Grainger 075: World’s Coolest Yachts

Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times. Simon Hiscocks, British double Olympic medalist in the 49er skiff (silver at Sydney 2000 and bronze at Athens 2004) and boat builder, nominates the Grainger 075. Here’s the report:

“Boat ‘cool’ has gone up a notch recently with foilers doing some serious speeds. The 49er has a special place in my sailing history, while the Moth and Switch are amazing boats to sail. But it’s a completely different craft that wins my coolest yacht award,” says Hiscocks. “I came across an 8m Grainger-designed trimaran some years ago that inspired a four-year renovation project, launching just over a year ago.”

The trimaran was a Grainger 075, the first design by Australian Tony Grainger. The first 075, called Born to Run, was launched in 1986 and caught plenty of attention with its performance at Hamilton Island Race Week that year, inspiring many fast trimaran designs. Time Machine was a modified version of the same design specifically for racing.

“This genre of small multihulls are fast enough to need some due diligence, there is just enough room to eat and sleep, heaps of hang-out space for family while all the shoreside bits can be managed with the minimum of help,” Hiscocks adds.

Grainger 075 stats rating
Top speed: 20 knots
LOA: 8m/26ft
Launched: 1986
Berths: 4
Price: from £25,000
Adrenalin factor: 80%

For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.