Design and Construction
Neel Trimarans built the 65 as a fiberglass, PVC-foam-core sandwich trimaran. The 65-foot overall hull has a 63.2-foot waterline and a 39.5-foot beam. The platform features enhanced material quality and optimized overall finishes.
This was a genuine production effort: the yard produced a complete set of molds, and explicitly described the model as a semi-custom production design rather than a prototype. With a displacement of 49,600 pounds and a capsize screening ratio of 4.3, the Neel 65 is a large, beamy performance cruiser rather than a lightweight racer. Its fine-entry bows and good clearance between the floats point to a hull form tuned for passage work, not simply dockside volume.
Rig and Handling
The Neel 65 is moderately canvased, helping to keep this large trimaran manageable when short-handed. Multihulls World found it agile despite its size and significant forward windage. That combination rewards the fine-entry hull and float spacing in close-quarters maneuvering.
The fractional sloop rig carries 2,227 square feet of sail area, and the boat has a 10.65-knot hull speed. Its masthead is 86.56 feet. When the wind fades, a 150-horsepower diesel with direct drive handles propulsion.
A double helm station and sail-trimming console place the crew centrally. This arrangement supports easy short-handed sailing without relying on complex powered systems.
Accommodations
The interior centers on the Cockloon, a Neel-Trimarans trademark that combines the cockpit and saloon into one open social space. It provides sit-down dining for as many as 14 guests.
Forward of the saloon, a second lounge includes a sea-view sofa. The central saloon can be arranged with benches or a tatami mattress, paired with either a high table or a coffee table. A navigation station separates the two saloons.
The sea-facing galley is integrated into the main living area and offers unusually large worktops and extensive storage. The larger master cabin sits on the main deck and has new access to the central hull. Two suites and a forward cabin each offer a unique viewpoint, while a gallery overlooks the cruising grounds.
The aft deck is superlative, extending the Cockloon lifestyle outward.
Verdict
The Neel 65 is a purpose-built flagship that turns a semi-custom production program into a genuinely social 65-foot trimaran. Its Cockloon layout and dining space for 14 set the tone below and on deck, while moderate sail area and a central helm console help keep this 49,600-pound boat approachable for a short-handed crew.
Its fine-entry hull and clearance between the floats contribute to agility despite the significant forward windage. The complete mold set also reflects a serious commitment to series production rather than a showboat prototype.
Pros
- Flagship of an award-winning performance-cruiser trimaran line
- Open-plan Cockloon saloon with dining for up to 14
- Semi-custom production model built from a complete mold set, not a prototype
- Agile handling and easy short-handed operation for its size
- Main-deck master cabin and suites with distinctive viewpoints
Cons
- Reviewers noted significant forward windage
- The 39.5-foot beam requires careful marina and haulout planning
