Farrier F-85SR constructed by Multihulls Direct for Glynn Thomas has been launched and is now sailing in Subic Bay, Phillipines

I just noticed that Glynn Thomas has put up the following post on Sailing Anarchy his F-85SR is now launched and he has put up some observations of the first sail and photos of the boat in action.  You can read about the build process and see more photos of the boat in build on the same thread. This is the first boat constructed to this design to launch.

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=114970&&page=3

I have just had a great long weekend sailing my F-85SR in Subic Bay.

KatRat was launched on 22nd April, 2013 and was berthed alongside the F-44SC also built by Multihullsdirect.
 
On Friday, 26th April, we stepped the mast and took her for the first sail. We very quickly knocked up 10 nm with the boat handling very easily.

On Saturday, we decided to join the local fun round the buoys race. In Subic, the racing is very fun and easy going as long as the Beneteau First 36.7 gets line honours. Well this Saturday, status quo changed, as we easily out pointed the monohull and took line honours by a couple of minutes, sailing only Jib and Main on a course, which included a long upwind and downwind leg. Most of the talk after the race was about what handicap they will give us, given they know we are relatively inexperienced and didn't even try to raise the screecher or spinnaker.

In light to medium breezes, it was great to see how responsive the trimaran is and how it just seems to keep gliding along, even when the breeze drops out to nothing, allowing us to bridge the wind holes that exist all over the bay.

On Sunday, we took her out for another short cruise, but enjoying it so much we stayed out for over 3 hours. With only 3 on board it was still effortless and could easily be sailed 2-up.

We keep the boat partially folded in a pen at the moment and we have lots to do to make it easier to head out and return as we seem to spend a lot of time adjusting the rigging and fixing up the nets. We also need to install the rigging for the screecher and spinnaker. Nonetheless, the boat is fun and easy and I can't wait until the 11/12 May for my next weekend on the boat.

Overall it is a great boat and I really have to thank the designer, Ian Farrier and the builder, Michael Mallory for a wonderful boat.

The biggest challenge now is to get the boat insured, but that is another story.

Cheers
Glynn
KatRat F-85SR #10
Subic Bay, Philippines

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas