| The answer to, "What small trimaran is the best one | | | | to save a bit of cash ... whether choosing a boat that |
| for me?" is completely subjective, of course. Opinions | | | | is either commercially manufactured or owner-built. |
| will differ based upon personal goals and preferences. | | | | -- "How much cash can I spend?" This is a big one. |
| So while it's impossible to answer this particular | | | | Your "recreation budget" set aside for sailing will |
| question in general, it is possible to isolate the main | | | | more often than not determine if you can purchase a |
| variables that seem to affect how an individual may | | | | brand new boat ... or what kind of a boat you can |
| answer it. | | | | afford to build yourself, including the cost for plans |
| -- "What kind of small trimaran do I want?" This is | | | | and building materials. |
| probably the first question. Another way to approach | | | | -- "How long am I willing to wait for my prized |
| this one is to ask yourself, "What do I want to DO | | | | sailboat?" If you want to buy a commercially available |
| with my sailboat?" | | | | trimaran then you can save for it instead of buying |
| Do you want a super-speed-machine? A recreational | | | | on credit if you don't have all the money upfront. If |
| day cruiser? A relatively well performing (fast and | | | | you want to build the small trimaran yourself then |
| easy handling sailboat) that also features a small cabin | | | | you'll want to honesty think about how long your |
| -- thus allowing it to become a "weekender" instead | | | | building project will probably last. Will it be a few |
| of a just a "day cruiser?" How comfortable do you | | | | months ... or might it be a year or more ... and if it is a |
| want your boat to be ... do you absolutely want a | | | | year or more then could you simply save the money |
| cozy sit-down seat, or are you willing to ride on just | | | | to buy the boat you want during this time instead of |
| a small hiking seat or trampoline? How big do you | | | | building it yourself? |
| want your boat to be? (The smaller a boat is the | | | | There are other questions you can (and should) |
| more "wet" your ride is likely to be. If you really | | | | answer, of course. For example, where are you going |
| want a wet and wild ride during the dog days of | | | | to store your boat? Will you will buy or borrow a |
| summer then regularly getting doused with water is | | | | trailer to get your boat to the water? How much |
| fine). | | | | effort is it going to take to keep the boat in |
| -- "Do I want to simply buy or factory-order a | | | | excellent condition? Etc. |
| commercial boat, or am I willing to build one myself?" | | | | If you consider questions like those above it may |
| If you want to get a small trimaran that is only | | | | help you understand the market better so you can |
| available commercially then, naturally, you're choices | | | | choose just what kind of trimaran is the right one for |
| among boats will be restricted to what is available | | | | you. A hasty decision is more prone to be regretted |
| from commercial manufacturers. If you're willing to | | | | later on. |
| build then you have to ask yourself if you've got the | | | | Enjoy the research process. When it comes to small |
| skills (or if you can realistically acquire the skills | | | | trimarans, your initial research may be almost as |
| necessary) to build your own boat? | | | | much fun as finally deciding which boat you're going |
| -- "Am I willing to buy a used small trimaran?" If you | | | | to sail. |
| are willing to get a used boat then you might be able | | | | |