Design and Construction
At the heart of the Dragonfly 32 Supreme is the patented SwingWing mechanism. It allows the amas to be retracted when tying up to a dock or entering a slip, making the boat much easier to accommodate in a marina.
The amas carry extra volume and extend slightly ahead of the central hull, a configuration that promotes boat speed and resists pitchpoling. The full sailing beam is 26ft 3in, while displacement is 7,275lb. That makes for a broad platform across the three hulls, yet one light enough to accelerate readily.
As an unballasted multihull, the Dragonfly draws shallow water with its centerboard raised and can be beached for a swim or a walk ashore.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The test boat carried the larger, more powerful “Supreme” rig rather than the shorter Touring rig. It was also fitted with North 3Di sails.
Carbon spars, Seldén rigging hardware, Lewmar line clutches, and four Andersen winches handle the loads. The winches are divided between the cabintop and cockpit coaming. A fixed sprit and an all-lines-led-aft arrangement keep sail controls within reach of the cockpit.
In breezes of 13 to 15 knots, the boat consistently exceeded 8 knots on beam and close reaches. It also tacked cleanly through short, slight chop without hesitation.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon is narrow but more than adequate, with seating for eight around a folding table. The table also encloses the centerboard trunk, preserving cabin floor space.
The port settee converts into a generous double berth, while the forward V-berth provides another double. An enclosed head sits just aft of the V-berth. The galley brackets the companionway, and the port-side counter doubles as a navigation station. A particularly spacious double berth lies aft beneath the cockpit.
Warm, well-executed maplewood joinery completes the interior.
Power and Steering
Standard auxiliary power comes from a 30hp outboard. A 20hp inboard diesel and an electric drive are available as options.
The standard boat is tiller-steered, although there’s space for an optional wheel.
The Verdict
The Dragonfly 32 Supreme is a focused cruising trimaran that trades monohull conventions for speed, folding beam, and a compact but well-planned interior. Its performance under the Supreme rig is genuinely exciting, while the SwingWing system addresses the marina-access problem that affects most multihulls.
Pros
- SwingWing amas fold the boat to slip width
- Consistently exceeds 8 knots on beam and close reaches
- Shallow draft with the centerboard raised allows beaching
- Carbon rig and quality hardware from Andersen, Seldén, and Lewmar
- Centerboard trunk is enclosed within the saloon table, preserving cabin floor space
Cons
- Narrow saloon limits social space and liveaboard volume
- Unballasted platform offers no ballast-derived stability margin
