Astus 22.5 Buyer's Guide
The Astus 22.5 is a trailered trimaran built by Astus Boats from 2020, replacing the 22.1 and carrying VPLP's design signature. On the used market she appeals to sailors wanting a genuine weekender that folds to 2.49 metres for the road or a tight marina, yet opens to a 4.90-metre sailing beam with 1,150-litre floats. Buying one means judging a young, low-production design where condition of the folding system and the unlined interior matter more than cosmetic wear.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every example follows the same VPLP plan: a narrow-waterline central hull with decent deck beam, a port-offset centreboard case to keep the cabin clear, and a high coachroof giving sitting headroom below. The bow holds a 2-metre double berth with a chemical-loo space and basic galley mouldings; two quarter berths run aft with stowage. Above, the cockpit seats three or four and carries side aft lockers, a sole hatch locker, and float hatches. The "marina position" at 3 metres beam is a useful tell when viewing — a boat parked in that setting shows the owner used it in harbours rather than always trailing.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The standard rig is aluminium with a path to carbon, and the test boats carried square-top mains and tri-radial sails, so a buyer should note which mast an example wears. Deck gear is serious for the size: Spinlock clutches, Harken winches, and 8:1 purchases on backstay and mainsheet, with fixed jib bullseyes. Power comes from a 2–4 hp outboard, the only propulsion listed, so check the mount and wiring. A viewer should simply confirm the rig material, winch condition, and outboard rather than expect factory options.
What to Inspect
The vacuum-infused foam-cored hull and the absence of linings mean any future fastening corrosion or deck-hardware leakage would be visible early. Look closely where the folding float mechanism attaches — testers found it works well, but a used boat's pivots and linkage should be cycled through the fold to confirm no elongation or corrosion. Check the centreboard case offset to port for staining from the hinge control lines, and inspect the tulip hull forward for impact marks where the plunging topsides meet pontoons. The 1,150-litre floats should be opened via their mid-float hatches to confirm no water ingress or delamination at the seams.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These trimarans are typically found in the Netherlands. A short viewing checklist:
- Cycle the float fold and watch the pivots for wear
- Open each float hatch and smell for trapped water
- Inspect bare hull interiors for fastening rust or leaks
- Confirm aluminium or carbon mast and working Harken winches
- Verify outboard mount and 2–4 hp engine condition
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Astus 22.5. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.