Trintella IA Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Trintella IA was produced from 1961 to 1965, marking a transformative period for Jachtwerf Anne Wever. Production Start/End Year Anne Wever, the visionary founder, commissioned Ricus van de Stadt to design a GRP version of his proven steel Trintel I, a move that positioned Jachtwerf Anne Wever as the first shipyard in Europe to fully embrace fiberglass construction methods in 1961., 3, 18] The Trintella I and IA quickly became some of Anne Wever's most successful models, demonstrating Van de Stadt's skill in adapting designs for serial production in fiberglass.

While closely related to its steel predecessor, the Trintel I, the Trintella IA introduced a key design refinement. The original Trintel I featured a flat transom and an attached rudder. The Trintella IA, however, adopted a more refined yacht stern with a transom and, importantly, a separated rudder. This evolution from the original steel Trintel series showcased the builder's commitment to refining designs even as they ventured into new materials. The vessel retains a long keel, a hallmark of traditional offshore cruisers.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 16.75, the Trintella IA is designed for steady performance rather than outright speed. While not optimized for light airs (where ratios typically exceed 18 for peak performance), she possesses sufficient sail area to move comfortably in a breeze. The boat's ballast to displacement ratio, an impressive 41.5%, underscores her inherent stiffness and stability. [Calculated from This high ratio means the Trintella IA is well-equipped to stand up to significant wind, providing a secure and comfortable motion even in challenging conditions.

Her displacement to length ratio, calculated at around 440, firmly places the Trintella IA in the category of a heavy, traditional cruiser. This substantial displacement, combined with her long keel, contributes significantly to her well-regarded handling characteristics. Owners and enthusiasts often note that the long keel provides excellent directional stability under sail, allowing her to track faithfully on course. While this configuration contributes to a comfortable ride and good course-keeping, it typically means she is less nimble in tight maneuvers or quick tacks compared to more modern designs with fin keels. Her calculated hull speed is 6.16 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

Interior details for the Trintella IA are characteristic of early fiberglass cruisers, prioritizing functionality and durability. The layout is described as traditional, featuring a bench on each side of the main salon. While specific headroom figures are not available in the provided data, early boats of this size often had moderate headroom, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that individuals around 5 feet 6 inches tall would find the interior space comfortable. The focus during this era of Trintella's production was on robust construction and practical living spaces, aligning with the brand's overall ethos of building seaworthy yachts with "a lot of passion and workmanship."

Owner's Perspectives

The legacy of Trintella, including early models like the IA, is strongly preserved by an active community, the "Trintella Vriendenkring" (Friends of Trintella). Owners of Trintella yachts consistently praise the solid construction and the enduring quality that was a hallmark of Anne Wever's shipyard. While specific common issues for the Trintella IA are not widely documented in available public forums, the general reputation of Trintellas from this period is one of sturdy, reliable vessels capable of undertaking serious cruising. The existence of a dedicated owner's group highlights the long-term satisfaction and pride associated with these classic yachts.