Older Horstman Trimaran

[Sand crab]

Read this:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-117390.html

Forum member Multihuler has info.

[Billious]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Read this:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-117390.html

Forum member Multihuler has info.

I sent a PM and will see what I'm told... thanks for the headsup to the other link!

[woodguy]

Originally Posted by rberrey

I,m starting a build on a tristar 31, I do know of a tristar 36 lw bows for sale, email me for his email if interested. rick

Dear Rick,
Sorry to take so long to get to you but I just discovered your message in my "Profile Comments" asking about the boat stuff I have for sale.. Some things have sold but here's what I've got left and their prices. Tell me the ones you're interested in and I can send you more specifics. Please reply through one of my ads in General Classifieds or at my email address woodguy43@gmail.com. By doing so I will get an alert in my regular email. Sorry again for the delay in getting back to you. Here's the list:
Cleats - 10" $18 each, 8" $15 each.
Stanchions and lifelines - $700
Patay bilge pump 11GPM - $75
Hawspipes - $15 each
Turnbuckles 1/2" & 5/8" - 15 for $700
Oberdorfer Macerator pump - $175
Hinges - $5 each
2 Snatch blocks - $150 each
Shipmate Cabin heater - $150
Schaefer blocks - varies
2 Track stops - $20 each
Oak Tiller - $50
Misc. stuff - varies
All this stuff is new, never used.
John

[tri them all]

Originally Posted by clausont

I have been looking for information on the older Horstman and Brown Searunner trimarans. I don't seem to find alot of information on the strength of them, particularly the Horstmans.
Does anyone have experience with how seaworthy these tri's are? Would they likely be good for some coastal cruising as far as durability?
Also, what are their weak points? If I were looking at buying one, what would I particularly want to watch for?
I have seen some of these sell for what would seem at first glance to be a reasonable price - but in the long run, would it have really been a good price?
Hmmm.... Alot to think about.

Hi I had a 45 and some years later a cleverly re designed 35 footer.
Spent 2 years chartering 45 footer around Auckland harbour new Zealand.
A tough and sometimes dangerous play ground, where many of the best sailors going round learnt there stuff.
I would hop in that 45 and go round cape horn any time.(loves going down hill, as I do in a horstman also lol)
I think there beautiful very strong very forgiving and a grate compromise.
As is every boat.
if you have not been inside one you would not believe how big. I had a big open plan one with beds on top in between hulls. when the curtains were pulled standing at the steps as you go into lounge/galley you could see an area like a tennis court across to each amah and the view to bow . plus the boat had 6 foot 6 head room, the side windows in the amah were 12 feet away on either side BIG!
True you could not walk across but the vision did it.
The 36 was amazing, also go about under main and drift along in the slightest breeze.
Got caught on a bar with the 45 and watched it bounce and slam until re floated would not wish listening to that on any one and no damage to speak of.
Took some seas on that you would not meet in an ocean generally ugly gale with cross seas 50 Knot winds.
Got caught coming out of some harbour's with sea jumping up out of nowhere and it felt like the boat was standing on end, which it very nearly was; and I would have to say the more we put it through the more you came to trust and love it.
I was 23 at the time so you can imagine (a genuine half wit) was not sitting around. We used to cover some miles.
We would pull out with 50 nots and take of to a harbour 30 miles away with lots of sail up boom bending, going 20 odd knots and loving it.
I once had a crew of admiral cuppers on board Swedish went out for ten days. well after leaving a boozy lunch at the pup and had my aft hung spare rudder on not a deep bite on it.
put up the main, and we got over powered, the result was the same as a hand brake slide.
End result ended lying abeam to 8 foot side on swell.
I knew that boat had a magic about it with swell coming abeam it just didn't move could never figure that one out. steady as a rock.
so we straightened up again with the wind over powering us again with resulting hand brake slide and big rooster tail thrown up from the aft hung rudder. must have repeated presses 5 to ten times. Irresponsible yes! under the influence yes ! crazy yes! Confident that I understood what the boat was doing and it could handle absolutely.
and well must have looked good from the shore.
On regatta day we used to take a big number out, for the action, usually to be fired upon, from the maxis with there water balloon cannons, with the record being 51 people, full cloth up and not a worry in the world flying along at ten knots.
I would and did take it out, many times to its moorings in 50 Knots of wind on my own or across the harbour 50 horsepower motor (motored beautifully) on my own and pick up the Moring.
The worst part was rowing in afterwards.
I also used to enjoy sailing onto the mooring, going in and out and around all thee other moored boats and up to the mooring.
it occurs to me now that that was only possible because of the confidence that you get from knowing your boat, and also the confidence you have in its behaviour.
True motor sailing to wind ward was often a better option but was more than fine of the wind and down wind with a small mast big mainsail good sized rigging just let it all hang out and hay your there in no time. haha
The boat (Antares) was very well known in Auckland at the time. with many big lies and stories told of what used go on that boat, much to my amusement, I always used to wonder where I was when all these things were going on lol
I have my plan on a large harry proa for next boat, many fine traits and appealing features. however would I buy another big horstman if the price and opportunity presented it self again? YOU BET""""
PS mind you I worked out the combined underwater area to paint and it is like painting thee outside of a small house.

[captaingregger]

That's a great story. Thanks for posting. I am once again looking at Horstman Tristars. I can't believe anybody would refer to them as ugly boats. The only trimaran boat other than a Norman Cross that actually utilizes the wing space as livable area. I love the speed most tris offer but the space below is minimal for such a wide beam. Why not make use of that space. Neel finally figured that out. But it only took 40+ years for the trimaran market to one-up the NC and Horstman designs (I know Piver has a 48 that does makes use of wing areas as well).

I saw my first Horstman when the Trilogy company would bring them into Lanai every day from Maui. Our summer trips were 3 weeks on Lanai, then a week on Maui followed by a sail back to our home on Oahu. Back then 6 of us lived on our boat (Dad, Mom and 4 kids). We first started with a Morgan 27, then dad upgraded to a Ranger 33, that was massive to me back then. Eventually as the kids got older Dad moved up to a Yorktown 42. Since I was at the age of remembering, every year I marveled when that big Horstman tri would come in to dock literally every day of the week, chocked full of giddy tourists ready to snorkel Manele Bay for the day (before there were any hotels on Lanai). I told myself I'd own one some day. Now I'm that I'm in the position to I keep looking for the right opportunity. I'm flying to two different locations in Sept to look at two different Horstmans. One is a 42, one is a 45.

I think Ed using higher freeboard to make use of a better living area below is brilliant. Windage? So what. How much does that extra windage really hurt performance? And from everything I've read Horstman Tristars have no issues efficiently, swiftly, and, most important, safely crossing the world's oceans. Maybe it's because I sail with my own family now that I look at accomadations more than performance. Still, the Horstmans will outperform any cruising monohull.

[Skip JayR]

I haven't heard of Horstman Trimarans... instead I started with sailing in the 70th. In Europe mainly we got to know about multihulls by spectacularly images coming from the "mad sailing French" who love Trimarans (e.g. lately MOD 70, ORMA 50)...

Personally I became aware for the power of multihulls by Sir Peter Blake's ENZA non stop circumnavigation in 1994 hunting for breaking the record of Jules Verne trophy (that time it was a challenge to break the 80 days from the book which was done in 1993 by Bruno Peyron).
On board of ENZA was Robin KNox-Johnson, living sailing legend and solo circumnavigatoin sailor from UK who took 312 days for his trip (world record now is 43-44 days by Loick Peyron on Maxi Trimaran Bank Populair).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVxoHS1DyWc

Fountain Pajot (France) then became fasionable and trendy cats in Europe... and Dragonfly from Denmark began to write it's own story of success end of the 80th/beginning of the 90th with the foldable trimarans.

So lately I heard about E. Horstman Trimarans. I like the concept, even the boats look nowadays "vintage-retro" kind. Still beauties on their own out there for sale.


We can learn from every period of design... and if one loves to sail 3-hull boats and live on them - at "slower speed" the Horstman room/floor plans are still something to get inspired by, e.g. the 60 Foot Tristar.


There are some boats out there at a prize between 50-100,000 Euros. It's worth to look at them.

Personally I define Trimaran - in our modern times - with the potentials for max. speed >20 knots. Its a must (from my personal perspective). Otherwise I'd prefer to sail a roomy Catamaran which still can go 16-17 knots.

And we may not forget... the time of foiling has started already, its a new era of sailing. Two days ago I talked with one of the world leading foiling specialists... they are planning sensor based and computer-processor controlled foil systems, so cruisers can switch the button from leasure sailing (with automated control systems) to racing modus (all parameters of foil trim then can be done manually), on bigger 50-60 foot cats.

The times will come very soon (and already began) when we will see foiling Trimarans, as it is their nature, to keep up the speed records and not being beaten by foiling Catamarans. First tests by Gitana Team have been done couple of weeks ago.

I have the confidence, that Horstman Trimarans, most of them have lived some decades on the water, will find their place and boat lovers who enjoy the slo-mo cruising style on these uniquely Trimarans.

[tallboy]

There is a Tristar 45 named Evening Star with raised cabin top for sale again.
Doing some research, I figured out that this boat changed owners very often.
The worst thing I read was about termites because it has been many years in tropical climate.
I still like this roomy boat and a tri is in my opinion much more safe than a cat.
Does anybody know this Tristar and about its history?
If so I would appreciate some comments.
Thank you

[jdazey]

Almost time for a new thread?

I don't know this particular Tristar, but the info in your post raises several flags:

1. Changed hands often? Doesn't sound good to me. Prior owners may not have put much into maintenance.
2. Termites? Wood boat I presume (not all Tristars are). Not good.
3. Tris safer than cats? Dunno about that as both have pretty good safety records for cruising boats. I can't see a rotten tri being safer than a sound cat. In general I prefer the sailing qualities of a tri, but I feel quite comfortable about the seaworthiness of my cat.

Good luck with your search.

[Little Otter]

Hey guys, bumping an old thread here. I'm considering building a Horstman 32XR anyone have anything they care to share? Also considering adding a swim platform in order to better facilitate my SCUBA habit I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or experience doing that.

[44'cruisingcat]

For diving, I'd suggest a decent sized inflatable dinghy.

Generally you wouldn't anchor the big boat right on a dive site. You'd get close-is, but you look for somewhere clear of coral etc. to anchor in.

[Little Otter]

for coral and stuff I agree that a dinghy is best but I also love wreck diving and it would be nice to have the boat as a dive base or have a hookah system on it.

[SpaceRnglr]

Originally Posted by PhantomBoatwork

I have owned a Searunner 25, 31 and am finishing up a constant Camber 44 center cockpit. I'm also a huge fan of Jim Brown and Marples trimarans. My brother in law bought a half finished Horstman tri and attempted to finish is, but never did. The interior volume was HUGE, but poorly laid out. Another couple was doing a dry dock/refit in the space next to my 31 Searunner on a Horstman, 31 if memory serves, and the accomodations and interior space were FAB-U-LOUS. Down side? They were terrified to take it off shore. It had huge windage, wouldn't sail to weather and sailed like a football. Since they were looking only for short,protected day sails, that suited them.
My opinion, for what it's worth, is the Horstman designs take the deck and taat all the way to the floats which makes them difficult to sail at best. Also, the cockpits seem to be kind of tacked on and not all that well laid out. We liked the layout on the Searunner 31 we had that we found the Marples 44 design that had the exact layout. The centerboard trunk in the center makes a great place for engine/tankage and a first rate centerddfh cockpit. Having divided cabins also helps keep the ankle biters feforward in their own cabin and gives much more privacy aft for the big people. And the Searunner/ Constant Camber designs are know for ease of handling and very good/ great sailing performance. Horstman- not really sure. FWIW

Pings

[thomwessels]

Having done lots of research before choosing to own and refit three Horstman TriStars over 35 years, my first thought of your impression of them is that you have no idea what you're talking about.
I've set up my boats to single hand, sailed solo across the Pacific and spent three years cruising Central America, Galapagos and Hawaii.
Please find a well fit Horstman and sail it offshore some day so you will have actual experience with them.
I don't care at all for how chopped up the living space is in Searunners. Horstmans, in stark contrast to all other trimarans, are open, airy and welcoming inside. Oddly, you claim that Horstman can't tack. I'll assume you've not sailed one for any appreciable time. I've never missed a tack, and I single hand. Ed really got the design right.They are strong, comfortable cruisers. Remember that the higher profile of a Horstman is only pushing air, which is 800 time less dense than water. Also, the nice flat deck surface, seen ONLY on Horstmans lets air flow cleanly over. You apparently prefer smaller, chopped up spaces found in SeaRunners. Sorry, not me. I'd sail my Horstman anywhere...but wouldn't feel as comfortable or safe on any other boat, trimaran or not.