Video of the launch of Ultime trimaran Banque Populaire IX

The Ultime trimaran Banque Populaire IX which has been completed by CDK technologies has been launched.  It integrates a foiling package which should allow the boat to foil in suitable conditions. This new trimaran is to be part of the Ultime Collective and will be campaigned in solo and crewed form by Armel Le Cléac’h.

Multiplast rebuilds maxi catamaran Orange II as high performance cruiser Vitalia II

The maxi catamaran Vitalia II (formerly Orange 2 and one time holder of the Jules Verne record) is set to be relaunched on April the 17th at 4:30 local time at the Multiplast facility.

http://www.multiplast.eu/fr/actualit%C3%A9s/newsletters/actualit%C3%A9s-composite-yachts/763-mise-%C3%A0-l-eau-du-catamaran-vitalia-ii.html

The rebuild which was commissioned by Francois Bich has seen the one time race boat rebuilt with the intention of creating some creature comforts but retaining the essential performance qualities of the craft.

A website will be made live on the 15th of April to follow the boats relaunch and future adventures:

http://www.francoisbich.vitalia-2.fr/

Farrier F-22 trimaran, production F-22 hull #1 goes for it's first test sail

From Ian Farrier of Farrier Marine on the launching:

"After over 12 years of thinking about it, 6 years in development, the all new production F-22 is finally launched.  It sailed and handled beautifully, with everything working as expected."

more to be posted on the production blog in the next few days.

http://www.f-boat.com/pages/News4/FM-Factory2013.html

F-22 hull #1 out for it's first sail, photo courtesy Farrier Marine

Launched at the dock, photo courtesy Farrier Marine

 



Corsair Marine Cruze 970, first trimaran finished and launched

Corsair Marine's Paul Koch has released these photos of the new Corsair Cruze 970 trailerable trimaran which has been completed and launched.

Farrier F-85SR constructed by Multihulls Direct for Glynn Thomas has been launched and is now sailing in Subic Bay, Phillipines

I just noticed that Glynn Thomas has put up the following post on Sailing Anarchy his F-85SR is now launched and he has put up some observations of the first sail and photos of the boat in action.  You can read about the build process and see more photos of the boat in build on the same thread. This is the first boat constructed to this design to launch.

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=114970&&page=3

I have just had a great long weekend sailing my F-85SR in Subic Bay.

KatRat was launched on 22nd April, 2013 and was berthed alongside the F-44SC also built by Multihullsdirect.
 
On Friday, 26th April, we stepped the mast and took her for the first sail. We very quickly knocked up 10 nm with the boat handling very easily.

On Saturday, we decided to join the local fun round the buoys race. In Subic, the racing is very fun and easy going as long as the Beneteau First 36.7 gets line honours. Well this Saturday, status quo changed, as we easily out pointed the monohull and took line honours by a couple of minutes, sailing only Jib and Main on a course, which included a long upwind and downwind leg. Most of the talk after the race was about what handicap they will give us, given they know we are relatively inexperienced and didn't even try to raise the screecher or spinnaker.

In light to medium breezes, it was great to see how responsive the trimaran is and how it just seems to keep gliding along, even when the breeze drops out to nothing, allowing us to bridge the wind holes that exist all over the bay.

On Sunday, we took her out for another short cruise, but enjoying it so much we stayed out for over 3 hours. With only 3 on board it was still effortless and could easily be sailed 2-up.

We keep the boat partially folded in a pen at the moment and we have lots to do to make it easier to head out and return as we seem to spend a lot of time adjusting the rigging and fixing up the nets. We also need to install the rigging for the screecher and spinnaker. Nonetheless, the boat is fun and easy and I can't wait until the 11/12 May for my next weekend on the boat.

Overall it is a great boat and I really have to thank the designer, Ian Farrier and the builder, Michael Mallory for a wonderful boat.

The biggest challenge now is to get the boat insured, but that is another story.

Cheers
Glynn
KatRat F-85SR #10
Subic Bay, Philippines

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas

Photo courtesy of Glynn Thomas

MOD70 update, Spindrift Racing relaunch their MOD70 trimaran for the 2013 season

America's Cup update, Oracle Team USA officially launch their new AC72 catamaran

http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/news/4908/oracle-team-usa-launches-second-ac72

ORACLE TEAM USA officially launched the team’s second AC72 today, April 23, from the team base at Pier 80 in San Francisco. Helmsman Jimmy Spithill led the team and audience in a toast after Oracle Chief Marketing Officer Judy Sim broke a bottle of champagne across the bowsprit. The boat was then lowered into the San Francisco Bay before docking out for the first time.

“It’s an awesome day. We’re all very, very excited to get it out on the water,” said Spithill. “We hope to develop the fastest AC72 that will hit the Bay. There’s been a lot of energy, a lot of hours, put into this boat from the entire team. Now, it’s up to the sailors, along with the support of the rest of the team, to get out there and really try to get the most out of this boat.”

read more here

Photo's courtesy Team Oracle USA

Photo's courtesy Team Oracle USA

There are also a couple of vids that covers the launch

Nixe proa completed and launched

Alexander has completed and launched his new Nixe Proa.  It's been an interesting project to see under construction built using the tortured or stressform ply method.   

read more about the project here on proafile:

http://proafile.com/forums/viewthread/123/

Multi50 update, Team Lalou launch their new Multi50 trimaran

Team Lalou have successfully launched their new Multi50 trimaran.  Lots of good ideas on board and I like the shelters around the external helms should make them a good place to be in rough weather.  Looking forward to seeing this boat compete in the year ahead.  Congratulations to the team and thanks for taking us along on the ride watching the boat under construction.



Photo thanks to Laurent Belhade

 

MOD70 update, Jean Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec team launch thier new MOD70

Jean Pierre Dick's, Virbac Paprec MOD70 launched.

From the Multionedesign.com website:

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/863/virbac-paprec-70-launched.html

20.03.13

"A new page is turned and a new challenge begins". It is with these words and looking towards the new MOD70 being lifted by the crane that Jean-Pierre Dick referred to the launch of VIRBAC-PAPREC 70. A few weeks after finishing the Vendée Globe, the skipper from Nice will now continue in its wake on three hulls. This season will be a learning one with a team as pleasant as they are talented.

Multi50 update, Team Lalou to launch new Multi50 trimaran on Saturday

Team Lalou have completed their new Multi50 trimaran and it is to be launched on Saturday.

rough translation from the Team Lalou FB page by Bing

Saturday... Release day!
There are six days, six small days before the launching of the Team Lalou Multi trimaran.
Saturday, March 23 to 14 h will be held in Port block upgrading water of the new trimaran of Lalou. After more than 15 months of construction and 24 months of preparation, the team will be very happy to see you at his side for this event.

Frank Smoot's new 24' off the beach trimaran

Noticed this interesting entry on the excellent Small Trimarans Blog

http://smalltrimarans.com/blog/?p=9277

On the cruisey end of the small trimaran scale are Frank Smoot's interesting homebuilt trimarans.  He has just completed a 24' off the beach trimaran.

First sailing photos of TC 627 trimaran

Some photos have come to light of the New Zealand based Tim Clissold designed TC627 trimaran out on it's first sail have come to light.  Looks like a very neat little boat and looks to be constructed to a high standard by Andaman Boatyard.  Thanks to 'Vaka' on the Sailing Anarchy forums for the link.

Farrier F32SRX trimarans have first test sail in Tauranga, NZ

The new F32SRX trimarans that have been constructed in New Zealand for Australian clients have had an initial test sail in very light conditions.  These trimarans look to be fully optioned with curved lifting foils and the triple rudder setup.  Photos courtesy of "rigger" on the crew.org.nz forums.

New XS 35 catamaran design by Randy Reynolds

A new design has been launched by Randy Reynolds of XS Catamarans the XS 35 is an updated version of the venerable R33 design.   More on this exciting new performance catamaran can be found here

and a video of the new XS 35 in action.  Thanks to Sailing Anarchy news page for the links.

Toro 34 Catamaran video of new design being put through it's paces

The new Toro 34 catamaran is geared towards offering a performance catamaran design at a moderate price and this video confirms that the target has been achieved.  While sailing in this video they achieved 20 knots in 15 knots of breeze and the boat proved easy to handle, fast and comfortable.

New F-22R launched in South Africa

From F-boat.com news updates page:

http://www.f-boat.com/pages/News4/F-22inSouthAfrica.html

Peter How has just launched his F-22R on Gariep dam in South Africa and writes:

Hi Ian

Most of the bugs sorted out now, including the jib furling. Upwind it points well and sails almost
at the same speed as the apparent wind on my handheld meter.

Sails hands off in a straight line. Folding the floats on the water for docking on the trailer each
day is very easy. The low weight and wide mast cord make it risky to leave out next to a jetty with our Karoo
winds (60 knots downdraft measured at Oviston down the lake last week).

read more here

GC32 Catamaran update, first sailing photo

The impressive new one design GC32 catamaran has been out for it's initial shakedown sail.  Looks great on the water and the crew were straight into some hull flying.

First GC32 racing catamaran launched in Dubai

The new GC32 racing catamaran has been assembled and launched in Dubai.

The first Great Cup 32 (GC32) catamaran delivered and assembled in Dubai

The first GC32 catamarans have been delivered and assembled in Dubai.  These new full carbon construction designs by Martin Fisher are intended to race one design in a series of events around the world.  They are demountable and transportable by container, two GC32's can fit into one standard 40' container for transport.

Photos from the GC32 facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.514257718584809.126807.499523610058220&type=1