Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Australian Multihull Nationals 2025 Preview

by Peter Hackett 26 Mar 03:25 PDT 2-6 April 2025
Ritalin © Peter Hackett

Well, here we are again. The diverse band known loosely as the Australian Multihulls is getting back together next week. Like so many other sailing groups, finding quality and quantity after that dirty big flu has been difficult.

The Aussie fleet of boats, from extreme rockets, to folding trailable semi-rockets, to bridge-deck cats looking like cruisers but going like rockets, meet on the start line at RQYS Manly on April 2 to 6 for another superb Moreton Bay Multihull Regatta.

While numbers are still coming in, I would like to dissect for you some of the entries and some of the improvements that these sailors spend a lot of time and money on to sail for the honours in OMR (Offshore Multihull Rating) which does a damn good job of fairly handicapping the wide range of boats here using sail and hull measurements, as well as crew weights.

In Div1 Mike Peberdy's newly converted Carbon12 Irens 12 now named Rare Groove will be the one to watch. Built in Denmark and brought here from Hong Kong, the massive canting rig is probably going to get this baby over the line first, although we have so far seen no speed data.

Gary Saxby's Excess, with recent foil innovations on this America's Cup Morelli and Melvin SL33 research catamaran brought out from New Zealand, has been doing sustained 27 knot legs so should be nearby. But then home built El Toro under Ben Kelly, Craig Humphries appropriately named ADHD 28 Ritalin, and the multiple championship Farrier F32SRX Crosshair of Gerald Valk doing 55 knots as I write this, will be snapping at the heels of the leaders. (Yes, on the highway from Adelaide). And don't forget Purple Haze that Danny and Alex MacMillan just got up to 30 knots GPS speed on the water in the Surf to City race.

My more civilised mates in Div2 will hopefully make my life hell on my F28R Intrigue this year, and I expect a big challenge from the three F22R's that are punching well above their weight. Andrew McLeod is bringing his ultra-lightweight carbon boat 2XS from Port Macquarie, to prey on SEQ boats, John Dowling's Endorfin and Julian Griffith's Midnight Rain which he recently purchased after originally building her 13 years ago.

Fresh off a recent win at Victoria's famous Marlay Point Race, Terry O'Brien will be bringing his RX The Stig up from Lake Macquarie to settle a few scores with his long carbon mast and recently changed sail wardrobe. Gordon Myers just made an untried loooong carbon mast out of the same mould for his Grainger 075 Harmony, and his new sails are going to make this little boat fly. And Adrian Relf reckons he will just be happy to get his just possessed F85SR Supersonic (ex Evil Gnome) on the race course, but we are sure he will be pushing the crew hard. A lot of this division, in fact one third of the fleet are folding Farrier trimarans, a strong testament to the class.

The Div 3 Bridge-deck cat fleet has a few boats with ratings that could place them in Div 1, but the ratings should ensure good racing probably dominated by Drew Carruthers' Rushour fresh from a number of course record wins including the Surf to City race and the arduous Melbourne to Devonport Westcoaster. A Shadow of Stealths (go on look up THAT collective noun) will be pushing each other, including Stuart Cox's Cut Snake, Pierre Gal's Fez, Stuart Malouf's recently purchased Coconuts, and Nick Lyons' Vela. Wayne Bloomer's Chill Pill and Matt Goulter's Duality will be keen to show what modern Schionning cats can do on the longer choppy courses. Richard Jenkins' home designed and rebuilt Kestrel and Andrew Stevenson's Seawind Double Black Diamond will be relying on good ratings and crew work to get them on the podium.

The fantastic thing about this fleet is that they are again pushing the rules, and developing the aerial and hydraulic foils in the interest of better speeds and finish times. It is certainly worth dropping in at Manly to see how many of these boats have followed, and in some cases are leading, worldwide trends of C-foils, T-foils, and J-foils to get those extra few knots of boat speed.

Bring it on.

Related Articles

Video Interview: Onboard the Excess 14
At the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2025 Excess have moved forward their designs with the Excess 13 and 14 cruising catamarans, so seeing the Excess 14 was high on the priority list, as well as talking to some exceptional high performance sailors on board to learn their thoughts. Posted on 3 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May
Excess Asia Pacific Monthly Update
Australia's first Excess 14 had a grand premiere at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Sh Australia's first Excess 14 had a grand premiere at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Our dealers in Australia 38 South Yacht Sales and Flagstaff Marine teamed up and represented Excess at the show. Posted on 29 May
Increased Crowds and Unrivalled Showcase
At 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May 2025. Posted on 28 May
A bumper show for TMG Yachts at Sanctuary Cove
With a premier lineup of luxury multihulls and motor yachts For TMG Yachts, the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show was a resounding success, with a premier lineup of luxury multihulls and motor yachts capturing the attention of boaters from across the country. Posted on 28 May
Lagoon 46 & 51 Iconic edition & NEO line launched
The brand's relentless pursuit of innovation, commitment to environment Lagoon Asia-Pacific is pleased to share with you some of our exciting projects: the Lagoon 46 & 51 ICONIC edition and the Lagoon NEO line, a strong testament of the brand's relentless pursuit of innovation, commitment to environment. Posted on 26 May
Records smashed at SCIBS 2025
Officially the Largest Ever Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Massive crowds enjoyed a spectacular 36th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with a record number of boats delivering an unsurpassed display of marine innovation, luxury and lifestyle. Posted on 25 May
36th SCIBS set to make waves
Ready for record-breaking attendances at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The countdown is over - Australia's most prestigious marine event is ready to make a splash! The 36th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show kicks off today, and it's set to be the biggest, boldest, and most breathtaking showcase in the event's history. Posted on 21 May
Spotlight on the stars
Top 12 highlights at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show If you're looking to sample all the excitement of Australia's premiere marine lifestyle showcase, these star attractions are sure to draw the crowds. Posted on 20 May
Discover the hybrid version of the Excess 11
Pairing a genset with twin electric engines By offering a hybrid engine aboard the Excess 11, our iconic, entry-level model, Excess Catamarans asserts its pioneer spirit, constantly innovating in the pursuit of a new way to cruise. Posted on 19 May
Sea Sure 2025Vaikobi 2024 DecemberSwitch One Design