DRAGONFLY 32
PRICE £125,000-£295,000 YEAR 2013-present
Quorning Yachts has been producing highperformance, folding trimarans for many years and the D32 is popular for its balance between sportiness and cruising comfort.
As with all the Dragonfly range, the 32 has a unique ‘swing-wing’ system for folding the floats alongside the main hull when berthing or hauling and transporting. When folded the floats swivel down as well as in, thereby tucking into the natural curves of the main hull and adding buoyancy and stability to it. The folded beam of just 3.70m means it’s no wider than the average modern motorboat of the same length so berthing fees should be no more than standard. However, unlike the slightly smaller D28, the D32 is not legally trailerable on the road using a standard vehicle trailer. Also, when retracted the 35kg kick-up centreboard will allow you to float in just a half-metre of water in the shallows and this, combined with the lifting rudder means she can also be beached safely.
Over its evolution the floats have been moved forward to just ahead of the main hull so as to provide more buoyancy further forward and prevent the risk of burying its bows at high speed and the subsequent fear of pitchpoling.
Two versions of the D32 are available, a cruising Tourer and the sportier Evolution with a taller, carbon rig and larger sail plan.
Below, the hull is pretty much that of a narrow monohull, although it has excellent headroom (1.92m). The saloon has plenty of seating and a table that also houses the centreboard. The settees are straight and long enough to form good berths, particularly the port one, which forms a double if needed, by lowering the table leaf. In addition, there is a vee-berth forward and a spacious double cabin aft, though this requires swivelling the companionway steps and crawling in underneath the cockpit. There’s an enclosed heads with shower forward of the saloon and a compact, but well-equipped galley by the companionway. A small chart table can also double as a worktop for food prep.
Dragonfly trimarans are renowned for their performance — both to windward and off the wind. Speeds of 8-12 knots are common on a reach, while the Evolution can hit 20+ knots downwind with a Code-0 flying. She tacks easily without needing to back the jib and accelerates away remarkably rapidly.
All sail controls are led back to the cockpit and are just within reach of the tiller (wheel option) helm for single-handing.