The Diam 24od expands to the USA: an enthusiast’s perspective

The Diam 24od community is growing, and this time, the one-design trimaran is making waves across the Americas. Philippe Bettler, an American sailor and multihull enthusiast, shares his perspective on the emergence of an active fleet in the United States.

A passion born from a handshake

“As a teenager, I received an award from [French sailing legend] Marc Pajot. His handshake sealed my passion for multihulls,” Philippe recalls. Forty years later, that enthusiasm remains intact. Things accelerated during a trip to Brittany, France, where he met Vianney Ancellin, the builder of the Diam 24od. The connection was immediate, and the test sail was a revelation: “That blend of speed and adrenaline completely won me over.”

From Caribbean charters… to an american project

Not yet ready to purchase a boat, Philippe discovered a fleet of Diam 24ods available for charter in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin in the Caribbean. He rallied five friends from Austin, Texas, and flew down for a first trip in 2023. “What a trip! Four days of pure joy, rarely without a reef in the mainsail, with constant 15 to 30-knot winds in an idyllic postcard setting.” The group repeated the experience in 2024, and again in 2025 with even more boats. The momentum was building.

Three Diam 24ods land in Texas

In 2024, Philippe and two friends took the next big step: importing three Diam 24ods to the United States. The fleet has now found its home at the Austin Yacht Club in Texas. Vianney made the trip over to help with the setup and handover: “His support was crucial. Having him in Austin to launch the boats and guide us was a true pleasure.” Since then, the sailing hasn’t stopped: “The Diam 24od is brilliantly designed and remarkably safe, even when conditions on our Lake Travis can be tricky. Everyone who sees it stops to look—it is definitely one of the most beautiful boats around.”

A fleet poised for growth

For Philippe, this is just the beginning: “We want to grow the American fleet. The Austin skippers are already planning regattas and events. Above all, we want to welcome other sailors eager to discover the Diam 24od. We have perfect sailing conditions almost year-round on the Texas lakes—ideal opportunities to come join us.”