Purple Reign?

New Zealand’s latest contribution to the World Yachting scene recently reached a milestone with the construction process ‘turning over’ of a giant 100ft Race Yacht on Auckland’s North Shore. As an indication of size this yacht is approximately one third larger than the America’s Cup boats.

The promoters of this super maxi yacht are EBS Yachting, a joint venture between Buckley Yachting and eSport Yachting Ventures. These companies are owned by Auckland businessmen Bill Buckley and Charles Brown. The vision is to showcase New Zealand design innovation and expertise and win line honours in all major sailing events in three Continents in 2005 including USA, Europe and Australia.

This is an all Kiwi project from the design and construction through to the final race crew. The team includes: designer Greg Elliot (Mari Cha 1V) and boat builder Mick Cookson (Team NZ yachts, Sony Playstation, Sayonara).

The design brief was to create the world’s fastest mono hull race yacht for the length without attempting to manipulate or bend rules to win races. They wanted the best all round performer.

The design incorporates a canting keel which has a huge ballast ratio. When fully canted it will be equivalent to 200 crew sitting on the weather rail. The actual race crew will number around 18 of the Country’s best sailors!

Another first is the ' wing rotating carbon mast '. This will be the largest Mono hull race yacht in the world to have this type of rig.

Southern Spars in Auckland are building the mast. The rigging is latest technology, light weight and low windage made of carbon fibres from the company 'Future Fibers New Zealand'.

The sails are being made by North Sails New Zealand and Doyle Sails NZ. Computer tests show the yacht will be too fast to carry spinnakers. It's design therefore includes a 'prod' extension replacing the conventional spinnaker pole, this will also increase the sail area for down wind racing using gennakers.

The mainsail will alledgedly be the largest 3dl kevlar sail ever constructed for a race yacht - almost three times the size of those carried by the Volvo 60ft round the world racers.

Another objective is to take line honours in next year’s prestigious Sydney to Hobart race. The rules currently don’t allow this super maxi to race to its full potential this year. However, CYCA Race organisers are changing the rules which will enable the yacht to compete in the 2005 event.They expect up to six or more Super Maxis of 100 feet for that race.The yacht at present known as ‘www.supermaxi.co.nz’ has a velocity prediction analysis which indicates it will be a world speed record breaker. This includes an attemp on the 24 hour world speed record run whilst delivering the Super Maxi Yacht to the New York Yacht Club before the start of the 2005 Trans Atlantic Race. Should be a wild one to follow!

09/22/04