. Although Boston Whaler (USA) entered the catamaran field, as did AMF Alcort and, more recently, Weflcraft, Haines Hunter is unique in tackling a trimaran. The lack of multihull production lines is due to the fact that boatyards consider three hulls too time and labor-intensive, and prefer to turn out single-hulled boats. With the accuracy of efficiency experts, Haines Hunter has found a workable method for which many a sailor feels grateful.

It may be more than appropriate (in this fourth issue since the Tramp started streaking across our Back Cover) to have her present a different profile and for us to study her other features from new angles.

The canvas cabin top and the large cockpit make it clear that she is not an offshore boat, however, she is excellent for shorewise cruising or hopping out to the islands (if you have some in your area). Her cockpit can seat four adults easily, leaving enough room to accommodate two children... a simply marvelous weekender.

After trailering to the chosen site, one person can unfold her amas in about four minutes (the same is true for the reverse procedure), and rig her in only 15 minutes. Tramp is very light- weight (1,400 lbs) - even a 4-cylinder car can pull her without strain.

Naturally, in the country of her origin she has been popular for quite some time. In December of 1980 Haines Hunter had reached a production output of five Tramps per week, and many were featured at the various 'down under' boat shows: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, to name a few. It is just a matter of time before Tramp will put in more appearances at US boat shows where she would be an attractive eye-catcher, represent a saving to the economically hard-pressed sailors, or be a 'sail away' to the many of us who are not handy enough with tools for self-building. -- A.M. Burgess

Credits: Multihulls Magazine January/February 1983 (received from John Wayshner)