The Weta Trimaran is a 14 foot sailing dinghy designed in New Zealand by TC Design's Tim Clissold. It is manufactured in China and marketed by Roger and Chris Kitchen and sailed internationally.[1] It is recognised as one design class by Yachting New Zealand.[2] and the French Sailing Federation.[3] The boat is constructed from fibre glass and carbon fibre, and is popular as a racing boat or day cruiser.[4] In 2010 the Weta Trimaran was awarded Boat of the Year by Sailing World magazine.[5] It has sailing characteristics typical of a conventional high-performance monohull dinghy, however the Weta does not fly the main hull as the leeward float will submerge before the central hull will lift out of the water. While the boat can capsize in extreme circumstances, it does not normally balance on edge like a catamaran. The deep daggerboard and jib facilitate quick tacking.
Weta Symbol
| Current specifications |
|
|
|---|
| Crew |
1 - 4 |
|
| Type |
Trimaran |
|
| Design |
One Design |
|
| Length |
4.4m |
14.4 ft |
| Beam - Rigged |
3.5m |
11.5 ft |
| Beam - on tailer |
1.7m |
5.6 ft |
| Weight |
Approx 100 kg |
approx 220 lbs |
| Sail Area - Main |
8.3 m2 |
89.4 ft2 |
| Sail Area - Jib |
3.2 m2 |
34.5 ft2 |
| Sail Area Gennaker |
8.0 m2 |
86.1 ft2 |
| Construction |
|
|---|
| Hull |
Fibre glass and Foam |
| Beams |
carbon |
| Mast/Prod |
Carbon |
| Rudder/Centreboard |
carbon |
| Hardware |
Ronstan |
| Sails |
Gaastra |
| Performance |
|
|---|
| Top recorded Speed |
18 knots |
| Rigging time |
20 minutes |
| Crew Capacity |
200 kg 440 lbs |
[6]
