Big Time

Designer Greg Elliott is well known down under and with the new 100' Maximus he just designed, you all are going to know about him. This should help. Enjoy.

Greg, if you weren't on the international map before you are now with the 100' Maximus that you just designed. Tell us a little bit about the design brief.

GE
The design brief "To design the fastest monohull to be raced offshore and inshore with a maximum length of 30 meters."

Surely a number of designers had a shot at the order. What did you do to get it?

GE
I believe a number of designers tried to get the job but I understand the owners chose me based upon their observation of a number of fast yachts I have previously designed which have achieved successful race results.

Designing a 100' is a huge endeavor. How did you handle all the engineering that must go into such a thing?

GE
As with so many projects the engineering is done by a subcontractor and in the case of Maximus this was High Modulus NZ Ltd.

The rarefied air of racing supermaxis certainly has a high risk-reward factor. How important is Maximus' performance on the racecourse to your acceptance on the Big Stage?

GE
Any race yacht is judged by its performance so a good result would be ideal.

A lot of people in the states don't know much about you. Fill them in with some of your more notable work.

GE
I began in the late 70s with a 25 footer "Outsider" which was very successful and led on to the commission of more designs. The Elliott 5.9 was built in 1980 and during the 80s over 100 were built. Throughout the 80s I designed many innovative yachts between 20 and 60 feet. Most notably "Transformer"41ft "Party Pro"45ft "Future Shock"56ft "Peacemaker"39ft and several production yachts. During the 90s there were more production yachts and racing yachts such as the 40 footer "Sassy", 50 foot schooner "Primo" and 50 footer "Hydroflow". In recent years I designed the Elliott 6 as a replacement for the Elliott 5.9. The 45 foot "Coyote- Maverick" and I was a member of the Mari Cha 1V design team. I have also designed a series of pilothouse cruisers during the last few years. I have over 1000 yachts built to my design over the last 30 years.

The so called Sportboat phenom over here must look somewhat laughable to you over there. Why do you think boats down under have long been light plum bowed spirit rockets, while we've muddled around with slow boats for so long?

GE
The one main factor that has restricted the development of keel yachts is the rating rules. In New Zealand rating rules have never been a huge part of our sailing life. Therefore with a more open approach to design, more performance oriented yachts have evolved.

The canting keel is of course all the rage these days. What is your take?

GE
The canting keel concept has been around a long time but the relaxation of the rules has enabled the concept to be progressed. I believe for a racing yacht it is an effective way of increasing performance.

The world of big boat racing is in flux in terms of handicap rules, offshore OD boats and custom boats. Do you see an emerging trend in any of these areas that can gain real momentum?

GE
I believe that the box type rule will probably become the dominant force in international racing.

Do box rules like the TP 52 have any appeal to you? Is there an opportunity, from a designer's standpoint, to draw a boat that can be appreciably faster than say a Farr boat?

GE
The TP52 rule appears to be on the right track although the cost to compete in this class appears to be high. There is always room to design a faster yacht !

Do you see any future in the IRC?

GE
I believe like all prior rating rules the IRC will have a limited life span.

Outside of yourself, whose designs do you like?

GE
The multi hull designs that come out of Europe are really cool and very interesting.

Might we see a new Elliott boat in the states any time soon?

GE
Maximus will be in New York for the start of the Transatlantic Race.

Thanks mate.