This paper studies the hydrodynamic performance of a channel type planing trimaran. A numerical simulation is carried out based on a RANS-VOF solver to analyze the hydrodynamic performance of the channel type planing trimaran. A series of hydrodynamic experiments in towing tank were carried out, in which both the running attitude and the resistance performance of the trimaran model were recorded. Some hydrodynamic characteristics of the channel type planning trimaran are shown by the results. Firstly, the resistance declines significantly, with the forward speed across the high-speed resistance peak due to the combined effects of the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic lifts. Secondly, the resistance performance is influenced markedly by the longitudinal positio- ns of centre of the gravity and the displacements. Besides, the pressure distribution on the hull and the two-phase flow in the channel are discussed in the numerical simulations.