The prototype hull for our new Trio 16 model was on display at the 2011 Southampton Boat Show in September, attracting much interest. All the
pictures on this page are of that prototype; the first production boat will
feature at the London Boat Show (6-15 January 2012).

Two feet longer, a foot wider, and a few inches deeper than our Trio 14,
she is a very different boat and has about 50% greater carrying capacity.

However she retains the easily-driven nature of the Trio 14, with little if any "hump" to get over as she transitions from displacement speeds to planing. With a petrol Tohatsu 6hp and one person on board she hit 12 knots, and we think she would achieve slightly more with a different propeller. A Torqeedo 1003 (1kW) electric motor will push her along at 5-6 knots with two people on board, in displacement mode, and we don't think she'd slow down much from that with a full crew. The Trio 16's extra beam and stability means we have been able to design a much larger sailing rig than that used on the 14; some artist's impressions feature lower down this page.

... whilst the addition of two more people (or in fact two and a quarter if you look
carefully!) had very little affect.


That was with the sun shining on an unusually nice late September day.

We have since had her out in a rather less pleasant Force 5 with four
adults on board (plus baby, pushchair and other paraphernalia) and with a
Tohatsu 6 on the back were able to make 5-6 knots directly into the wind
with only very occasional light spray coming over the bow. 

 

The extra beam compared to the 14 means she won't fit in many cars, but
she will go in the back of a large pickup or medium-size van, or could be
carried on a trailer 7ft long instead of 16. And that is a big difference in
storage; she will fit across the back of a garage rather than using up 
nearly all of it, or can be stood out of the way in a corner.



With the middle section at 7ft long there is a decent length to lie down in,
so camping is definitely a possibility.

This view from above - please forgive the slightly odd angle (looking down
from another exhibitor's boat) - shows the internal layout, as currently
planned but still subject to change and with your input welcome. The
buoyancy tanks in the aft section are dictated by the shape of the bow
that nests between them, and by happy coincidence make excellent
steering seats; the bow is almost entirely buoyancy with a storage
area at the aft end; and the middle is deliberately left fairly open
apart from the two compartments aft that might make ideal locations for batteries/fuel tanks. Options will include a removable thwart in the middle
for rowing, and removable side seats for sailing.

We have now rowed her a few times - including in an October Force 5
against a short, sharp chop - and have found her to be very well behaved.



For the sailing rig we are working on a balanced lugsail, as shown in the
drawing above. The low centre of effort (compared to a Bermudan rig of
the same area), combined with a lightweight, free-standing carbon mast
help keep her upright and during testing of the prototype we have found
her both enjoyable and safe to sail. Being cautious in the far-from-ideal November/December UK weather (ie not wanting to fall in!) we were easily
achieving 5-6 knots on a reach without the need to "hike out" etc (she's
not really that kind of boat).

We will also offer her as a ketch, with a smaller mizzen (sail at the back).
Besides a little more sail area this will allow us to push the mainmast
forward (more space in the cockpit), and helps to keep the bow facing into
the wind for reefing etc. It would also be a good "steadying sail" at anchor
for an afternoon's fishing in the sunshine...  



Pricing (including UK VAT@20%, Jan 2012):
- Standard Trio 16, with white glassfibre hull, teak trim, ready for a motor,
and including a pair of paddles for backup, £4,350 (Boats 1-10, if ordered
by 01 March 2012, £3,995)
- Trio 16 lugsail sloop (single sail rig), as standard boat plus freestanding
carbon fibre mast, carbon fibre yard and boom, British-made sail with one
set of reefs, daggerboard/case, forward mast step, lifting rudder, teak tiller, 
£5,995 (Boats 1-10 £5,495)
- Trio 16 lugsail ketch (two sail rig), as sloop plus mizzen mast, mizzen boom/boomkin, mizzen sail, £6,595 (Boats 1-10 £5,950)

Options:
- Rowing Pack, comprising rowlocks, oars, removable centre thwart, £250
- Rig Ready ie mast step(s) and daggerboard case fitted so that you can
add a rig later; sloop rig, £275; ketch rig £350
- Teak bilge protectors on centre section, £150
- Folding cleats (one at bow, two at stern), £120
- Different colour hull £175
- Brass keel band £195
- Road trailers, various options, from £420

As with all our boats we will offer a 10% discount on Tohatsu or Torqeedo
motors when purchased as a package. For example:
- Tohatsu 2.5hp petrol (long shaft, integral tank), £535
- Tohatsu 6hp petrol (long shaft, including separate 12 litre tank), £933
- Torqeedo 1003L 1kW electric (integral battery), £1349. The 503L at £1169 including discount will work fine, but the 1003 comes with a larger battery that would cost £100 extra, so the net difference is only £80, for double the power.

For export to non-EU (European Union) countries please divide these prices 
by 1.2 to obtain a VAT-free value (eg £3995/1.2 = £3329). However shipping 
will be extra and you will be responsible for any import duties, sales tax etc, 
due on importation.

Delivery in UK - you can collect yourself, from near Christchurch or near
Bridport (east or west Dorset); or we can deliver at 40p per mile each way
(minimum charge £25). These options are preferable in our view, as we can
hand over your boat in person, but for more distant locations (eg Scotland)
courier delivery is also possible (£poa). 

For further information or to book a trial please call Ian on 07768 600595

or email us on mail@nestawayboats.com.

Planing one up with a not-quite run-in Tohatsu 6 on the back... 12 knots