New Build
Power Chord

This is the brand new Riptide 50 "Strum". Strum was designed by Paul Bieker and has been beautifully built by Ian Franklin Boatbuilders in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was just launched on August 22nd and is undergoing sea trials in Picton. The concept for "Strum" was born when we read about "Dark Star" right here on Sailing Anarchy. We were so intrigued by boat so we set up a meeting with Paul back in 2003 and have been working on the project ever since. Strum was designed and built with performance in mind but we also wanted a boat that would be comfortable for extended cruising in the Pacific Northwest and short handed sailing. She is built entirely of carbon fibre and epoxy composite, this includes the interior joinery. The rig was built by Matrix Masts in New Zealand from intermediate modulus carbon fibre and is outfitted with PBO rigging.

The result is a very light and strong boat (13,500 LBS) that is easily managed with a few good sailors. Strum has a lifting keel that draws 12 feet when fully down and 7'3" when fully up, this will allow her to enter shallow ports and cruising destinations. She is water ballasted with a quick system to move the water from side to side. The sails are made by Quantum in Auckland and include racing and cruising sails. The interior is very well appointed and we intend to cruise her in the Pacific Northwest. She has two full heads, 3 staterooms and amenities that includes autopilot, fridge, freezer, furnace, anchor windlass, hot and cold running water. want a Riptide 50 for yourself? Ian Franklin has tooled up to provide this as a limited series production boat.-Tim Vogel.

We'll have a full sea trial report from Tim, but in the meantime here are more photos | 1 | 2 | 3 |.

08/24/06