[SVDesign]

Past projects for Vendée Globe 2004.
They are dated 2003. Maybe you will notice interesting details.....

Mk-I project

with strong cost constraints for construction and maintenance --> hard chine hull shape, medium power, and possibility to use the ship for cruise after pure racing period.





Mk-II project

with no financial restiction at all for the study --> wide, powerfull, canting keel, twin rudders, and original arrangement for the cockpit.




They look a little bit superseeded today, but 4 years ago they could have been on the edge, especially Mk-II project.

[FISHTIGUA]

Sylvain,
Those hard chines, as you say, do look a little 'old' even today.

Do you not feel that todays Open 60s will, through power of the rigs, be super fast but now it is durability and ease of use that will prove winners.

I was chatting to Ellen awhile ago and she said it was the breakdowns that killed the spirit more than anything (bloody technology).

Blending Speed to Robustness with Hi-Tech is very difficult. Now that is the Art.

Dave

[SVDesign]

Dear Dave,

100% agree with you on overall durability of these ships !!!

The idea behind full hard chines was ease to build, using a special process for lamination of the composite hull with no mould required.
Also, giving hydrodynamic stability to the ship, I was expecting a great saving for autopilots and even a significant reduction of appendages : go fast, but not like a brutus

We are thinking similar !

Sylvain

[FISHTIGUA]

Sylvain.

Oh yes. you are so very right, Open 60's are now getting very pricey, so a simple mold with carbonfibre should keep the costs down. As you said a softer ride can also help. Strong and simple are an aim but its down to the electronics for data these days

Cheers

Dave

[SVDesign]

Several years ago, I discussed a lot with Guillaume Verdier, designer of Safran, and we shared a lot of principles.
Some of them have been applied on its latest boat : hard chine for hydrodynamic aspects, light and "simple" design, more time for skipper to rest and work on strategy, less time on the deck to tune everything.

It is maybe not the best configuration on a transatlantic race, but on a around-the-world where sailor fitness is a major point, I continue to think this can be an advantage !

I have other projects under way for racing boats, but...... shhh..... next time may the right one.
I missed VG2004 because of late funding of the race project. I'm still ready to go for a new challenge if the opportunity appears again