New Wave?

Wild Oats' (right) success at Hamilton Island last fall suggested things might be about to change among the more Œconventional' offshore classes. The recent decision of the maxZ86 class to allow ­ or rather encourage ­ CBTF technology confirmed that there will be no going back. Dobbs Davis talks to some of those who are driving this new performance tool

Now and then some truly great ideas emerge in yacht design that get past the stages of pub chat and take shape into models and prototypes. Maybe with refinement they may even grow fitfully towards limited production in niche markets, and finally blossom into widespread acceptance and use. While it may be premature to predict exactly how popular it will eventually be, the recent wave of interest in CBTF (Canting Ballast Twin Foil) technology among first-to-finish contenders may be an example of such an idea coming of age.

Though this system, patented by DynaYacht of San Diego, California, has roots extending back nearly two decades, it has been the phenomenal success of Bob Oatley's Azzura-built Reichel/Pugh 60 Wild Oats that has proved CBTF-equipped yachts could decisively outperform larger rivals equipped with conventional bulb keels and water ballast.

To read the remainder of this article please go to the December 2002 edition of Seahorse, available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: info@seahorse.co.uk

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