Contrast

New Zealand boatbuilder Paul Hakes’ reputation for immaculate raceboats continues to grow exponentially. Meanwhile, commissions ranging from rugged IMOCA 60s to rarified TP52s allow him to compare a spread of build styles...

Introduction
In this article we will learn more about the heart of the latest generation of Imoca Open 60s and compare them to a more conventional raceboat. Excluding America’s Cup yachts, the Open 60s are now among the most expensive racing yachts per foot of length on the planet. Despite this they continue to grow in popularity.

Yacht construction has evolved rapidly in the past 10 years on two fronts: geometric design (incorporating sail design through to the hydrodynamic effects below the water), and structural design (understanding the loads that the geometric design will generate and apply to the mast, rigging, hull, framing and keel).

We have learnt that carbon is king when it comes to structures, commonplace in the mast and hull, but it is now being used increasingly in rigging and keel fins. Carbon is preferred for one reason... strength-to-weight ratio. The lighter the boat the greater any design’s ultimate potential.

Yet you must start with a formula that allows the technology we now have to translate into boatspeed...

To read the remainder of this and many other articles, please purchase your copy of the December 2007 edition of Seahorse International Sailing available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: subscriptions@seahorse.co.uk

Individual copies as well as subscriptions can both be purchased online at: www.seahorsemagazine.com