Design and Construction
The Pulse 600 is a lightweight sport trimaran with a hull of fiberglass over a carbon frame and an alloy-composite mast, the structure tuned so the boat performs even in the lightest of breezes carbon reinforced construction. At 981 pounds displacement with a 14-foot-9-inch operating beam, the platform is built around convenience: the floats unfold and the whole rig sets up quickly for launch from a ramp or beach. A 9-inch board-up draft and cassette-style rudder let it dry out on a shoreline, while the folded 6-foot-11-inch beam keeps it legal and manageable on the road. The boat is assembled in Vietnam, yet North American owners have built an active sailing community around the class.
Rig and Handling
On the water the Pulse 600 is a sport boat that can be singlehanded or sailed with a crew of four in its self-draining cockpit. Both roller-furling headsails fall under the helmsman’s reach, and the mainsheet travels on a bridgedeck-mounted track aft, so trim is immediate without crew movement. The standard sail plan carries 290 square feet in mainsail and jib; a spinnaker and a 206-square-foot “flying headsail” extend the range, with the builder describing that sail as close to a code zero or A1. The light displacement and efficient rig make the boat quick to accelerate and easy to manage for newer trimaran sailors.
Accommodations
Despite the racing brief, the Pulse 600 gives real usable space. The forward cabin is weatherproof and roughly the size of an adult, with a watertight storage compartment ahead of the mast for gear that must stay dry. Trampolines between the hulls add lounging or crew room, and the open cockpit seats four comfortably. Versatility is central: the forward area can be loaded with storage and cover for weekend adventures or stripped bare for go-fast racing.
The Verdict
The Pulse 600 succeeds as an approachable, trailerable trimaran that bridges one-design racing and casual day-sailing. Its folding beam, light weight, and reachable controls lower the barrier to multihull ownership, while the forward cabin and trampolines make it more than a bare racer. The class community adds support for a boat built far from its main market.
Pros
- Trailerable 20-foot trimaran that folds to 6'11" beam in minutes
- Under 1,000 lb displacement with composite cradle for trailering or beach use
- Self-draining cockpit for four, yet singlehanded-capable
- Roller-furling headsails and aft traveler keep all controls at the helm
- Weatherproof forward cabin plus watertight mast-forward storage
Cons
- Minimal accommodations beyond forward cabin and cockpit space
- Designed around one-design racing rather than extended cruising
