Validation of a Vision: Rapido 500 ECO Nominated for Multihull of the Year 2026
- Rapido Catamarans
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Rapido, we have never been interested in building "just another" power catamaran. Our DNA is rooted in performance, efficiency, and the uncompromising physics of the ocean.
To Vote, visit the Multihull of the Year Voting Page. Voting closes 18 April, 2026 before La Grande Motte Boat Show which commences on 22 April, 2026.
That is why the nomination of the Rapido 500 ECO for Multihull of the Year 2026 (45’–60’ Power Catamaran category) is so significant. It isn't just a nod to a new model; it is industry recognition that the era of over-powered, high-drag cruising is shifting toward something more intelligent.
Engineering Over Aesthetics
The Rapido 500 ECO Power Cat was born from a specific challenge: How do you cruise long distances with a minimal carbon footprint without sacrificing the soul of a blue-water vessel?
While many power cats rely on massive horsepower to push heavy hulls through the water, we focused on efficiency through weight distribution and hull refinement. We didn't design a boat to win an award; we designed it to win against the rising costs of fuel and the demands of the open sea.
A reminder that, with respect to our DNA, performance sailing trimarans: as an example, the same Rapido 53XS that won the Transatlantic ARC Rally two months ago in December 2025 is now sailing in Antarctica (February 2026).
The Proof is in the Logbook
Credibility isn’t claimed; it’s earned. On her maiden delivery from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore, the Hull #01 proved that "ECO" isn't a marketing buzzword; it's a performance metric.
Metric | Real-World Data |
Passage | Saigon / HCMC (Vietnam) to Singapore (600nm) |
Duration | 49 Hours |
Avg. Speed | 12.2 Knots |
Fuel Burn | ~18 Litres/Hour (Total for 2x 80HP Diesels) |
Efficiency | 1.5 Litres per Nautical Mile |
For a 50-foot vessel, these numbers represent a paradigm shift. It makes long passages not just possible, but economically practical. On that trip, it actually cost less to move a full crew than the price of their collective airfare.
A Modular Platform for the Future
The genius of the 500 ECO lies in its adaptability. Because the hull is so inherently efficient, it functions as a high-performance "blank canvas" for various propulsion and use cases:
Propulsion Freedom: Designed to excel with:
Diesel inboards
Lightweight outboards, or most naturally
Full electric and hybrid configurations.
Mission Specific: The layout and power options are equally suited for:
Private long-range cruising
High-end charter, or
Demanding commercial applications.
Shallow Water Access: Its refined draft allows operators to explore remote anchorages and fragile ecosystems that traditional power cats simply cannot reach.
We are proud to stand alongside the industry's established names. For us, being in this lineup is a signal to "thinking sailors" that there is now a credible, serious alternative for those who value engineering over excess.
How to Support the Shift
If you believe that the future of power multihulls should be defined by efficiency and measured performance, we invite you to cast your vote in Multihull World's competition. The process is very simple:
Visit the Multihull of the Year Voting Page.
Select the Rapido 500 ECO in the 45’–60’ Power category. (There are six separate categories. Click the thumbnail in each category to select your preferred candidate.)
Submit your details (name and email address) to finalize.
For more information
Visit the Rapido 500 ECO Power Cat page
Email phil@triaccomposites.com
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