In the dynamic world of yachting, few builders have carved out a niche as distinctly and successfully as Neel Trimarans. Hailing from La Rochelle, France, this innovative shipyard has redefined the cruising multihull landscape, offering a unique blend of performance, safety, and liveability through its distinctive trimaran designs.
The Origin Story
The genesis of Neel Trimarans is intrinsically linked to the vision of its esteemed founder, Eric Bruneel. An accomplished French offshore trimaran racing sailor, Bruneel brought decades of invaluable experience from within the marine industry to his new venture. Notably, he spent a significant period at Fountaine-Pajot, a globally recognized leader in cruising catamarans, where he contributed to projects like a day-boat as early as 1986. This extensive background instilled in him a profound understanding of the yachting market and the aspirations of cruising sailors.
Bruneel's original vision for Neel Trimarans, founded around 2011, was to bridge the perceived gap between the spacious comfort of catamarans and the superior sailing performance and stability often found in monohulls. He aimed to create cruising trimarans that were not only comfortable and spacious but also fast, seaworthy, and inherently safe. The company's very first production boat, the NEEL 45, designed and launched in 2011, embodied this philosophy, quickly garnering attention and selling over 26 models.
History and Evolution
From its founding in La Rochelle in 2011, Neel Trimarans quickly established a reputation for innovation. The NEEL 45, their inaugural model, received significant accolades in 2013, being elected "Boat of the Year" by Sailing World and receiving the "Innovation Award" by Cruising World. This early success set the stage for continuous development and the expansion of their model range.
Central to Neel Trimarans' evolution is their commitment to advanced construction techniques. The yachts are primarily built using a vacuum-infused composite sandwich construction, incorporating fiberglass and isophthalic polyester resin. This sophisticated process, highlighted by Quality Manager Jeremie Brau, is instrumental in achieving boats that combine exceptional strength and rigidity with optimized weight.
Over the years, the company grew into the NEEL-TRIMARANS GROUP, solidifying its position as a worldwide leader in cruising trimarans. This expansion also saw the strategic diversification into motor multihulls with the introduction of the LEEN-TRIMARANS range, a testament to their understanding of evolving market demands for different cruising experiences. Furthermore, the creation of TRIMARAN YACHT CHARTER, a subsidiary specializing in charter services, demonstrated a holistic approach to serving the cruising community.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Neel Trimarans has cultivated a distinctive identity in the sailing world, renowned for crafting large, innovative, and high-performance cruising trimarans that prioritize comfort without compromising speed. A cornerstone of their design philosophy is the "Cockloon" concept, which seamlessly integrates the cockpit and saloon on a single level, maximizing space and fostering a fluid indoor-outdoor living experience.
A signature feature across the Neel range is the centrally located technical compartment or engine room. This design choice provides excellent access for maintenance and contributes significantly to weight centering, enhancing the boat's stability and overall sailing performance, particularly in terms of minimizing pitching motion. Safety is paramount, with Neel trimarans emphasizing unsinkability and offering superior stability and seakeeping compared to many catamarans, a point frequently underscored by Eric Bruneel himself.
For their acclaimed designs, Neel Trimarans has consistently collaborated with leading naval architects. Marc Lombard is a key figure in this regard, having penned successful models such as the NEEL 47 and the award-winning NEEL 52.
Iconic Models and Legacy
The legacy of Neel Trimarans is marked by a series of highly successful and influential models that have shaped the cruising multihull segment. The NEEL 45 was instrumental in establishing the brand, proving the viability of large cruising trimarans and setting a benchmark for performance cruisers.
Subsequent models have continued this tradition of innovation and excellence. The NEEL 51 marked a technological leap for the shipyard, known for incorporating advanced infusion processes during its construction. The NEEL 47, designed by Marc Lombard, has been widely lauded as an ideal cruising platform. The more recent NEEL 43 gained recognition with Vendée Globe winner Yannick Bestaven serving as its godfather, underscoring the brand's connection to performance sailing.
The most recent highlight is the NEEL 52, which has garnered significant acclaim, being awarded "European Yacht of the Year 2024" or "Multihull of the Year 2025." Designed by Lombard, the NEEL 52 further exemplifies the brand's commitment to delivering remarkable seaworthiness, performance, and comfort. Beyond these core sailing models, Neel Trimarans has also ventured into larger custom projects, including the NEEL 65 Evolution.
Neel Trimarans' impact on the marine industry lies in its successful popularization of the cruising trimaran, offering an attractive alternative that combines the best attributes of various yacht types – the speed of a monohull, the space of a catamaran, and the inherent stability of three hulls.
The Builder Today
Today, Neel Trimarans remains at the forefront of the cruising multihull market, firmly established as the world leader in cruising trimarans. The company continues to be managed by its visionary founder, Eric Bruneel, ensuring a consistent adherence to its core design principles and a continuous drive for innovation.
The modern Neel trimarans appeal to a diverse range of sailors, from families embarking on long-distance voyages to couples seeking a high-performance, comfortable, and safe platform for bluewater cruising. The ownership experience is enhanced by a strong and active "NEEL OWNERS COMMUNITY," reflecting the brand's loyal following and supportive network. With its dedicated group for motor trimarans (LEEN-TRIMARANS) and a focus on pushing the boundaries of multihull design, Neel Trimarans continues to lead the way in shaping the future of comfortable and capable offshore cruising.
