This WEIRD Boat is Making Waves in the Cruising World [Full Tour] Learning the Lines

The Neel 43 offers a lot for a relative little. With more space than pretty much every other 43 foot cruising sailboat out there, and the ability to sail faster than most of them as well, she's definitely filling a need in the market right now.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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Approximate MSRP (highly dependent on trim and options): $350-$450k USD
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Learning the Lines is a channel about us, an average couple in our 20's, with big dreams to be sailing the world by the time we're in our 30's. We're not afraid to jump into anything, put in the work, and learn as we go. We started out with Somnium, an O'day 272, moved onto Freebie, an Endeavour 32, and now are focusing on sailboat tours and working full time as teachers while we save up for our next boat.
Please leave a like and comment if you've enjoyed the video, and subscribe if you haven't already.

[@markbernier8434]

Those big pieces of foam looked to me like packing billets. Possibly to protect some equipment the sales people brought with them.

[@donaldvanvliet9039]

These neels have been around long enough now to no longer be ‘weird’.

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

If you are a couple and maybe even if you got small kids, this is the perfect boat. If you charter or want to bring family and friends onboard once in a while, the Neel 51 (soon 52) is not that much more expensive in reality, and that will gives you cabins with more privacy.

[@angela1984a]

You seem fairly intelligent, so what's up with the religious delusion in your 'username'?...

[@chikken_soup]

I like the concept of NEELs but their interiors are equivalent to discount bin specials at IKEA

[@angela1984a]

Ever asked them if they would be willing to do something custom with the interior?...

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

That is Sailing Ruby Rose slander and not reality at all. Neel is for sure build with lightweight modern materials, also inside and not real massive wood, as were their old monohul. But the same goes for all multihul boats on the market, including their much more expensive Balance catamaran, which simply are down to the fact, that the downside of a multihul is their load bearing capacity always. The performance of multihul much relies on not overloading them. There is not a single multihul on the market today, which uses solid woods for cabinets for the same reason, they all uses veneer. By the way, another lie of that Nick is, that Neel do not offer any customization at all: You essentially have a choice of several layouts for each model and for sure also can customize surfaces on the interior.

[@GenerationX-GenX]

Dude... Every time I watch one of your vids I swear it's Jake Gyllenhaal talking about boats. Cool boat and great vid!

[@gr3398]

👍on the hair. As always, appreciate the honest review.

[@dennismacdonald2003]

Nice boat ty

[@mikemendes7598]

I have watched this boat with huge interest from the beginning. Being a trimaran owner and enthusiast, I have generally loved Neel's "out of the box thinking", as you say. But there are a few things on this one that baffle me. 1) Where's the storage!? On almost every boat/yacht tour under 80' storage is pointed out and empahasized over and over. Besides the galley there is ZERO storage on this boat for your belongings! You can get a storage package which is a bunch of hanging pockets, and wouldn't be even close to adequate for a week, much less a serious cruiser. 2) The weird double berth on the port side at least has a solid partition in the boat you toured. The first examples I saw had only a curtain, so that is an improvement. And while it may be good for a couple of small kids, no one past about 12 is going to want to stay there next to the main cabin activity. 3) The head is a joke for such a huge 43 footer. They needed to have included a separate shower somehow. For the doubters below about speed, see Yachting World's review with Toby Hodges doing 8.5 in 12 knots true. Or this short video of a 43 blowing by a ~ 45' foot schooner with all sails up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boHHoqWQgNijnrs. When someone videos one of these out in 18 - 20, I think you will see impressive numbers. I am personally a huge thumb's up on the haircut! But then I am almost totally bald, so I like the aerodynamic look.

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

On this model Neel has gone for open an simple storage beneath the berths, which essentially is one huge storage space. Also, the outriggers are essentially also massive storage space in full length, though the bow partition in both could be used as simple one berth cabins. In reality that probably would rarely be used as such though realistically. On top, the entire technical space in all Neel trimarans are the entire rear half of the main central and load caring hull, which for sure offers storage possibilities too, though left to the owners to develop for themselves. I do agree on the head situation though. I actually like the old 45 Neel model more than this one, for the same reason, because it standard offered two on deck cabins and both with a better head with separate shower.

[@steventhun1813]

I think you are weird mate! The boat (trimaran) is just fine!

[@DougVarble]

Wow, good video and informative perspective as we all expect that from you Randy… BUT do you have an job interview? What happened too the hair?🎉 cheers

[@julianbatcheler9970]

I would prefer that over most of the cats... good to see an actual tri rather than a mono with outriggers. The single head seems a bit crazy.

[@karlp2560]

stunning to say the least !

[@neel-trimaransgroup]

Thank you very much!

[@cigarmann]

I just hope their quality control has improved

[@FatWhiskyDrinkingGuy]

"Gone with the wyns" are sailing one right now.... and from what's broken on that boat, i'd say absolutely not...

[@cigarmann]

@@FatWhiskyDrinkingGuy been watching that series. Yes basic safety things are broken I would not trust taking this boat offshore.

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

@@FatWhiskyDrinkingGuy That's nonsense, man. It were a shakedown sail, which all new boats need and things always will break. It for sure also will result in things breaking, when they do the same kind of shakedown sail on their own much more expensive, yet smaller, HH44, I can tell you

[@63bigmac63]

Can you show us a Neal in the 50' range. Please

[@Rodrifuuu]

The port forward berth should be a second head connected to the "kid's" cabin.

[@stephenmurray9850]

Having kids inside , yep .. not to bad, BUT outside is a nightmare for small kids, the side "safety rails" are too low and not enough of them, the bows have no overboard protection at all. The rear cockpit has nothing stopping anyone from falling overboard .. even Adults . Price wise for a brand new boat , it's very good. I wonder how much the options would be to make it livable. Are you still buying your seawind cat or has that been put on hold? Thanks for the video ( oh you look heaps better with the haircut ..lol)

[@georgemorris9971]

I agree about the haircut - and congratulations on the new crew member - he/she was still work in progress in the last video I watched

[@scottcrowe3237]

Love these! Did Neel say anything about the loose styrofoam?

[@paulwyand6204]

Just an example of the poor build quality.

[@helomech1973]

If it had a dry head and a second head this would be my next boat. Would happily give up one of the other beds to get a second head. At least a second toilet, only need one shower.

[@PN_48]

Weird? Yeh tri’s have been around for a very long time…. That aside, great boat review!

[@freddywulf2024]

A GREAT MSRP!

[@olafk2297]

If i had the money, i wold buy one

[@ablemarine9072]

Forward Nav station has a six inch desk what good is that! Nit able to lay a full size chart on it certainly appears to be a good bay boat Single Head? No shower stall not an impressive catamaran seems to like a floating box! Everyone has opinions! One head for a Family of Four??? Hmmmm

[@symbolsandsystems]

all that pink would look better yellow

[@frankstocker5475]

How did they manage to get so many things so wrong?

[@svechappe6075]

Interesting to see a larger tri interior. Didn't realize that that you can introduce a bridge deck and span all three hulls with above deck interior space. Creates some opportunities for space layout. Not sure Neel took full advantage of that here, but definitely see possibilities. Am pleasantly surprised with the price, but does raise questions about build quality. Jordan, just a piece of constructive critique, use the term "stateroom" instead of "cabin" when describing a sleeping quarters. Keep up the good work.

[@michiganengineer8621]

Most boat reviews/tours I've seen use the term "Stateroom" to refer to a cabin with either an ensuite head. The ones at the bows of the amas are more coffin sized.

[@gregdamario5808]

I like the Neil a great deal. They are actual cruising boats compared to the WAY overpriced day sailor trimarans known as Dragonflies. (PS, Dragonflies are fantastic Corvette, Ferrari day sailors, but not functional cruisers.) Some thoughts: That grooved handhold in the cabin top would make a wonderful rainwater catcher if the water tank fillers were below the terminal ends of the grooves and Neil provided collapsible hoses from the cabin top down to the fillers. Simple, USEFUL and inexpensive with a little foresight. The helm station is very good, but it needs factory built, hard, integrated weather protection. Unlike the subsentient designers of larger monohulls, who almost always consistently place the helm station(s) as far away from the Nav station and galley as possible, not under the bimini, with no protection from the elements except as expensively provided by aftermarket vendors. But the Neil helm station placement is good and with some thoughtful factory protection, could be excellent. The solar panels are inadequate and need to be quadruplicated on the cabin roof and/or a stern arch. Why, why, why, why, why are there no dorades on modern boats so during inclement weather, sailors do not need to open hatches and ports, subject to rain, spray and occasional deck crashing wave incursions? Others have commented on a general lack of storage and restroom facilities, so I will not duplicate those opinions. I really favor the Neils as a group, although individual boats could be better. For livability per size and speed and function, they provide a lot of value for the price. One question I have often posed but to which I have never received an answer is, can a Windvane type autopilot be installed on the main hull of a tri-hull, given that, on the main hull, the sail would have to extend above the cabin top to access non-turbulent air. OR, could one install a Windvane out on each amas? Come on! Somebody with the requisite experience ANSWER ME! Please?

[@GuyCruls]

it's unclear just how well the cabin in the port side closes off from the salon...

[@Regencyexpress1769]

I saw you at the Annapolis boat show , love what you do man … the Neel is my favourite cat , saw the Okelly’s guest passage , definitely wouldn’t buy the smaller version. Next to the dragonfly , best Trimaran on the water 💦

[@rumblechick73]

Watch The Wynn's sailing a larger version of the Neel tri south to Miami, The boat is a pig. Very fussy and fiddly creaks like a dying whale, all kinds of shortcomings. It's a marina princess.

[@jimhiggason6927]

I like your new clean cut look. The hippy hair was grating on me, causing me to fast forward every time I saw your mug.

[@clifbradley]

When you get to the larger versions of these, the 'Super Tri's' they are Leens. Which is just Neel backwards and is kind of cute but the first time I ever saw the bigger version of these, someone said 'Oh the Leen is a knockoff of a Neel' a d the rep said 'Well no, it's the same company.' And the lady started to argue with him that he was wrong because she was a deckstew on yachts and that apparently made her an expert in all things yacht.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Leens are the trimaran motor yacht arm of Neal sailing yachts. I like the layout of the early large Neal that is home to the Polish familly behind sailing Oceans... See their ocean crossing to see how competent these boats can be in a rough sea and at speed.

[@jamesaron1967]

@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 - SailOcean's Neel is a 50 and apparently that was a prototype constructed early in the company's history. There was never another one built. I am not a fan of the layout of that Neel. There's no interior access to the amas like there is on the Neel 51. Also, it has a round front windscreen which looks nice but it cuts into the forward space of the saloon reducing its size. The round greenhouse is no longer part of the Neel yacht design language. All their yachts feature a rectangular salon now probably because it offers more interior space. The evolution of Neel yachts over the years is an interesting study.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@jamesaron1967 True but its proved its worth and layout over the years and they have been modifying it over the past years.

[@jamesaron1967]

​@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 Their yacht overall is a good one. I like every modification they have done to it so far and enjoy viewing their videos on the progress of the work. Hope it turns out the way they planned. They poured a ton of time and money into the refit. I'm not criticizing their choices nor the overall design of the boat only the interior layout. The double main deck cabins are great if you have family, like the Neel 43 in this video or the discontinued Neel 45. I would prefer there to be only one cabin on the main deck but that's just for my needs and tastes. If I ever get a yacht like the Neel 50 with two closed off main deck cabins, I'd convert the second one into a special room by removing the berth. That's always a possibility.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@jamesaron1967 No problem each boat is a bit better or worse depending on. The owners needs.. and modifications. Ive yet to figure out what exactly they managed to do in their winter haul out. The troublesome neighbour and winter storms all complicated their plans i think. Since then theres been an explosion of innovation with Windelo ..Basalt and Rapido 550 popping up Bennitaue launching hybrids using recyclable resins ... And Mazda of all people stepping in to produce a hybrid generator power train for cars but something thats been done in aviation for light super compact APUs ..then there's the similar liquid piston motor design and the single stroke engine ...im still trying to get my head round that one .. but it all comes down to very small light APU generators... Basalt and Hemp fibers both look very good replacement candidates for costly and polluting Carbon and Glass.. Reducing cost and environmental impact... theres still the issue of single use plastics in the vacuum bagging moulding process .. Bamboo and pressure treated softwood laminates are also showing advantages..in terms of mechanical engineering and boat designs. The rapido 550 was so far ahead in is layout that its only now with folks like The Bearfoot doctors Plucky the Whynns and others that want live this life and sail short handed. That the market seems to be begining to catch up with the features that boat offered ... The Dix DH 55 s also seemed to offer a self build step into the Present emerging way of thinking and living a life on the wave. 😎⛵ The battery tech is about to flip into realistic mode with the departure from Li chemistry ..and round cells..so blades offer advantages over rounds even with Lithium tech.

[@thebentley71]

This Neel is not completely fitted out yet. I've seen 43 Neel's with double cabins in each outer hull with a head & shower, those extra front storage rooms become heads. Down in the middle hull is another double with it's own head & shower, & the head uses some of the space of the engine room. The room on top is optional, if you want a bigger galley & bigger fridge & freezer that is deleted. They do have a head for on the upper area, but it doesn't have a shower. They usually have an outdoor shower to wash off sand & saltwater. I think this is just a model to show people the basic structure. I would never by one configured like this. It makes no since since to have have four rooms & one head.

[@mikemendes7598]

I think you are confused with the 47, which is waht you've described. There is no room in the ama's of the 43 for a double berth.

[@jamesaron1967]

I agree with the other commenter, you are not describing any 43 I've ever heard about. I seriously doubt there's room on the 43 for the kind of layout. At minimum it must be a 47 but it could be another model. All the 43s I've seen are like this or very similar.

[@FeelItRising]

'small galley' bigger than my apartment

[@mmac4047]

Slow down your pans, it will look more professional include some still wide shots to summarize what your showing and act as a location marker to return to. Include a still of a floor plan or where your at and what direction your. Heading as a gel or overlay. Great job overall.

[@ivannightly1919]

just a suggestion put the name of the boat in the title the search engine finds it easier than the description

[@Antipodean33]

Is this the model that owners have been showing the abysmal build quality, with cracks literally all over the boat from bulkheads to hull and everywhere else? Also they ain't too happy with the builder who is ignoring them about these life endangering flaws

[@roadboat9216]

Interesting boat. I like the layout. And if you want privacy just close the blinds. Love the access to equipment. Is there a hatch above the engine?

[@johnnydiaz1098]

i find it funny that im judging this boat like i could actually afford it

[@adrianrubi5012]

Floor at the NavStation is not level.

[@monsterhog1118]

Forward facing nav station, Forward facing nav station, Forward facing nav station, Forward facing nav station

[@ChrisDraussen]

It is not a bluewater cruiser in my opinion bcs too lees storage space overall. The pantry... Not good bcs you cannot even brace yourself securely. Engine room is top, really well layed out, except the engine itself. It had to be placed there at the Stern asnof the saildrive. Shaft drive would be better here in my opinion bcs you can place the motor more centered, more accessible less draft over all.

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

That is absolute nonsense. Did you even watch the video? Storage in full length of the berths, both outriggers are essentially massive storage spaces, though the bow portion of both also could be used for single berths and in all Neel trimarans the rear half of the main load bearing hull is a technical room, which also could be utilized for storage. Actually, show me same length catamaran, which got as much storage as this one

[@charleyjohnson4823]

Where is Brandi?

[@freddywulf2024]

ya cut your hair halfway through episode? you are tripping me out man. A Beautiful Trimaran for sure!

[@IndieChefster]

Looks like they are going for around 450-600k on yacht world fitted out.

[@scyz2807]

Interesting sailboat. I prefer mono hulls for some strange reason.

[@robertjensen2328]

Monohulls are better looking.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

It's a condomaran of trimarans. The layout of the larger Neels, while also odd, is more practical. See also their build quality problems. Finish/construction of less visible areas/details looks less than great. For more performance oriented tris, see Rapido, or Chris White, or Dragonfly, or Corsair, or Farrier, etc. Also read Chris White's book "The Cruising Multihull" and Jim Brown's book "The Case for the Cruising Trimaran".

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

I am a Dane, Dragonfly is built in this country. They are nice boats, but the Dragonfly 40 is sold for base price matching the base price of Neel 43, that offers 3 times the indoor space at least. Boats are always a compromise. Do you really need sailing performance that much, that you prefer to essentially sail a monohul with outriggers, as Dragonfly is, to a premium price? My beef wit Dragonfly is, that I could buy a much better monohul then for that kind of money and still have the same space as that one, while Neel offers both accommodation and performance.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@@1corinthians15.1-4kjv Different boat designs can have different goals. If the goal is to have a lot of cabin space, that's always possible, but physics says it will be heavier and slower. Yes, you can get a nice monohull for the price of a Dragonfly, but the monohull won't have anywhere near the performance of a performance-oriented multihull. It also won't be as safe or stable. Catamarans are more stable than monohulls, and trimarans are more stable that catamarans. I highly recommend the books of Chris White and Jim Brown for more information.

[@yannick60240]

Hopefully this is a cheap boat, however, i cannot imagine Travel one day or more.... Without a fridge !!

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

It got fridges, at the side of the forward indoor helm position

[@Morrisfactor]

I think the Neel concept works better on their larger designs, whereas trying to fit the large cabin on top of a 43' hull structure seems to present too much windage and weight up high - going to windward won't be easy. Maybe the 47' - if you have the extra money!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

It's even heavier and has more windage on a bigger boat.

[@liongod1000]

*_ Yep, WEIRD!!! But then again, "Horses for courses" _*

[@emilybh6255]

Too bad the navigation instruments aren't higher up. Some look like they are at knee level. I don't see a table either. What if you want to look at a paper chart to plot a course the old fashioned way? You need a flat surface to put it on. Maybe you are supposed to use the top of the fridge for that and sit on the ledge in front of the instruments and turn sideways or maybe kneel on that ledge so you are high enough to be able to look down onto the chart. It also would be nice to have back up steering there.

[@djopdam199]

Nice looking boat.... And there the problems start. It's too buoyant at the bow's so it hobbyhorses like a empty bottle and changes the wind angle so fast it makes your rig looses it's effectiveness making it as fast/slow as an old production catamaran. And the NICE place to put your dinghy... Whil make you cry if used with the boom.... Everytime!!! It's a half good idea, build with a lot of compromises but really spacious. And the second hand market proves this. Sail it! Live with it! And then decide if you want a dodgy build floating condo that hobbyhorses with a garage on the second floor and a big enough surface area to make you spin around and around in the anchorage....

[@jamesaron1967]

Regarding the hobbyhorsing, it's not much different from most cruising catamarans. A lot of them do that and yeah it sucks.

[@angela1984a]

All boats have negatives. Monos and cats do as well. I would would go for a test sail to decide for myself.

[@angela1984a]

@@jamesaron1967 Doesn't heavy cats hobbyhorse the most? As I understand it, the lighter and longer the cat or tri - the less hobbyhorseing. So short Lagoons and such will be be the worst. But longer and lighter cats and tris are considerably better. Have you ever been on a longer really light cat or tri?...

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

Too buoyant at the bows? The buoyancy at the bows and the lightweight construction paired with massive sail areas is what gives multihuls the sailing performance each over monohuls. If you can not accept the downsides of that, no multihul really is suiting your taste at all

[@Paul_C]

Why is it weird?

[@atomisum6445]

I think i like your haircut better than the boat!

[@charleyjohnson4823]

Haircut?

[@atomisum6445]

@@charleyjohnson4823 his hair was cut in the outtro but now I realize that was probably older than the video it's self

[@JoeThornFreedom]

I like the long hair better.

[@vxnova1]

Ruby rose gave these guys a really bad review for build quality, also gone with the wynns are sailing the bigger one at the moment, Lots of info about these out there now,

[@michiganengineer8621]

Yeah, Jason and Nikki were having all KINDS of trouble with the rigging on that 47 Neel they were delivering.

[@mikemendes7598]

That was years ago.

[@mikemendes7598]

@@michiganengineer8621 They got it sorted out in their last video.

[@michiganengineer8621]

@@mikemendes7598 Yep, I watched that shortly after my OP. I'm not convinced the few square feet added is worth the hassle of the squared off main-sail 🤣

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

@@michiganengineer8621 Ones again, that is not unusual at all on a shakedown sail on a completely new delivery. It will be the same on their own new HH 44, when that delivers, for sure, and it is after all much more expensive and yet a smaller boat.

[@robertfreeman2322]

That is an awesome boat but, I didn't hear any mention of a bow thruster? It has skeg hung twin rudders which rule but when getting into a slip with no bow thruster they drool. Having a single engine with twin rudders, the prop doesn't push water over the rudder it shoots it straight back between them so you need to be moving for them to be of any use. When you are backing into a slip for instance and you fall off a little, on a regular single rudder vessel you'd put the rudder hard over put gear in forward and juice the throttle a little to kick your ass end over as the prop will push water over the rudder into the direction you have it and you'd straighten it out and then reverse into your slip. With twin rudders you'll try that maneuver and end up just going forward and have no real action until the vessel has water moving past its rudders. I found this out the hard way when I rented 50ft twin rudder new Beneteau Oceanis but thankfully it had a bow thruster and it helped but I still had to move forward 10ft or so to get my stern to do anything and I ended up just docking that boat bow first when we go to Key West so as not to deal with tight quarters stern in. I loved the responsiveness of the twins offshore and sailing but you'd better have a powerful bow thruster if your going to be in tight quarters a lot. IMHO

[@davidfrancis8899]

to deep a draft ..

[@obsidianjane4413]

Awwwwwww... you cut your hair. :(

[@paulwyand6204]

Interesting design hampered by poor build quality and extream windage. I know tri's can be fast, but this seems to take the worst aspects of both catamaran and monohull.

[@Tb0n3]

$400,000 "Affordable" Buy a used boat if you want affordable.

[@rudolfbrunokleinert9425]

This thing got bad reviews from people with truckload of experience...

[@stevehansen6552]

Not a fan.

[@bobbates7343]

I do not like that boat at all

[@Justjack613]

I do not like the configuration of this boat. As big as this boat is, it looks like everything is jammed in. No thanks.

[@FixNewsPlease]

So much plastic.

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

Expensive and not thought out well. What’s not to like. Would hate to pay for the upgrades it already needs. Terrible color scheme for the boat show. Ugly. Needs more hard tops instead of canvas. Expensive….expensive….expensive. Docking would be expensive too.

[@ButterflySiPattaya]

This just looks like people who’ve very little experience/knowledge of boats to have made terrible design decisions as are on this cat. Strange layout.

[@cigarmann]

Agreed, only one head for a boat of this size?

[@geniexmay562]

@@cigarmann Just French practicality! LOL