Trimaran

A **trimaran** is a type of three-hulled sailing vessel, with a central hull and two outrigger hulls (or floats) attached with lateral beams. Due to the speed-based design, trimarans are often used in yacht racing.

In the Waterworld film and wider franchise, a heavily modified trimaran - perhaps the last of its type in the ocean-covered world - is the signature vessel and home of the protagonist, The Mariner.

## Description

The trimaran was 60 feet long, and when the sail was unfurled, it had an 85 foot high boom.

It was ramshackle and weather-beaten, the same as all other vessels and structures on Waterworld. It had been repaired multiple times over the years using all manner of materials, including metals, nylons, plastics and fiberglass. However the Mariner had added many of his own customisations over the years, enabling it to be manned by a single sailor. He had also added netting across from the main hull to the outrigger hulls. There is also a number of decorations made from trinkets the Mariner had made salvaged from the ocean floor, of which are kept in his collection in the interior of the vessel; these decorations include such items as wind chimes made from computer chips.

The trimaran has two 'modes'. In trawling mode, the Mariner's trimaran could use an 'eggbeater sail'. When needed, this could be quickly stowed and away and a more traditional yet impressively large sail could be unfurled with haste. The latter racing mode could be used to achieve high levels of speed. For additional bursts of speed, a spinnaker sail could be unfurled. In combination, and given how lightweight the trimaran is, it can attain speeds higher than any other vessel, even able to outrun motorised watercraft.

Also aboard the trimaran the Mariner kept a makeshift diving bell and scavenged flares for use in longer forays underwater.

## History

The Mariner was in possession of the trimaran for an unspecified amount of time prior to the events of the film, although he had likely had it for a long time.

The Smokers burned the trimaran, and after the Mariner helped the survivors of Oasis Atoll find Dryland, the Mariner took out to sea a new, wooden boat the found on the shore there.

After the events of the film, and as seen in the comics, the Mariner made a new trimaran, this one made from the husk of an old jet fighter.

## Toys

* *Main article: Waterworld toy line*

Kenner released a line of action figures based on Waterworld, and also a trimaran playset.

The trimaran playset was the only playset in the Kenner Waterworld toy line, which comprised mainly action figures.

## Gallery

### Film

The trimaran against the sunThe trimaran against the moonTrimaran below deckThe Mariner on the mastThe Mariner and Enola on the bow of the trimaranThe Mariner beside the trimaran harpoonThe Mariner at the trimaran controlsWide shot of The Mariner at the controlsTrimaran approaching Oasis Atoll (background)The trimaran enters Oasis AtollThe Mariner's trimaran escapes the Smoker attack on the atollThe Mariner, Helen and Enola on the trimaranMeeting with a drifter in another boatThe Mariner uses his own weight to give the trimaran a sharp bank whilst escaping the smoker ambush at the Bartering OutpostThe spinnaker sail unfurled for additional speedThe trimaran facing down some smokersSmokers capture the trimaranThe remains of the trimaran after being burnt by the The Deacon
### Video games

The trimaran entering an atoll in the video gamesIn the 2022 arcade game
### Comics

The Mariner's later trimaran in the comics, this one made from a jet fighter
### Toys

The Kenner Trimaran Playset (see Waterworld toy line and Waterworld (board game))

## Trivia

* In Peter Rader's original script/pitch in the 1980s, the protagonist's boat went undescribed, but was referred to as the **Meggan**.
* In Peter Rader's second revised script of 1991, the protagonist's ship was not a racing-orientated trimaran, but was a converted barge. The protagonist, Morgan, names the vessel **Miranda** after his late wife who was killed by pirates.

## Production history

Concept artist Steve Burg's first job on the film was to come up with a 'hero boat', and he found inspiration in sailing magazines. He toyed with the idea of a catamaran, but decided that a trimaran would be better both practically and aesthetically. The French company Jeanneau Advanced Systems, a world leader in racing yacht production, was hired to construct Berg's vision.

Two trimarans were built for the film; one for close-up filming and displaying the transformations (which was only partially viable as a sailing vessel), while the other was fully seaworthy and intended for wide-shots and sailing on the open sea. Each cost over a million to make. The first is kept as a prop at Universal Studio's *Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular* in Hollywood City. The other is a working vessel, now named *Loe Real*, was purchased by a private collector in San Diego.

## Production galleries

### Concept art

Concept artwork of the trimaran by Steve BurgWith 'eggbeater sail'
### Production gallery

The sailing trimaran under construction by Jeanneau
### Behind the scenes

Production still of the trimaran in the atoll setAtoll approachAgainst a sunset

## Sources

* Behind the scenes images courtesy of The Atoll Instagram page via The Making of Waterworld

## References

1. ↑ Maelstrom: The Odyssey of Waterworld