27-01-2021 Q+A with Algie Bennett about his Adventure 600 trimaran

​

Q: Algie, what triggered you to build a 20’ open tri?
A: My mobility is reducing for sailing our Spitfire twin trapezing catamaran (broke my neck and back in motorbike accidents) and we want to be able to go on longer but fast cruising trips.

Q: Did you design it yourself?
A: The project was started and designed by Len Surtees as the Sting 600 project.
I have had input on it over nearly three years and am now taking the whole project forward under my new brand "Adventure Trimarans" due to Len retiring with health issues.
He was already well underway with it when we met.
As we both had the same requirements we banded together, although the fundamental design is still his.
Len decided to retire in early December due to some health issues, so I have bought him out of the project and am taking it forward by myself.
The Adventure 600 updated designs will be crediting Len as the designer even with the changes I will be implementing.
He is very happy and supportive of the re-branding and the fact that the project will be progressing much faster now.
My previous plan was to build boat #2 this year but now there is no need.
I will concentrate on the final testing and fine tuning, updating the build plans into .dxf format from the latest data and properly sorting the marketing.

Q: Which existing designs inspired or influenced you?
A: Lots! The Spitfire cat hulls, Astus 20.5 and Pulse 600, the Seaclipper range and the Mike Waters W17 and coming W19.
None of those however allows sailing in different modes - we can sail the A600 Sport version without foils, or add the front foils and replace the rudder to get the Fast Foiling model. This uses the same hulls, beams, seats, mast and sails etc.
Essentially this is designed to be 3 boats in one.
I really want to be able to sail single or double handed, fast and with capacity for overnight stops.
We are currently developing the third model - the "Coastal Cruiser" version which has a small cabin for 2 with space for a small galley.
This will be a direct competitor for the Astus 20.5.
I prefer to not have a cabin and will be making a bespoke lightweight open tent and sleep in a hammock between the mast and a lightweight rear support frame.
Eventually I want to do a round Britain fast run which is quite a lengthy sail - 1500 nautical miles to 2000 nautical miles.

Q: Did your boat perform to your expectations?
A: Final testing starts in April as soon as lockdown is removed, but expecting to be able to get over 20 knots regularly
 
Q: Where will you sail or are you sailing?
A: From Lymington (on the Solent in the UK opposite the Isle of Wight) initially but looking to trailer it to lots of locations.

Q: Is your boat going into production?
A: I am investigating options to produce a CNC cut kit of it and also talking to a couple of builders to see if we can produce new fully/partly built boats for people as well.

Q: Will you be making changes for the production boat?
A: The main changes to review and test this summer are:

• Making the main hull wider for more weight capacity when touring / raiding but also when racing to enable it to plane more quickly
  We've already updated the foils to give 25% more lift, getting it out of the water quicker to make kit more flexible and usable in more usual lower wind conditions.
  Testing the new electric remote toggle to control the pitch of the rear inverted T rudder

• Changing the beam placement to give more height between them and the water to help in our choppier conditions here.
  As part of this there will be an approx 150mm vertical connector between the top of the float and the underside of the beam so when the comparatively lower volume floats are fully submerged the beams will not impact the water and facilitate higher and safer speeds.
  This will then require some changes to the trampolines but we have negated those by putting on the Hobie Getaway style bench seats

• Reviewing the entire build plans to simplify and lighten where reasonable
  The boat is already significantly lighter than the Pulse 600 and Astus 20.5 competitors but can still be further improved

I will then be able to finalise the .dxf plans and be able to produce CNC cut kits for builders and am also talking to a couple of companies about the possibility of them being pre-built to various stages to order. The final step will then be seeing if there is the possibility of making a foam/glass premium version as well.

Q: When does the boat arrive into the UK?
A: I was just in contact with Len this morning and he is loading it into the container on the 1st Feb so hopefully that means it will get here for the end of March still ready for our lockdown to hopefully be easing and get out sailing!

Q: Are you looking forward to the Raid Extreme?
A: Your update on the raid sounds very good. I've got a Spot X tracker that will broadcast our progress as we sail and we can check in at specific locations using the instant logging function which is really cool.

Q: Have you got photos where the boat is sailed?
A: Unfortunately there are limited pictures of the boat sailing as marketing / technology are just not Len's strong suit.
Len has rather different sailing conditions on the east coast of Oz compared to us here in Europe! Good winds, flat seas and most importantly sun and warmth!

The first picture shows Len sailing it as the Sports model ie no hydrofoils
You can see the gantry frames on the outer hulls holding the race numbers that are used to raise and lower the front foils.

The other picture gives a really good idea of the overall proportions of the boat and the super tall  mast (over 9m!).