Trintella Iiia Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Trintella IIIA emerged from the Anne Wever shipyard's "Centre Cockpit series" as a successor to the Trintella III, entering production in 1972 and continuing until 1979. During this era, Anne Wever prioritized finishing quality and durability, aiming to build "real cruising ships" designed for sailing "far and sailing often." This ethos resonated with Offshore Yachts Ltd.'s own focus on seaworthiness and practicality for offshore conditions, which is evident in the sturdy construction of the Trintella IIIA, featuring a solid fiberglass hull and deck.

E.G. van de Stadt's design philosophy for the Trintella series, including the IIIA, emphasized a thoughtful balance of performance and interior volume. A notable characteristic of the Trintella IIIA, distinguishing it from the earlier Trintella III, is its raised aft cabin, often referred to as a "Spanish galloon shape" or "poop" deck, which provided enhanced interior space. This design choice underscored the boat's identity as a comfortable and spacious cruiser.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Trintella IIIA, with its full keel and ketch rig, is characterized by its stable and forgiving sailing performance, traits highly valued by cruising sailors. Its Sail Area to Displacement Ratio of approximately 14.21 suggests moderate performance, indicating that while not a light-air speedster, she carries enough sail to move comfortably in a range of conditions. The Ballast to Displacement Ratio of around 0.37 (37%) provides a good degree of stability, allowing the boat to stand up to a reasonable amount of wind and ensuring a comfortable motion in a seaway.

With a Displacement to Length Ratio of approximately 329.46, the Trintella IIIA falls squarely into the category of a heavy, traditional cruiser. This substantial build contributes to its reputation for seaworthiness and a solid feel underfoot, capable of handling challenging offshore conditions. Anecdotal evidence from owners consistently praises its excellent sailing characteristics and seaworthy nature, affirming its design as a capable offshore cruising yacht.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Trintella IIIA is known for its classic teak joinery and a well-thought-out layout designed for extended living aboard. The central feature is typically a comfortable saloon area, complemented by a forward V-berth cabin and a separate aft cabin, which is a key advantage of its centre cockpit design. This arrangement provides privacy and accommodates four to six berths, with additional sleeping capacity often available in the saloon.

Owners generally find the interior space generous for a boat of its size, particularly benefiting from the raised aft cabin which enhances overall volume. While specific details on headroom vary by individual boat and fit-out, the design prioritized comfortable living spaces, ample storage, and good ventilation, aligning with the Trintella shipyard's focus on practicality for long voyages.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Trintella IIIA consistently commend its solid construction and remarkable seaworthiness, often highlighting its ability to handle adverse weather conditions with confidence. The durability instilled by its original builders, Anne Wever and finishers like Offshore Yachts Ltd., means that many of these vessels remain actively sailed today, a testament to their enduring quality.

Common points of praise include the comfortable motion at sea, the reliability of the ketch rig, and the well-protected centre cockpit. As with any vessel of its vintage, some owners note typical maintenance considerations such as potential for original deck fittings to develop leaks or issues with mast step integrity, which are common for boats from this era and often addressed through regular upkeep and refit projects. Overall, the Trintella IIIA is widely regarded as a dependable and comfortable cruising yacht that continues to provide great value to its owners.