Design and Construction
The VPLP hand is immediate in the profile: steeply inverted bows, marked chines and plunging topsides forward read as performance cues rather than decoration. The central hull reconciles a narrow waterline with decent beam at deck level, and the platform stays stable through a slight dihedral form between the amas. Each float carries 1,150 litres of buoyancy — about 160 percent of the boat's light displacement — giving the trimaran a remarkable reserve of float volume for its 650 kg weight. The main hull is vacuum-infused and foam-cored as standard, with a tulip-shaped hull section that throws spray aside effectively. Inside, the builder omitted hullside and deckhead linings to save weight and to leave the deck-hardware fastenings exposed for service. Test sailors found the construction pretty solid, with stiffening members placed where expected, and the float-folding mechanism working well in practice.
Rig and Handling
This is an easy boat to rig and handle. The standard aluminium rig stands a 9-metre mast and can be taken up to carbon; a square-top main and tri-radial sails appeared on the test boat. Working the boat is straightforward, with Spinlock clutches and Harken winches leading lines to the cockpit, fixed bullseyes on the coachroof for the jib, and both backstay and mainsheet rigged with 8:1 purchases. The centreboard hinges rather than swings on a trunk, offset to port so it intrudes less on the cabin, and its up-and-down control lines run aft to the cockpit. A full-width traveller spans the aft end. Multihulls World's tester praised the 22.5 as particularly well designed after sailing her in a west wind of 12 to 16 knots with a slight sea, and Yachting Monthly noted a streamlined hull that glides through the water to build speed.
Accommodations
Below the coachroof the boat sleeps four. A 2-metre double berth lies in the bow, with space for a chemical toilet beneath it and mouldings each side for a basic galley. Two decent-sized quarter berths extend aft, with stowage between and below them, and the coachroof stands high enough for plenty of sitting headroom at 1.6 metres, dressed with a little timber trim. Up top, the cockpit seats three without a crush or four if the crew stays relaxed, and storage is generous for the size: open-fronted lockers each side aft, a large sole hatch locker, hatches into the middle of each float, and an anchor locker built into the forward coachroof with room for a couple of fenders.
The Verdict
The Astus 22.5 is a cleverly packaged trimaran that turns VPLP's race-bred geometry into a trailered weekender. The folding beam, oversized floats, and light vacuum-infused hull make her both a stable camper and a quick sail, while the unlined interior keeps weight down and maintenance honest.
Pros
- Transportable folding trimaran with 1,150-litre floats at 160% of displacement
- VPLP performance hull with inverted bows and effective spray deflection
- Sleeps four with sitting headroom and practical cockpit storage
- Easy to rig, cockpit-led centreboard and 8:1 purchases
Cons
- Minimal interior linings and basic galley suit only short stays
- Narrow waterline central hull limits solo comfort at rest
