Trehard Marine Vaimiti Overview
The Vaimiti is a pure charter boat, but atypical in a number of ways, from the hydrodynamics to the layout. The challenge when designing the boat was to achieve low draft with high stability. To meet this challenge, the designer used two shallow and short keels (perhaps unique to large cruising boats!) in combination with a moveable water ballast. The two keels provide enough side drag to sail on a sharp course, and the water ballast pumped into the windward tanks helps to develop enough recovering momentum. The interior layout of the Vaimiti is also unusual. Unlike most large charter yachts, where guest staterooms are located aft of the hull, here three cabins (including the master cabin) are forward of the central salon. Another cabin aft of the main saloon, but isolated from the crew quarters. This cabin was conceived to house the Very Important Guest, who should be completely undisturbed. A lot of effort was put into the ease of steering the yacht. The advanced hydraulic sail control systems eliminate the need for any manual handling of the gear.