Weta Trimaran

The Weta 4.4 Trimaran is a 4.4 metre (14 foot) sailing dinghy conceived and developed in New Zealand from 2001-2006 by Roger and Chris Kitchen and others with original drawings by TC Design's Tim Clissold.

Weta Trimaran
Class symbol
Weta racing in the High Sierra Regatta
Development
DesignerRoger and Chris Kitchen, Tim Clissold
LocationAuckland, New Zealand
Year2006
DesignOne-design
Boat
Crew1-3 adults / max 240 kg (530 lb)
Hull
TypeOpen trimaran
ConstructionCarbon fiber, fiberglass and foam
Hull weightApprox. 120 kg (260 lb) (fully rigged)
LOA4.4 m (14 ft)
Beam3.5 m (11 ft) (rigged)
1.7 m (5.6 ft) (on trailer)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typeDaggerboard
Rig
Rig typeFractional Bermuda or Marconi rig with gennaker
Mast length5.6 m (18 ft)
Sails
Mainsail area9.3 m2 (100 sq ft) [1] (Sq. Top)
Jib/genoa area3.2 m2 (34 sq ft)
Spinnaker area8 m2 (86 sq ft)
Upwind sail area20.5 m2 (221 sq ft) (Square Top)
Racing
D-PN78.5
RYA PN950
Weta racing on Huntington Lake California High Serra Regatta
2017 Weta features

Design

The boat is constructed from fibreglass and carbon fibre, and is popular as a racing boat or for recreational sailing.[2] It has added stability and righting moment from the trimaran amas or floats.

Recognition

The Weta Trimaran is recognized as one design class by Yachting New Zealand,[3] the French Sailing Federation,[4] and the Royal Yachting Association in the UK.[5] It has been approved for the Paralympics [6] and World Masters Games.[7]

Awards

In 2010 the Weta Trimaran was awarded Boat of the Year by Sailing World magazine.[8]

Builds

There are two distinct builds of the Weta Trimaran, the 'original build' and the '2015 Weta' which was created from a new mold and included (mostly internal) hull revisions. In April 2017, Weta announced the availability of a foam-core Weta which as well as being stiffer is right on the minimum weight of 120Kg in the class rules.

Original build

Early prototypes were produced in New Zealand but from 2006 to 2014 the 'original build' was manufactured in China for Weta Marine and sold internationally.[9] In 2020, 1300+ boats have been sold to date with the largest fleets in France and the USA.[10][11] The original sails were manufactured by Dutch windsurfing sail-maker, Gaastra.

The design evolved over time:

  • Color changes (Most boats were produced to four RAL color codes: Red (3020), Yellow (1018), Green (6018), Light Grey (7035). Some very early boats featured alternative red and yellow hues). Current 2020 colours are White, Grey, Blue, Yellow or Orange.[12]
  • Three rudders
  • New deeper daggerboard
  • Mylar sails (dacron optional)
  • Minor modifications to forestay tack fitting
  • Optional furling jib
  • Optional mainsails:
    • Small training mainsail
    • Heavy weather mainsail
    • 'Resort' mainsail (Dacron)

[13]

2015 Weta

In 2014 the new 2015 Weta was announced with a switch to a new manufacturer,[14] Xtreme Sailing Products (XSP), based in Singapore (with the factory in nearby Batam, Indonesia). XSP produced a new mould and made structural and cosmetic improvements, including:

  • Deck (screecher furler cleat on cockpit side, swaged stays, Liros ropes and optional hiking strap, enhanced grip, new raised foredeck detail for enhanced strength and durability)
  • Floats (Change to seamless construction and removal of rear lip. Switch to Nairn hatches.)
  • Sails (Switch of manufacturer to North Sails)
  • Centrecase (precision fit via nylon pile)
  • Trampoline (improved alignment via custom carbon pads)
  • Rudder bar and gudgeons (strength and durability enhancement)

In September 2014 the first of the new '2015 Weta' build were shipped to customers in the US.

2017 Foam Core Weta & Square Top Sail

In April 2017, Weta announced the availability of a foam-core hull (right on the class weight limit of 120Kg) and bi-radial cut 9.3 m square top mainsail (compared to the original Pin-head 8.3 m mainsail. Nearly all Wetas built since 2018 have been foam core and the Square Top sail has been adopted as the standard sail for racing in most regions.

2020 Self-tacking jib kit

In February 2020,[15] Weta announced the availability of a Self-Tacking Jib kit designed to be retrofitted to existing hulls or as an addition to new boats. The kit allows tacking without adjusting the jib sheets and includes a slightly smaller jib which is 3.0sqm. Around 6% less sail area than the standard jib at 3.2sqm.

2020 Twin Tiller Extension kit

In August 2020, a twin tiller extension kit was announced. The kit consists of a second tiller extension, bolts to attach both extensions to the tiller and a shock-cord and ring system to prevent the inactive tiller dragging in the water. The benefit is that you no longer have to pass the tiller around the stern when tacking.[16]

Performance
  • Top recorded Speed: 20.68 kn (38.30 km/h; 23.80 mph) by Tom Kirkman, USA.[17]
  • Rigging time: 20 minutes

[18]

See also

References
  1. Weta dealer update April 2017
  2. "Sailing World". Weta Trimaran Best Dinghy. Sailing World. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  3. "Yachting New Zealand". Directory of All Class Associations. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  4. "Federation Francaise de Voile". Les Associations de Classe. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  5. List of boats with RYA Portsmouth Numbers
  6. https://hansasailing.com/2016/11/13/hansa-303-named-one-new-para-world-sailing-classes/
  7. Auckland 2017 - https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Weta-to-be-part-of-the-World-Masters-Games/
  8. "Small Trimarans". How to Set Up a Weta Trimaran in 15 Minutes. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  9. Link text, Access date 30/06/2001.
  10. http://wetamarine.com/about/news/705-weta-celebrates-1000-boats
  11. http://www.wetamarine.com/owners/weta-world-map
  12. https://www.wetamarine.com/the-boat/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "British Weta Class Association: The Boat - Development".
  14. "Introducing the 2015 Weta".
  15. "New Self Tacking Jib - A Game Changer!". Weta Marine.
  16. "Twin tiller extension kit available now". Weta Marine.
  17. "23.8MPH Weta".
  18. "BoatDesign.net". Weta Trimaran-sailing worlds best dingy. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
Weta race start Huntington Lake
Team weta
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