Arthur Piver

Arthur Piver (1910-1968) had no formal training as a yacht designer or naval architect, yet produced some of the most influential early trimaran designs and is attributed with igniting a 'multihull fever' that sprung up in the 1960s.

Inspired, energetic and an excellent communicator, Arthur Piver convinced many of his time that they could build their own trimaran and sail the world for a few thousand dollars. More than a few notable multihull designers, including Dick Newick and Tony Smith, started out by building a Piver.

The compelling message from Piver was that his designs could be built at home very cheaply and easily using materials from lumberyards and local hardware stores, resulting in a fast and ocean-going cruiser. Arthur Piver's plywood designs were deep veed, without daggerboards and very suitable for amateur construction. His plans were well researched, detailed and clear. He tested his designs extensively, sailing over 35,000 miles in several of his designs, including two Atlantic and one Pacific crossing.

Arthur Piver launched his first trimaran, the 16 ft (4.9 m) FROLIC, in 1958. His best known designs include the Nugget 25, Nimble 30, Lodestar 35 and Victress 40. Victor Tchetchet was one of Arthur Piver's early influences.

In 1968 he was lost at sea off the coast of California while logging miles for the 1968 OSTAR.

Books by Arthur Piver:

• Trans-Atlantic Trimaran
• Trans-Pacific Trimaran
• Trimaran Third Book
• Navigation by Simulous