“The owner was attracted to the unconventional but he
understood the other benefits of trimarans as well,”
says Coste. “Style is subjective but naval architecture
and efficiency is a fact.”
Efficiency is one of the biggest benefits of a trimaran
configuration, Coste says, as they require 40 to 50 per
cent less energy than a monohull of the same length.
There is less drag than a monohull, and Galaxy of
Happiness is also hybrid-powered, outfitted with
electric engines that can be driven by the generators or
run through a battery pack to deliver a silent mode at a
speed of six to eight knots for several hours. This meets
the owner’s brief for quiet running while fishing off his
yacht, and it helps when maneuvering in harbors.
Galaxy of Happiness also benefits from a “wing tunnel
effect” between the main hull and each outrigger – their
positioning perfectly calculated to create several tons
of lift at full speed, further reducing drag. The naval
architecture is arguably more complicated than a
monohull as the interaction between the three hulls
must be taken into account. The outriggers must be
of precise length and in exact positions, something
that Coste reviewed at length in air flow tests and with
computational fluid dynamics.
Tank testing showed just how stable this hull form
is, one of the benefits of a beamy trimaran. They are
also fast, as proved by the speed records set by sailing
trimarans. Galaxy of Happiness tops out at 30 knots,
powered by her twin 2,600hp MTU diesel engines,
which are supplemented with 120kW electric engines,
coupled to retractable props in the outriggers. These
shafts and props fold in at high speeds, reducing drag
(while the main engines in the main hull drive the
boat). Not many yachts can go 30 knots and have a
transatlantic range as well. “Even the navy is looking at
these types of boats because they can go fast in rough
seas and have low fuel consumption with a good range
[2,300 nautical miles] at cruising speed,” says Coste.
The benefits are obvious, but what do you give up?
Space, for one thing. The narrow hull form means less
room for cabins. Galaxy of Happiness has the
equivalent volume of a 114 foot motor yacht. But you
can’t judge a trimaran by monohull standards. Instead
of a huge upper deck, the main aft deck is the
entertainment hub, with plentiful sofas, sunpads and
a long dining table topped in tiger eye stone that seats- The petite sundeck, meanwhile, still has the
expected spa pool and bar.
The salon is surprisingly spacious, although
styled simply by this owner, who eschewed Coste’s
recommendation to add a bar in the corner. He just
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