Sailing a Supernova Trimaran in New Zealand
Decades after its zenith, the Supernova trimaran is still around. Of course, we wish there were more of them. But the many challenges of developing and selling a beach tri production model, like the Supernova, are formidable.
It amazes me that a boat designer like Ib Pors Nielsen was able to do it for awhile. But I know small tri fan Graham Wheeler is glad he did. Not long ago, Graham purchased a Supernova … in excellent condition. He shares the following (along with a very short video clip and a few photos of his sailboat) with us here.
Take it away Graham (and thanks for the great info :-) …
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I first heard about the Supernova while searching for a trimaran to buy. I was looking at a Weta but they were really out of my price range as I had never sailed a tri before. I owned a Hobie 14 for number of years but was mainly a keelboat person, apart from learning in centreboarders – Moths and Cherubs here in New Zealand. Then keelboats as I got older.
I did Ironman Triathlons for 17 years and got back sailing 3 years ago when I bought another Moth. Decided I wanted to go faster without hopefully tipping out. Searched the internet and learned a bit about tris and then saw an add for the Supernova. Price was right so I bought it sight unseen.
Traveled 4-hours North to collect it and then spent several days making trailer more suitable to get it on and off on my own etc. So I was now a proud trimaran owner. I had never heard off a Supernova so got some limited information off the net. (Even got the original manual for rigging and sailing it).
Trailerable Supernova Trimaran
The best thing is owning a classic in that it was designed and built back in the 80′s in Europe. The thought and quality gone into this car top transportable trimaran is amazing. The build quality is excellent and I can rig and launch it on my own.
The keyhole method of attaching the amas to the tramp and vaka are very clever. I feel it would be difficult to put it on a car or van on your own but mine has a launching trailer as well. The amas are extremely light and I can easily lift the centre hull on my own.
Maybe the Weta is quicker to rig etc and lighter??? with carbon beams and mast, but the Supernova is around 80kgs fully rigged with Aluminium mast and tramp. It takes me about 35-40 minutes from arriving at sight to be sailing doing it all on my own.
Supernova Trimaran Almost Ready for Sailing
The least thing I liked was maybe having all halyards etc., stopping at base of mast. Also, the jib was hanked onto the forestay. I fixed this by adding a roller furler on the forestay so doing away with the halyard. Some of the running rigging is old school (way to heavy for a small boat). Will replace these this Summer with thin ropes and sheets.
The Supernova sails extremely well in light airs,tacks easily, and is very responsive to the helm. It does not have a gennaker so is lacking against those with spinnakers or gennakers. May look at setting something up. But this is my foray into trimaran sailing so are not really worried about that yet.
In heavier airs it trucks along. Broad reaching, I like to balance it on its centre hull (vaka) and try and sail it like that without burying the amas to much (scarey). The amas are fairly low volume. If I was to change it I would have more bouyancy in them. But the Supernova plains easily. The mast on my boat rotates. Just a simple swivelling bracket with the mast bolted through it.
Supernova at Water's Edge
Must sail this Summer with crew in a big breeze and see how it goes. I kept up with a Hobie 16 easily on my last sail in fresh condition on my own and they were 2 up. I weight only 65 kg. It is still an easy and safe boat to sail.
I think the Supernova was excellent value for the money ($2000). I could not buy any boat of its type for so little money — I don’t think. The Weta is $16000.00 and the Windrider even more (imported ). I know they are much newer designs etc., but I feel my Supernova was good value for money.
Lightweight Supernova Trimaran
It is in excellent condition considering its age. I guess new sails would cost more than the entire boat! The jib could be replaced but the main is fine.
I think there were a handful of these boats imported into N.Z, in the 80′s. I have only seen one other (up 4 sale). I believe the designer of the Supernova designed other tris as well so he came up with a good boat here (my opinion). Ahead of its time.
Would I like to see the Supernova design (or one like it) available to sailing families today? Yes, a Supernova with a 2 section carbon mast (unstayed) and longer more volume amas with a gennaker added. But one that is still a good bang for your bucks.
I am currently redoing a Farrier 18 trailer tri. Another oldie, as I learn more about tris. Would like a Farrier 22 one day but I’m happy pottering with my 2 boats at the moment.
– Cheers, Graham
Supernova Trimaran - Jib Up
Here is a short sailing video taken by Graham on his Supernova (click the screen to watch it) …
August 26th, 2010 at 9:33 am
I used to have a Supernova which I recently sold to buy a more racey Formula 18 catamaran. VERY nice little boat. I did not find it particularly easy to tack, but going out in 25+ knots was really exciting! Not as exciting as sailing on one hull under gennaker on an F18, but close!
September 10th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Good to hear you liked the Supernova. I am relatively new to trimarans/ multihulls so the fun I had last Summer with it was great and now I am currently rebuilding a Farrier 18 I bought back in May. Lots of work but I hope to be sailing in November but I still have the Supernova if the Farriers not ready. Weather here in N.Z. is getting warmer (Spring) leading into Summer. I gather you are from the States.
Cheers,
Graham
October 6th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
my supernova is really nice to sail .
without jib furl but with news mylar sails cut by a friend .
it’s rather fun..
i bought my supernova in switzerland (lac de geneve) and now she sails in bretagne
(west of france) i think the weather is rather similar as new zealand.
i’ve put a floatter at the top of the mast but perhaps it was not necessary .. ?
in france she ever surprise sailors i dont know if there is another supernova in my country..
happy to find “fans” of supernova on the other side of the hearth
congratulations to read al my message despite my horrific english.
patrick
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:34 am
Hi Patrick,
Sorry I have just read your post about Your Supernova. Great to hear from other owners of these great little trimarans. To be honest I haven’t been sailing my Supernova since last Summer but the weather here in New Zealand is warming up (20 degrees) and the last 2 weeks have been perfect sailing weather but….. I have been frantically trying to finish the restoration of my farrier 18 trimaran I bought back in May. Nearly there. Another week should see it ready for a sail. I will post an article on it soon so watch this site. I will continue to sail the Supernova as well. Am hoping for a long hot summer with fair sailing breeze. My e-mail is : gdw AT orcon.net.nz if you want to keep in touch regards the Supernova.
Cheers,
Graham
July 29th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Hello, great to know that the supernova is not dead. I bought mine two days ago. I need some information about the rudder. Mine is not an original. My supernova did not sail correctly sometimes. I would like to build a new one. Where is it possible to get the original template? Thanks for your help. I am French … sorry for my bad English.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Hello Renaud,
The designer of the Supernova, Ib Pors Nielsen, was European. I’m guessing that it won’t be easy finding the information you need. You may be better off getting one of those knowledgeable French multihull sailors to help you shape a new one. It shouldn’t be too difficult for a sailor or designer with some experience.
March 16th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Hi Guy’s,
I currently & sail a supernova, I am in the process of a making a new set of moulds
for a 15ft trimaran similar to the nova with more volume in the amas also with telliscopic beams, this will allow it trailable and should make it quicker to rig, lounch & retrive , as i live in tin can bay, queensland. australia, where the tides avg 2.5 metres, so the need to use a boat ramp is required. If you would like any further info at; brucegreig1@bigpond.com
March 21st, 2012 at 11:21 am
Hi every body,the spring season is coming to the north hemisphere.i found during the winter at 50 km of my home ,a guy owner of few original supernova parts.i bought to him the rudder(never use) a complete set of sails (made by Neil pryde).i found also all the documents concerning the supernova class rules.if somebody needs it I shall be able to email.see you.
April 5th, 2012 at 9:14 am
looking for maneul have a supernova but its not compleet
April 8th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
fransvandenbroek01 @ gmail . com
October 13th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Hi!
I just wandering, can anybody tell me about his/her experience in sailing with Supernova in choppy seas? Does it dig too often, has it enough power in the sails to ride trough the shallow but really steep waves?
I have owned a Hobie 14, Nacra 5,7 and a Dart 16 and now thinking about small tri. Found one from France, but would like to gather more information about Supernova abilities.
I wonder if the Supernova is a good choice if one would like to have a long trips in various conditions…
October 14th, 2012 at 6:55 am
Hi Agur,of course to Buy a supernova Is a good choice.It is a perfect small tri by light and strong wind.I sailed it this summer to the Atlantic sea( 20 knots of wind with 1.5 meter of waves) no problem.Of course mine is a little bit modified and more rigid than the original.if you want to push it over his limit,you need to buy new technology sails ,change the mast .It is difficult to compare his abilities with a hobbie or a Nacra because they wear different sails size.If you need some pics about mine (modified), It will be a pleasure to show you.on the beach you can be sure to be seen by everybody due to his fabulous modern shape.Do not forget it was created in 1983!
Renaud from France.
October 15th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for your reply, Renaud!
For me is essential that I could solo in various conditions. This is a reason why I move away from beach-cats. They are rather fast, but when you have a long distance to sail, its hard to handle day long when the wind is over 16 m/s and really choppy waves against…
Im pleased if you could send me some pictures of your modifications, please email them to aguirres @ gmail.com
Thanks!
October 15th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
By the way, is it smart to put a trapeze for Supernova?
October 16th, 2012 at 6:20 am
I think it is not necessary because in fact you often ride seated in the middle of the supernova even if the wind is strong.
October 16th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
probably its not needed yes, since there is not much sail area. Though I have a old Nacra 5,7 mast, but I think it would be rather crazy to rig it for Supernova – its 9.15 m.
By the way, have you ever pitchpoled your Supernova? … or even further turtled it? Is it hard to get it upright alone?
thanks!
October 16th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
yes i did one up side down.Alone it was hard.since this date i put a hobie mast ball .
April 27th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Fantastic to find this supernova thread ! Ive have mine for about 20 years, its been a lot of fun – but now I have to find a new mast for it as it pitchpoled in the dinghy park a couple of months ago in high winds and now has a screwy slightly bent mast – I was considering straightening the mast, but many people have told me not to as the end result will be dangerously weakened – I’m not sure they are right – anyone got any views on that or on a suitable replacement ? I sail mine in the Solent and on the river severn in the UK – I have turtled it and it was a pain to recover on my own, I use a float at the mast top now – as for high seas – Im not sure i agree that the supernova is good in those conditions – as you all now, if either float digs in, it tends to be all over very quickly !
April 28th, 2013 at 1:26 am
Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing so much great info about your Supernova. I suppose the lower volume floats are both a blessing and curse. This is a perfect example of how boat design is filled with certain “trade-offs.” Your idea about a float at the top of the mast is a great idea though.
April 28th, 2013 at 7:38 am
Hi Mark,
I do not know how severe mast bend you got there… but in my experience the minor bends is repairable. My friends Prindle 15 mast was damaged by a falling tree. We took the mast to metal-shop and it was righted back.I didn`t noticed any weakness after re-bend.
But the metal-guy really knows his tools and has a extensive know-how and the bend wasn`t severe also.
Agur