TRM 43

Blue Water Cruising in High-Performance Mode

After sailing nearly 90% of a circumnavigation single-handed aboard his TS 52 Jehol, Philippe Nagelmackers wanted to continue his voyages on a more compact multihull that was easier to manage yet just as high-performing. Working with naval architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, as well as the Portuguese shipyard Trimarine, he created the TRM 43, an unconventional catamaran designed without any real commercial constraints, where every technical choice serves a specific purpose: to sail fast, for long periods, and short-handed.

Generously canvassed and lightweight, the TRM 43 doesn’t need much breeze to create a long wake…

With its very short nacelle, the TRM 43’s focus is clearly on sailing performance.

The sugarscoops are accessible via a step. This shot nicely shows the generous bridgedeck clearance.

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Practical info

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Test location: La Grande-Motte, France
Conditions: 10 to 14 knots of wind, calm seas

A Project Born of Experience

The story of the TRM 43 is reminiscent of that of Moxie, the trimaran Dick Newick designed for Phil Weld for the 1980 OSTAR. At over 60 years of age, the American sailor wanted a boat capable of maintaining high performance while remaining manageable for solo sailing. He went on to win that race against a field of top-tier competitors.It is this same philosophy that drives Philippe Nagelmackers. After a three-year circumnavigation (nearly 90% of which he completed solo on a TS 52 renowned for its performance potential) he has gained a particularly keen understanding of the needs of a long-distance sailor. His return passage from South Africa to France, completed solo in 45 days at an average of nearly 190 miles per day, perfectly illustrates this experience.
During that voyage, he explains that he used only a fraction of his catamaran’s potential, consistently prioritizing safety, consistency, and ease of handling. This approach naturally led him to design a more compact successor, without sacrificing the seafaring qualities that had made Jehol such a success...

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