Cruze 970 (Corsair) Information, Review, Specs

Built by Corsair Marine, a company founded in 1984 in San Diego, California, the Cruze 970 continues a tradition of innovation. Corsair Marine, initially established with financial backing from John Walton, has specialized in performance trimarans, benefiting from early collaborations with renowned naval architect Ian Farrier.

The Corsair Cruze 970 began its production in 2012, marking a significant evolution in Corsair Marine's design lineage. Its creation is rooted in the success of earlier models; specifically, it is a direct development of the Corsair C-31, which itself originated from Ian Farrier's highly regarded F-31 design. In 2000, Corsair Marine acquired all rights to the Farrier F-31, subsequently making design changes and renaming it the C-31. The Cruze 970 then emerged as a modernized successor to the C-31, designed to meet customer demand for increased comfort and amenities without compromising the brand's hallmark performance.

The design philosophy behind the Cruze 970 prioritized a more accommodating interior and enhanced comfort for families and guests, a departure from the C-31's more spartan, performance-focused ethos. The design team at Corsair Marine focused on increasing internal volume, achieving approximately 15 percent more space compared to the C-31. This was accomplished by making the 970 slightly longer and raising the deck. Consistent with Corsair Marine's manufacturing ethos, the Cruze 970 features lightweight composite construction, primarily fiberglass PVC foam core for both hull and deck, ensuring high performance and durability. The revolutionary folding system for its outer amas (hulls) remains a cornerstone of its design, facilitating easy trailerability and docking.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Corsair Cruze 970 lives up to its heritage as a high-performance multihull, routinely achieving impressive double-digit boat speeds. While traditional monohull performance ratios (like sail area to displacement or ballast to displacement) are not directly applicable to multihulls, the Cruze 970's design ensures an exhilarating sailing experience. With a low displacement of 4,808 pounds and a length overall of 31.82 feet, this trimaran is built for speed and agility. Its theoretical hull speed is calculated at 7.46 knots, but like many trimarans, it is capable of exceeding this in favorable conditions.

The boat is equipped with a fractional sloop rig, featuring a reported total sail area of 567.25 square feet. The specific sail plan includes a 417.64 sq.ft. mainsail, a 217 sq.ft. jib, and options for a 448 sq.ft. screecher and a substantial 992.43 sq.ft. spinnaker, providing ample power for various wind conditions. The high-volume floats of the Cruze 970 are specifically designed to provide enhanced stability and comfort, allowing the boat to stand up to more wind and maintain an impressive motion through the water. Anecdotal descriptions from reviews highlight its sporty and nimble handling, offering a responsive helm and the ability to turn in "red-dial" performance, especially in its "Sport" configurations.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Corsair Cruze 970 significantly improves upon its predecessors, offering greater emphasis on comfort and livability for extended cruising. A key enhancement is the provision of full standing headroom in the saloon, reported to be around 6 feet, a feature not typically found on the smaller C-31. This increased interior volume, approximately 15 percent more than the C-31, creates a more spacious and inviting environment.

The saloon features a clean, white liner finish, contributing to a bright and airy feel. The galley is notably larger than on previous models, equipped with a stainless steel sink, quality fittings, and expansive GRP benchtops. A two-burner propane stove is a standard feature, and options for refrigeration can be specified. While specific details vary with owner customization, a typical layout includes a V-berth forward, a main saloon area with seating and a table, a dedicated head compartment, and often quarter berths aft, providing comfortable sleeping arrangements for several crew or family members. The overall finish quality and use of materials are consistent with Corsair's reputation for rugged construction, ensuring durability in a performance cruising context.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Corsair Cruze 970 frequently laud its exceptional combination of performance and cruising comfort. Many appreciate the boat's solid construction and robust build quality, which has made it a choice for various "epic voyages". The ability to routinely achieve double-digit speeds provides an exhilarating sailing experience, while the increased interior volume and full standing headroom contribute significantly to comfort on longer trips. Owners often note that the high-volume floats enhance stability, making for a more comfortable motion in a seaway compared to many performance multihulls.

Commonly praised aspects include the versatility offered by its trailerable design, allowing access to a wider range of cruising grounds and simplifying storage. While the boat is performance-oriented, options such as refrigeration and autopilots highlight its suitability for comfortable cruising. The active and supportive global Corsair owner community also enhances the ownership experience, providing a network for regattas, "Safaris," and shared knowledge.