In this post, you’re invited to listen to a short audio clip. It features a recent interview I conducted with longtime multihull sailor, boatbuilder and marine entrepreneur Mike Eaton, who shared a few memories about the Malibu Outrigger and the Triad trimaran. (He even throws in a few favorable comments about the Piver Nugget too).
It’s always fun to hear from somebody like Mike who has sailed a lot, built a bunch of small trimarans and was deeply immersed in the Southern California multihull culture of the late 50s … on into the 1960s.
As mentioned in a previous post about the Triad trimaran, the building plans for the Triad are now available at Duckworks’ online store.
Here are some photos of the Malibu Outriggers Mike built …
Here are some photos of the Piver Nugget trimarans Mike built …
And here are some photos of the Triad trimarans (designed by Joe Dobler) that Mike’s shop built back in the 60s …
The following audio clip isn’t very long, but Mike’s observations reflect the type of things we generally want to know about small tris. Be sure to check out Mike’s website at www.EatonSurf.com, which offers information about his current marine-based business in Hawaii.
Update – 12-29-11: Mike Eaton just sent me word that he has confirmed that building plans for the Malibu Outrigger are available from John Able (for $50). Anyone interested may contact him at … ph 310-456-8384 , 20494 Royalstone DR , Malibu,CA, 90265-5346
Click on the controls on the audio bar below to start, stop or pause the audio …
Joe, sounds like you need to follow up with Mike regarding some more of the pictures he has! He mentioned more than one model that he has “a lot” of pictures of. It would be good to hear more head to head comparison of the many legacy multihull designs he built and sailed, and which if any would be worth building today amidst the newer designs. I had not been too attuned to trimarans but your book and posts are changing that. I am intrigued by the Triad and wonder how it stacks up against more current designs…
Hi Robert. He does have some more pics … but I don’t know if they’re easily obtainable (meaning “tucked away” somewhere dusty).
Let’s scan ’em and add them to your website! Much of the history of these designs will be lost otherwise. Despite its description as a very fast tri, very little info is available on the Triad trimaran.
I agree.