Hobie Alter passes away

From the following article by David Schmidt, Sail-World editor USA

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=120556&SRCID=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

Honoring and remembering Hobie Alter
     
The sailing world lost one of its greatest visionaries this weekend when Hobie Alter passed away at his home. He was 80 years old. Impressively, Alter influenced virtually every aspects of sailing, from beach-cat racing to the America’s Cup, and is credited as being the father of the modern fiberglass sailing catamaran. Additionally, Alter helped crack the code on creating regatta experiences that were fun for all participants, not just those lucky souls standing on the podium.

Unlike many of his sailing peers, however, Alter first found his path to the ocean through his childhood love of surfing. This love became a loose 'career plan' that fused his woodworking skills with his passion for surfing, and-eventually-boatbuilding. In 1950, at age 18, Hobie designed and built his first balsa wood-and-fiberglass surfboard in his family’s Laguna Beach garage. The boards performed well, and soon he was selling them to friends. By 1954, however, his parents had grown weary of hardened-epoxy bits peppering their lawn, so his father helped him open Hobie Surfboards, Southern California’s first surf shop, in nearby Dana Point.

The business was a success and demand for his boards grew as surfing became increasingly popular. But by 1958 balsa wood was becoming scarce. The company’s first serious breakthrough came when Hobie and his buddy Gordon 'Grubby' Clark developed the world’s first foam surfboard blanks, which they crafted into foam-cored fiberglass surfboards. Lighter, faster and more agile, these boards revolutionized surfing. Soon, Hobie Surfboards was producing 250 boards per week, all handmade in Dana Point.

Other successes followed, including the introduction of modern skateboards, a skateboarding team and an apparel line, but the real genius—and the product with which Hobie’s name would become forever synonymous—was yet to happen.

In the mid 1960’s, Hobie became interested in freestyle sailing that could be done right off the beach. After investigating different multi-hull designs, including sailing Woody 'Spider' Brown’s Manu Kai, Hobie started building fiberglass prototypes in 1967 with his buddy and fellow surfer-cum-sailor, Phil Edwards. His testing methods were simple: take it out in 30+ knots, sail it hard and see what breaks. Refine/Fix/Innovate. Repeat.

The result was the Hobie 14, the world’s first fiberglass catamaran. Virtually overnight, high-speed sailing became accessible to everyone thanks to this brilliantly simple, infinitely transportable design. To build community and promote boats, Hobie immediately started organizing regattas large and small, beginning with a July 4, 1968 race off of Dana Point, California. These now-infamous affairs, which grew to include regional and national events, as well as world championships, emphasized fun, not formality. A newly minted Hobie 14 class association and its monthly publication, The Hobie Hotline, kept sailors connected and a new lifestyle based on sailing, friends and good times emerged.

read more here 

Team Lalou preparing to transport their mastless Multi50 trimaran with the help of a kite from Madeira to the Canary Islands

From the following article (in French) on the Team Lalou website:

 

http://laloumulti.fr/site/?p=1637

 

And the rough bing translate:

 

Towards the Canary Islands for Lalou Roucayrol and Arkema - Region Aquitaine

 

Yesterday, March 29, 2014, 12:38:43 AM | Admin

 

The trimaran Arkema - Region Aquitaine, moored in the port of Caniçal in Madeira since November 2013 after his capsize, will finally resume the sea! In accordance with the planned schedule, Lalou Roucayrol has thus planned to convey the boat to the Canary Islands, remote 300 miles, where it will make the reclamation site. With his usual touch of creativity and innovation, the Aquitain skipper will equip his trimaran currently deprived of mat, a wing of kite to reach the Spanish archipelago. Accompanied by Yves Parlier and 3 other crew, Lalou hopes to reach the Canary Islands in 3 days.

The skipper back in detail on the implementation of this project:

"Since my return to France late November last, I don't think to put my boat in a State but Madeira is not the easiest Island to access, or better served. In fact, I immediately thought about the quickest and least expensive way to bring the boat to a port where the construction of reclamation would be possible.

For the conveying of the boat, it does not start into the unknown, we did tests with Marc Thiercelin on DCNS some years ago, towed by a wing of kite. This idea has quickly imposed as being the least expensive and easiest way to achieve. The proximity of the Canary Islands with Madeira and its regular ferry connections make it a perfect destination. Jorge Cantero, the Royal Nautic club of Las Palmas, offers us a place port and access to all its facilities. His help has also been valuable for logistics and the delivery of equipment on area.

We leave tomorrow, Saturday, with this wing of kiting (monofilament) but also with 2 other implemented prototype systems in place by Yves Parlier. We ship still 100 litres of diesel, in the case where, but the wind should be well oriented to the East to reach the Canary Islands in 3 days at about 4 knots of average. We refine it with my router Eric Mas de Météo Consult.

Taking into account logistical constraints, we will thus make the entire site reclamation there. Two members of the technical team arrive with the vehicle and completeness of the material around April 4, then I will bring the mat of Lorient, by the sea, around mid-April. The trimaran should be ready to sail for early May. I enchainerai then of navigations over area for a few weeks, taking advantage of beautiful weather to navigate. I'll finally Cape to France at the end of the month of may, in solitary mode, as a first real training before the Route du Rhum, which is the key objective of the season 2014".

 

The crew of Arkema - Region Aquitaine on the ferry:

 

Lalou Roucayrol - Yves Parlier - Etienne Carat - Arnaud Crete - Maxence Peyras

Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race, NoR now includes multihulls

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Lisa Ratcliff:

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=120469&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=1

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is grabbing the opportunity to expand its Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race fleet and giving multihull and monohull believers the chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.

While debate continues around the country on the inclusion of multihulls in ‘traditional’ monohull offshore races, RQYS’ sailing committee has sprinkled holy water on the combined fleet idea for its signature offshore event and joined a growing number of influential clubs inviting multihulls and monohulls to race as one fleet for separate trophies.

RQYS Commodore Kevin Miller said, 'The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron feels it’s time for multihulls to be part of this great event. We applied through Yachting Queensland for the correct safety category enhancements to allow multihulls and we are delighted to announce the success of that application.

'The multihull division will have its own line honours trophy - the Joe Newton perpetual trophy which was unveiled last Friday evening at a Captain’s Table dinner attended by the namesake and club member who relayed to the audience the story of Oracle Team USA’s fascinating campaign to win the last America’s Cup. The naming of the trophy is a fitting addition to the race considering Joe’s history in high-speed catamaran racing at the very top level.'

read more here

Corsair Marine, West Coast Multihulls Performance highlights so far of 2014

From the following press release on Corsairmarine.com

http://corsairmarine.com/news/west-coast-multihulls-performance-kicks-off-2014-with-a-bang/

Text by Mat Bryant – Multihull Specialist
Images by Dominik Huber

The beginning of 2014 has seen a long overdue of return of Corsair action on the water here in San Diego. West Coast Multihulls Performance was officially launched on Jan 1, 2014 with the initial target of re-developing and elevating a Corsair racing fleet in So-Cal. Below are some highlights of WCM Performance so far for 2014:

Lobbied for and were accepted to San Diego PHRF fleet as a Multihull Division with Bob Lang and myself as the board members. This is a significant step in that it is the first time in the US and possibly the world that Multihulls are accepted into the established race governing organization and can play in all the same regattas and clubs as monohulls.

Corsair Mini Clinic – with great success we tried a new formant for raising awareness of the Corsair Trimarans and to simply get people on the water. Over a weekend four 2hr sessions were filled and 12 new sailors got a taste of Corsair trimarans, this short but sweet approach proved to be popular and requested again. The highlight of this weekend was rolling over the top of an old Americas Cup boat full of new sailors as well. Can you guess who was having more fun?

Corsair Performance Clinic – This one day clinic is designed to help owners and current Corsair sailors get the most out of their boats. Various Corsair specific theories and practices are presented in a class setting in the AM and then taken onto the water and implemented in the PM. This turned out to be a great day with all four boats exceeding 15kts boat speed by end of day!

read more here

Farrier F-22 trimaran factory update, Hull # 3 approaching completion and production beginning in earnest

Read more on the 4th of March 2014 update at the following address:

http://www.f-boat.com/pages/News4/FM-Factory2014.html

The F-22 specifications and price list have also been updated:

http://www.f-boat.com/F-22Specs/index.html

Yachting world article on Hilary Lister and Nashwa al Kindi's recent transocean record on a modified Dragonfly 28 trimaran

http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/matthew-sheahan/536275/sailing-with-hilary-lister#eqCiW4tSCyqwcKXI.01

Spindrift Racing update and video, Episode 8 of '40 metres solo' focuses on the appendages of maxi trimaran Spindrift 2

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

 

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2014/03/spindrift-racing-series-40-metres-solo-episode-8-the-appendages/

 

If, like Yann Guichard, you started your sailing in the Optimist, you may remember the rudder and the centreboard. They always seemed to be heavy and cumbersome, especially in the winter chill, yet without them, you could not go where you wanted to. If that was a long time ago for Guichard, the skipper of the Spindrift racing’s team, and if the scale of his new boat is much changed, the appendages are more essential for performance than ever and require as much attention in the effort to handle them. This week in “40 metres solo”, the skipper explains how they work.

 

The maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 has six ‘appendages’, the generic term that includes the three rudders, the two foils and the centreboard. Designed by hydrodynamic experts and manufactured by specialists in carbon parts, these appendages are in direct contact with the water and undergo serious strain. To reduce their size and optimise their form in order to decrease drag and weight, without any compromise in reliability: that is the equation that the design office of the Spindrift racing must solve.

 

read more here

34th America's Cup, Iain Percy reflects on the loss of Andrew 'Bart' Simpson and the future safety standards for the 35th America's Cup

From the following article on the Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/24/iain-percy-andrew-simpson-sailing-americascup

Iain Percy: 'My goals changed … all that mattered was to honour Bart'
Double Olympic champion recalls the accident that claimed the life of his sailing partner Andrew 'Bart' Simpson and how the America's Cup may change for the better in his memory.

"Competition is all-consuming and it gives you a break from the issues and problems in your personal life," Iain Percy says as he explains how he has immersed himself in a renewed sporting challenge after struggling to overcome the tragedy which cost the life of Andrew "Bart" Simpson, his best friend and Olympic medal-winning partner, last May. Percy and Simpson were both on the America's Cup boat, Artemis, on a seemingly mild day in the bay around San Francisco, when devastation struck during training.

read more here

The 2014 Annual New Zealand Multihull Boat Show 9am to 4pm, 30th March at Wynyard Quarter

Thanks to Dave Smith for forwarding this entry:

Free Admission next to the Team New Zealand Base (all welcome)

Its’ been an exciting couple of years for the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, the development of foils from the America’s cup is coming down into the classes, we are starting to see a whole range foiling systems and designs.
At the Boat Show this year we have the 2 ETNZ SL33’s. A design by Peter Melvin called Foiled and an updated trimaran called Dragon with new foils.
We also have 2 great large cruising Cats on display, Bad Kitty by Clever Fox and Katariana by Ron Given.
As well as a great range of the 8.5 class, the famous Dirty Deeds and Whio, an updated GBE.
In the open class we have Foiled by Peter Melvin, the Classic Johnny T designed This Way up and the Brand new Farrier 32 Superbad.
So if you just want to have a nosy or are looking at getting into Multihull’s come along and meet the Guys from the club.
As well as Famous Designers to talk to and discuss your future projects with such as Roger Hill and Derek Kelsall
Enjoy a sausage sizzle and be in to win $150 of product kindly donated by Grant Beck of Adhesive Technologies Ltd

What you can see on the day

ON THE WATER

TWO SL33’s:During the 2010 America's Cup and development of the 2013 AC72 Rule, Morrelli & Melvin worked with SL Performance Race Boats GmbH in Germany to design the SL33 high performance catamaran. All-carbon and extremely high-performance, these boats are designed for Elite class racing. The boat can be sailed shorthanded, yet it is the ideal platform for three or four sailors. Boat 1 owned by Mike Drummond and Bruce Curson, Boat 2 Owned by Mike Sanderson and Chris McMaster
Dirty Deeds: Designed to the Open 8.5 Class multihull box rule Dirty Deeds was launched in October 2007 and has since had considerable success on the Auckland racing circuit including Division Handicap & Line Honours in the 2011 Coastal Classic, Several RNZYS Series wins and Held 4 National 8.5 Class Titles.

Foiled: designed by Peter Melvin Owned by Dave Ridley and John Kensington
SuperBad: Farrier 32RX Launched in December 2013 and just been cruised since then. 3 years to build. Shown by Craig Prentice
Bad Kitty: 13.6m cruising cat by Clever Fox Shown by Willy and Nina Heatley

Katariana: 14.1 m Cruising cat by Ron Given shown by John McIntosh
This Way Up: Designed and built by Jonny T a fun Club boat shown by Mathew Flynn & Ross Pratt
Trimaran Dragon: Dragon has had an extensive no expense spared total rebuild that has made this boat virtually brand new. Dragon in her first race since the re-launch competed in the 2013 Coastal classic where she finished 10th boat overall in difficult conditions.

ON THE HARD STAND

In the tents are Rodger Hill and Derek Kelsall to discuss your future projects
The Viper: by Goodal Design. The Viper is an ISAF One Design Class, that also fits the F16 box rule. There are around 300 Vipers worldwide with countries like Belgium and France using them as a pathway boat toward the Olympics.
A Class Geltek Flyer II converted to a foiling setup with DNA J boards and professionally designed and built rudders with elevators. Owned and modified by a Team New Zealand designer.
Weta: The Weta is a 4.4 meter fibreglass/foam composite trimaran with a boomless main, jib and roller furling gennaker. It can be sailed single handed or with four people.

Come and join us for a day of fun at Wynyard Quarter!

Rocket Factory Trimarans, Tony Grainger goes into more detail on the performance oriented Rascal 25' and Scoundrel 22' trimaran designs

A new brochure covering the Rascal and Scoundrel designs has been released by Tony Grainger and can be found at the following address:

http://www.rocketfactorytrimarans.com/2014/03/22/brochure-download-for-scoundrel-and-rascal-available/

More details from Tony Grainger here:

http://www.rocketfactorytrimarans.com/2014/03/16/scoundrel-gets-the-nod/

http://www.rocketfactorytrimarans.com/2014/03/12/modelling-the-scoundrel/

http://www.rocketfactorytrimarans.com/2014/03/12/scoundrel-gets-an-aft-cab/

and on a folding lock concept for the rocket factory trimarans:

http://www.rocketfactorytrimarans.com/2014/03/04/trimaran-folding-lock/

It appears that the Rascal and Scoundrel will initially be available as plans and later move into production.

22' Scoundrel trimaran design, render courtesy Rocket Factory trimarans

25' Rascal trimaran design, render courtesy Rocket Factory trimarans

M32 catamaran, official race series report on the recent M32 Cup event in Miami

http://m32cup.com/2014/03/04/gold-cup-in-miami-wallen-racing-cleans-up/

Extreme Sailing Series update, Leigh McMillan and the Wave/Muscat snatch victory in the second event of the series in Muscat Oman

From the following press release on the Extreme Sailing Series website:

http://www.extremesailingseries.com/news/view/big-breeze-final-race-shoot-out-in-muscat-sees-the-wave-muscat-snatch-victo#.Uy4dsa-KDrc

- Four teams - The, Wave, Muscat, Emirates Team New Zealand, Alinghi and SAP Extreme Sailing Team - in the running heading into the final race, with no room for error and just four points between them – and 20 points on the table for the taking.
- Emirates Team New Zealand snatch second from the grasp of Alinghi with just one point in it after 29 races this week.
- SAP Extreme Sailing Team narrowly denied the podium but rise up the overall Series rankings with an impressive fourth place.
- Replay today’s Stadium Racing, here.

It was a sweltering hot day in Muscat, Oman, for the final showdown at the Extreme Sailing Series™, where the Arabian peninsula saved the best for last, with winds that blasted across the course at a steady 20 knots, with gusts of 26, before a final race shoot out. Four teams were gunning for the top spot and there was no room for error, with just four points between them – and 20 points on the table for the taking. The defending champions and home team on The Wave, Muscat made a real statement of intent from the gun, with an aggressive start that saw them lead the fleet of the line, and Leigh McMillan, Sarah Ayton, Pete Greenhalgh, Kinley Fowler and Nasser Al Mashari didn’t look back, snatching the win from the hands of the Kiwi, Swiss and Danish teams, to claim not only the Act win, but putting them top of the overall Series leaderboard after two Acts. “It was too close for comfort, that’s for sure,“ commented an elated McMillan after racing. “Today we had a fight on our hands, we knew we had to be exceptional and raise our game. I was just enjoying the sailing, the challenge of it, the situations that were tight and it all worked out for us. The wind came in and it was absolutely amazing sailing out there, absolutely perfect for the Extreme 40s.”

Today’s racing was all about brute power and strength, requiring a huge shift in mindset for the teams, who have raced in light breeze all week. The fleet of 11 Extreme 40s and their 55 elite level crew members powered off the start line, blasting to the windward mark and wrestling their boats around the course, before unfurling their gennakers and flying downwind, trying to maximize power and speed. One team who had the formula nailed were Emirates Team New Zealand, with two race wins and a third place in the final race enough for them to claim second overall, bettering their fourth place finish from Act 1, Singapore, which for skipper Dean Barker, was the objective this week. “We wanted to improve after Singapore, we wanted to sail well and get on the podium here, and we’ve achieved it. There’s still a lot we can improve on but in saying that everyone struggles with the conditions and the guys remained very positive throughout even when things didn’t feel like they were going our way. We had a good chance to get onto the podium, and to get a second place we’re really happy.”

read more here

Extreme Sailing Series update, video of Day 4 of racing in Muscat Oman

British quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister and Omani Nashwa Al Kindi claim two new trans ocean records

From the following article on omansail.com

http://omansail.com/news/2014/3/20/Nashwa-Al-Kindi-and-Hilary-Lister-set-records

Mumbai (20 March 2014) – British quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister (42), and Omani Nashwa Al Kindi (32) have sailed into the record books aboard a 28ft Dragonfly trimaran to claim two new trans-ocean records.

Although they crossed the finish line in Oman last night, the official welcome took place at The Wave, Muscat earlier today. A huge gathering turned out to honour the two girls who now hold records for the first ever severely paralysed woman and the first Arab female sailor to make a trans-oceanic crossing.

The 850-nautical mile journey across the Indian Ocean started from Mumbai, India on Tuesday 11 March and took nine days to complete. The course generally took them up wind with winds reaching no more than 10-15kts, and the average boat speed was 5-6kts. They did however, encounter a 36-hour stop to refuel and carry out a repair to the Code Zero sail, which delayed their overall finish time.

Lister, who suffers from a degenerative disease – Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – and who is paralysed from the neck down, can now add this record to the already impressive solo round Britain disabled record she set in 2009.

 

read more here

 

 



Extreme Sailing Series update, Podium remains wide open at event in Muscat, Oman

From the following press release on the Extreme Sailing Series website:

 http://www.extremesailingseries.com/news/view/podium-wide-open-ahead-of-extreme-sailing-series-muscat-final-showdown#.UyyDLq-KDrc

- J.P. Morgan BAR are the comeback kings of the day, with three race wins and the British team threatening the podium hard.
- Swiss Alinghi hold onto pole position and withstand the onslaught of the rest of the 11 boat pack – but with no room for error on tomorrow’s final showdown, with five teams waiting to pounce.
- Replay today’s Stadium Racing here. Change to tomorrow’s live racing times – watch the final battle unfold from 1500 local time/1100GMT/1200CET.

The punishing light winds and beating Arabian sun called for nerves of steel on the penultimate day’s racing of the Extreme Sailing Series™ in Muscat, which saw a reshuffle of the pack and a shift in power on the leaderboard. Overnight leaders Alinghi managed to hold onto pole position and withstand the onslaught of pressure from the rest of the pack, but it couldn’t be closer at the top, with just 14 points between the top five boats – less than the difference of tomorrow’s final double points race. SAP Extreme Sailing Team did well to put themselves back in the game, heading into tomorrow’s final showdown in second place, but the team of the day was Ben Ainslie’s J.P. Morgan BAR, with three race wins for the Brits, who are now threatening the podium hard. Tomorrow’s final will come down to which team can withstand the pressure, and fans around the world can watch it live at a new time of 1500 local time/1100GMT/1200CET.

Alinghi marked their intent from the first start gun with a race win, but even the light wind specialists struggled for consistency in breeze of around five knots, and it looked like the tricky course may have finally got the better of the Swiss America’s Cup winners with a last place in race 16. Race 19 and the team turned it around, hitting the reset button and clawing back some valuable points, as helm Morgan Larson explained: “Things can come and go out there, you try and stick to the same objective and sometimes the wind doesn’t go your way or you get stuck in a tough spot. I think a lot of the other competitors that came out today had already figured it out, so we got caught up a little bit. You have to have the best day tomorrow, you can’t hold back.”

read more here

Extreme Sailing Series update, Day 2 of racing in Muscat, Oman

Video from WetaFest 2014 held at the Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida

Extreme Sailing Series update, SAP Racing team take early lead in Muscat, Oman

From the following press release on the Extreme Sailing Series website:

http://www.extremesailingseries.com/news/view/multiple-winners-on-opening-day-in-muscat-as-sap-extreme-sailing-team-take#.UypA-K-KDrc

- Five winners from seven races in an unpredictable and close fought opening day in Muscat, Oman.
- Series Main Partner Land Rover and Red Bull Sailing Team announce ‘Official Team and Vehicle’ partnership.
- Teams prepare for the racecourse to become narrower, and the racing more intense, as the fleet moves into Stadium mode tomorrow. Watch it live from 1530 GST/1130GMT/1230CET www.extremesailingseries.com.

The fleet of 11 elite level Extreme 40 catamarans headed onto the Muscat racecourse for the opening day of Act 2 of the global Extreme Sailing Series™, in what it’s shaping up to be an unpredictable and close fought event, with five different winners over seven races. The Danish SAP Extreme Sailing Team had the edge over the less consistent teams, but with only 16 points separating the top eight, there will be some tough competition tomorrow as the front runners try to establish a firm lead. “It’s going to be a long regatta and it’s only day one but we’re happy with our performance today and hopefully it can continue”, commented SAP Extreme Sailing Team’s co-skipper Jes Gram Hansen, who went on to talk about the key to success on this racecourse. “When you get ahead of the fleet it becomes easier, you have clean breeze and you’re actually just gaining and gaining. Tomorrow we just need to stay focused.”

SAP Extreme Sailing Team, Emirates Team New Zealand and The Wave, Muscat all came away with a win apiece, with Alinghi and Groupama sailing team taking two, keeping everyone guessing right up to the last race as to which team would finish the day on top. The fleet raced in open water, giving them the chance to stretch their sails under a brilliant Arabian sun, in a light breeze between 5-7 knots that played across the course, with each windward-leeward two-lap race lasting just over 15 minutes.

read more here

Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo 10am - 4pm, 22nd - 23rd of March 2014

From the following press release by Damian Devine of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club:

http://www.rpayc.com.au/news/1098-club-marine-pittwater-sail-expo-sets-sail-this-week-end-chance-to-win-a-15-000-sailing-holiday

Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo sets sail this week-end - Chance to win a $15,000 sailing holiday

 

Created: Wednesday, 19 March 2014 05:58

Wednesday 19 March 2014

By Damian Devine

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is hoisting its sails to host this weekend’s Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo between 10am and 4pm.

This free community event will feature over 40 exhibitors supplying goods and services to the professional and leisure sailor.  The club itself will be a feature exhibitor with members on hand to discuss all activities on offer, including membership, yacht racing, cruising, kids sailing and training and you can get 50% off the joining fee, if you wish to join the club at Sail Expo.
The RPAYC will be bursting with activity with yachts of all shapes and sizes on display on the floating marina and product demonstrations in exhibitor marquees.
  
Among the yacht brands on display for you to inspect will be All Sail, Bavaria, Beneteau Vicsail, Dufour, Island Packet, Hanse, Jeanneau, Moody, Dehler, Smart Boating, Sailtime, Sunbeam and X yachts plus Seawind and Lagoon catamarans as well as Multihull Solutions. Bavaria will be showing their cruiser range with some exclusive Sail Expo incentives if you’re in the market for a new boat. Chat with the Bavaria team on B Arm and jump on board for a look around.

Other marine goods and services will be exhibited in marquees on the lawn including inflatable boats, sailing apparel, yacht brokerage and services, marine paints, sail makers and cleaners, riggers, bags and accessories, safety gear, electrical, batteries, upholstery, marine insurance and much, much more.

read more here

Orion teams MOD70 sets new race record in the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta race

From the following article on the San Diego Yacht Club's website:

http://sdyc.org/pv/?p=1254

San Diego Yacht Club’s tradition of racing to the Mexican mainland is over 60 years old. This year, the 1,000nm race to Puerto Vallarta produced a new record finish time courtesy of Tom Siebiel’s MOD70 Trimaran Orion, with a finish time of 2 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes (56 hours, 33 minutes).

On the dock before the race, skipper Charlie Ogletree and navigator Peter Isler were hopeful that the conditions would be such that the record could fall, knowing the potential of the MOD70 to surpass the course record time.

The new time will eclipse the mark recorded in 1998 by world adventurer Steve Fossett’s 60’ trimaran “Lakota” which sailed as an unofficial entry in an ‘exhibition’ class. Lakota roared down the course at an average speed of almost 16 knots and completed the 1000 nm. course in 2d, 14h, 20m, 17s.

read more here

Spindrift Racing update, next video in the "40 metres solo" series focuses on the ropework on Spindrift 2

MOD70 Orion and ORMA60 Mighty Merloe (formerly Groupama2) lead the pack in the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race

From the following article on Sailing Scuttlebutt:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2014/03/17/ripping-ride-south-puerto-vallarta/

Thousand mile slide toward Puerto Vallarta
Published on March 16, 2014

 

by Editor

 
(March 16, 2014) – The 32nd edition of the biennial San Diego to Vallarta International Yacht Race started off Shelter Island, with Class 3 and 4 leaving on Friday (Mar. 14) and Class 1, 2, and Multihull departing on Saturday (Mar. 15). Both days provided summer-like conditions for the 23 entrants to begin their 1000 mile southerly slide toward beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The first retiree came quickly, with Brack Duker’s Santa Cruz 70 Holua losing their prop within the first hour of sailing on Saturday. The remaining 22 teams extended offshore on offwind angles, gybing back toward layline at about 160 nm down the track.

The two multihulls, MOD70 Orion and ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe, have now passed all the Friday starters, both posting speeds today in the 20 knot range. In general, wind strength appears to be better for the Friday starters, which lead the Saturday group by roughly 200 miles.

read more here

the race tracker is here:

http://yb.tl/SDPV2014

Weta Fest 2014 held at Fort Walton Yacht Club in Florida a great success

 From the following article on the excellent LiveSailDie:

http://livesaildie.com/weta-fest-2014/

Weta Fest 2014 – Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida – 6-9 March 2014

Weta Fest 2014 Delivers!

The second annual Weta Fest has successfully wrapped up at Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida. This Weta Fest event has got great international traction in just its second year with numerous replica regattas being held throughout the world in each Weta community.

The simple format involves all sailors including a coaching day, sprint races, long distance race and plenty of off-the-water social time to enjoy what the location has to offer. It’s nothing new but is satisfies the demands of today’s hectic timeshort lifestyle where you have to mix it up to maximise fun!

Sailors attended from all over the USA including California, Michigan, Texas and New York States, as well as Weta Marine representative Miranda Powrie from New Zealand.

read more here

Yvan Bourgnon halfway between the Galapagos and Marquesas Islands in the Pacific on his beachcat circumnavigation attempt

Yvan Bourgnon's beachcat circumnavigation is continuing and he is currently located about half way between the Galapagos Islands and the Marquesa Island group.  After a long period stuck in light winds the solo sailor has now moved into an area of more stable breeze and is making good progress.

The tracker is here:

http://en-avant-toute.geovoile.com/tourdumonde/2013/app/flash/?leg=6

Proa projects discussed over at proafile in the most recent update

A spring update over at the excellent proafile explores in brief some of the interesting proa projects that are underway and being discussed on their forum.

http://proafile.com/magazine/article/proafile-forums-spring-update

Extreme Sailing Series update, Act 2 to be held in Muscat, Oman

From the following press release on the Extreme Sailing Series website:

http://www.extremesailingseries.com/news/view/extreme-sailing-series-heads-to-the-middle-east-for-act-2-muscat#.UyUqVK-KDrc

- One week to go until Act 2, Muscat where the fleet will take to an all-new stadium at Almouj Golf Course.
- High-profile crew changes for GAC Pindar and Red Bull Sailing Team, as Olympic champion Anna Tunnicliffe returns to Act 1 winners Alinghi.
- Watch the Stadium Racing live on the official event website from Thursday 20 March, 1530-1700 local time / 1130-1300 GMT / 1230-1430 CET
- For a taste of what’s to come, watch the pre-event promo video here.

With just one week to go on the EDOX countdown clock before the action continues on the Extreme 40 stadium racecourse, the 11 international teams and their crews of elite level sailors, are preparing to return to the Sultanate of Oman for a fourth consecutive year. The fleet will race at a stunning new venue, the Almouj Golf Course at The Wave, Muscat, from 19th March, for four days of intense competition, under the warmth of the Arabian sun on the home turf of the two Oman Sail entries, Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat.

The 11 international teams dispersed after the opening Act in Singapore, and their carbon-fibre catamarans were shipped from the Far East to the Middle East, transported by Logistics Partner GAC Pindar. The teams have used the short break to analyse their Act 1 performances, and one man hoping to improve on his team’s fifth place in Singapore is Franck Cammas, skipper of Groupama sailing team. “We work with our coach Thierry Péponnet who analyses each of the races and this allows us to improve at every level including starts, mark rounding and manoeuvres. We also use the analytics provided by SAP. It is very interesting because this allows us to learn more about our competitors and about ourselves. The level of competition is high but we are in the game too, even though we recognise we need to progress if we want to be in the position to win.” Fans can follow the racing during Act 2 Muscat, through SAP’s dynamic leaderboards, here.

read more here

Sodebo team, gallery of photos of the ongoing construction and rebuild of Geronimo/Sodebo Ultime maxi on facebook

A gallery of photos have been posted on the Sodebo team's facebook page of the construction/rebuild of the former Geronimo into the new Sodebo Ultime maxi trimaran which is being carried out at Multiplast:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152262948604264.1073741866.261757749263&type=1

Airplay RAW 30 trimaran, New brochure available on this exciting new performance trimaran design

Full document at the following address:

http://pub.lucidpress.com/45af-c570-5315d5ec-9039-4eb00a009433/

Spindrift Racing update, Episode 6 of the video series 40 metres solo examines the installation of a bike on Spindrift 2 to supplement hand grinders

Tornado catamaran Wednesday night racing in Tauranga, New Zealand by Phil Scherer

35th America's Cup, Larry Ellison considers venue locations including Honolulu

From the following article on the SFGate:

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Larry-Ellison-eyeing-Honolulu-for-17-America-s-5303121.php

Larry Ellison sat in the quiet living room of his Woodside home and talked about what comes next, after winning the America's Cup for the second time in September 2013, an epic victory being called "the comeback of comebacks."

His vision for the next America's Cup, detailed in a series of exclusive interviews over several months, involves the staging of regattas all over the world - leading up to the Louis Vuitton Cup, and the main event, the America's Cup, likely taking place in Honolulu.

This competition would be a departure from anything done before, and would mean that - unless negotiations turn around - San Francisco will not be the host city for the next Cup.

While outlining his vision for the 35th America's Cup, Ellison acknowledges that much needs to happen before his plan is a reality, and that Team USA CEO Russell Coutts remains actively - and earnestly - in talks with other venues, from San Francisco and San Diego to Newport, R.I.

Ellison's ideas for the 35th America's Cup advance his goal of attracting a wider audience to the sport of sailing and to the 163-year-old regatta. He called the races of the 34th America's Cup "the most magnificent spectacle" he'd ever seen on the water and believes the regatta has "changed sailing forever."

read more here

Voiles et Voiliers interview with Philippe Facque of CDK technologies

From the following article (in French) on Voiles et Voiliers:

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/chantiers/coeur-de-chantier-6-cdk-technologies-philippe-facque-la-monotypie-nest-pas-une-solution/

The rough bing translate is below:

Philippe Facque: «the Monotype is not a solution... ".

 
Rider alongside André Viant during the first Whitbread in 1973, co-skipper of the Gauloises 3 with Eric Loiseau monohull then of multihulls Royal with Loïc Caradec, host of the ORMA circuit for ten years... Philippe Facque met "by chance" shareholder of the CDK Technologies shipyard. For more than twenty years, Port-la-Forêt workshop expanded and has an imposing annex to Keroman. Portrait of a portal specialized in large offshore racing units...

 It is a mudflat which extended Kerleven workshop, in front of La Forêt-Fouesnant, construction mounted in 1956 by Henri Desjoyeaux, co-creator with Philippe Vianney Glénans sailing school. The craft was then in its infancy - and thirty years later, if the marina was beginning to take shape, the shipyard had not frankly evolved.

In 1984, Hubert Desjoyeaux began by rent paternal hangar prior to build one, then two, then three new workshops.

«At the start of the English transat 1984, I had discussed with Jean Le Cam and Gaétan Gouerou returning by ferry, and it is there that we decided to create a portal, CDK Composites, with Marc van Peteghem as consultant, told in 2004 Hubert Desjoyeaux (see his interview at the bottom of article).A this time, between Nantes and Brest, there was no large shipyard capable of building composite units. We then had a draft order with Yvon Fauconnier to achieve a trimaran from 26 meters on plan VPLP».

The project had failed, but the four accomplices had already created CDK Composites by hiring Henri Desjoyeaux hangar. This are therefore of skiffs for Carteret club who were the first command, as well as the maintenance and repair of large multihulls as Royal or Roger & Gallet... allowing the first contacts between the project initiators and Philippe Facque.
 

voilesetvoiliers.com: Philippe, it is not every day that a site has two IMOCA monohulls and a trimaran to build at the same time!
Philippe Fadi : Yes, it is a good phase after a period a bit complicated with the death of Hubert Desjoyeaux in 2011... Today, must hire to achieve an exciting work: the construction of Macif, 100 foot trimaran for François Gabart solo sailing - it comes to receive the first plans of floats-, boat that must be delivered in the spring of 2015. and two monohull IMOCA, saffron and Banque Populaire, which will be delivered end of 2014 and early 2015 - and then we begin to have plans of hull, two sponsors, working together on these projects (read here the interview with Marc Guillemot on this subject). 

v & v.com: he said that there could be additional from copies of these monohull for the Vendée 2016!
P.F.  : CDK Technologies has taken shares in the tooling of the hull only because the decks of these two boats are different. This can possibly achieve other vessels, but only with the agreement of the first two clients. And we can also build other monohulls with other mussels...

v & v.com: where will stop your work?
P.F. : People's Bank has a big team in Lorient and should finalize his monohull in the workshop of Keroman - fittings, electricity, engines... Since we deliver an open hull. While saffron should entrust us with this final phase in Port-La-Forêt.

v & v.com: and you therefore had to hire to all of these projects...
P.F. : Outside the laminators, we have two new engineers, a new Deputy Director general and an Operations Manager: in total, twenty additional people, either 60 employees this year!

v & v.com: the peculiarity of CDK Technologies, it is that there is a workshop in Port-La-Forêt and another in Lorient...
P.F. : For the moment, we have no means of Keroman cooking, on the fishing port of Lorient. All composite parts are therefore made to Port-La-Forêt, but of Macif, for example, will be assembled in Lorient. For the monohulls, it is likely that saffron 2 is finalized at Port-La-Forêt and Banque Populaire in Lorient. It is primarily a problem of planning: deadlines are reasonable but short!

 

v & v.com: as you have other work in progress...
P.F. : We finished the last week the grafting of a third front of shell on Mare, ex-Master cock, ex-Foncia : 8 meters of hull, of the stem to the keel, were replaced on the Farr plan by VPLP-Verdier form! And must do the same on the ex-Akena Vérandas, ex-PRB, which was bought by Initiatives heart for Tanguy de Lamotte. And we remake a mast for Macif, the IMOCA de François Gabart which was dismasted during the last Transat Jacques Vabre...

v & v.com: A this connection, this carbon masts construction activity is called to grow?
P.F. : We repurchased the autoclave of VMY in Cherbourg and Stéphane Billard, head of production in Normandy, joined us in December. This is exactly the same (very lightweight) mast than the previous, since it wasn't a technical problem which was at the origin of this sea fortune. Macif remains the fastest IMOCA monohull of the fleet... And François Gabart finishes this season on this boat with the Route du Rhum.

v & v.com: CDK Technologies was used to build the IMOCA monohulls since 1992, with Luggage Superior (Alain Gautier, winner of the Vendée Globe 1992-1993) and Sofap-Helvim (VDH)...
P.F. : This is a bonus, especially with the same architects and after boats that shone on the last Vendée Globe!

v & v.com: and on the side of large multihulls, the list is impressive...
P.F. : Apart from Banque Populaire V (now baptized Spindrift 2, which redid an adaptation to the solitaire for Yann Guichard at Keroman), were built seven MOD70 - realize the new 100 foot Macif trimaran is therefore not a technological novelty.

v & v.com: all this workload requires you to outsource?
P.F. : We have already worked with Multiplast for the construction of the floats of the MOD70: this time the vannetais shipyard will make the central hull of Macif. And for the two monohulls, Thierry Eluère in Arcachon, who will perform the two bridges. But we remain to whenever the contractor, that is responsible for the final product.

v & v.com: there were several high-tech projects in France in the early 2000s... There is almost more than Multiplast and CDK Technologies...
P.F. : Yes, but in Europe, there are also Decision in Switzerland, Green Marine in England, Persico in Italy and a few sites in Spain... We must maintain an activity that has everything from even though decreased in recent years, particularly in 2012-2013! With the workload that we have, it is necessary to work with other sites. The closure of other manufacturers high-tech comes not from a technological advance more in some, but only the fact that the market of proto-race or larger boats to the unit is considerably reduced...

v & v.com: what visibility do you have in the medium term?
P.F. : We have a year and a half of work, but other skippers want to construct the monohull for the Vendée Globe - we are ready to build two other... And then the Maxi-multihulls craze seems to be confirmed: the Route du Rhum shows that the ultimate are in phase, and by 2015, other projects of 100 feet could well see the day.

 

v & v.com: as Multiplast, CDK Technologies also realizes of large composite parts for industry...
P.F. : We delivered a propeller of tidal turbine for Sabella of ten metres in diameter - it must be immersed in the Fromveur channel this spring. If the system works, it should launch production of still larger propellers (15 metres in diameter) with five modules in 2016...

v & v.com: why french sites are unable to hook customers for prestige units?
P.F. : Because the workforce is significantly less expensive in New Zealand, for example... This is not for the quality of the product (which is well finished), but because the budget is lower! It was the case for the boat of Jean-Pierre Dick, or that of Thomas Coville, made in Australia, but is heavier than expected on plans. That said, this financial differential evolves over the years, since at one time, it was still 20% cheaper! We would love to build a maxi-monocoques, but there are few french owners to buy this type of boats. It is necessary that we do more promotion of our know-how abroad: at Keroman, we have now the decline achieve boats up to 50 meters long, since we should soon have an oven of this size.

v & v.com: what is also surprising is that you did not have the curriculum to become a builder of racing boats!
P.F. : Indeed! The history of my participation to CDK, it is not my idea! The gang of youths who had mounted CDK Composites with Hubert Desjoyeaux, Jean Le Cam, Gaétan Gouérou, was very good to build boats, but not to run a business... They have filed bankruptcy once, and then, one day, they called me because they were going to break the figure again. I had met them when the large catamaran Royal had been in Port-La-Forêt to make it longer. They asked me to participate in height of 10%, but in the end, they found no other shareholders and I convinced four other financiers to support me. However, this was not very well because I was busy to mount the ORMA circuit!

v & v.com: and you find yourself manager construction...
P.F. : In 1994, we found a fascinating construction with extraordinary people, but a very folk organization! Without ever imposing what either of a technical point of view, as Hubert Desjoyeaux was one of the best composite of the time designers, we have gradually restructured the site, hired Jean-Yves Cariou as (former Kelt Marine and Kirie) Director: it was no longer "Open House weekend for all Port-La-Forêt DIYers! Once back on the rails, the site worked well and even if there were one or two difficult years, it has always been independent and healthy.

v & v.com: your role at CDK Technologies?
P.F. : It is above all to organize, to find the right people on all posts - and clients...

 

v & v.com: but you were at that time a racer!
P.F. : I started by doing racing offshore in the Atlantic and around the world on Grand Louis with André Viant, and Katsou. Then I mounted the Gauloises III with Éric Loiseau, and Royal with Loïc Caradec project... I had the chance to fall in, because no one actually thought to live by making the race sailing! But it was the time when professionalism started. Me, I wanted to create ancillary activities to ensure my back: I have mounted the CFC (Training Centre for the cruise), one of the first schools of private cruise that has diversified with managing rental of yachts in La Trinité. Today, there are also an electricity and marine electronics company in this nautical pole.

v & v.com: but suddenly stop the competition...
P.F. : Because of the disappearance of Loïc Caradec, Yes, during the Route du Rhum 1986. When making the ocean race, we know that we can stay there, but agenda where it comes to a close, we have more very want to leave... I needed to do something else. I continued to participate in small races and one of my best memories, are the fifty years of the Muscadet year Lorient last! As fans, and what atmosphere on superbly pampered boats...

 

v & v.com: and in parallel in 1995, you mount the ORMA circuit!
P.F. : It was a moment that we worked on this subject - the first contacts date back to 1991... But I was convinced that you had to have the endorsement of the sporting power and it was not easy at this time: the UNCL was specialized in the offshore race and the FFV in Olympism. I convinced Jean-Louis Monneron, Chairman of the fed, and the five: having a broadcast on TV seemed indispensable! But the chain is broken figure... And in the end, the ORMA circuit began in 1995 and continued until 2005. With 18 trimarans on the starting line of the Route du Rhum 2002! A beautiful adventure, despite the shoved by some people in the middle of the sail, and lack of resources after the removal of Neuf Telecom.

v & v.com: it is the lack of partners which sank the circuit?
P.F. : Absolutely. When Total would invest in 2004, several people have put more that sticks in the wheels... The contract was made, the agreement should be signed, but some have revived the Erika case and have scuppered the project. Too bad for sailing!

v & v.com: with the ORMA, in any case, there have been the first regattas followed online with virtual images!
P.F. : It had invested to develop the attraction by the image. As television channels did not want to put money, should still offer an attractive product. The quality was there since Eurosport took pictures! But this cost still around 220,000 euros per Grand Prix, to multiply by five events over two lounges... And it did not interest me if there were not partners, premiums to the runners, to broadcast images. Certainly, it has been a little taken by the technological developments of the riders and designers: you should probably limit some things, like changes of rigging or appendices in-season for example...

 

v & v.com: now, there is more Minis, and a little the Class40 and the IMOCA to encourage innovation...
P.F. : It is a pity! The Monotype is not a solution, and the cost of a season in MOD70 was there to confirm. There remains much to encourage riders, architects, manufacturers to seek new solutions. Perhaps the new class of the 100-foot Maxi-multihulls will allow a revival - I hope in any case...

v & v.com: because the MOD70 circuit is buried in your opinion?
P.F. : Should an investor to resume everything, because boats are Highborne, solid, powerful, healthy. It's impressive averages that they made on the Transat Krys and duplicate on the Jacques Vabre! These are wonderful machines - still need to find partners...

v & v.com: CDK Technologies shipyard, it is above all major units!
P.F. : 50-foot trimarans! We tried to embark the Class40 series, but it is complicated: the market is reduced and there are already other very good sites that build in. And then, with the price of very skilled of the yard, it is rarely profitable below 60 feet - should make four or five to reduce the price of the equipment. Because a proto, now cost at least 500,000 euros!

v & v.com: and big monohulls of cruise?
P.F. : Need to find customers who are rather strangers...

v & v.com: navigate you yet?
P.F. : On my boat, Yes, a Swan 46 designed by German Frers. I fell in love of his boats in Rio de Janeiro, during a stage of the Whitbread: I waited a long time before you can offer me one, but I got there. These are great boats to of, a little less drag downwind...

 

The constructions of the shipyard CDK Composites (1984-1994),
then CDK Technologies (1995-2014)

2014: Saffron 2 (IMOCA 60) for Morgan Lagravière, Bank Populaire VIII (IMOCA 60) for Armel Le Cléac ' h, Macif (maxi-trimaran 100') for François Gabart
2013: three Class A (series D3 Scheurer)
2012: two MOD70 (Oman Air, Virbac-Paprec)
2011: five MOD70 (Race for Water, Veolia, Foncia, Edmond de Rothschild, Spindrift group), MACIF (IMOCA 60) for François Gabart
2010: PRB (IMOCA 60) to Vincent Riou, Foncia (monohull Imoca 60') for Michel Desjoyeaux
2009: Crêpes Whaou 3 (Multi50) for Franck - Yves Escoffier, VPLP 110' (composite part of the catamaran cruise JFA)
2008:Bank popular V (oceanic record of 40 m trimaran) to Pascal Bidégorry
2007: Foncia (IMOCA 60) to Michel Desjoyeaux
2006: PRB (IMOCA 60) to Vincent Riou
2005: Crêpes Whaou! 2(Multi50) for Franck-Yves Escoffier
2004: Groupama 2(ORMA 60) for Franck Cammas
2003: Giant (ORMA 60) to Michel Desjoyeaux, Sun Tenareze (cruise 85'catamaran)
2002: Popular Bank 3(ORMA 60) for Lalou Roucayrol
2001: Belgacom (ORMA 60) for Jean-Luc Nélias, popular Bank 2 (ORMA 60) for Lalou Roucayrol
2000: Flight Simulator (helicopter for Thales)
1999: Royal Atlantic (audiovisual production motor catamaran) to Philippe Facque
1998: Groupama (ORMA 60) for Franck Cammas
1997:Brocéliande (ORMA 60 for Alain Gautier
1996: model of the rocket Ariane V (Cité de l'Espace) for Eiffel Constructions metal
1994: "jumboisation" Iemenja (monohull cruise from 27 to 30 m)
1993: "jumboisation" of Charal (ex -foal) to Olivier de Kersauson
1992: Superior luggage(60 feet Open) to Alain Gautier
1991:Sofap-Helvim (60-foot Open) to Jean-Luc Van Den Heede
1989: Formula 28 on plans Cabon Yliam (trimaran 40') for Pierre-Yves Firmenich
1988: Cookies Cantreau-3 (trimaran formula 40) to Jean Le Cam, Hitachi (60'trimaran) to Lionel Péan
1987: Biscuits Cantreau 2 (trimaran formula 40) to Jean Le Cam, Chaffoteaux & Maury (catamaran formula 40) to Patrick Eliès, Laundry whiteo (catamaran formula 40) to Pascal Leys
1986: Foal (trimaran) to Olivier de Kersauson, Kaimiloa (catamaran cruise ' 70), Cookies Cantreau (trimaran formula 40) to Jean Le Cam
1984: skiffs of sea for the club of Carteret

 

...........
Hubert Desjoyeaux the spirit of the construction

Born in 1958, died of cancer in 2011, Hubert Desjoyeaux was the sole founder of the CDK Composites construction to remain in position after the takeover of the company by new shareholders. He was one of the most innovative composite builders - development of heaters by integrated composite fibers, use of the prepreg, technical Sandwich Glass-Airex hot, use of the autoclave... We met him a few months before his untimely death. Here are his words...

"When I was little, I wanted to be lumberjack in the Canada, then truck driver...". Well, I went to Quebec, but I did neither one nor the other! My father and my mother had seven children (four girls and three boys) and have always lived on the edge of the water.

They had a construction maintenance and caretaking and I loved helping out and enter the boats with the old cart with solid wheels. But still, it took me to do studies: they caught me since I gave up after three years of Art & crafts... I acquired bases in aero, hydro, in mechanics, electricity, but I am sharp in any way!

So I went to give a helping hand to Patrick Morvan, Jean Le Cam, Gaétan Gouérou, for the construction by Jet Services 2 in Carquefou Multiplast and its Assembly in La Trinité at Vanek. I was in the boat, but I liked the construction: I therefore followed up on the site of the catamaran Crédit Agricole as a base with Jean stratifieur, Gaëtan, 'The great' Alain, Roland Jourdain, Bertrand de Broc, Marc Guillemot...

Then I sailed with Philippe Jeantot for the Transat Québec/Saint-Malo after the epic recovery of the boat off the coast of the Azores after his capsize: a hull has leaked inside holes and with balloons, it succeeded to return it!

CDK Composites was the only site to have direct access to the sea by the beach: we had imagined a big trailer with hydraulic actuators to move boats up to the hangar!

In 1985, we had three large orders at the same time: foal, a trimaran of 23 meters for Olivier de Kersauson, the first trimaran formula 40 Biscuits Cantreau for Jean Le Cam and a 21 metre of archaeological exploration, Kaimiloa catamaran.

We were then twenty in the yard! I already had all the technical aspect of the site that grew at sight of eye... At the time, there were Multiplast in Vannes, Pinta in La Rochelle, ACX in Brest, Cherbourg NMC: it was linked to the explosion of multihulls and composite technologies.

In 1984, the majority of shipyards built still wet by impregnation with the hand of the fabrics at ambient temperature and atmosphere, mainly because they were fully aware these implementation techniques.

As soon as we have created the CDK, we wanted to use more sophisticated technologies with stratifications vacuum and, at the same time, we tested the fabrics which are pre-impregnated since 1984. We had developed with Excel-Genin of moulds heated by electric resistances integrated.

Engineers from DCN Cherbourg came to see us and we had made it clear that this system would never work! A year later, they used the same techniques...

But these tissues were not common and expensive, so we re-used dry fabrics but by practicing the vacuum and heated resins which had so the best mechanical characteristics: foal partly made with resins heated at 80 ° C or 95 ° C.

We are ironing fabrics which are pre-impregnated a few years later, because wet resins remained quite toxic to the laminators. The difference now is that we heat the subsequent parts in the oven instead of heating the molds.

It not was ultimately of major developments in techniques; simply, they are better implemented. These are mostly fibres that have evolved with new carbons, but honeycomb remain approximately the same.

The most important difference compared to twenty years ago, these are the digital files: architects provide directly plans scale 1, allowing very precise cutting of bulkheads for example: saving time in terms of adjustment is huge. In fact, sites have gained more ease of implementation technology.

Currently, we are moving towards the carbon parts milled digitally: on a block put in autoclave, we can machine the part in mass for strands of Saffron, for example. On crêpes Whaou 3, the 50 foot trimaran we realize at the moment, we have developed a system that allows us to use Airex foams with of prepregs, i.e. we can heat the sandwich to near 100 ° C without the foam does warp while normally, it loses its characteristics to 40 ° C.

Within the site, I spend a lot of time drawing parts, to validate the implementation techniques while monitoring the work at the workshop. The naval architect achieves a design plan, but not a manufacturing process: it may review the copy to fit, materials and methodology of work, to the specificity of each (arm, hull, mast...).

"It is a profession very taking, but full of surprises and lessons: boat that I prefer, this is the one I'll build, because I don't know yet how I will achieve it!...........
Heart of construction (1): Nicolas Groleau (JPS Production), is to be read here
Heart of construction (2): Alain Jézéquel (construction Jézéquel), is to be read here

Heart of construction (3): Yvan Noblet (SLM Production), is to be read here
Heart of construction (4): Alain Bouroullec (Structures), is to be read here
Heart of construction (5): Pierre-Marie Bernard (Billie Navy), is to be read here

D.Bo.