January 28, 2025 by John Burnham

The Rapido 40 Trimaran: Serious About Sailing Performance and Safety

The Rapido 40, a trimaran introduced at the 2024 US International Sailboat Show, is setting a new standard in the multihull market. Designed for speed, stability, and long-term durability, this high-performance cruiser is earning its reputation as a boat for sailors who value quality, safety, and innovation. At the boat show, Rightboat interviewed Paul Koch, owner of Rapido Trimarans, and Bob Gleason, U.S. dealer for Rapido at the Multihull Source, to learn what makes the Rapido 40 stand out. These two are among the most prolific builders and sellers of production trimarans in the world—Gleason’s dealership in Massachusetts has also sold Corsair trimarans for decades, while Koch owned Corsair Marine for many years and built more than 1500 boats.

 

 

A Superior Platform

Trimarans, like the Rapido 40, offer some striking advantages over monohulls and catamarans that advocates like Koch and Gleason are quick to describe. With a wider beam than either a monohull or a catamaran of similar length, the Rapido 40 is exceptionally stable, providing a natural safety factor at sea. The trimaran platform minimizes the risk of capsizing, and it delivers a smoother sailing experience even in challenging conditions. As Gleason noted, “The boat has a built-in safety factor because of the beam. Plus, it is totally unsinkable.”

This unsinkability is due to the construction of the Rapido 40. Made from a carbon composite, the boat features a carbon exterior skin, a foam core, and a carbon interior skin. The boat’s three-hull design is not only remarkably strong, but it also minimizes the possibility of sinking, even if the hulls were to end up with holes in them.

 

Rapido 40

Rapido 40. Ludovic Fruchaud photo

Advanced Rigging and Sails

The Rapido 40 features a tall, rotating mast without spreaders, a rarity in production boats made possible by its wing shape and carbon fiber construction. This design’s simplicity reduces failure points, enhances sheeting angles, and overall simplifies the rigging. As Gleason explained, “The leading edge of the mast is the leading edge of your sail area. As you rotate the mast, it acts as the start of your wing, giving you extra power and efficiency.” This means you get significantly higher performance without needing larger sails.

The 40’s equipment is expensive—“really expensive,” says Koch—but there are good reasons for it. For example, the halyards are equipped with Carver Halyard locks, eliminating mast compression and wear on the rigging. This promotes reliability and longevity, which Koch points out is crucial for a boat meant to sail around the world.

Design for Comfort and Performance

The Rapido 40 is not just about high performance with attention to safety—it’s also designed for comfort. While it won’t match the spacious interior of a 40-foot cruising catamaran, the interior offers excellent visibility and usability. While many boats confine you to looking up at the sky from the cockpit, the Rapido 40s design ensures a panoramic horizon view, even if you’re relaxing in the cabin. There’s an easy transition from the cockpit to the cabin as well—just two steps down.

Engineered for Efficiency

While a boat with the performance capabilities of the Rapido 40 is mean to sail, it’s also got a very capable Yanmar 3Y 29-horsepower three-cylinder diesel engine. Positioned at the boat's center alongside the fuel and water tanks, this design reduces pitching and enhances sailing motion. The engine’s shaft-drive system ensures durability and straightforward maintenance.

Specifications:

  • Length Overall (LOA): 39.9 ft
  • Beam: 29.9 ft
  • Draft: 1.8 ft (boards up) / 7.5 ft (boards down)
  • Displacement: 6,600 lbs
  • Sail Area: 1,044 sq. ft (with reacher 1,916 sq ft.)
  • Mast length (standard): 56 ft 5 in
  • Construction: Carbon composite (carbon exterior/interior skin, foam core)
  • Engine: Yanmar 3Y, 29 hp
  • Mast: Rotating, spreader-less design
  • Sail Area: Main, jib, and optional code zero or spinnaker

Why Choose the Rapido 40?

The Rapido 40 trimaran is a groundbreaking vessel for sailors who have a thirst for speed, as well as stability and safety. Its advanced construction, efficient rigging, and thoughtful design make it a standout in its class. Whether you’re racing or cruising, the Rapido 40 delivers unmatched performance and comfort, defining a clear future for multihull sailing among trimaran aficionados.

For more details, visit Rapido 40’s official website.

 

Written By: John Burnham

John Burnham is a marine ​editor and writer with ​decades of journalism experience as ​Chief Editor of​ boats.com,​ Sailing World, Cruising World, and ​other boating websites. As a competitive sailor, he has led teams to world and national titles in the International One-Design, Shields, and other classes. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, John is a​ PCC leadership coach, a member of the ​America’s Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee​, and a ​past board member of Sail America and US Sailing. For more, see johnsburnham.com.

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