calm down Sorry to put a dampner on this excitement, but there are few facts you should be aware of: Several yachting magazines have enquired about this already, so it's not a new idea. Most were waiting to make sure MF came out of sea trials cleanly, and then looking at schedules. The word "race" must not be used since MV is strictly prohibited from racing by insurance companies (my guess is that MF is too, since Lloyds is fairly standard). So there will be no formal start and end point. My father has spoken to Tom Perkins about this already, and the idea was just to go out and sail together (!) if possible. Athena is probably not going to get involved, since this is outside of her design spec. She is gorgeous (even more inside than outside), but I think that she'll struggle to keep up to windward. I could be wrong, and so I am not precluding her in any way (like it's even up to me to decide!). Just remember her waterline is not much longer than MV's. I'd love to see her out there pushing hard. I really don't think that Phocea will want to be involved. There are clearly problems with two large boats sailing together, not the least of which is wind disruption. It may end up that we ruin each other's ability to sail well if we're too close. So this may not end up being quite the scene everyone is picturing. We are hearing interesting numbers from MF's sail trials, and these are similar to MV's, so this should be close. The difference in waterline length may be just too great to us overcome for outright speed in heavy air, but the weight differential may work for us in medium wind. Anyway, don't hold your breath for this to happen anytime soon, but eventually we'll come across each other in open water. That will be fun.
With all due to respect to Wallys...it's a different tier of boat and therefore insurance classification. It's like saying that since you can't race your RV, you can't also race your Ferrari. What's the point of owning a Wally if you can't race her? The issue is wear and tear, and how hard you push. The Wallys are well within the known boundaries of material strength and breaking limits, whereas MV is way out on the boundary (maybe even beyond). So if you were an insurance company...what would you do?
i agree with those comments...Wally builds almost purpose built race yachts....sail yachts in this case... They is also a combination of the pure racing element and minimalist luxury in these yachts......Mirabella V is more of a charter luxury yacht....and while designed to sail she is not a pure racing sloop..so i could understand why the insurance is so tight all over her...
2 cents from an old man. Racing, or even attempting to race, these vessels shouldn't be the point of a meeting even if the urge is naturally there. Just having them sharing a patch of water at the same time makes one heck of a statement about just how far sail has come in the past few years and opens up the imagination as to where this means of propulsion can go. Besides, sometimes just doing something because the result could be downright beautiful can be all the justification required. Hope that it happens.
Ron, I'd like to ask you to *think* before posting. Although you are just trying to be helpful, not every post requires a remark. Case in point... most all of us were aware of the information you posted. The inquiry as to "who the captain of Maltese Falcon is" came from a crew agent. If you connect the dots on this... the captain will not appreciate a solicitation being directed his way, and I certainly don't want this associated with YachtForums. We are VERY fortunate to have high caliber owners and crews participating on this website and I would like them to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and helping others. Please refrain from divulging unnecessary information. Thank you.
We are on our way For all you guys waiting for their first glimpse of the MF WE ARE ON OUR WAY!!! LEFT ISTANBUL 1ST JULY, ARRIVED MALTA 5TH JULY Sailed all the way, very smooth passage and only a few minor problems LEFT MALTA MIDDAY 6TH, SHOULD ARRIVE ANTIBES SAT EVE OR SUN AM Looking forward to being back in the midst of IT ALL!!!!! Cheers for now Jed
"Maltese Falcon" sailed by Monaco going eastward this morning at 10:30 AM (sorry for the poor quality of the photo, but I took it with my cell phone!)
Thanks MedRascal, she seems to move without much wind, a spectacular rig. Have you seen the yacht with silver/grey hull in the port, is this Taoey perhaps?
Actually "Taouey" arrived back in Monaco on Sunday and had her hull newly painted in white! http://yachts.monacoeye.com/yachtsbysize/pages/taouey01.html There was also the Perini "Klosters" next to her for two days and yestruday the maxi "Virella" arrived too. But there are no other big sailing yachts currently in the port.
It's all good! Polaroid, disposable or chicken scratch on a paper napkin... to see the first images of MF arriving in Monaco is priceless. Thanks MedRascal!
YF, I'm glad to be of any use ...! BTW, it was a V3i phone camera I used.... AMG - Yes, that's Taouey, but as you may see from the link provided (photo by Gabe), she is White! Must be the light effect.....