2022 Neel 43 review

When it comes to offshore speed records, trimarans rule the oceans. But in the cruising world, they are much less distinguished.

Trimarans once were epitomised by older, more eccentric designs that attracted the more eccentric sailor — an image that shipbuilder and ocean racer Eric Bruneel has been steadily changing in the yard he established in 2010.

Trimarans have some major design merits over catamarans. About 80 per cent of their weight is centralised in the hull, while a skeg keel aids windward ability and the large single rudder feels like you're at the wheel of a monohull.

The centralised weight allows trimarans to operate in wider wind ranges than catamarans, as a tri-hull typically can heel to about 10 to 20 degrees (the Neel 43 heels about eight degrees) and with around 7.5 metres of beam, its stability is immense. The France-based La Rochelle yard builds the Neel 47, 51, 65 and now the new 43 that arrived in Australia earlier this year.

Walking along Brisbane's Manly Boat Harbour marina with Neel Trimarans specialist Andrew de Bruin from Multihull Solutions, my first impression of the Neel 43 was more of the same idea as the 47.

Our review boat came stacked with about $300,000 in options, pushing the Neel 43's price tag to almost $1 million.

Upgrades include carbon spars and Dyform wire shrouds, pricey items that enhance light air performance and reduce weight aloft.

The Neel 43 has an extensive sail plan including three reefs in the fully battened Dacron mainsail from French sailmaker Incidence.

A large foretriangle allows for a large genoa and there's good separation on the fibreglass bowsprit for the asymmetric deployed via a sock.

It all makes the test boat ideal for the varied conditions often found while bluewater voyaging.

The deep hull allows generous volume, which means the engine room is spacious with near-standing headroom.

A hatch beside the galley has a ladder down to the forepart that has a stainless steel fuel tank on one side, a 500-litre stainless steel water tank central. ounted low to help with stability, and hot water nearby.

Systems include quality Victron Energy electrics. 

The optional Fischer Panda genset is housed conveniently in the central forward part of this room, and all electrics are elevated to avoid water incursion.

Further aft is the 50hp Volvo Penta saildrive, dwarfed by the free space around it that will make it easy to service. 

A few years ago I visited Bruneel at his yard on the Bay of Biscay, and asked him what he was aiming for with these boats

“When we start looking at smaller yachts the amount of gear that some cruising people wish to have aboard becomes a bigger issue relative to total displacement," Bruneel said.

"As with any multihull, weight aboard is a critical part of the equation but we believe we have found a good ability to carry this weight and still have our owners enjoy great performance.”

Simply put, Bruneel liked crossing oceans but didn't want to spend too much time actually doing it.

Reflecting this is a modest 9000kg displacement, several tonnes lighter than catamaran competitors that include the Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 (12,700kg) or the Lagoon 42 (12,100kg).

Construction techniques have advanced for the build of the 43. All three hulls are moulded in a single process that increases structural rigidity and reduces cost.

Materials used are high-quality isophthalic polyester and vinylester resin infusion moulding on closed-cell PET foam core with a quadriaxial fibreglass skin reinforced with carbon fibre.

The skeg is solid GRP and rectangular with depth that protects the saildrive leg, which on our test boat had the optional folding propeller.

At first glance, the saloon is most unusual with three double berths in view as I step inside.

Off to port and behind a low bulkhead is a three-quarter double bed with a curtain for privacy.

Forward in the hull is another and to starboard behind perspex, is the main double bunk.

Adjoining its bulkhead is the longitudinal galley with the bathroom/shower beside the outside doors, ideally placed for access from the cockpit.

Sleeping at sea in any of these bunks is not ideal because the motion is accentuated in both the bow and side bunks, but this being a multihull it should be more bearable than a mono.

According to Multihull Centra's de Brun, the motion of the trimaran is similar to a monohull in a seaway.

"This is a point which many clients appreciate coming from a mono background but wanting to enjoy the advantages of a multihull,” he says.

Storage is another quirky affair with the French approach of letting you fill voids – rather than cabinetry – with luggage. 

What this layout creates is a really liveable saloon space, with an L-shaped dinette handily placed opposite the fully equipped galley featuring a gas hob and oven, double sinks, a fridge and overhead cupboards Simply put, Bruneel liked crossing oceans but didn't want to spend too much time actually doing it — just add some fiddles perhaps.

The navigation station is in the forward port quarter, and allows steering by autopilot. Just as handy is the compression post for the mast, which provides a good handhold.

Not so good is a single small opening window forward. For Australian use, I'd put an opening hatch on another window to create airflow. That said, good natural light comes from tall windows all around, and via a small opening skylight.  

Shore access to the Neel 43 is via steps built into the amas. Adjoining the cockpit, and three steps up, is a single starboard helm station that also has deck access.

Steering allows vision across the hulls. Behind the large 800mm wheel is a stainless steel-framed double seat providing support and handholds; a good idea for an elevated steering position.

The console controls include a Maxpower bow thruster (a smart choice for a trimaran) and B&G electronics with autopilot near at hand. There is an outboard throttle control for the 50hp saildrive engine.

Sail controls are well laid out with short and straight runs of all lines from the mast base feeding directly to a wide bank of jammers, and two winches, one of which is electric for halyard hoists.

The other, a captive Antal winch, controls the topping lift that doubles as a davit for the dinghy. Neat.

A simple thimble arrangement (instead of track) runs the genoa sheets. 

Overhead, a canvas bimini shields you but can be unzipped to view the mainsail via clear plastic.

The mainsail is controlled using twin sheets running on transom-mounted blocks to give good leverage on the boom and is easily accessible from the flybridge sun pad. Lazyjacks help to gather the sailcloth. 

The Neel 43's open-plan cockpit uses a similar approach that designer Marc Lombard created for the 47, especially in terms of usable space. However, those wanting catamaran-style openness may be disappointed.

For those appreciating seaworthiness, though, this is pleasing, mainly because there's a spacious L-shaped dining area and even a double bench facing aft; yet without the acres of open space that can be hazardous offshore.

Integrating with the saloon, the “cockloon” as Bruneel describes it is fully shaded by a hardtop bimini and can seat 10 guests around the inside-outside table.

Sturdy double sliding doors seal off the saloon and deep scuppers shed any water.

There are some blemishes here, such as the sharp edges of the doorway bulkhead and the low edge of the bimini that can catch heads, so I'd rubber-clad them.

There's also a wet bar and grill in the transom. The topping lift, boom and electric winch all work together to set a tender across the hull.

Moving around the Neel 43 is easy, with flat decks and support from the saloon roof. A trampoline on each side of the bow helps to minimise weight and drag while also making for a sunken seating position.

Here, you can also see the vertical bulkheads around the saloon that create volume inside, while outside, a lip gives shade.

A substantial vertical windlass runs to the anchor beneath the bowsprit. Two large forward lockers are good for general storage.

Sheltered shoal waters are ideal multihull territory, which makes Queensland home to most of the nation's fleet.

The Neel 43 was very much at home as I steered under power from Manly on Moreton Bay, cruising at 6.5 knots as the engine spun at 2200rpm.

The mainsail, guided by lazyjacks, hoisted to the masthead at the press of a button, and a quick response from the wheel brought us off the wind to unfurl the genoa — a one-handed job if you are so inclined.

Helm feel was apparent right away as the taunt line linkages pulled the high-aspect rudder as the wind pressure grew.

Unlike some large cats, I had no inclination to click the autopilot and watch the islands pass. Instead, I was encouraged to see how high the 43 could point as the growing hiss of water along the hull shouted encouragement. 

To windward, the ama rose steadily to perhaps 10 degrees, reducing the wetted area, as the Neel 43 surged to windward at nearly 45 degrees and at a speedy 5.8 knots despite the fickle 10-knot breeze.

Tacking through 100 degrees was also a speedy affair, with only the genoa sheets to trim.

The light air performance will sell this boat to many tropical sailors.

Sailing on to windward also had its reward — the downwind run home. For that, we hoisted the asymmetric in its sock before I ran off at about 70 degrees to put Manly on our triple bows.

At this true wind angle we speeded up to seven knots while not even spilling a glass of water that sat beside the helm.

Gybing was equally well done once the clew had walked around the forestay and the deck-level winches deployed to sheet it. 

Discerning sailors should consider a performance cruiser like the Neel 43 because it fulfils its design brief of being a stable and fast boat while offering a comfortable interior.

You can expect average cruising speeds of around 10 knots, yielding impressive 200-nautical-mile days in favourable conditions, all done with easy sail handling and an enjoyable helming experience.

In my notes the phrase “sailors' boat” was written, and never a truer word could be said about this Neel 43.

Priced from: $626,826 (subject to currency exchange rate). Includes standard alloy rig.

Price as tested: $1,000,000 (est) with upgraded carbon rig, performance sail plan and premium pack, dinghy davits, generator, air conditioning, upgraded interior and B&G navigation pack.

Supplied by: Multihull Solutions