neel 51 trimaran review

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Neel 51 Trimaran Review

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: November 1, 2017

Strolling the docks at the international multihull show in La Grande-Motte, France, last spring, I found myself drawn time and again to the floating walkway in front of the Neel Trimarans stand. Each time, I stopped to stare at the three bow profiles of the French builder’s new 51-foot fast cruiser — three knife blades poised to slice cleanly through the waves, ensuring the big tri would make good on the builder’s design brief that described a 200-plus-miles-a-day vessel.

At a show filled with cruising ­catamarans sporting flared-out hulls to create living space, load-­carrying capacity and buoyancy, the Neel 51 was clearly a beast of a different nature. Its center hull stood plumb in the water, while the bow knuckles on the amas to each side floated just above the surface, ready to go to work in a puff of breeze.

And then I stepped aboard.

As a monohull sailor who gets to hitch the occasional ride on a big cruising cat, I was somewhat used to the space created by a bridgedeck that spans the width of two hulls. But I was staggered by the square footage afforded by three. With 29 feet of beam and a cabin that spans the majority of it, the Neel 51 is a very big boat.

Thanks to engineering stiffness provided by a center hull, designers Joubert-Nivelt-Muratet and the Neel team were able to open up nearly the entire width of the cabin house aft with sliding glass doors that, when open, let the cockpit flow seamlessly into the interior.

Outdoors, the cockpit, covered by a hard bimini, has a pair of couches across the stern, just forward of a swim platform that’s molded into the center hull and two steps down. A single davit mounted just off the centerline is used to lift a RIB onto stainless-steel mounts on both sides of the platform while underway. To starboard, there’s an outside galley with fridge, grill and sink; to port, a teak table seats eight.

Just inside the saloon, there’s a second, similarly sized table that can be raised or lowered, depending on whether meals or cocktails are being served. Large glass windows wrap the entire cabin. Forward to port, an enormous, well-stocked galley awaits the chef with loads of counter space, a built-in stainless-­steel oven and grill, two fridges, and an optional freezer and dishwasher. To starboard, a large chart table is designed to be a workspace and indoor helm station.

The remainder of the bridgedeck is dedicated to the owner’s stateroom and en-suite head and shower. Inside, the bed is arranged athwartship, with its foot up against a wall of glass. Oh, what a lovely spot to relax and watch the waves pass by. Forward in the center hull, a guest cabin with a V-berth and day-head is located down a few steps. Then, in both amas, guest cabins include aft double bunks, and head and shower compartments in each bow.

But wait, there’s more. A door in the saloon floor opens up to reveal a full-on engine room, with 7-foot headroom, tons of storage, and access to every pump, pipe, wire and motor used by the Neel’s many systems. Tankage is forward, amidships, and on the centerline; a battery bank is secured down deep; aft, behind a watertight door, is access to the steering mechanism and a 75 hp Volvo engine and saildrive. In other words, it’s truly a techie’s dreamland.

For the sailor, there’s the flydeck. A helm station is located to starboard on a raised platform that puts the bimini and adjacent lounge area at about hip height. The wheel and engine controls are mounted on a pedestal. Just forward on the cabin top sit three winches (two electric), and all sail-control lines converge via a series of blocks and rope clutches. A zippered canvas bimini sits overhead.

So, how does the Neel 51 sail?

Neel Trimarans founder Eric Bruneel reported that on the delivery to the show from the yard in La Rochelle, the 51 racked up a 290-mile, 24-hour run under a triple-reefed main and self-tending staysail. So, she’s quick. The boat is designed to cruise at 10 knots, and in a breeze, the speedo will climb easily into the high teens if the solent rig’s big genoa is rolled out.

But on a demo sail following the show, Bruneel was more intent on showing potential customers how the boat could be tamed down and handled by a husband and wife. With the breeze in the low teens, we tacked upwind with two reefs in the main and the self-­tending jib set. Coming about required just a turn of the wheel. In puffs, the boat would heel gently toward the leeward amas, then lock in and ride steady as a rail. Walking forward, I found the motion on deck took some getting used to, and a good set of handrails along the cabin top would be on my to-do list if I were an owner, though the boat sure looks sleek without them.

Later, when I got a turn on the wheel, we rolled up the staysail and unfurled the genoa. When I glanced at the instruments, I saw steady speeds in the 8- to 9-knot range and an occasional jump to 10 knots. Once, the speedo brushed 14 in a short-lived gust. The wheel, for the record, was smooth as silk.

Neel also builds a 45-foot and 65-foot trimaran. The former is performance-oriented, the latter more geared to luxury cruising. The 51 is a blend of both.

The boat’s three hulls are vacuum-infused in a single mold using vinylester and polyester resin and PVC foam. The center hull has laminate ring frames for stiffness, and floors and bulkheads are also foam-cored and vacuum-­molded. Underway, with the engine running, sound levels inside were whisper-quiet.

The boat we sailed had an optional carbon-fiber mast, which keeps down the weight aloft and dampens any pitching motion. Standing rigging and lifelines were Dyneema and Spectra.

Inside and out, the fit and finish of the Neel 51 were modern and sleek-looking. And the sailing, well, it was simply otherworldly the way the big tri skipped over the waves. I could have done it all day.

Specifications

Neel Trimarans +33 5 46 29 08 71 www.neel-trimarans.com

Mark Pillsbury is CW’s editor.

• More: 2011+ , 50' - 59' , multihull , neel trimarans , sailboat review , Sailboats , trimaran
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NEEL 51 Trimaran | By Kevin Green

Triple fun: neel 51.

By Kevin Green

Three legged luxury with performance make the Neel 51 an ideal cruising trimaran, reports KEVIN GREEN.

A major attraction of trimarans is their performance – as I experienced while racing through Sydney Harbour on the Orma 60 Team Australia doing 34 knots with one reef in. So, there’s an obvious reason why ocean records are made by ‘tris’ as they have both speed and stability. To a lesser extent this applies to the cruising varieties like the new Neel 51. “Trimarans have the weight centralised unlike a catamaran that has 50% on the downwind side whereas tris have 80% centralised,” company owner Eric Bruneel told me once as we walked around his yard in La Rochelle. This centralised weight also allows them to operate in wider wind ranges than similar catamarans as the trimarans typically can heel to about 27 degrees, compared with about 12 for cats, and with 30 foot beam, stability is immense. Performance figures for the Neel 51 show an average cruising speed of around 10 knots, allowing impressive 200 nautical miles days but with fresh breezes 15 to 18 knots are achievable.

Of course it’s not just about sailing performance – as the Neel 51 I spent time on during the boat show at La Grande Motte this year demonstrated – because living space is plentiful as well. Rather than a tiny cubicle in the centre of the Orma 60 that I could hardly crawl into, the Neel 51 has accommodation in all three hulls which adds up to six cabins and a vast aft deck. But as Leonard Cohen once sung, “there’s crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” and so it is with trimarans whose imperfections include a lot of wetted area, beam wider than a tennis court and complicated structures that can mean a high final price. But having sailed and raced both large and small ones I must declare here and now a bias for these boats, so I didn’t need a lot of convincing about the merits of the new Neel 51 when Eric Bruneel showed me around.

Built in the grand old port of La Rochelle with its signature twin towers, the area is one of the largest yachting centres in western France and home to Amel, Dufour, Fountaine Pajot, Nautitech and other builders, so the region is a great place of us yachting tragics to visit. The yard is named after Bruneel and also produces race boats, so his team is very aware of weight efficiencies, as I found when looking closely at their best selling 45 (which has sold 23 hulls) and the flagship 65. The 45 proved its merits in 2015 by winning its division in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Interestingly, the Neel 51 tips the scales at 15 tons, compared with 23 tons for a Lagoon 52, and both have similar sail areas. Bruneel is a former general manager of Fountaine Pajot and OSTAR winner (on his 55 foot ‘Trilogic’ trimaran) so knows what it takes to build a fast and safe multihull. For instance only one engine is required unlike two (heavy and expensive) ones on a cruising catamaran. “The 75 HP saildrives allows us to cruise at 9-10 knots,” said Eric as we looked at the walk-in engine room – accessed via a hatch in the main hull.

Climbing onto the Cockloon

Looking around the 51, it was clear to me that the company has incorporated much of the earlier 45 and the later 65 design ideas but enhanced them, especially in terms of usable space. Stepping aboard into the vast aft deck is the most obvious feature. “We’ve integrated the inside seating seamlessly with the outside seating to create what we call a Cockloon,” said Eric about his idea of combining the terms cockpit and saloon. Some competitors – such as Bali – have similar ideas but none that seamlessly create this vast space for socialising. Sturdy doors drop down to ensure this becomes a seaworthy space when required and the wetbar means drinks are handily placed. For that run ashore, there’s a single single davit and chocks for the dinghy.

Extensive sail plan

Two steps up from the Cockloon is the starboard helm station with flybridge lounge tucked under the boom. At the helm, a moulded fibreglass seat gives good support – a good idea for an elevated steering position. The console controls included a Maxpower bow thruster and Raymarine electronics with autopilot near at hand and throttle outboard – so rather exposed to passing crew or errant sheets. Just in front, separated by the corridor from the Cockloon, sat three Antal winches – two electric halyard ones and a central manual one for sheets. Overhead, a canvas bimini shields you but can be unzipped to view the mainsail. The mainsail is controlled by twin sheets running on transom mounted blocks to gives good leverage on the boom and is easily accessible from the flybridge sunpad; plus there’s lazyjacks to gather it.

Moving around the Neel 51 is easily done, thanks to flat decks with near flush hatches that guide you safely to the bows which have nets on each side of the main hull to minimise weight and drag. Here you can also see the near vertical bulkheads around the main saloon, which creates volume inside while an outside lip gives shade. A central deep hatch houses the 24V horizontal windlass which runs to the anchor beneath. The Neel 51 has an extensive sail plan, so ideal for the varied conditions found while bluewater voyaging. The cutter rig comes with a self-tacking staysail for easy handling and outside genoa while the fully battened mainsail has a big top and is slab reefed. A fibreglass bowsprit ensures good separation for flying a Code 0, which has winches outboard on the amas. All sails are Dacron as standard with a performance Hydranet option. Hydranet is good for performance cruising with less shrink through woven dyneema impregnated cloth. The alloy spars are supported by dyneema-vectron shrouds, which minimises stretch and weight aloft.

Topside cabin

Walking through the vast Cockloon leads you to the forward galley, with stairs down below on the portside to the cabins in the outer port hull. The U-shaped galley rather restricts the number of users but it does keep you safe in a swell. A large amount of Alpi clad cupboards allows plenty storage, including space for the optional dishwasher. The high standard of equipment includes a four burner stove and oven plus optional microwave. Double drawer fridges can hold 190 litres plus 92l of cold storage. There’s a deep sink nearby and plenty worktop space for food preparation. A smallish opening window helps air through flow. Over on the starboard quarter is the spacious navigation station with bucket seat. Navigation instruments include a second head for the autopilot here. Just behind is the deck-level owner’s suite, an ideal feature for the newbie sailor or anyone suffering claustrophobia. The double bed with walk around space at the headboard lies athwartships so the occupants have sea views through the large rectangular window. The ensuite ensures privacy and headroom looked nearly 2m. The main hull’s bow cabin is reached by stairs near the navigation station which reveals a spacious berth. The bow cabin has its own ensuite with separate shower and the deep hull means there’s plenty head space while opening portholes gives a breeze. Down in the starboard hull the aft double cabin has a semi-island bed with hull escape hatch nearby – an essential safety feature – while forward is the ensuite with a shared space for head/shower. This layout is replicated in the port hull. Alternatives include bow berths on each outside hull or for the bluewater sailor, storage.

Deep central hull

Construction techniques have advanced for the build of the 51, as the three hulls are now infused in one process, which increases structural rigidity and reduces costs – only two hours for infusion after the 10 day preparation. Materials used are polyester with vinlyester resin that impregnates the closed cell PVC foam core which is covered in quadriaxial fibreglass cloth.

The deep hull allows plenty volume which means the engine room is vast with 2m headroom. A hatch near the galley has a ladder down to the outer part which has the battery bank near the keel, so aiding stability, while the hot water, water maker and other systems are also low set here as well. Also good is the placement of the Onan generator set in the central forward part of this room and all electrics are elevated to avoid water incursion. Further aft via a water tight door is the engine, a 75 HP Volvo saildrive, which is dwarfed by the free space around it, so is easy to work on for servicing.

Overall, the Neel 51 clearly builds on the proven success of the 45 so is a serious contender in the multihull world, especially when the reasonable price tag is considered.

Australian distributor: www.multihullsolutions.com.au

Specifications Neel 51

LOA: 15.60m (51 ft) Beam: 8.9m Draft: 1.8m Displacement: 14,000kg Mainsail: 97m2 Self-tacking staysail: 31m2 Genoa: 74.5m2 Engine: Volvo 75 HP sail drive Water: 600l Fuel: 600l Design: Joubert/Nivelt/Muratet Concept: NEEL Trimarans Price: Euro 670,000

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NEEL 51: A trimaran in the cat world

In medium airs, the Neel picks up fast and is well-balanced with very little pitching

The float sections are smart, with no static dihedral angle (which would make the trimaran “waddle” from one hull to the other at anchor). They gradually go down in the water, allowing the windward hull to lift very early, reducing the wetted surface

A generous and effective sailplan

This oceanic limousine goes well in light airs

A very large multihull that pushes the boundaries of the living space whilst remaining agile and lively.

The helm station is divided into two distinct parts: the helm and sail handling console. The stability underway, the ergonomics and the efficiency of the autopilot allow easy management of the deck when short-handed or solo

The perspective of the 3 bows is enticing!

The “Cockloon”: Neel’s name for the multi-zone living space which includes the nacelle, the cockpit and the aft areas. Note the fully open look, forward

A successful deck lounge with bench seat and sunbathing area: it gives the pleasure of conviviality and a spectacular vantage point which is both safe and accessible

Neel did not invent the open space between the coachroof and the deck salon, nor flush-decked access, nor even the lounge deck, helm station or full forward vision. Yet these concepts from catamarans, placed on a 3-hull geometry, positioning the main cabi

The considerable volumes are highlighted by a high build quality and a trendy design

The galley is a work of art! The chart table, away from the general traffic, constitutes an enviable watchkeeping position

The master cabin has an exclusive view!

A double bunk in the port aft cabin

The layouts in the hulls easily rival those of a 40' catamaran. They are optional; a two-cabin version in the center hull will prove much lighter

A Neel 51 at the end of the composite infusion phase. The mold in 3 parts includes the central hull and the inner half-hulls. The outer half-hulls can be seen, before the "structural box" is closed by the installation of the deck and the coachroof (by ha

Practical info

• Builder : NEEL TRIMARANS
• Technical specifications

• Finance your Neel 51
• Articles about the Neel 51
• Available in issue # 156

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When the first Neel 50 prototype was displayed at the La Rochelle show in 2011, nobody could have predicted how this radical builder, who had only recently appeared in an already very competitive multihull market, would see such development.  However, the twenty five Neel 45s already built demonstrate the significance of the formula.  The 51 was completed in time for the latest show at La Grande Motte, and demand has indicated that an extension to the factory is required!  We spent two days on board number 2 in the series, and here are our first impressions.

A genuine background

The founder of Neel Trimarans is an experienced sailor/businessman. The French sports cat champion in 1987 and specialist in Class C, he joined Fountaine Pajot and launched the Corneel 26 - a French extrapolation of the American Stilleto. It was a small multihull which combined a sports cat with a cruising cat. It was an efficient and playful machine which introduced  the concept to many future enthusiasts. After this success and for the following 25 years, Eric Bruneel was involved in the yard’s development.  He became the export manager, then the deputy managing director. He took a little break during the 2000s and got involved in the new M50 class at the helm of his Trilogic, with which he won The Transat 2004 and was placed second in the 2006 Route du Rhum, before embarking on the adventure which has become Neel trimarans.

Back to the roots of the cruising trimaran

Although there is much evidence of proto-catamarans (since the 18th century in England), the Western rediscovery of trimaran geometry is quite recent (André Sandrin's inaugural crossing of the Atlantic aboard Amanda dates only from 1946!). If we look for precursors of the Neel brainwave (...

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Discovering the Neel 51, a blue-water trimaran ideal for family cruising

The Neel 51 is an evolution in multihull design fusing the features of its predecessors, the Neel 45 and the Neel 65, to deliver performance and comfort.  This blue-water trimaran is ideal for family cruising, with easy handling by minimal crew and excellent bridge deck clearance.  The Neel 51’s sleek lines and reversed bows create a sharp and sporty silhouette.

The French yard argues its trimarans are more stable than cruising catamarans. Cats, it says, reach their peak righting moment at 12º heel, beyond which sail needs to be reduced.

The Neel 51 has spacious living areas with magnificent panoramic windows that bathe the interior in natural light.  The 10m² Owner’s suite is located on the main deck and boasts uninterrupted views from the bed through its two-metre panoramic windows.

The fly deck of the Neel 51 is perfect for relaxation with its sun lounges and bench.  Integrated solar panels ensure eco-friendly operation, and the innovative transom makes boarding from land or the tender extremely safe and easy.

The Interior of Neel 51 is pure and elegant. The deck level master cabin offers maximum comfort and features a panoramic window that provides a spectacular outlook.

Neel 51 Characteristics

Overall length  51 ft Overall width  29,18 ft Draft  4,9 ft Displacement  14 T Self tacking staysail 332 sq ft Furling genoa 760 sq ft Battened gaff mainsail  1039 sq ft Inboard engine  Volvo 75 hp sail drive Freshwater  160 us gallons Diesel 160 us gallons Ship designers  JOUBERT NIVELT MURATET Conception  NEEL Trimarans Official Website .

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NEEL 51- Nominated for the European Yacht of the Year

NEEL Trimarans is delighted and very proud to announced that the NEEL 51 has been nominated for EUROPEAN YACHT of the YEAR’s election which take place during the Dusseldorf BOOT in january 2018

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Neel 52 Review

Today we review one of the most anticipated vessels ever from Neel Trimarans – sporty and elegant cruiser Neel 52 , designed by one and only Marc Lombard. There is still not much information on the upcoming yacht, so we had to conduct a thorough research based on available data from the shipyard. Yet, the existing information is more than enough to already form a certain opinion on the trimaran and draw conclusions regarding this exciting project even before it first launches in 2024. Additionally, we add similar reviews by professionals in the same field so you have information from different sources.

• FEATURES OF NEEL 52

Closer Look

In the cockloon.

• ADVANTAGES OF NEEL 52
• REVIEWS OF NEEL 52 FROM PROFESSIONALS
• VIDEO REVIEW OF NEEL 52
• PRICE CALCULATOR

This is how the Neel 52 will appear to us when its finally launched. This trimaran, similar to the predecessors, provides incredible stability unheard of among monohull and even catamaran lovers. You can definitely see the influence of Neel 51’s design philosophy in the new shapes, yet at the same time you are not likely to confuse the two of them – the lines of the exterior became more gentle and soft, almost like this trimaran resolved its inner issues and achieved enlightenment of some sort, especially considering that model 51 looked constantly angry with its curved saloon windows at the front.

Indeed, it seems that many of the problems of the model 51 were resolved by famous Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group in this new project.

Stability is definitely an advantage of trimarans, yet the maneuverability often becomes a problem. In order to address this, Neel 52’s central hull was resedigned – now it features a deeper rocker which is supposed to improve the yacht’s agility and load bearing. New long and swift amas (side floats) allow the yacht to introduce a more ambitious sail wardrobe and stay on target even during big waves. Add to that a powerful 110 HP Volvo engine, large fuel and water tanks for the 16-meter vessel, CE certification class A, allowing you to go on a long cruise in the ocean, and you have an interesting hybrid between a racing boat and a full-time cruiser that is lighter than ever with displacement of only 12.6 tons.

Based on our experience, it is the versatility improvements that eventually attract more and more people into the multihull market. Usually, speed lovers owners are worried that they will be stuck on a slow-moving cruising raft without any ability to actually drive it, yet Neel Trimarans are adamant about marketing their vessels capable of sailing and cruising combined, depending on the layout you choose. At the same time, Eric Bruneel, the founder of the company, spent a lot of time himself specifically on racing trimarans and is eager to show the world that a trimaran can be much more than just a comfortable apartment on the water.

Features of Neel 52

• Brand: Neel Trimarans
• Hull type: Trimaran
• Overall length, m: 15.8
• Width, m: 8.53
• Draft, m: 1.82
• Displacement, t: 12.6
• Air draft, m: 24
• Water tanks, l: 600
• Exterior design (Architect): Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group
• CE certification: A
• Mainsail type: Fully battened
• Jib type: Furling genoa
• Mainsail area, m²: 95
• Jib area, m²: 71
• Engines, hp: Volvo, 110
• Fuel tanks l: 700

Review of Neel 52 by TopRik Team

Let’s start with the yacht’s main features and performance at the sea.

Our research shows that the weight of the yacht is concentrated very low and most of it resides in the central float. It is pretty much an only viable solution for a trimaran of this size, allowing to reduce pitching and achieve less shaky motion, including going to windward. Weight is reduced to the minimum: vacuum-molded composite sandwich was used to lighten the whole structure, with triaxial fiber reinforcements and foams made of PVC and PET at the core. For those who don’t know – very often balsa is used instead of foam in such designs, which is cheaper, yet is more vulnerable to water getting inside. As we can see, Neel doesn’t want to save up on hull’s integrity and safety - to minimize toxic emissions of styrene, new resins and gelcoats were developed, protecting both you and environment from pollution.

There are two options for the mast materials: aluminum and carbon, both doing a great job in reducing the weight and improving yacht’s handling. The sail plan allows you to tame even the barely noticeable 8 knots of wind to put the yacht in motion – moreover, huge 95 m² sail area can easily be handled by one person, including reefing and all necessary maneuvers. No wonder that Neel trimaran are often noticed at ARC regatta – a famous competition for those who are enthusiastic about water racing, attracting around 200 boats from all over the world every single year.

The predecessor, Neel 51, was able to cover 290 miles in 24 hours with triple-reefed mainsail paired with self-tending staysail. We expect even more out of this model – after all, the displacement of new model is just 12.6 t compared to 14 t. Hopefully, the cruising speed will be improved, but we can definitely be sure, that we will at least get 10 knots reliably and even up to 14 knots thanks to occasional gusts of wind.

Even though you can manage it alone, if you have just one more person to help you, self-tending jib set and simple winches will make sails management a really simple task for the two of you. We also have a suspicion that we will see high-quality products such as Dyneema and Spectra for rigging and lifelines on board again.

Another peculiarity about Neel range is the high freeboards – as you stand on one of the decks while anchored at the marina, you should really hold on to that lifeline to avoid accidents. Judging from preliminary CG renders, we don’t get full metal railing, yet Neel trimarans always had very sturdy lifelines, allowing the manufacturer to save up on precious weight of the vessel and make the final price more attractive too. Besides, such a sporty yacht by definition comes without a full-size flybridge, so not much safety railing is needed overall. Just make sure that you use the sunbeds on the saloon’s roof with care and only during full stop of the yacht – there’s quite some distance to fall from there on the deck’s flooring if you roll over the wrong way.

The floats are connected by two trampolines – again, not the safest feature, but definitely the most fun one. If you go on family vacation, make sure your kids know that they are just named trampolines and are not supposed to be used as such, especially during movement.

The main deck layout of Neel 52 looks like this:

As we can see, the yacht is almost square-shaped – such incredible beam allows for huge amount of space on a 16-meter yacht, with wide side decks, tons of space in the bow and ability to house an inflatable dinghy or RIB of pretty much any size at the transom thanks to stainless-steel mounts with a convenient davit. The black square hatches are sprinkled along the deck, allowing light to enter the cabins below – there just can’t be that many large cabin portholes on monohulls due to their limited width. The so-called Cockloon (combination of cockpit and saloon), traditional of Neel range, takes up most of the space on the deck, and on top of it is the aforementioned sunbathing area right under the sails. Let’s take a closer look at what we will be able to find on board.

Right away, you can notice that there are not many ways to board the vessel – you get a short stern extension on either right of left float, which are accessible even if you are moored side-to. We don’t get a huge bathing platform, typical for many popular catamarans – probably since the emphasis was put on cruising or racing performance and not all extra amenities. Also, the central hull makes it more difficult to set up a full-size hydraulic platform. You can easily use the extensions of both amas and the central hull (in case you don’t need a dinghy) as mini platforms – considering the width of the yacht, you just get three smaller wooden islands above water instead of a single large one.

We are happy to see some lifelines in this area too. In general, the yacht looks very flat and it is impossible to imagine it flipping over, which takes care of another possible danger for monohulls on a long cruise.

As for the space on board – just compare the skipper behind the helm at the photo above to the deck width. A lot of yachtsmen get pleasantly surprised by the space catamarans provide, yet a trimaran is a completely different game. That’s why the manufacturer proudly informs that Neel 52 will be able to easily accommodate 12 people on board, with max of 6 cabins! We’ll talk about cabins little bit later though, let’s discuss the cockpit/saloon hybrid.

The biggest living area on board the predecessor, Neel 51, took our breath away when we first experienced it. The simplicity of single open space with no ladders, pyramids-style secret doors and connecting corridors on the deck is a breath of fresh air in the world of long-range cruisers. You still get a small cockpit at the stern, but it feels more like a porch of the house, than a special separate area. There you have couple of sofas under the hard bimini and we don’t see any reason why Neel would get rid of amazing galley to starboard which we got on Neel 51 before, housing a fridge, sink and a grill. Most likely, it will be present on model 52 also.

The only ladder that we can see, on the right, leads to the control station with a responsive steering wheel, all necessary displays and indicators and comfortable seating for three people in front of it. You can already see the electric winches in front of it – with three of them you can manage the halyards, reefing lines, sheets and traveler from the same spot. View from the seating position is somewhat limited when it comes to portside visibility, which is the price you have to pay for such large beam and flatness combined. Using the same ladder, you can climb to mini-flybridge with some rigid railing, only having enough headroom for sitting on the bench or lying on the sunbeds (watch out for the boom above you).

What’s surprising, we don’t see the solar panels on the roof, unlike Neel 51 – but maybe it just became an optional feature now. Or, the panels were also cut to reduce the weight.

Thanks to the well-engineered hull, Neel 52 gets full width sliding doors leading inside the main saloon space.

Even though it is a CG render and not a photo, based on our experience, we can tell that the manufacturer very rarely makes drastic changes on this stage of development – that’s pretty much exactly how the interior will look when Neel 52 will be finally launched. We can see, that Neel stays true to conservative home-like color scheme – shades of grey and cozy beige always work well together.

We can see regular coffee table and sofas, because some usual things just have to be there. Same with skipper’s table right near the galley, that’s your typical high-quality control station. The circle-shaped galley itself has four burners, a lot of tabletop space, an oven, sink, microwave, special hole for garbage – everything that a chef might need.

The skipper also has all he needs: full-featured navigation suite with chartplotter, autopilot controls, VHF etc. and all of this at the table from which you have great view – not quite like at the helm, but it’s enough to take control of some situations right from the saloon. Everything we described is surrounded by enormous windows (can’t even call them portholes) that make those ceiling lights pretty useless until its actually dark. The amount of light inside not only improves quality of life, but also allows to save up on energy, that is so needed on a long cruise.

Might be a surprise for those, who never sailed Neel yachts, but at the center of the saloon there is a big hatch in the floor. This hatch doesn’t lead into a secret hideout – instead, when you open it and climb down, you end in a huge engine compartment with 2-meter headroom, big enough to be someone’s apartment.

From our own trial and error, we know how important it is to have enough room in places like this – if there’s not enough storage room in the engine compartment, all your tools end up dispersed all over the yacht. And when something breaks, you can’t react in time because you need to assemble all the necessary equipment from various lockers first. Here you can just store everything you need for all your technical needs in one place, including some hefty tools that you wouldn’t fit on other yachts. Or you can always just throw some fenders in here – depends on your needs.

So far, we know of two possible version of Neel 52 – not fancy names, just version 1 and version 2:

So, we either get a large bar or owner’s cabin – first version is clearly made for charters and the second one for a couple, a family or a lone sea wolf. It’s always great to have a choice. Owner suite has a big bed, separate bathroom with a spacious shower and a bunch of lockers.

As for other cabins, we don’t really have any CG renders of them yet, but relying of what we experienced on Neel 51, all of them will be extremely well lit in any layout with a lot of storage space, available thanks to yacht’s impressive dimensions.

Advantages of Neel 52

So far, the only disadvantage that we could find is not the most reliable lifelines along the board of the yacht, but that can be justified as a mean to an end – this is all about reducing the weight and the price of the vessel. Other than that, we clearly see some good signs already:

• Performance. Thanks to extremely lightweight structure, this model is most optimized to move as fast as possible even at the slightest breeze. Whoever is in love with actual sailing yachts, fit even for the prestigious regattas, will appreciate the agility and stability of this boat.
• Ease of management. Electric winches with full control of everything you can think of when it comes to rigging, B&G controls and the helm station and mostly great view from the helm allow the yacht to be managed with little crew or without crew at all.
• Variability. This yacht is not tailored towards a specific niche. Instead, its like a transformer boat, that allows you to pick the layout that is exactly right for your situation, whether you want it to be a family boat, a party yacht or a charter workhorse.
• Comfort. Huge living spaces, lots of storage room, natural light coming from dozens of windows and hatches – this boat is not only about performance, but also about cruising and feeling like home even in the middle of the ocean.
• It’s a trimaran. Yes, an unusual advantage, but the stability and beam that you get from this type of vessel is something else. You have to try it to actually understand it, but if you want to know more, watch some reviews on the predecessor, Neel 51, and listen to what yachtsmen have to say about its qualities on the water – they will be even more pronounced on this new model.

The price reflects all that space and sportiness and even though the boat is not the cheapest, the price/quality ratio is much better than on many monohulls out there.

Reviews of Neel 52 from Professionals

To be fair, we didn’t expect to find any professional review on this yacht whatsoever, but Chloé Torterat from Multihull News as well as Giornale della Vela’s team blessed us with some of their writing.

The author starts her review by claiming than Neel 52 is fit for all kinds of sailing programs thanks to numerous layout options and recognizes that it’s the third Neel constructed by Lombard firm – they also made Neel 47 and 43. With load capacity of 19.5 tons this vessel can accommodate up to 12 people on board easily.

As for rigging, Neel 52 is provided with a special rudder that is controlled by textile lines on ball-bearing blocks. You get a huge mainsail, with a horn and a furling system, also the structural cable that is inserted right into the sail. Furling genoa or optional gennaker – that is up to you. You can order either Classic rig option (aliminum mast and steel standing rigging) or Performance (aluminum boom, carbon mast, textile standing rigging).

Talking about the living space, Chloé mentions that you can get either an owner cabins or give it up for a large saloon with a 360° view. She also noticed that latter option is definitely provided with charters in mind. As for cabins, there are different layouts for 4, 5 of 6 cabins, depending on much beds you need for the passengers.

Right away the writers of Giornale della Vela call the Neel 52 perfect for living aboard in their title – something that we can agree on.

Its worth mentioning indeed that Eric Bruneel participated in various high-level regattas across the world and even won 2004 Ostar. So, its not just some suit that doesn’t know anything about sailing that makes the main decisions.

The writers approve of the Full Beam Cockpit – an interesting decision of the design team, which is a very large cockpit with different seating options with full railing. The stern is spacious and makes it very convenient to launch and haul the tender. As for the helm, Neel trimarans were always known for ease of steering and this model definitely will not be an exception.

Layouts and additional packaging of the yacht provide a lot of options: high-performance ascetic feel or lazy, home-like features like luxurious upholstery, real wood, with brands like Bolon and Corian added to the mix.

Video Review of Neel 52

The information on the yet non-existent yacht is obviously lacking, yet we were able to find something that resembles a video review from Aeroyacht (better a small fish than an empty dish):

We will definitely add more video reviews once the yacht actually comes out.

When you are a seasoned competitive yachtsman like Neel’s founder, Eric Bruneel, it’s very easy to allow it to get to your head and start dismissing anybody, who just wants to enjoy some comfortable cruising with their family. Some people think it should all be about unbearable conditions for the sake of speed, maneuverability and the most complicated rig you can possibly imagine. It’s understandable – that’s what gives some people all the thrill they need.

The Neel’s founder had different ideas though. He tried his best to open his beloved trimaran base to everybody who will not be scared away by it. When you have two hulls on your yacht instead of one some people already don’t understand you, but what about three of them? It was not easy at all for him to convince people that this base is a viable solution, but when he finally did, he attracted all kind of people with all kinds of interest, just allured by the idea of perfectly stable yet fast and agile boat with tons of space on board. So, Neel-Trimarans made sure that every customer finds what they are looking in this boat with its 4 layouts provided, different rigging options and additional equipment offered. Even the price-list for all of the equipment is quite complicated – even with all our experience we got little bit confused at all possible options at first. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Once you actually take your time, think about all the possibilities and finally assemble that trimaran of your dreams from all the provided options, it will be not be just a Neel 52, it will be your Neel 52.

Price calculator

Where to buy neel 52 at a bargain price.

We already have a calculator for this model on our website, but if you need a more personal touch, you can always contact our specialists – as we said, it might be a little problematic to figure out all the packages you need. After we agreed on what boat you would like to purchase, we will put you in a queue – when the boat comes out, you will be one of the first owners of Neel 52 in the world. And all of that at the lowest price we could possibly negotiate with the manufacturer.

As there’s more and more information available about the boat, we will keep you updated on the progress and possible changes from the manufacturer. When the boat is finally launched, we will:

• take care of all the boring documentation so you could just go behind helm right away;
• move the yacht to specified location;
• advice you on any additional equipment not included in the packaging (various rigging devices, fenders, watermakers, batteries etc.) We will not force anything on you or have some hidden fees or additional hidden purchases – it’s all up to you.

Don’t be afraid to contact us at any time through phone above of the feedback system on the website – we are always ready to help.

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• Digital Edition

Neel 43 on test: Is three the magic number?

• September 17, 2021

Can’t decide between a monohull and a catamaran? The surprising truth is that a fast cruising trimaran, like the Neel 43 could be the ideal solution. Rupert Holmes reports.

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Until recently it would have been easy to assume the pioneering cruising trimarans of the 1960s and 1970s showed that cruising on three hulls has too many drawbacks to be viable for most, despite the extra space and speed they offered. However, the past decade has seen a resurgence of lightweight fast cruising designs, with spacious accommodation, led by La Rochelle-based yard Neel who recently launched their Neel 43 trimaran.

This latest model, a Marc Lombard-designed 43, is one of those rare boats that defies both expectation and easy classification.

The Neel 43 has the deck space and massive coachroof of the most spacious of cruising catamarans, yet is at least three tonnes lighter than most 42ft cats.

We we tested the Neel 43 in La Rochelle, France with an onshore, 12-16 knot wind with a slight to moderate sea. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Another surprise is the low wetted surface area once the windward ama lifts out of the water. Each hull has a narrow waterline beam, so wetted surface area is a fraction of that of a catamaran of similar size. Combined with the light displacement this translates into a boat that’s surprisingly quick.

Neel 43 under sail

After hoisting the mainsail we cut the engine and bore away, unfurling the headsail with the wind on the beam. In only 14 knots of true wind we quickly accelerated to a consistent 10 knots of boat speed.

Sheeting in and squeezing up to a true wind angle of 65° – and 40° apparent wind angle – only saw speed drop by one knot.

Direct Dyneema cables, passing through a minimum of turns, connect the wheel to the single rudder. The helm felt beautifully responsive throughout the test, with a much more direct feel than is generally found on multihulls.

The windward ama lifts easily just out of the water, reducing wetted surface. Stability builds quickly. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Tacking proved to be as easy as with a monohull – the boat reliably turned smartly through the wind, with speed rarely dropping much below five knots.

However, visibility from the single raised helm is restricted by the headsail when on starboard tack and by the asymmetric on both tacks.

That there’s a single shallow keel below the centre hull, instead of the two low-profile keels of most catamarans is an important factor in the boat’s handling. It undoubtedly also helps that all the heavy items in the boat, including engine, tankage and batteries, are concentrated low down in the middle of the central hull.

The result is a very comfortable, soft motion that’s easier than that of a typical catamaran, but without the heel of a monohull. In some ways it’s also reminiscent of the easy gait of a heavy displacement long keeler.

The helm felt responsive, with an easy motion. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Yet, unlike monohulls, there’s no chance of a broach. Stability builds very quickly after 12-14° of heel is reached, so it takes an enormous force to heel the boat to significantly greater angles. This arguably gives more warning of being overpowered than catamarans, which may generate maximum stability at only 12° of heel.

In addition, the high freeboard means there’s a reassuring amount of reserve buoyancy in the amas, even if the boat is pressed hard in a gust or squall.

On the other hand, a downside of the Neel 43 effectively having a single fin keel is that, unlike most cruising catamarans, it can’t be beached.

Our test boat had standard Dacron sails, so a reasonable set of high-tech sails would undoubtedly see the boat able to squeeze a useful few degrees closer to the breeze without losing too much speed.

Easy motion

However, the reality is that the engine will be used in combination with the mainsail if schedules make a passage to windward essential. Motoring out of the La Rochelle entrance channel head to wind and sea gave a feel for how the easily driven underwater sections behave when motor sailing.

With the single 50hp engine at a comfortable 2,400rpm we made 8 knots, with a gentle motion that didn’t slow the boat.

On turning downwind our speed initially dropped to 6-7 knots at a true wind angle of 150°, until we hoisted the general purpose asymmetric kite. Although it’s not a particularly large sail, this brought the speed back up to 8.5-9 knots, producing our best downwind VMG of 7 knots.

In some ways The Neel 43 sails in a way that is reminiscent of the easy gait of a heavy displacement long keeler. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

When the breeze picked up a little to 15-16 knots true we sheeted in and luffed up to 115° off the true wind, accelerating to an easy 10.5-11 knots of boat speed. The Neel has so much stability that, even though the sailplan was now generating far more power, there was no perceptible change in heel.

All lines, other than spinnaker sheets, are led to the raised helm station at the front of the starboard side of the cockpit.

Despite its intrinsic speed potential, this is not a boat that’s set up to be constantly tweaked. The deck layout is therefore simple, but efficient. It’s also obviously a cost-effective arrangement, but doesn’t skimp through fitting under-sized winches and other equipment. A powered winch on our test boat took all the effort out of sail handling.

Port and starboard mainsheets – in appropriate colours – give excellent control of the sail shape, without a costly traveller that might endanger the hands of anyone relaxing at the back of the cockpit. The primary sheet is the one on the windward side, while the leeward one gives excellent control of twist.

All lines other than spinnaker sheets are led to the helm station. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Headsail sheets are led through a single fixed fairlead. It’s a simple arrangement that minimises coachroof clutter, though twist will increase, spilling wind out of the top of the sail, when it’s partially furled in stronger winds.

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The optional free-flying working jib can be hoisted furled, so there’s no inner forestay to get in the way when tacking the genoa when it’s not set up.

If I was specifying the sailplan I’d also opt for a Code 0 for use when reaching with the apparent wind well forward of the beam, plus a large asymmetric shaped for deeper downwind angles than the test boat’s all-purpose sail. This would maximise downwind VMG in light and moderate airs.

Technical heart

An unusual, but appealing, feature of all Neel trimarans is the technical area below the saloon floor in the central hull – on some of the larger models this has an impressive 7ft (2.1m) of headroom, which makes for easy access and fault-finding. However the Neel 43 is smaller, which means this is reduced to generous sitting headroom and floor space is limited.

The central section houses tanks, plumbing and batteries, while the engine and steering gear are further aft. Further forward the space is dominated by a large number of electrical items and connections for solar charge regulators, shorepower battery chargers, inverters and so on.

The saloon opens almost seamlessly onto the cockpit. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

It’s great that these are easy to access, which also serves as a reminder of the vast number of systems that are often hidden out of sight and distributed around different parts of today’s increasingly complex yachts.

However, there’s a downside that can’t be overlooked. These systems are low down in the boat, close to where any water will collect. Fitting a couple of bilge alarms, and making regular checks when underway by lifting the access hatch in the saloon floor, would therefore be sensible precautions. Despite this drawback it’s still an arrangement that has advantages over many installations.

Loft-style minimalism

What about the interior of the Neel 43? Despite the design’s abilities under sail, in this part of the market it’s the accommodation that sells boats. Yet, once again, this is an aspect that defies comparison with others.

Both transoms have swim platforms. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

The almost seamless blending of indoor and outdoor areas is appealing, but far from unique among today’s multihull designs.

On the other hand, Neel has gone for the ultimate in a loft-style layout that’s refreshingly different. Masses of windows and large expanses of white fibreglass are balanced by just enough fabric and wood trim to give it some warmth.

Reed-style flooring also adds to a feeling of comfort, in the Neel 43 without increasing weight, and can be taken outside to wash and clean.

There’s excellent near-surround visibility – around 300° – when sitting in the saloon and it’s almost as good when standing.

Forward to port is a watchkeeping station with switch panel, and on our test boat a second MFD, VHF and Fusion audio kit, plus 12V outlets and an analogue steering compass here. However, it stops short of being a full chart table that could also be used as an office, so I’m typing this at the saloon table, which is a great place to work, with brilliant views and lots of natural light.

The saloon and galley area has a very open plan layout. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

In common with other Neel models, the owner’s cabin is on the same level as the saloon. A downside is therefore a lack of privacy, even with the curtains drawn and door closed. However, it’s a beautifully lit and airy space that would suit those who primarily cruise as a couple.

There’s almost no built-in stowage, although the deep bins in the ama outboard of the bunk will take several large kit bags.

Neat touches for every bunk include a reading lamp with built-in USB port, a folding coat hook for jackets, plus a fabric bulkhead-mounted pouch with space for a phone, tablet, sunglasses, notebook and so on.

These may sound like small points, but it’s surprising how many boats lack provision for these items and they therefore quickly get scattered everywhere.

Natural ventilation is primarily via an opening forward facing window on each side of the coachroof – one for the saloon and one for the owner’s cabin.

A berth is separated by the red curtain. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

There’s also a small opening hatch in the middle of the coachroof and another for the heads. This is a long, narrow compartment off the starboard side of the saloon.

Overall there’s plenty of space and a shower is included, though it’s not luxurious and there’s no option for a second toilet and shower compartment.

The second cabin is right forward in the central hull, accessed by steps just ahead of the galley. This is a pleasant space with more privacy than the owner’s cabin, though the berth is only 77cm wide at its foot.

A third sleeping area is outboard of the saloon table, aft on the port side of the saloon. This is open plan to the saloon, with curtains for screening, with a generous 140x200cm rectangular bunk with space underneath for kit bags. It would make a great space for kids on passage.

Bright accommodation in the owners cabin with views. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

For the charter market there’s also an option to drop the saloon table to create an additional double berth, plus small single cabins forward in the amas that are accessed from the foredeck, making a potential maximum of 10 berths.

Few owners are likely to want to sail with that many for long, but the flexibility of being able to cater for extra short term guests, without dragging the weight and volume of spare bedrooms around the rest of the time has an obvious appeal.

Engine is housed in the central hull, with tanks further forward. Photo: by Olivier Blanchet

Given the price of the Neel 43 compared to other multihulls of a similar length it should not be a surprise that it has been conceived to be quick and easy to build, aside from the vacuum infused mouldings that are an important element in keeping weight to a minimum.

Those who love traditional joinery with hand crafted solid hardwood trim will be disappointed and the lack of a second heads will rule the boat out for some.

However, in general the relatively Spartan level of fit out Neel has opted for is appropriate for a boat of this style that’s aimed at a mass audience.

It took Neel 10 years to build its first 100 boats. In the current financial year, ending September, the yard has produced more than 30 boats across a four model range of 43-65ft sailing designs, plus semi-custom fuel efficient power trimarans.

The popularity of the Neel 43 means output is set to grow by a large margin in the coming year.

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There’s much to like about this design: it’s a cruising boat in every respect, not an outright speed machine, yet it’s one that will quickly leave the competition behind. While it’s not a model that will suit everyone, founder Eric Bruneel has a good understanding of how a vast proportion of owners use their vessels and has created a yacht that will exceed their expectations in many respects. A decade ago trimarans were a niche part of the cruising world, however, the Neel 43 shows the concept of a cruising tri is ready for the mass market. The design has already proved hugely popular and one boat is leaving the factory every fortnight.