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Joseph Rome bought his brand-new Corsair Dash 750 Surprise in December and immediately hit the road. Last month, the Ormond Beach, Fla., resident took his team of Mike McGarry and Sherry Smith to Key West Race Week, where Surprise finished third in the multihull division. This weekend’s Sperry-Top Sider St. Petersburg NOOD is his second event with the new boat, and Rome couldn’t be happier with the 24-foot trimaran’s performance.
“Compared to other trimarans I’ve sailed, the Dash 750 is a bit smaller, lighter, and more agile,” he says. “Perhaps it’s a bit easier, more entry-level. But it suits us, because it’s a little easier on the budget and on the way it handles.”
Through two days of racing in the 13-boat Corsair/ Farrier Trimarans division—which includes one other Corsair Dash 750 in addition to Corsair 24s, Corsair 28Rs, and Corsair Sprint 750s—Rome’s team sits in third place with a 3-7-2-3 scoreline. For his part, McGarry has been taking copious mental notes. “We’re just hoping to improve,” says the tactician. “We’re learning how to deal with light air. It’s good practice, and we’re making the best of it. Compared to the other boats in the division, ours is a little smaller and a little bit slower. Waterline always helps. But we’re close on their tails.”
The Dash 750 is easy to handle on the water, and, perhaps more importantly, easy to handle off the water. “These boats are easy to transport,” says Smith, a triathlon coach who runs the foredeck aboard Surprise. “You just pop it on the trailer and drive to the next venue.”
Rome will compete in the U.S. Trimaran Nationals in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in April, and he’s eager to take his campaign beyond the Sunshine State—ideally to other NOOD events. “We’d like to sail as many NOOD regattas as we can,” he says. “As soon as we can get a good group of boats together, we’d like to do Annapolis and Marblehead. With this boat, we can go anywhere.”
Tom Reese’s Corsair 28R _Flight Simulator leads the division; for complete results, click here._
