Corsair 760 Information, Review, Specs

Corsair Marine, now operating as the manufacturing division of Australian builder Seawind Catamarans from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has maintained its commitment to lightweight composite construction and the patented folding system that defines its trimarans. The Corsair 760 embodies this philosophy, offering a balance of speed, stability, and ease of handling that makes it a popular choice among sportboat enthusiasts and families alike.

History and Design

The Corsair 760 began production in 2018, emerging from a legacy of successful trailerable trimarans established by Corsair Marine since 1984. While early Corsair models were designed by the influential Ian Farrier, the 760 is a product of Corsair Marine's post-2000 design evolution, with a radical redesign by Perus Yacht Design. This collaboration reflects Corsair's ongoing commitment to innovation under the ownership of Seawind Catamarans, which acquired the company in 2010. The design philosophy behind the 760 centers on creating a performance cruiser that is both fast and user-friendly, maintaining the brand's core identity of versatile, trailerable multihulls.

The 760 is a direct successor to the highly regarded Dash 750, incorporating longer, more buoyant, wave-piercing amas (outriggers) for enhanced performance and stability. Corsair Marine's manufacturing ethos, even after relocating to Vietnam, emphasizes lightweight composite materials, ensuring the durability and high-performance characteristics that sailors expect from the brand. The 760 is available in several variations, including a standard model with comfortable cruising accommodations, a "Sport" version featuring carbon construction, carbon mast, laminate sails, and a carbon bowsprit for enhanced racing performance, and a "760R" (Regatta) version, which foregoes sleeping accommodations for a larger open deck layout and focuses solely on speed.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Corsair 760 is engineered for exhilarating performance, a hallmark of Corsair trimarans. With a length overall of 24.25 feet and a remarkably wide beam of 17.91 feet when deployed, the boat offers exceptional stability and power. Its lightweight displacement of 2,094 lbs (a Regatta version can be as light as 1,795 lbs) combined with a generous 410.1 square feet of sail area, allows the 760 to accelerate quickly and achieve impressive speeds, often exceeding 20 knots in the right conditions.

The fractional sloop rig and daggerboard keel contribute to its efficiency and upwind ability. Owners and reviewers frequently praise the 760 for its responsive handling, balance, and the sensation of sailing a much larger vessel, despite its compact size. The ability to reduce its draft from 5.25 feet with the daggerboard down to a mere 0.98 feet when raised, combined with retractable rudders, provides excellent access to shallow anchorages and makes beaching feasible. The patented folding system allows the outer amas to retract, reducing the beam to just 8.17 feet for easy trailerability and docking, a critical feature for its versatile appeal.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its focus on performance, the standard Corsair 760 offers a surprisingly comfortable and well-thought-out interior designed for cruising convenience. The cabin, often described as roomy for its class, provides sleeping accommodations for up to four, typically arranged with a V-berth forward and two quarter berths aft. The interior features a compact galley and a pop-top, which significantly enhances headroom, making the space feel more open and usable when at anchor or dock.

Descriptions of the interior highlight a refined and modern design with quality finishes, utilizing materials that reflect a high standard of construction. Storage compartments are typically found below seating areas, offering practical solutions for gear and provisions. Ventilation is managed by an aluminum hatch and the pop-top feature. While compact, the 760's cabin aims to provide a comfortable cruising experience for couples or small families, blending performance with essential amenities for weekend getaways and coastal adventures. The 760R variant, however, omits these interior comforts in favor of an open deck for racing.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Corsair 760 consistently commend its exceptional blend of speed, versatility, and ease of use. Many are drawn to its thrilling performance capabilities, with the ability to achieve high speeds in light winds and maintain stability in more challenging conditions. The trailerable nature of the 760 is a significant strength, allowing owners to easily transport the boat to various sailing grounds, thereby extending their cruising range and reducing marina fees.

Commonly cited strengths include the robust lightweight composite construction, which contributes to both performance and durability. Owners appreciate the responsive handling and the feeling of a much larger boat on the water. The flexibility offered by the folding amas and shallow draft for exploring skinny waters is also highly valued. While the 760R variant is purely performance-focused, owners of the standard and Sport versions often praise the functional yet comfortable interior, noting that it makes weekend cruising genuinely enjoyable despite the boat's size. Forums and owner communities reflect a positive sentiment, with active discussions around enhancing performance, maintenance, and sharing sailing experiences, underscoring a strong and supportive network around Corsair trimarans.