Quorning Boats of Denmark has been absent from American boat shows for several years, and it’s good to have them back, especially with something as special as the new Dragonfly 32. A refined, swift trimaran that reminds us how elegant a performance multihull can be, this boat has it all: beauty, speed, shoal draft, comfort and quality construction. It even has the ability to get skinny and fit into a standard marina slip.
Redesigning the amas (outer hulls) enlivened an already sporty boat. Specifically, the amas are longer and narrower than those on the boat’s predecessor, the Dragonfly 1000, reducing resistance while increasing buoyancy.
Quorning also raised the coachroof of the main hull for a bit more headroom and redesigned the centerboard trunk to give a wide, flat cabin sole. The result is a marked increase in interior space. The cabin has an open, bright nature and, surrounded with the excellent joinery, fabric and glass finish, is a delightful place to relax.
Quality control and engineering are the keys to the success of this design. Multihulls are subject to heavy stresses, so all the parts must be constructed carefully. You can see this as you inspect the boat. Pieces fit perfectly, and all the hardware is top quality.
The most crucial part of the structure is the swing-arm amas. The Dragonfly boats share a clever method of folding the amas against the main hull and still retain strength when they are deployed to full width. You can do it all from the cockpit with the winches, and it takes only a few minutes.
Most multis are relegated to T-docks in marinas, and those spaces are limited. With a Dragonfly, simply crank the amas in to reduce the beam to less than 12 feet and you can fit into a standard slip. The boat is stable enough for motoring with the amas retracted.
A beachable, comfortable, quality boat that cruises happily at speeds in the teens and then fits into a standard slip. That’s a winning combination. trimarans.com
