About Astus Boats
Astus Boats: Affordable Trailable Trimarans
Founded in France in 2004 by present day owner, Jean-Hubert Pommois, Astus Boats was created to offer an innovative alternative to existing sailing yachts and boats available on the market at the time. To this day, the Astus Boats principles centre around achieving fantastic sailing performance whilst also delivering practical solutions for short-handed rigging and sailing, easy towing as well as low cost of ownership.
A Brief History of Astus Boats
The Astus concept was first executed in the form of the Astus 20.1 trailerable trimaran which, following the development of several prototypes, went into production in the Summer of 2005. During the first year 7 boats left the Astus Boats boatyard and today 73 of the 20.1 models are sailing in France and further afield.
Following the success of the 20.1, Astus Boats launched two new models, the Astus 16.1 (32 boats built) and the Astus 14.1 (27 boats built), whilst expanding their production capabilities during the next two years. In 2008, following critical acclaim, Astus Boats developed a distribution network, both in France and abroad, and introduced a new model in the range – the Astus 22 – of which 37 have been built. At the time of the 2009 Paris International Boat Show, Astus Boats presented a new generation of its 20 foot trimarans, the Astus 20.2, designed by Philippe Roulin (Perspective Yacht Design). Astus further enhanced its polyester manufacturing capabilities, going on to produce a total of 112 examples of the popular 20.2 model. During 2010, the first day-boat of the range appeared in the form of the new Astus 18.2. Often called “little brother” of the Astus 20.2, 37 Astus 18.2 trimarans have been built.
In 2011, Astus Boats took further control of its production standards and responsiveness by integrating the polyester manufacturing of hulls in-house in a new production unit in Brech, Britanny. All production and tools are now produced in-house. 2012 was a transition year with the release of more specialised versions of the Astus 20.2 (infusion shell, carbon mat) and the development of the its polyester workshop to incorporate infusion technology.
In 2013, Astus Boats made its first foray in the motor boat market with the introduction of the Bay Dream 5.5 hybrid, a simple, low cost boat, which serves primarily as a leisure platform. This was followed in 2014 by the launch of the flagship of the Astus range, the Astus 24. Designed as more of a cruiser than previous models, this boat was nominated for the European Yacht of the Year 2015 and opened the international market for Astus boats.
2016 saw the start of the current of collaboration with famed architect firm, VPLP, launching Astus Boats into a new era of even faster and more modern boats. The exciting Astus 16.5 was the first result – a new improved model with a more contemporary shape and a sportier line, coupled with harmonious curves and narrow water entry. The second boat of the VPLP range, the Astus 20.5, followed in 2018 – the model ushered in a new generation of the 20.2 and has already proved exceptionally popular, selling over 120 examples to date.
Boats on Wheels were delighted to become UK dealer for Astus Boats in 2020. We took delivery of an Astus 20.5 demonstrator at the end of 2020 and in 2021 became Astus’ top dealer worldwide, showing the popularity of the new Astus VPLP range with British customers.
The latest cabin boat, the Astus 22.5, has just been unveiled to critical acclaim. Also designed by VPLP, and in the same spirit as the Astus 16.5 and Astus 20.5. Boats on Wheels, the Astus UK dealer, was excited to introduce its own Astus 22.5 demonstrator to its British customers in the Summer of 2022. Several orders followed from eager British sailors, helping us to cement out position as top Astus dealer worldwide for a second year running!
Today, Astus Boats goes from strength to strength. More than 400 Astus boats can be found around the globe, with satisfied owners stretching from Europe, USA, New Zealand and even Perù. Astus Boats is maintaining a fast pace of development, including leading edge designs and carefully controlled production at its head office site in Britanny, France.
Register your interest now to test out the exciting new boats in the Astus range.
Read more about Astus on the Astus Boats Website
What makes Astus Boats so special?
Astus Boats specialise in unique folding trimarans. When the telescopic floats are retracted these superlight boats can be towed on public roads behind a normal family. Yet, when extended, the floats provide a wide, stable platform to turn wind into speed. Even the largest boats in the Astus range can be rigged, launched and sailed singlehanded.
Are Astus Trimarans safe?
No boat is ‘safe’ in the most extreme circumstances. Yet, with the latest VPLP designs in their current range Astus Boats have created some of the safest boats and yachts available. These modern designs centre around significantly larger wave piercing floats which are placed further forward and outboard to all but eliminate that pitchpoling risk that blighted the multihulls of yesteryear. These massive floats provide excellent buoyancy, significantly more than a similarly sized monohull could deliver. Add to this the most bombproof of Spars and deck gear by Selden, Harken and Ronstan and you have some of the safest boats on the market today.
How come Astus Boats are so cheap?
Astus Boats were set up in 2004 to offer affordable performance in the trailable boats market.
Therefore, all Astus Boats are offerered in minimalist form to keep both weight and cost of the standard boats as low as possible. Owners can opt to add a variety of comfort and sailing options to suit their own sailing requirements whether racing or cruising.
What size options are available in the Astus range?
The Astus range starts with the Astus 14.5 an easily dismantled prao or trimaran which can be carried on the roof of your car for sail anywhere fun. The Astus 16.5, the first design to emerge from the successful partnership with world renowned naval architects VPLP, a high performance daysailer complete with storage cuddy. The Astus 20.5 is the most popular boat of the Astus range providing blistering dinghy-like performance in a secure package complete with a cabin for overnighting. The Astus 22.5 completes the range – a comfortable 4 berth cruiser for those who like to venture further afield with family or friends.
Where can I test sail an Astus?
Boats on Wheels have the most popular model in the Astus trimaran range, the Astus 20.5, available for trail sailing on the South coast right now. We will have the brand new Astus 22.5 available from the middle of the Summer 2022. We can also arrange for test sails in other Astus models in other parts of Europe as required.
