Hi Jan, I've seen many trimaran reviews; yours was one of the top ones I've seen. And you're only starting. That's exceptional work. Authentic, your passion comes across. Really good vid. So keep going. I think trimarans have the potential to beat catamarans as the top cruising choice. Neel is onto the right idea re living space but they have terrible interior designs that feel ten years behind leading yachts. Imagine if they had the interior designer of the Lagoon 55. Now that, would be a world market winning amazing trimaran.
Hey @Webbrful, Thank you so much! This is really pushing me for more reviews! In september I will do a test of a Nautitech 46 Open and I hope for more yachts in that range. Besides I often sail on charter-Monos, which is not so thrilling for reviews. About the Trimarans, I fully agree. I really hope, other companies will pick up that concept. Rapido is narrow but fast, Dragonfly and Corsairs are traileable but too small for us, so for Tris, only Neels would be suitable. (I know, there are also Hammerheads and other custom yachts, but they are hard to judge for me). I heard, that the Interior from the Neel 51 is much better and I hope to see that in person soon. Cheers and stay tuned!
Hey @Abebe345, thanks a lot for your comment! I think, The Neel 45 would be perfect for a couple with one or two kids or one kids and occasional guests. Single handed I would prefer a different cockpit situation, therefore the other Neel models have a better access to the helm. (On the Neel 45 you always have to go around the seating area) If you sail as a couple or only do coastal cruising with the family, also the Neel 47 would do. But for ocean crossings, I wouldnt want my kids (or friends) to stay in the Amas. For just a couple or single handed, I would probably choose the Neel 43. We continue testing different multihulls and this year we will test a Nautitech 46 Open, so stay tuned! More videos like this will follow!
Seems like a part from the cabinetry you were impressed. Certainly from a sailing point of view. When I had a Corsair f31 it would dance quite a bit at anchor if using just the main hull. When I set up a bridal using one of the ama's centering the anchor rode between the main and the ama the boat would settle down and was fine. I really appreciated the lack of roll when anchoring in cove's with open ocean exposure. What a dream to sail. Also really liked sailing off shore being able to set a coffee and or a meal down and not worrying about it sliding off the table or deck. I love trimarans
Well done Jan, everyone is entitled to an opinion and so are you. You are almost certainly helping someone with this information. Kind regards Carry On crew.
Thanks for your comments! I indeed still love the Neels regarding the concept, sailing performance, space and comfort. But for quality I see at least the Neel 45 now as a white canvas, where you can do numerous improvements with good craftmanship and after market products. I read and heared often that the Neel 51 was better put together and had several improvements for liveability over the Neel 45 and Neel 47, which makes the Neel 51 my favorite next to an Outremer 49/51 for our planned trip starting in 2024. My impression about the Neel 45 was, that additional €50k invest into individual quality during production could easily result in 100-200k higher retail prices and also result in significantly less depreciation. Those boats have such a big competitive edge, but they loose it over quality. And unfortunately now Neel as a whole company got that image too. As I am searching for a 2nd hand boat, I should not complain about depreciation too much though! 😉
Hi Jan, thanks for the info, we are in the same position, looking for the perfect boat, leaving ‘23. I think we are almost there with our decision N47, some doubts about quality yes indeed. If you like to talk with us about how, what, if and that, we love to share our search- path. Nice Vid!
@@MrsJones2025 hey Lilian, thanks a lot! I am also really curious about your progress. Please keep me posted! Did you see my Neel 47 video? ruclips.net/video/9KQOHr7BHBo/видео.html I was also in contact with a N47 owner, who now is sailing around the Azores (Sailing Trimaran Trinity). It really depends, how big is your crew and what you are up to. Still dreaming about the Neel 51 for me and my family,.. No boat is perfect and you always have to compromize. I just too much love to sail the Tris and this outweights the (furniture) quality concerns for me. The boat structure was ok for me though. James from Carry on sailing already talked quite a lot about that already and he seems to be fine with it.
Nice Video, glad you liked the boat. Seeing this, I wish there were more trimarans inc harter. Greeting from Argos Yachtcharter crew, se you soon hopefully!
Hey @bora 773, Thanks for the cheering comment! Can't agree more! I really hope for more cruising tris with a bridgedeck concept! Please find me a Neel 51 as bareboat charter without skipper! 😉 (I am currently working on my SSS-offshore license and already passed the first exams, so Insurance conditions should not be an issue anymore for that large yacht?! 🤞) If not possible, also a Nautitech 46 Open, Outremer 49/51 would do for now,.. 😉
Thank you so much! I love both of you and your channel and you are so inspiring to me! We will cross the Atlantic in November 2024 and do the World Arc starting in St. Lucia early in 2025 with our family! Maybe we get to meet one time! Stay awesome!
Hallo @andalexba, Vielen Dank! Dieses Jahr gibt es noch einen weiteren Test (Nautitech 46 Open) und ggf. noch ein Video über eine Segelausbildung zum SSS. Cheers!
Hab mich in das Konzept und das Design der NEEL Trimarane echt verliebt - Besonders angetan hat es mir die NEEL 51, da mir dort das Konzept mit dem Zugang zu den "Außenkabinen" von innen noch besser zusagt.
Hallo @Patrick Kreft, vielen Dank für den Kommentar! Das sehe ich genauso. Die Neel 51 ist aktuell mein Favorit, ohne je damit gesegelt zu sein. Jetzt kommt auch die Neel 52 raus und löst die Neel 51 ab. Ich hoffe, dass die Preise weiter sinken und die Zinsen nicht weiter steigen,.. sonst muss die Yacht weiter schrumpfen,..
Hey @Bowen Dwelle, Thanks a lot for your comment! In September I may visit the Cannes Yachting Festival and there I might get a glance on the Neel 43. But for a qualified opinion I want to sail for a few days, look into every hatch and open every panel I can find. Independent of the budget, the different types appeal to different use cases. Single or couple? Neel 43. Family with 1-2 kids: Neel 45. Couple with occasional guests for coastal cruising or island hopping: Neel 47. Family for a world cruise: Neel 51. Soon to come for charter business or really large families: Neel 52. But besides the Neels, there are also many other catamaran brands with more sporty yachts. I will continue comparing! Cheers!
@@janwantstosail thanks so much, that's a great guideline... I also wonder what major design philosophy changes happened between the older 45 design and the newer 43/47...
Hey @@bdwelle43 , the Neel 45 has, as much as I can tell, much slimmer and sharper Amas (outriggers) than the Neel 47. All the newer neels have an open Saloon to give a more spacious/open feeling and more focus on comfort. The "Cockloon" became a signature feature, which also is seen in more other catamarans. I think, the focus of Neel is: most bang for the buck. Most speed, most space, but not necessarily best furniture but all for less price than compareable catamarans. I hope, this one improves, but even if not, it is fine for me, especially since the 2nd hand prices reflect that and I can live with bad furniture, but not with a boring and slow boat .
Hey @Kaorantin Duplenne, Thanks a lot! I indeed also do it for myself to summarize my thoughts, since I really want to do a good buying decision. Stay tuned, more videos will come!
I'm so happy that you don't like the quality of the finish. This will drive the price down to affordable levels... I don't care about the inside (my last sail was on a TS42, no cabinetry to talk about), it is absolutely good enough as it is!
Hey @Dominique, thanks for your comment! I am OK with the quality, since I also focus on sailing, but my wife didnt like it. The Neels are already sold for relatively low prices, compared to what they offer and the 2nd hand Neel 45 are almost bargains, starting already below €300k. Try to get this space and performance with other boats,.. I personally hope for more affordable 2nd hand Neel 51 in 2-3 years. TS42 is too small for what we want to do, but I really like it too! Would like to sail it once too. Cheers!
@@janwantstosail expect it to be much more rustic and your wife to literally hate it! Mine liked it, we both like simplicity. Id like a white painted neel 45 which would save another 0.5 ton...
@@DB-hy9wl i also really like white paint! And 500kg less is a lot! That thought actually makes me smile! My wife was in the office furniture industry, she likes marble, steel and solid wood,. She will have to compromise a little though,..
Comment, at 8.20 I meant sugarscoops, not transoms. The hard bimi top/extended coachroof is already an improvement over the previous neel, but it should be more wide, since rain drops on the cushions in the cockpit, when it rains. And I am 1.79m which is ca. 5 feet 11, the beds are 1.90m long, which is more than 6 feet.
For ocean crossings etc, you probably keep the motor at 1800 rpm for fuel conversation and calculation. Also I am glad you note what Wiley Sharpe said is total rubbish.
@@carryonsailing I always wondered, wether Wiley Sharpes blaming was correct or not, so I even tried different bridle situations to induce movements, but it didnt happen as he claimed. Only one time, when I pulled the bridle too far to starboard, the bridle rope was rubbing over the deck during wind changes, which was bugging me a little. The Lagoons that we chartered before in my eyes were moving even more, especially, when speedboats passed by. I felt really good and comfortable at anchor.
Hey @Right Right, Thanks a lot! We did not try that, I would think so though. The leeward ama is continuously dipped into the water so it should feel like a catamaran hull, while the windward ama is dipping into the water once in a while. When on deck I felt this really smooth, so I wouldnt think that it is so bad, but I can't tell for sure. BUT: The Amas would need an air circulation which works on the way. When on the way, we always closed/seald the hull. Hope to get a chance to review a Neel 51 soon, so maybe I can give an answer then!
Hallo Jan, tolles Review! Vielen Dank für die Arbeit die du da reingesteckt hast. Ich habe eine Frage bzgl. Theoretischer Ausbildung: Wie denkst du über den SKS? Unbedingt empfehlenswert wenn man wie du ernsthaft die Weltmeere segeln will oder reicht genügend Praxis? Wie hast du deine Praxis bekommen bevor du das erste Mal eine Yacht gechartert hast? Hintergrund meiner Frage ist: Mein größter Traum ist mit eigenem Boot den Atlantik zu überqueren und die Karibik zu entdecken und ich frage mich wie ich das am besten angehe. Viele Grüße , Mathias
Hallo Matthias, vielen Dank! Ich kann Deinen Traum nur zu gut nachvollziehen! 😊 Mit dem SBF See darfst Du auf dem eigenen Boot auch über den Atlantik segeln. Ohne SKS (und ggf. ohne SRC) bekommst Du aber bei vernünftigen Vercharterern kein Boot. Auch sonst würde ich zumindest den SKS empfehlen. Beim SKS lernt man noch viel über die Bootstechnik und Notsituationen. Dazu muss man ein paar Manöver fahren. Aber richtig segeln lernt man nur durch viel Praxis. Ich selbst habe mit knapp 10 Jahren mit dem Opti angefangen und bin früh auch große Regatten gesegelt, dann 420er. Die erste Yacht (Gib Sea 33) hatte ich allerdings in Thailand nur mit einem A-Schein (Vorgänger zum SBF Binnen, den ich mit 14 gemacht hatte, also ohne Motorzusatz) gechartert, das hatte dort niemanden interessiert. Aus heutiger Sicht finde ich das allerdings fahrlässig, auch wenn ich schon etliche Meilen gesegelt war. Aber ich war halt jung,.. Inzwischen habe ich aber auch SSS und LRC und plane nächstes Jahr noch den SHS, allerdings das alles nur zum "Spaß" und aus Interesse. Würde mit SBF Binnen/See und Jollen anfangen, weil man da ein sehr gutes Gespür für den Wind bekommt, dann SKS, (danach oder davor) Skippertraining und mehrfach chartern. Segeln selbst lernt man sehr schnell, aber vor Allem in Stresssituationen ist es wichtig, die Lage schnell und richtig einzuschätzen und da hilft nur Übung. Lass Dich nie entmutigen. Viele meinen es besser zu wissen, sind aber nur Dumschwätzer. Also raus aufs Wasser und lass Dich den Wind spüren und das Boot durch das Wasser gleiten!
@@janwantstosail Hallo Jan, herzlichen Dank für deine Antwort! Ich werde deinem Rat folgen und den SKS irgendwann machen. SBF habe ich schon und seit diesem Jahr segel ich mit eigenem Boot, einem Hobie17 Kat. Es macht viel Spass. Bin gespannt auf dein nächstes Video! Ich hoffe du lässt uns weiter an deinen Erfahrungen Teil haben. Viele Grüße
Dabei sieht die Genua noch relativ klein aus. Mich würde es interessieren, wie es mal bei einer größeres Genua oder einer J aussieht, oder ob man dann auch Wanten und das komplette Rigg verstärken muss. Edit. Okay das mit der Genua revidiere ich, das muss definitiv am Anfang die Selbstwende Fok sein, später sieht man ja die Genua, hatte mich schon gewundert, dass die innen angeschlagen ist, aber vertraute auf dein Wort^^ Wenn ich richtig liege, sind die Wassertank nicht im Motorraum, bei den größeren Modellen.
Hallo @HairBeard, ;-) Ich finde die Kuttertakelung super. Doof ist nur, dass die Genua keine Holepunktverstellung hatte. Das ließe sich aber sicherlich nachrüsten. Ich hatte die Neel 45 auch mit Blister bestellt, die wollten mir diese aber nicht aushändigen, ohne dass der Eigner zustimmt. War da doch etwas enttäuscht. Allerdings war es auch unterwegs etwas böig. Das Rigg hat auf mich einen stabilen Eindruck gemacht, Wie gesagt, Kuttergetakelt, zwei doppelte Wanten, die mir auch gut dimensioniert schienen. Es gab das Boot auch mit längerem Karbonmast und Performance-Segeln. Es geht also auch deutlich mehr. Ich selbst hätte mir für mein Vorhaben noch ein Oxley o.Ä. geholt.
@@janwantstosail Ich glaube da muss man dann ansetzen beim eigenen. Einmal Handreling komplett auch vorne rum ziehen, dann solche zusätzlichen Punkte anbringen. Man muss einfach nochmal einiges in der Hand behalten um individuelle Anpassungen zu machen und die Segel selbst erweitern ;)
@@HairBeard Genau das war auch mein Fazit. Im Video benenne ich ja auch ziemlich viele Dinge. Gutes Konzept, gute Rumpfqualität, bzw. brauchbare Basis zu einem relativ günstigen Preis. Ausführung so lala, aber man kann ziemlich alles beheben, verbessern, bzw. individualisieren. Als ich auf der Neel 47 unterwegs war, gab es gar keine Reling auf dem Deck und auch auf dieser Neel 45 hatte der Eigner noch einiges nachgerüstet. (Wir hatten danach noch per Email Kontakt) Also Boot nackig (oder gebraucht) kaufen und dann zwecks Großeinkauf zum Yachtausrüster, ein paar Wochen/Monate basteln und dann hat man wahrscheinlich ein wirklich tolles Boot. Ich meine, Neel hätte die Qualität von Werk aus deutlich besser machen sollen und dann könnten die auch gerne 20% mehr verlangen. Die Neel 51 soll aber auch ab Werk ganz OK sein. War aber leider noch nie damit unterwegs, ich arbeite aber daran!
@@janwantstosail Es ist ein Solent Rig. Beim Solent Rig stehen Vorstag und "Fockstag" so dicht hintereinander wie hier. Das begrenzt den Kurs, bei dem beide Vorsegel zusammengefahren werden können, erheblich. Sinn der Sache ist, dass man auf ein kleineres Segel mit zunehmendem Wind wechseln kann ohne ein neues Segel setzen zu müssen, da ja beide als Rollvorsegel bereits angeschlagen sind. Riesennachteil ist, dass man die Genua zum Wenden einrollen muss, da man das Segel sonst nicht auf die andere Seite bekommt. Beim Kutterrigg ist der Abstand zwischen den beiden Vorstagen sehr viel grösser, das Wenden unter dem vordersten Vorsegel ist kein Problem und man kann auf allen Kursen beide Vorsegel gemeinsam fahren. Es gab eine Competition Version, grössere Segel, höherer Mast, Dyneema Wanten, Carbon Mast, Schwert und 500 kg leichter. Aber die Beschläge sind stärker konfiguiert meines Wissens.
@@maddocmucmaddocmuc5341 Du hast eigentlich Recht. Die Fock ist allerdings zwar weit Vorne im Bug angeschlagen, aber nicht so hoch im Mast wie bei einem Solent eigentlich üblich. Dazu ist die Fock, wenn ich mich recht erinnere, nicht an einem Stag angebracht, sondern an einem Fall ohne fester Vorstagrolle, sodass man die Fock auch runternehmen kann, also wäre es eigentlich eine Slup und als Slup steht es auch in der Bootsbeschrebung von Neel. Auch hier bietet die Neel viel Futter für Diskussionen! 🙂 Die Neel ist einiges, aber ganz sicher nicht langweilig! und mit Competition Setup macht es sicherlich noch mehr Spaß. Mit einiger Umsicht und nicht zu viel Wind konnten wir bei einer Halse die Genua vorne aber durchziehen, bei mehr Wind würden wir das aber nicht probieren und bei einer Wende schon gar nicht. Beide Vorsegel hatten wir nur beim Segelwechsel gleichzeitig oben. In diesem Jahr segeln wir mit einer Nautitech 46 Open. bin sehr gespannt, wie das wird. Eine Neel 51 bekomme ich einfach nicht als Bareboat zur Hand,..
hello Jan, thanks so much for a great video. I'm also considering a Neel purchase as a liveaboard. I believe I've chartered the exact same boat in Pula. Is there any chance you could share your passage plan with me? We're going in early September and I would love to use your experience to inform our route.
Hey Ben, thanks for your comment! How was your experience with Mizar? Any other thoughts than what I brought up? We are planning for the ARC, crossing the Atlantic in November 2024 then the World ARC starting in St. Lucia early 2025. The dates and routes will be shared by the world cruising club! We plan to have 1-2 cabine ready for charter, in case,.. End of August we will again be in Croatia for testing a Nautitech 46 Open and I will also share a test video about that yacht. So stay tuned! 👍
Yes, thanks for the hint. We should have strapped it somehow to prevent those swinging. Saw now in the vid, that especially in the beginning it looked wild. Most of the time it was calm and we splashed it multiple times per day.
Curious if you've had a chance to sail the new 43. It's a size I'm really drawn to. My last modern boat was a Corsair 31. It's brilliant and for me not a long distance vessel. Had a ball sailing to Cabo San Lucas from San Diego. Surfing the boat a hundred miles offshore not something I want to take my family on was great with my friend another avid sailor. I have a Horstman 43 it's a large boat older trimaran and I'm really thinking I want to get back into the modern technologies. Thanks for your post. & Cheers from California
Hey @dhincks1, thanks for your comment! I never saw thenNeel 43 in person and it also is not suitable for us as a family, but if I were alone or a couple on a world cruise, this probably would be the one for me. The Horstman looks really curious to me , but it is a really different concept to the Neels. I really hope, that other companies will start building sailing Tris with this large bridgedeck. I really love Corsairs and Dragonflys, but just as weekend racer or for a holiday with just a small crew. No boat is perfect, but nowadays we must do less compromises, since there are better offers on the market. Thanks for your comments and Cheers from Germany!
@Mal L Oh yes, Rapidos are great! I would love to sail them for some time. I really believe that they are a lot of fun. Only they don't tick some of my boxes. No.1: I can't afford one. And also the living space is limited. So in the Rapido60 you will have a similar space like somewhere between a Neel 43 or Neel 47, which then still cost a fraction. If money is no issue and with a smaller family, the Rapido 60 would be on my list! And for my point of view, the hulls of the Neels are good, sailing is great and who cares about furniture,.. I think, the Neel 43s will be quite affordable as 3-8 year old 2nd hand boats. If I was sailing just as a couple, or even alone, the Neel 43 would probably the boat for me. Thanks a lot for your feedback!👍
thanks for the video. Why did you abort because of the windage? You couldn't get a good heading (what could you do?) or was it dangerous? Do you think with the right kind of equipment it could be a round the world live aboard for a couple? I love the idea of the tri and I find beautiful. I don't care so much about cabinetry either. Was the quality of sailing equipment good?
Hello @tonewreck1, thanks for your comment and your questions! I did not get some parts of your question, but I just try to answer, how I understood it. We did not abort any maneouver, only in the marina I was happy to have the bow thruster, since it is somehow like maneouvering a huge pontoon in a tight space, while the boat is quite light and still has a good freeboard and therefore also it is more sensitive to wind than a keel yacht. While tacking, we originally had the main too tight and not trimmed well, so we could not go through the wind the first time. I had to get used to the offset position from the helm to judge the shape and the position of the sails right (I had the main too much pulled windward the first time). So playing with the main sheets really helped with tacking and courses close to the wind. For sailing, i now am spoiled. I can't express, how much I loved to sail this boat, to feel how it cuts through the waves and feel the acceleration when you put the boat off the wind. For the sailing equipment, I had email contact with the owner and he told me, that they did quite a few things to improve the boat and except not to have blocks at the reefing lines, it was fine for me. (Well, the Genua also did not have an adjustable sheeting point) And I fully agree: This idea of a Tri is great for sailing, elegant and beautiful. I really love it! Besides sailing: For a couple with 1-2 this boat is fine also to sail around the world, but the cabinet space is limited, especially in the kitchen. (I personally think, I would take it around the world with my family!) The cabinetry on this very boat was soso, shades were not properly screwed into the walls, one hinge was off, one veneer part broke off, when I touched it with my bare skin (ellbow),.. But those complaints about the furniture don't do the boat right. It still is a great boat. If I want good cabinetry, I go to a furniture store. ==>I love the Neel 45, my kids love the Neel 45, my wife does not. :-(
@@janwantstosail Hello Jan, thank you so much for the reply. My question was a bout the moment in the video when you say there was 40 knots of wind and you had to abort. I was wondering why exactly. Cheers
@@tonewreck1 correct, you meant the following video: ruclips.net/video/lWChSZhoAmw/видео.html which is my video. We aborted for safety reasons: I did not know the boat too well, we had too much sails standing and the boat got the main hull out of the water which frightened me to no end. Skipper told me that there was nothing to worry about but I had my family on board and we aborted. I noticed that the main hull was flying because there wa no longer any lateral resistance and the boat made a huge leap leewards thankfully because of the clever design of the amas which are very flat in he rear section. Wind pressure was immediately reduced by this and in he aftermath, I was very thankful for this design. Meanwhile, we have bought a Neel 45 ("quartet", french flag), which was the personal yacht of the shipyard founder, eric bruneel. It is a competition version, carbon mast, daggerboard and only 6 tons. We just came back fro a 6 weeks trip around the balear islands and we are very pleased with the boat. What surprised me the most (apart from the extreme acceleration of the ship under any wind conditions) is the fact that there is no transitonal phase when the boats starts surfing. It simply exalerates so 11 knots and then you hear a very light vibrating sound and see the stern wave disappear far behind the boat. First time we noticed that because I could simply not identify the origin of the slight vibrating sound and when I looked at the speed we were doing 13.4 knots and were peacefully surfing dorn a wave with wind coming directly from the back. All this was under autopilot conditions, there was nobody at the helm and we were enjoying dinner in the cockpit... very fascinating.
Hello @Camilo 17! This Neel 45 had the European 240V/50Hz AC with the normal Europlug (EN 50075) driven by Inverters / land power. But I would expect, that you also can get it with a 110V system and the American sockets. Also for DC it had USB Type A sockets, but also 12V car boardnet sockets. at the Nav-station. As far as I remember, it had the USB-sockets in each cabin including the Amas, but I am not sure right now. Seems I must charter it again! ;-)
@@janwantstosail Thanks Man, there is very little information about the neel, these videos help a lot to make a final decision. I think these trimaran are fantastic... I prefer that 45 than the 47. good navigation my friend 👌🏻⛵
@@camilo1790 Always happy to help. Neel 45 or Neel 47? Really much depends on the use-case as we already discussed in this comment section,.. Both have Pros and Cons over the other,.. Anyhow, can't wait to get my hands on a Neel 51,.. On paper that one checks all boxes for me for my plans!
Hi Jan, I share your attitude towards the boat 100%. I have been saling on 2 Summer vacations an a neel 45 old model and found it fascinating (ruclips.net/video/lWChSZhoAmw/видео.html). This year I chartered a Neel 51 with my family for 3 weeks and I would like to share my impression with you. It is twice as expensive but not 3 times better but 3 times heavier. It does not share the 45`s explosive acceleration. Conditions like waves from the side plus wind speed below 10 knots are very annoying and hardly manageable under sail because the massive buyoncy of he massive amas means that the boat makes violent rolling movements which impair the sails from keeping their profile. Optics should not be an issue but anything that looks well will sail well and where the 45 has a certain elegance, the 51 simply is brutally massive. I do have a very split opinion about the 51. It is extremely comfortable but if you are a sailor, you will love the 45 more. They are entirely different beasts.
Hey @maddocmuc, Thanks a lot for this really useful comment! I also really much like your video too! I know, there is no perfect boat and unfortunately I am now spoiled with the sailing performance of the Neel 45. About the Neel 51, I knew that it is not as agile as the Neel 45, but I always thought, it comes close. I have seen some Neel 51 in La Rochelle, when I sailed the Neel 47 two years ago and they really looked intimidating to me. That time they were not on my shortlist, so I did not bother to have a closer look which I regret now. I really need to charter the Neel 51 for some time, only I just found pricy charter options with a mandatory Skipper. Where did you charter it? Would you mind to forward a contact to me? Whenever we charter, we also would like to bring family and friends. A Skipper is not just a foreign person on board, he also occupies my cabin! ;-) Since you obviously sailed two of my most favourite boats, I assume you also tried other performance multihulls too? Could you recommend another one to test? I aim for a vessel to carry my family around the world safely (and with fun and comfortably), starting in November 2024. We are a family of 4 but we want to be able to have a second family of 4 as guests. So we would need 8 berths. We plan to go witht he World ARC, so I prefer to have a fast vessel since we only have 2 years for the whole trip. I sailed several monos, but also a Lagoon 450F, which was good at anchor but terrible to sail. On my shortlist also is an Outremer 49/51 as 4 cabin layout or maybe a Catana 47/50. If we were just 2-4 people (and never more), the Neel 45 would be fine for me though and my wife would have to swallow that pill with the interiors. (She likes marble, ganite, steel, solid oak, etc. which is a conflict to my targets anyway,..)
Dear Jan, critically considering your long distance plans with up to 8 people, I would strongly sugest the Neel 51. After your Post I dug out the photos of our recent trip with the Neel 51 (August 2021) and I found one showing a speed of 9.5 knots at 12.7 knots of TWS at a true wind angle of 80°. But I must admit we were experiementing with the sails and flew main with 2 reefs, genua a n d jibe. I must admit that the boat was sailing out of the suggested sailplan envelope but went very well und this stupid sail plan, the rudder index showing neutral position. We might have found the ideal combination that day in the strait of bonifacio... I am not sure, Maybe the high sitting position of about 3 Meters above sealevel conveys a much slower speed than the ship is actually doing. Anyway: Long distance with many people: Neel 51. Mediterranean with max. 4: Neel 45... We rent our Neel 51 at: www.emeraudemulticoques.com/ ask for Jean Noel or Robin and say hello from me (Jan also...) . You should definetely charter the 51 for a week. Skipper is mandatory, it is a complex machine. Price per week is about 7.500 Euros plus skipper 2.100 euros... Bring along some friends, split the fee....
Jan, Thanks a lot again! I just contacted them via their website. I must say, I am really curious about the Neel 51 and from the videos I saw, I believe, my wife and my kids also will like it. I will consider the skipper then more as a trainer than as a skipper and try to learn as much as possible. Cheers!
Hello@@georgefrankpitt , I think, the Neel 43 concept is a little strange with an open bed in the saloon and the nav station configuration. 43 feet and that length is for several other cats enough for 4 doubles and 4 heads. Havent seen one in person yet though. Fine for a couple with one small kid, but not for more in my eyes. If I were alone, this would be the boat for me though.
It depends how you see it. You get lots of bang for the buck, and the bucks were saved on the interior. The furniture was questionable, the boat structure seemed to be good for me. In my eyes it is a great boat with big potential for improvement/customization. And don't forget, the boat is built for lightweight and speed and should not be overloaded.
Hey @Chicken Soup, Yes, you are right, like with many mass production boat builders (from france). I hope, the newer models are getting better, since the sailing really was rewarding and a pure joy. All boats are a compromize and the joinery definately is on the downside here. More videos about other boats will come, so stay tuned!
Hi Jan, I've seen many trimaran reviews; yours was one of the top ones I've seen. And you're only starting. That's exceptional work. Authentic, your passion comes across. Really good vid. So keep going.
I think trimarans have the potential to beat catamarans as the top cruising choice. Neel is onto the right idea re living space but they have terrible interior designs that feel ten years behind leading yachts. Imagine if they had the interior designer of the Lagoon 55. Now that, would be a world market winning amazing trimaran.
Hey @Webbrful, Thank you so much! This is really pushing me for more reviews! In september I will do a test of a Nautitech 46 Open and I hope for more yachts in that range. Besides I often sail on charter-Monos, which is not so thrilling for reviews.
About the Trimarans, I fully agree. I really hope, other companies will pick up that concept. Rapido is narrow but fast, Dragonfly and Corsairs are traileable but too small for us, so for Tris, only Neels would be suitable. (I know, there are also Hammerheads and other custom yachts, but they are hard to judge for me).
I heard, that the Interior from the Neel 51 is much better and I hope to see that in person soon.
Cheers and stay tuned!
This seems like the ideal sailboat for the solo or small family w great speed, handling, ride, layout, and many other details you cover.
Hey @Abebe345, thanks a lot for your comment!
I think, The Neel 45 would be perfect for a couple with one or two kids or one kids and occasional guests. Single handed I would prefer a different cockpit situation, therefore the other Neel models have a better access to the helm. (On the Neel 45 you always have to go around the seating area) If you sail as a couple or only do coastal cruising with the family, also the Neel 47 would do. But for ocean crossings, I wouldnt want my kids (or friends) to stay in the Amas. For just a couple or single handed, I would probably choose the Neel 43. We continue testing different multihulls and this year we will test a Nautitech 46 Open, so stay tuned! More videos like this will follow!
Seems like a part from the cabinetry you were impressed. Certainly from a sailing point of view. When I had a Corsair f31 it would dance quite a bit at anchor if using just the main hull. When I set up a bridal using one of the ama's centering the anchor rode between the main and the ama the boat would settle down and was fine. I really appreciated the lack of roll when anchoring in cove's with open ocean exposure. What a dream to sail. Also really liked sailing off shore being able to set a coffee and or a meal down and not worrying about it sliding off the table or deck. I love trimarans
I fully agree. Thanks a lot for your comment! Soon we will see, which boat we will get for our endeavour,..
Well done Jan, everyone is entitled to an opinion and so are you. You are almost certainly helping someone with this information. Kind regards Carry On crew.
Thanks for your comments! I indeed still love the Neels regarding the concept, sailing performance, space and comfort. But for quality I see at least the Neel 45 now as a white canvas, where you can do numerous improvements with good craftmanship and after market products. I read and heared often that the Neel 51 was better put together and had several improvements for liveability over the Neel 45 and Neel 47, which makes the Neel 51 my favorite next to an Outremer 49/51 for our planned trip starting in 2024.
My impression about the Neel 45 was, that additional €50k invest into individual quality during production could easily result in 100-200k higher retail prices and also result in significantly less depreciation. Those boats have such a big competitive edge, but they loose it over quality. And unfortunately now Neel as a whole company got that image too.
As I am searching for a 2nd hand boat, I should not complain about depreciation too much though! 😉
Hi Jan, thanks for the info, we are in the same position, looking for the perfect boat, leaving ‘23. I think we are almost there with our decision N47, some doubts about quality yes indeed. If you like to talk with us about how, what, if and that, we love to share our search- path. Nice Vid!
Oh and thanks Carry on Sailing. You and Talata made our choice a lot less complex. Neel should be very supportive to you both.
@@MrsJones2025 hey Lilian, thanks a lot! I am also really curious about your progress. Please keep me posted! Did you see my Neel 47 video? ruclips.net/video/9KQOHr7BHBo/видео.html
I was also in contact with a N47 owner, who now is sailing around the Azores (Sailing Trimaran Trinity).
It really depends, how big is your crew and what you are up to. Still dreaming about the Neel 51 for me and my family,..
No boat is perfect and you always have to compromize. I just too much love to sail the Tris and this outweights the (furniture) quality concerns for me. The boat structure was ok for me though. James from Carry on sailing already talked quite a lot about that already and he seems to be fine with it.
Quality is fine folks. Same as all the other boats.
Very informative, well done, thanks Jan!
Also here, thanks for the feedback! This summer, I will review a Nautitech 46 Open, so stay tuned!
Nice Video, glad you liked the boat. Seeing this, I wish there were more trimarans inc harter. Greeting from Argos Yachtcharter crew, se you soon hopefully!
Hey @bora 773, Thanks for the cheering comment! Can't agree more! I really hope for more cruising tris with a bridgedeck concept! Please find me a Neel 51 as bareboat charter without skipper! 😉
(I am currently working on my SSS-offshore license and already passed the first exams, so Insurance conditions should not be an issue anymore for that large yacht?! 🤞)
If not possible, also a Nautitech 46 Open, Outremer 49/51 would do for now,.. 😉
Good stuff! Thanks for making the vid!
Thank you so much! I love both of you and your channel and you are so inspiring to me! We will cross the Atlantic in November 2024 and do the World Arc starting in St. Lucia early in 2025 with our family! Maybe we get to meet one time! Stay awesome!
I hope so. Fair winds!
Es ist ein Traumboot. Danke für die Vorstellung. LG
Hallo @andalexba, Vielen Dank! Dieses Jahr gibt es noch einen weiteren Test (Nautitech 46 Open) und ggf. noch ein Video über eine Segelausbildung zum SSS. Cheers!
amazing trimaran!
Hab mich in das Konzept und das Design der NEEL Trimarane echt verliebt - Besonders angetan hat es mir die NEEL 51, da mir dort das Konzept mit dem Zugang zu den "Außenkabinen" von innen noch besser zusagt.
Hallo @Patrick Kreft, vielen Dank für den Kommentar! Das sehe ich genauso. Die Neel 51 ist aktuell mein Favorit, ohne je damit gesegelt zu sein. Jetzt kommt auch die Neel 52 raus und löst die Neel 51 ab. Ich hoffe, dass die Preise weiter sinken und die Zinsen nicht weiter steigen,.. sonst muss die Yacht weiter schrumpfen,..
The anchoring I learned for my tri was from ama to main hull this stopped the anchor swing.
Thanks for the tipp! I had still set up a bridle from the amas, will try your way th next time!
A NEEL 43 is more in my budget than the 47, so I would l would love to see your comments comparing the older 45 with the new 43.
Hey @Bowen Dwelle, Thanks a lot for your comment! In September I may visit the Cannes Yachting Festival and there I might get a glance on the Neel 43. But for a qualified opinion I want to sail for a few days, look into every hatch and open every panel I can find. Independent of the budget, the different types appeal to different use cases. Single or couple? Neel 43. Family with 1-2 kids: Neel 45. Couple with occasional guests for coastal cruising or island hopping: Neel 47. Family for a world cruise: Neel 51. Soon to come for charter business or really large families: Neel 52. But besides the Neels, there are also many other catamaran brands with more sporty yachts. I will continue comparing! Cheers!
@@janwantstosail thanks so much, that's a great guideline... I also wonder what major design philosophy changes happened between the older 45 design and the newer 43/47...
Hey @@bdwelle43 , the Neel 45 has, as much as I can tell, much slimmer and sharper Amas (outriggers) than the Neel 47. All the newer neels have an open Saloon to give a more spacious/open feeling and more focus on comfort. The "Cockloon" became a signature feature, which also is seen in more other catamarans. I think, the focus of Neel is: most bang for the buck. Most speed, most space, but not necessarily best furniture but all for less price than compareable catamarans. I hope, this one improves, but even if not, it is fine for me, especially since the 2nd hand prices reflect that and I can live with bad furniture, but not with a boring and slow boat .
Really good, honnest video.
Hey @Kaorantin Duplenne, Thanks a lot! I indeed also do it for myself to summarize my thoughts, since I really want to do a good buying decision. Stay tuned, more videos will come!
Great review thanks!
Hey @Geoff Collinson, Thanks a lot!
I'm so happy that you don't like the quality of the finish. This will drive the price down to affordable levels... I don't care about the inside (my last sail was on a TS42, no cabinetry to talk about), it is absolutely good enough as it is!
Hey @Dominique, thanks for your comment! I am OK with the quality, since I also focus on sailing, but my wife didnt like it. The Neels are already sold for relatively low prices, compared to what they offer and the 2nd hand Neel 45 are almost bargains, starting already below €300k. Try to get this space and performance with other boats,.. I personally hope for more affordable 2nd hand Neel 51 in 2-3 years. TS42 is too small for what we want to do, but I really like it too! Would like to sail it once too. Cheers!
@@janwantstosail expect it to be much more rustic and your wife to literally hate it! Mine liked it, we both like simplicity. Id like a white painted neel 45 which would save another 0.5 ton...
@@DB-hy9wl i also really like white paint! And 500kg less is a lot! That thought actually makes me smile! My wife was in the office furniture industry, she likes marble, steel and solid wood,. She will have to compromise a little though,..
Comment, at 8.20 I meant sugarscoops, not transoms. The hard bimi top/extended coachroof is already an improvement over the previous neel, but it should be more wide, since rain drops on the cushions in the cockpit, when it rains. And I am 1.79m which is ca. 5 feet 11, the beds are 1.90m long, which is more than 6 feet.
For ocean crossings etc, you probably keep the motor at 1800 rpm for fuel conversation and calculation. Also I am glad you note what Wiley Sharpe said is total rubbish.
@@carryonsailing I always wondered, wether Wiley Sharpes blaming was correct or not, so I even tried different bridle situations to induce movements, but it didnt happen as he claimed. Only one time, when I pulled the bridle too far to starboard, the bridle rope was rubbing over the deck during wind changes, which was bugging me a little. The Lagoons that we chartered before in my eyes were moving even more, especially, when speedboats passed by. I felt really good and comfortable at anchor.
Wow, best review. Can u sleep in the AMAs while on the way?
Hey @Right Right, Thanks a lot!
We did not try that, I would think so though. The leeward ama is continuously dipped into the water so it should feel like a catamaran hull, while the windward ama is dipping into the water once in a while. When on deck I felt this really smooth, so I wouldnt think that it is so bad, but I can't tell for sure. BUT: The Amas would need an air circulation which works on the way. When on the way, we always closed/seald the hull. Hope to get a chance to review a Neel 51 soon, so maybe I can give an answer then!
Hallo Jan, tolles Review! Vielen Dank für die Arbeit die du da reingesteckt hast. Ich habe eine Frage bzgl. Theoretischer Ausbildung: Wie denkst du über den SKS? Unbedingt empfehlenswert wenn man wie du ernsthaft die Weltmeere segeln will oder reicht genügend Praxis? Wie hast du deine Praxis bekommen bevor du das erste Mal eine Yacht gechartert hast? Hintergrund meiner Frage ist: Mein größter Traum ist mit eigenem Boot den Atlantik zu überqueren und die Karibik zu entdecken und ich frage mich wie ich das am besten angehe. Viele Grüße , Mathias
Hallo Matthias, vielen Dank! Ich kann Deinen Traum nur zu gut nachvollziehen! 😊
Mit dem SBF See darfst Du auf dem eigenen Boot auch über den Atlantik segeln. Ohne SKS (und ggf. ohne SRC) bekommst Du aber bei vernünftigen Vercharterern kein Boot.
Auch sonst würde ich zumindest den SKS empfehlen. Beim SKS lernt man noch viel über die Bootstechnik und Notsituationen. Dazu muss man ein paar Manöver fahren.
Aber richtig segeln lernt man nur durch viel Praxis.
Ich selbst habe mit knapp 10 Jahren mit dem Opti angefangen und bin früh auch große Regatten gesegelt, dann 420er. Die erste Yacht (Gib Sea 33) hatte ich allerdings in Thailand nur mit einem A-Schein (Vorgänger zum SBF Binnen, den ich mit 14 gemacht hatte, also ohne Motorzusatz) gechartert, das hatte dort niemanden interessiert. Aus heutiger Sicht finde ich das allerdings fahrlässig, auch wenn ich schon etliche Meilen gesegelt war. Aber ich war halt jung,..
Inzwischen habe ich aber auch SSS und LRC und plane nächstes Jahr noch den SHS, allerdings das alles nur zum "Spaß" und aus Interesse.
Würde mit SBF Binnen/See und Jollen anfangen, weil man da ein sehr gutes Gespür für den Wind bekommt, dann SKS, (danach oder davor) Skippertraining und mehrfach chartern.
Segeln selbst lernt man sehr schnell, aber vor Allem in Stresssituationen ist es wichtig, die Lage schnell und richtig einzuschätzen und da hilft nur Übung.
Lass Dich nie entmutigen. Viele meinen es besser zu wissen, sind aber nur Dumschwätzer. Also raus aufs Wasser und lass Dich den Wind spüren und das Boot durch das Wasser gleiten!
@@janwantstosail Hallo Jan, herzlichen Dank für deine Antwort! Ich werde deinem Rat folgen und den SKS irgendwann machen. SBF habe ich schon und seit diesem Jahr segel ich mit eigenem Boot, einem Hobie17 Kat. Es macht viel Spass. Bin gespannt auf dein nächstes Video! Ich hoffe du lässt uns weiter an deinen Erfahrungen Teil haben. Viele Grüße
Dabei sieht die Genua noch relativ klein aus. Mich würde es interessieren, wie es mal bei einer größeres Genua oder einer J aussieht, oder ob man dann auch Wanten und das komplette Rigg verstärken muss.
Edit. Okay das mit der Genua revidiere ich, das muss definitiv am Anfang die Selbstwende Fok sein, später sieht man ja die Genua, hatte mich schon gewundert, dass die innen angeschlagen ist, aber vertraute auf dein Wort^^
Wenn ich richtig liege, sind die Wassertank nicht im Motorraum, bei den größeren Modellen.
Hallo @HairBeard, ;-) Ich finde die Kuttertakelung super. Doof ist nur, dass die Genua keine Holepunktverstellung hatte. Das ließe sich aber sicherlich nachrüsten.
Ich hatte die Neel 45 auch mit Blister bestellt, die wollten mir diese aber nicht aushändigen, ohne dass der Eigner zustimmt. War da doch etwas enttäuscht. Allerdings war es auch unterwegs etwas böig.
Das Rigg hat auf mich einen stabilen Eindruck gemacht, Wie gesagt, Kuttergetakelt, zwei doppelte Wanten, die mir auch gut dimensioniert schienen.
Es gab das Boot auch mit längerem Karbonmast und Performance-Segeln. Es geht also auch deutlich mehr.
Ich selbst hätte mir für mein Vorhaben noch ein Oxley o.Ä. geholt.
@@janwantstosail Ich glaube da muss man dann ansetzen beim eigenen. Einmal Handreling komplett auch vorne rum ziehen, dann solche zusätzlichen Punkte anbringen. Man muss einfach nochmal einiges in der Hand behalten um individuelle Anpassungen zu machen und die Segel selbst erweitern ;)
@@HairBeard Genau das war auch mein Fazit. Im Video benenne ich ja auch ziemlich viele Dinge.
Gutes Konzept, gute Rumpfqualität, bzw. brauchbare Basis zu einem relativ günstigen Preis. Ausführung so lala, aber man kann ziemlich alles beheben, verbessern, bzw. individualisieren. Als ich auf der Neel 47 unterwegs war, gab es gar keine Reling auf dem Deck und auch auf dieser Neel 45 hatte der Eigner noch einiges nachgerüstet. (Wir hatten danach noch per Email Kontakt)
Also Boot nackig (oder gebraucht) kaufen und dann zwecks Großeinkauf zum Yachtausrüster, ein paar Wochen/Monate basteln und dann hat man wahrscheinlich ein wirklich tolles Boot.
Ich meine, Neel hätte die Qualität von Werk aus deutlich besser machen sollen und dann könnten die auch gerne 20% mehr verlangen.
Die Neel 51 soll aber auch ab Werk ganz OK sein. War aber leider noch nie damit unterwegs, ich arbeite aber daran!
@@janwantstosail Es ist ein Solent Rig. Beim Solent Rig stehen Vorstag und "Fockstag" so dicht hintereinander wie hier. Das begrenzt den Kurs, bei dem beide Vorsegel zusammengefahren werden können, erheblich. Sinn der Sache ist, dass man auf ein kleineres Segel mit zunehmendem Wind wechseln kann ohne ein neues Segel setzen zu müssen, da ja beide als Rollvorsegel bereits angeschlagen sind. Riesennachteil ist, dass man die Genua zum Wenden einrollen muss, da man das Segel sonst nicht auf die andere Seite bekommt.
Beim Kutterrigg ist der Abstand zwischen den beiden Vorstagen sehr viel grösser, das Wenden unter dem vordersten Vorsegel ist kein Problem und man kann auf allen Kursen beide Vorsegel gemeinsam fahren.
Es gab eine Competition Version, grössere Segel, höherer Mast, Dyneema Wanten, Carbon Mast, Schwert und 500 kg leichter. Aber die Beschläge sind stärker konfiguiert meines Wissens.
@@maddocmucmaddocmuc5341 Du hast eigentlich Recht. Die Fock ist allerdings zwar weit Vorne im Bug angeschlagen, aber nicht so hoch im Mast wie bei einem Solent eigentlich üblich. Dazu ist die Fock, wenn ich mich recht erinnere, nicht an einem Stag angebracht, sondern an einem Fall ohne fester Vorstagrolle, sodass man die Fock auch runternehmen kann, also wäre es eigentlich eine Slup und als Slup steht es auch in der Bootsbeschrebung von Neel. Auch hier bietet die Neel viel Futter für Diskussionen! 🙂
Die Neel ist einiges, aber ganz sicher nicht langweilig! und mit Competition Setup macht es sicherlich noch mehr Spaß.
Mit einiger Umsicht und nicht zu viel Wind konnten wir bei einer Halse die Genua vorne aber durchziehen, bei mehr Wind würden wir das aber nicht probieren und bei einer Wende schon gar nicht.
Beide Vorsegel hatten wir nur beim Segelwechsel gleichzeitig oben.
In diesem Jahr segeln wir mit einer Nautitech 46 Open. bin sehr gespannt, wie das wird. Eine Neel 51 bekomme ich einfach nicht als Bareboat zur Hand,..
hello Jan, thanks so much for a great video. I'm also considering a Neel purchase as a liveaboard. I believe I've chartered the exact same boat in Pula. Is there any chance you could share your passage plan with me? We're going in early September and I would love to use your experience to inform our route.
Hey Ben, thanks for your comment! How was your experience with Mizar? Any other thoughts than what I brought up? We are planning for the ARC, crossing the Atlantic in November 2024 then the World ARC starting in St. Lucia early 2025. The dates and routes will be shared by the world cruising club! We plan to have 1-2 cabine ready for charter, in case,..
End of August we will again be in Croatia for testing a Nautitech 46 Open and I will also share a test video about that yacht. So stay tuned! 👍
What's with the dingy swinging around like that? That is so un-seaman like it's startling.
Yes, thanks for the hint. We should have strapped it somehow to prevent those swinging. Saw now in the vid, that especially in the beginning it looked wild. Most of the time it was calm and we splashed it multiple times per day.
Curious if you've had a chance to sail the new 43. It's a size I'm really drawn to. My last modern boat was a Corsair 31. It's brilliant and for me not a long distance vessel. Had a ball sailing to Cabo San Lucas from San Diego. Surfing the boat a hundred miles offshore not something I want to take my family on was great with my friend another avid sailor. I have a Horstman 43 it's a large boat older trimaran and I'm really thinking I want to get back into the modern technologies. Thanks for your post. & Cheers from California
Hey @dhincks1, thanks for your comment! I never saw thenNeel 43 in person and it also is not suitable for us as a family, but if I were alone or a couple on a world cruise, this probably would be the one for me. The Horstman looks really curious to me , but it is a really different concept to the Neels. I really hope, that other companies will start building sailing Tris with this large bridgedeck. I really love Corsairs and Dragonflys, but just as weekend racer or for a holiday with just a small crew.
No boat is perfect, but nowadays we must do less compromises, since there are better offers on the market.
Thanks for your comments and Cheers from Germany!
@Mal L Oh yes, Rapidos are great! I would love to sail them for some time. I really believe that they are a lot of fun. Only they don't tick some of my boxes. No.1: I can't afford one. And also the living space is limited. So in the Rapido60 you will have a similar space like somewhere between a Neel 43 or Neel 47, which then still cost a fraction. If money is no issue and with a smaller family, the Rapido 60 would be on my list!
And for my point of view, the hulls of the Neels are good, sailing is great and who cares about furniture,.. I think, the Neel 43s will be quite affordable as 3-8 year old 2nd hand boats. If I was sailing just as a couple, or even alone, the Neel 43 would probably the boat for me.
Thanks a lot for your feedback!👍
thanks for the video. Why did you abort because of the windage? You couldn't get a good heading (what could you do?) or was it dangerous? Do you think with the right kind of equipment it could be a round the world live aboard for a couple? I love the idea of the tri and I find beautiful. I don't care so much about cabinetry either. Was the quality of sailing equipment good?
Hello @tonewreck1, thanks for your comment and your questions! I did not get some parts of your question, but I just try to answer, how I understood it.
We did not abort any maneouver, only in the marina I was happy to have the bow thruster, since it is somehow like maneouvering a huge pontoon in a tight space, while the boat is quite light and still has a good freeboard and therefore also it is more sensitive to wind than a keel yacht.
While tacking, we originally had the main too tight and not trimmed well, so we could not go through the wind the first time. I had to get used to the offset position from the helm to judge the shape and the position of the sails right (I had the main too much pulled windward the first time). So playing with the main sheets really helped with tacking and courses close to the wind.
For sailing, i now am spoiled. I can't express, how much I loved to sail this boat, to feel how it cuts through the waves and feel the acceleration when you put the boat off the wind.
For the sailing equipment, I had email contact with the owner and he told me, that they did quite a few things to improve the boat and except not to have blocks at the reefing lines, it was fine for me. (Well, the Genua also did not have an adjustable sheeting point)
And I fully agree: This idea of a Tri is great for sailing, elegant and beautiful. I really love it!
Besides sailing:
For a couple with 1-2 this boat is fine also to sail around the world, but the cabinet space is limited, especially in the kitchen. (I personally think, I would take it around the world with my family!)
The cabinetry on this very boat was soso, shades were not properly screwed into the walls, one hinge was off, one veneer part broke off, when I touched it with my bare skin (ellbow),.. But those complaints about the furniture don't do the boat right. It still is a great boat. If I want good cabinetry, I go to a furniture store.
==>I love the Neel 45, my kids love the Neel 45, my wife does not. :-(
@@janwantstosail Hello Jan, thank you so much for the reply. My question was a bout the moment in the video when you say there was 40 knots of wind and you had to abort. I was wondering why exactly. Cheers
Hello @@tonewreck1 Thanks for your reply again, can you tell me in which minute I mentioned that? I then can tell more about details. Cheers!
@@janwantstosail i think i got mixed up with another video...
@@tonewreck1 correct, you meant the following video: ruclips.net/video/lWChSZhoAmw/видео.html which is my video.
We aborted for safety reasons: I did not know the boat too well, we had too much sails standing and the boat got the main hull out of the water which frightened me to no end. Skipper told me that there was nothing to worry about but I had my family on board and we aborted.
I noticed that the main hull was flying because there wa no longer any lateral resistance and the boat made a huge leap leewards thankfully because of the clever design of the amas which are very flat in he rear section. Wind pressure was immediately reduced by this and in he aftermath, I was very thankful for this design.
Meanwhile, we have bought a Neel 45 ("quartet", french flag), which was the personal yacht of the shipyard founder, eric bruneel. It is a competition version, carbon mast, daggerboard and only 6 tons.
We just came back fro a 6 weeks trip around the balear islands and we are very pleased with the boat.
What surprised me the most (apart from the extreme acceleration of the ship under any wind conditions) is the fact that there is no transitonal phase when the boats starts surfing. It simply exalerates so 11 knots and then you hear a very light vibrating sound and see the stern wave disappear far behind the boat. First time we noticed that because I could simply not identify the origin of the slight vibrating sound and when I looked at the speed we were doing 13.4 knots and were peacefully surfing dorn a wave with wind coming directly from the back. All this was under autopilot conditions, there was nobody at the helm and we were enjoying dinner in the cockpit... very fascinating.
Hi, thanks for that video!!
Could you tell me what voltage does that 45 have?
Hello @Camilo 17!
This Neel 45 had the European 240V/50Hz AC with the normal Europlug (EN 50075) driven by Inverters / land power.
But I would expect, that you also can get it with a 110V system and the American sockets.
Also for DC it had USB Type A sockets, but also 12V car boardnet sockets. at the Nav-station. As far as I remember, it had the USB-sockets in each cabin including the Amas, but I am not sure right now. Seems I must charter it again! ;-)
@@janwantstosail
Thanks Man, there is very little information about the neel, these videos help a lot to make a final decision. I think these trimaran are fantastic... I prefer that 45 than the 47.
good navigation my friend 👌🏻⛵
@@camilo1790 Always happy to help. Neel 45 or Neel 47? Really much depends on the use-case as we already discussed in this comment section,.. Both have Pros and Cons over the other,.. Anyhow, can't wait to get my hands on a Neel 51,.. On paper that one checks all boxes for me for my plans!
Hi Jan,
I share your attitude towards the boat 100%.
I have been saling on 2 Summer vacations an a neel 45 old model and found it fascinating (ruclips.net/video/lWChSZhoAmw/видео.html).
This year I chartered a Neel 51 with my family for 3 weeks and I would like to share my impression with you.
It is twice as expensive but not 3 times better but 3 times heavier. It does not share the 45`s explosive acceleration. Conditions like waves from the side plus wind speed below 10 knots are very annoying and hardly manageable under sail because the massive buyoncy of he massive amas means that the boat makes violent rolling movements which impair the sails from keeping their profile.
Optics should not be an issue but anything that looks well will sail well and where the 45 has a certain elegance, the 51 simply is brutally massive.
I do have a very split opinion about the 51. It is extremely comfortable but if you are a sailor, you will love the 45 more.
They are entirely different beasts.
Hey @maddocmuc, Thanks a lot for this really useful comment! I also really much like your video too!
I know, there is no perfect boat and unfortunately I am now spoiled with the sailing performance of the Neel 45.
About the Neel 51, I knew that it is not as agile as the Neel 45, but I always thought, it comes close. I have seen some Neel 51 in La Rochelle, when I sailed the Neel 47 two years ago and they really looked intimidating to me. That time they were not on my shortlist, so I did not bother to have a closer look which I regret now.
I really need to charter the Neel 51 for some time, only I just found pricy charter options with a mandatory Skipper. Where did you charter it? Would you mind to forward a contact to me? Whenever we charter, we also would like to bring family and friends. A Skipper is not just a foreign person on board, he also occupies my cabin! ;-)
Since you obviously sailed two of my most favourite boats, I assume you also tried other performance multihulls too? Could you recommend another one to test? I aim for a vessel to carry my family around the world safely (and with fun and comfortably), starting in November 2024. We are a family of 4 but we want to be able to have a second family of 4 as guests. So we would need 8 berths. We plan to go witht he World ARC, so I prefer to have a fast vessel since we only have 2 years for the whole trip.
I sailed several monos, but also a Lagoon 450F, which was good at anchor but terrible to sail.
On my shortlist also is an Outremer 49/51 as 4 cabin layout or maybe a Catana 47/50.
If we were just 2-4 people (and never more), the Neel 45 would be fine for me though and my wife would have to swallow that pill with the interiors. (She likes marble, ganite, steel, solid oak, etc. which is a conflict to my targets anyway,..)
Dear Jan,
critically considering your long distance plans with up to 8 people, I would strongly sugest the Neel 51.
After your Post I dug out the photos of our recent trip with the Neel 51 (August 2021) and I found one showing a speed of 9.5 knots at 12.7 knots of TWS at a true wind angle of 80°. But I must admit we were experiementing with the sails and flew main with 2 reefs, genua a n d jibe. I must admit that the boat was sailing out of the suggested sailplan envelope but went very well und this stupid sail plan, the rudder index showing neutral position. We might have found the ideal combination that day in the strait of bonifacio...
I am not sure, Maybe the high sitting position of about 3 Meters above sealevel conveys a much slower speed than the ship is actually doing.
Anyway: Long distance with many people: Neel 51. Mediterranean with max. 4: Neel 45...
We rent our Neel 51 at: www.emeraudemulticoques.com/
ask for Jean Noel or Robin and say hello from me (Jan also...) . You should definetely charter the 51 for a week. Skipper is mandatory, it is a complex machine.
Price per week is about 7.500 Euros plus skipper 2.100 euros...
Bring along some friends, split the fee....
Jan, Thanks a lot again! I just contacted them via their website. I must say, I am really curious about the Neel 51 and from the videos I saw, I believe, my wife and my kids also will like it. I will consider the skipper then more as a trainer than as a skipper and try to learn as much as possible. Cheers!
What do you think about the upcoming Neel 43¿
Hello@@georgefrankpitt , I think, the Neel 43 concept is a little strange with an open bed in the saloon and the nav station configuration. 43 feet and that length is for several other cats enough for 4 doubles and 4 heads. Havent seen one in person yet though. Fine for a couple with one small kid, but not for more in my eyes. If I were alone, this would be the boat for me though.
nicht schlecht
Seems to be a lot of quality issues with these boats.
It depends how you see it. You get lots of bang for the buck, and the bucks were saved on the interior. The furniture was questionable, the boat structure seemed to be good for me. In my eyes it is a great boat with big potential for improvement/customization.
And don't forget, the boat is built for lightweight and speed and should not be overloaded.
The Neel interior joinery reminds me of cheap IKEA furniture
Hey @Chicken Soup, Yes, you are right, like with many mass production boat builders (from france). I hope, the newer models are getting better, since the sailing really was rewarding and a pure joy. All boats are a compromize and the joinery definately is on the downside here. More videos about other boats will come, so stay tuned!