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Variation on a Theme

Since innovative multihulls are in the spotlight this summer, we thought we’d introduce you to another variation on the theme. While traveling in Russia a few months ago, reader Larry Radcliffe of El Cerrito came across this odd-looking trimaran as it was sailing into the docks at Petrozavodsk (on a northern lake, east of Finland).

This odd trimaran has a tabernacle mast and what appear to be removable amas. But what is it used for?

© 2013 Larry Radcliffe

Larry was pretty sure the boxy craft wasn’t a hydrofoiler, but it seemed to be purpose-built for a specific function. What function? Sadly, he never found out due his inability to speak the local tongue. 

What’s your analysis? Is she merely a pleasure craft? A shallow-water fishing boat? A stealth spy vessel? A prototype for the next America’s Cup? Or something else. Write us here with your thoughts. The best answer — whether factual or whimsical — will win an official Latitude 38 cap. 

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Oracle has taken the gun for the last four races of the America’s Cup.
"I’m going to be driving down to La Paz next month with Bernard and Becky Robinson who live there on their San Diego-based powerboat Worth Waiting 4," writes Ginger Clark.