NEWS RS Sailing switches identity for growth 11/01/2023 Save article RS Sailing has renamed itself as RS Marine Group to unify all of its brands under one umbrella and help drive growth going forward. SHOW FULLSCREEN Source: RS Marine Group The companies in RS Marine Group’s portfolio include RS Sailing, RS Electric Boats, Cheetah Marine and the all-new Ocean Play zoom inzoom out The companies in RS Marine Group’s portfolio include RS Sailing, RS Electric Boats, Cheetah Marine and the all-new Ocean Play, which will be making Picos and more with Jo Richards. “Each of the companies will retain its individual identity while functions such as finance, marketing, design and business growth will be shared. Common drivers such as sustainability will be brought to the fore as the group expands and utilises its significantly widened network base,” said Jon Partridge, CEO – Commercial, RS Marine Group. Unified approach All RS Marine Group’s current sales and production locations will continue to operate. Alex Newton-Southon, CEO Technical, RS Marine Group, said that a more unified new group will bring benefits to all of its brands and companies. “We have technical expertise across such a wide range of products; imagine the insight we can gain from sharing our experience and ideas. The collaboration benefits are endless as we push toward innovative, sustainable, accessible craft for our customers,” he said. The growth figures detail the need to move ahead in line with the group’s expansion. In 2014, RS Sailing was a £5 million operation, in 2023, the group’s total revenue is forecasted to be £25 million and the aim is to significantly grow this over the next five years. RS Marine Group’s companies share a common goal to improve handling, performance and user friendliness across the sailing and power boat sectors, including specific focus on ever greater sustainability and accessibility attributes. These will build on, for example, Cheetah’s heritage of creating boats for the Wet Wheels Foundation, RS Sailing’s RS21 and RS Electric Boats’ development of the all-electric Pulse 63 RIB.   Topics Industry NewsRS Sailing

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NEWS Multihull designer dies 03/01/2023 Save article Multihull designer and boat builder, Derek Kelsall, has died aged 89. SHOW FULLSCREEN Derek Kelsall with his wife Clare Derek is credited with creating the modern-day trimaran, introducing French sailing legend Eric Tabarly to multihulls and being one of the first to champion foam sandwich construction. Derek was born in North Wales in 1933, growing up in humble surroundings. He studied engineering at Bristol University but was unable to complete his degree when he ran out of money. After completing National Service in Kenya, he entered the oil exploration business working for BP in Libya. His career took him to Texas, at the time when his passion for boating was growing, along with an interest in multihulls, both sailing and building them in the Caribbean. This culminated in a decision to enter the second edition of the Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) in 1964 racing Folatre, a 35ft plywood Arthur Piver-designed trimaran which Derek managed to prepare for the race in just two months. After the race, Derek’s interest in multihulls led to him attempting his own trimaran design. The 45ft Toria was one of the most influential multihulls ever, establishing the fundamental concept of what a racing trimaran should look like. SHOW FULLSCREEN Derek Kelsall’s trimaran Toria is believed to be the first boat in the UK to be built using foam sandwich construction The craft had twin crossbeams attaching the relatively high volume, fine bowed floats to the centre hull, their geometry such that at rest only two hulls ever touched the water. She is also said to be the first boat to be built in the UK using foam sandwich construction. Her success on the racecourse created great interest in offshore trimarans, including from French sailing legend Eric Tabarly who helped deliver the boat from Cornwall to the 1967 London Boat Show and who afterwards returned to France to work on his first trimaran with French naval architect André Allègre. Derek continued to enjoy further success with his small trimaran designs into the 1980s, including his Toria development Trifle. His greatest series of race boats were the various ‘Three Legs of Mann’ trimarans built and sailed by Isle of Mann-based Nick Keig. His use of foam sandwich construction attracted some of the top campaigns including Sir Thomas Lipson’s 1968 OSTAR victory which led to Derek building the 78ft long Alan Gurney-designed Great Britain II for Chay Blyth followed by two further large trimarans for the legendary sailor. From the mid-1980s for the rest of his career, Derek’s work as a yacht designer mainly focussed upon fast cruising catamarans, accompanied by further developmental steps in boat building techniques. KSS, the Kelsall Swiftsure Sandwich technique, used flat panels that could be laid up rapidly on a table, enabling construction time to be dramatically reduced, a process Derek first used in 1973 and constantly evolved over subsequent decades. He emigrated to New Zealand after the death of his wife Clare, from where he continued to design yachts and motorboats and promote the KSS. Derek is survived by his partner Paula, daughter Victoria Liepins and son Liam and Liam’s two children Elena and Libby. Meanwhile Derek’s designs, including many of his early work from the 1960s, thanks to their foam sandwich construction, have survived him and are still to be found in every corner of the globe. Topics BoatbuilderDerek KelsallIndustry Newstrimaran

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NEWSUp to £1.6m in damages for skipper03/01/2023Save articleA professional yacht skipper could receive up to £1.6m in damages after he was hit on the head by a 10kg steel pulley on a multi-millionaire’s superyacht.SHOW FULLSCREENAdam Prior was the skipper on board the Eleonora EAdam Prior says he had to give up a life at sea after he was struck in the face by the pulley during a race off the Isle of Wight in July 2015 on board the Eleonora E.The pulley first got stuck on some metal sheeting and then slipped free.Mr Prior, 40, sued Peras Ltd, the company which owns the boat, for £3.2m, claiming he suffered brain damage and blaming unsafe weather and lack of maintenance on the rigging for his accident.The company denied all blame and disputed the amount of compensation claimed – stating that Mr Prior was ‘the author of his own misfortune’.After a four-day trial at the High Court in London, Judge Richard Davison ruled that both Mr Prior and the ship’s owners were equally to blame. The amount of compensation is to be assessed but is set to be reduced by 50% due to Mr Prior’s own negligence.The judge said the yacht’s owners provided unsafe equipment in the shape of a metal rod attached to the 10kg pulley block.The metal sheeting was found to serve no practical purpose and was a cause of the accident as it could make the block stick in a way that was ‘foreseeably dangerous’.However, the judge also said Mr Prior was equally negligent as he crossed through the ‘danger triangle’, area of the ship – where there was extensive rigging and heavy blocks running free.The judge was told Mr Prior crossed by the shortest and most direct route, however there were safer routes that could have been taken.Mr Prior also failed to crouch or check the blocks were out of the way before moving across.The court was told that Mr Prior suffered brain damage causing long-term problems with fatigue and reduced concentration which meant he was no longer able to work on yachts.Mr Prior claimed the wind was gusting up to 30 knots on the day of the accident – a claim denied by the defence – and Eleonora E shouldn’t have been racing.However the judge stated the wind had played no part in the accident.Eleonora E was launched in 2000 and is a replica of the transatlantic schooner Westward.TopicsEleonora EIndustry NewsRegattaSchoonerSuperyacht

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NEWSOffshore racing assessment partnership15/12/2022Save articleMarineShift360, a marine industry specific lifecycle assessment tool and the International Monohull Open Class Association have agreed a formal partnership focused on understanding the environmental impacts of high-performance offshore racing.SHOW FULLSCREENMarineShift360 is to become an official sustainability partner to the IMOCA ClassAs part of the agreement, MarineShift360 will become an official sustainability partner to the IMOCA, facilitating the Class in analysing and understanding their full lifecycle impacts.The partnership follows on from the MarineShift360 development period, where IMOCA was a pilot partner.The Class will continue to run a lifecycle assessment involving all competing teams with the aim of the partnership being to understand the true environmental impact of building and campaigning the IMOCA Open 60.The organisations have already started collecting data from new IMOCA builds and compiling the results.Long-term the organisations hope to introduce rules and regulations that will reduce the environmental impacts of high-performance boat building and racing, not just within the IMOCA but across the wider offshore racing community.These could include specifying low impact construction process or using 100% recyclable moulds.A key benefit of the partnership will be to utilise learnings from IMOCA, which operate at the leading edge of marine technology development, to share across the wider marine industry, explained Imogen Dinham-Price, IMOCA Sustainability Manager.The tool is backed by MarineShift360’s founding sponsor, 11th Hour Racing and developed and managed by sustainability consultancy Anthesis.MarineShift360 won a DAME Category Award in 2022.

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NEWS New 40mm blocks 02/12/2022 Save article Ronstan has introduced a new 40mm block range, featuring 23 configurations for leading dynamic and static load ratings. SHOW FULLSCREEN Ronstan’s new Series 40 Block features 23 configurations The block is made of lightweight and strong toughened glass fibre reinforced nylon cheeks combined with a two-stage bearing system for better performance. The maximum working loads for the new Series 40 Orbit Blocks range from 400kg to 1000kg (HHL versions). The new blocks feature a wider sheave profile able to accommodate lines up to 10mm. The increased working loads in the range make the blocks suitable for applications on larger boats. The blocks are suitable for mainsheet systems and spinnaker sheets on dinghies, off-the-beach catamarans, and sportsboats to 8m (26ft); halyard, vang and backstay applications on boats to 9m (30ft) and control line applications on larger yachts. Multiple sheave configurations allow users to create up to a 12:1 purchase mainsheet system for performance multihulls. Topics BlockDeck Hardwaremainsheet systemRonstan

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NEWS Sailing record smashed 12/12/2022 Save article Emirates Team New Zealand with pilot Glenn Ashby have broken the land speed sailing record, clocking 222.4km/h on board their speed craft, Horonuku. SHOW FULLSCREEN Emirates Team New Zealand with pilot Glenn Ashby have broken the land speed record The record, in 22 knots of windspeed, took place on Lake Gairdner in South Australia. “The team and I are obviously buzzing to have sailed Horonuku at a speed faster than anyone has ever before – powered only by the wind,” said Glenn. “But in saying that we know Horonuku has a lot more speed in it when we get more wind and better conditions.” And he said the team would continue to push to go even faster. The record has yet to be ratified by the international governing body FISLY – Federation Internationale de Sand et Land Yachting. Data from onboard Horonuku must be submitted to FISLY within 48-hours of the attempt. The craft is fitted with an approved GPS which records survey grade, differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data which provides 21 data points over the two second record period. Each of the data points supplies a position estimate accurate to around 10mm which will deliver an average speed over two seconds. The previous record was 202.9km/h recorded by Richard Jenkins on March 29th 2009. “The land speed project has been a new opportunity to push the boundaries in aerodynamics, structural forces, construction methods and materials fields.” said Emirates Team New Zealand principal Matteo de Nora. “What is often underestimated is that the technologies we explore in challenges like this – or in an America’s Cup campaign – are ultimately the foundation of tomorrow’s technology.” Topics America’s CupIndustry Newsland speed record

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NEWS Mervyn Cook passes away 06/12/2022 Save article Mervyn Cook designer of the iconic Magnum series which won 8 Worlds, 10 Europeans, 19 UK National Championships, has died after a long illness. SHOW FULLSCREEN Mervyn Cook has died after a long illness, Photo courtesy Jacque Cook Mervyn had a long interest in sailing boats with his first boat being a British Moth dinghy which he sailed on the River Thames in the late 1950s. Having raced different Moths, he soon began designing his own, convinced that relatively high rocker displacement boats, generally the norm in development classes, were not the fastest way to go. In the early 1970s, his brother-in-law, John Claridge, had just set up a business building racing dinghies and so Mervyn designed a new boat for him, a new departure for the class, which became the first of his famous Magnum line of designs. Over the years, Mervyn’s rethinking of dinghy design caused changes to the Portsmouth Yardstick ratings for handicap racing. He also designed to the National 12 and International 14 dinghy class rules and served on the International Yacht Racing Union technical committee – now the World Sailing Governing Body – and was an official measurer for the Moth class as well as contributing to ideas for Moth sail area measurement rules. He became interested in sailing International One Metre sailboats and applied to be an official measurer for this and the 7ft model A class in 2007, actively sailing both classes from Gosport. Speed on water was always his objective and more recently, he enjoyed the excitement of Mini40 multihull racing and the new design challenges. As well as enjoying the racing at Gosport, Mervyn repaid the club by becoming the Commodore in 2013. Mervyn is survived by his wife Jacque. Topics BoatbuildingIndustry NewsMagnumYacht designer

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NEWSNew Code Zero furler02/12/2022Save articleSwedish mast and deck hardware manufacturer, Seldén Mast has expanded its range of electronically driven sail handling products with the launch of the CXe45.SHOW FULLSCREENThe CXe45 runs on SEL-Bus and a Power Supply UnitDesigned for yachts in the 45-55ft range, the CXe45 is a two-speed electric Code Zero furler controlled with the push of a button.It can be integrated into a bow or bowsprit with a through-deck installation or, attached to a pad-eye, it can be used as an on-deck unit.“The furling Code 0 was originally developed for long distance racing but is now a given addition to a cruising sailor’s headsail wardrobe,” explains Mats-Uno Fredrikson, Seldén’s director of marketing.“Combine it with a furling jib and you have the ultimate set up from broad reaching to beating upwind, all without leaving the cockpit. Now, with the use of push button control instead of a furling line it becomes even easier and safer.”The CXe45 runs on SEL-Bus and a Power Supply Unit converting 12V or 24V to 42V. SEL-Bus is a can-bus system with software that combines intelligence and power on board to sense and adapt loads for maximum efficiency and safety.TopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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NEWS RS expands production 24/11/2022 Save article The RS Marine group of companies is to manufacture the Pico, Bugs, Bahias and Vagos sailing dinghies having formed a collaboration with designer Jo Richards. SHOW FULLSCREEN Ocean Play is a collaboration between RS Marine and Jo Richards The four dinghies will be manufactured by a a new company, Ocean Play, with delivery expected in late January 2023. The move comes after successful litigation against Laser Performance, which enabled Jo, who is the designer of the four boats, to approach RS with a view to producing the boats. As well as manufacturing to Jo’s original design, Ocean Play will offer worldwide customer services for all the boats. The new company will be headed up by Neil Coxon who is the ex-director of Sailing, Oman Sail and also previously ran the SailLaser operation. “I am delighted to be part of Ocean Play,” he said. “These boats have enabled so many people around the world to discover their love of sailing and their demand is still very much alive. I am looking forward to the future of Ocean Play and working with our appointed dealer network.” The newly formed company will continue to develop the brands’ markets across Europe and look to expand to other territories. The boats will continue to be made at Roto in Slovenia with Hyde Sails and Seldén supplying equipment. “Hundreds of thousands of young people have learnt to sail in Picos. We’re excited that hundreds of thousands more will as well,” says Jon Partridge, RS Marine Group CEO. “As these boats were designed by Jo – also the designer of many RS boats – they are incredibly simple and create a safe and comfortable environment for learning to sail.” Topics BoatbuildingLaserOcean PlayPicoRS Marine

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NEWSNorth Sails to power next America’s Cup21/11/2022Save articleNorth Sails, which has powered every America’s Cup winner since 1987, will equip all entries participating in the 37th America’s Cup with its 3Di sail technology.SHOW FULLSCREENSource: North SailsNorth Sails will supply each America’s Cup team with 3Di sail technologyzoom inzoom outThe sailmaker will supply each team with 3Di sail technology, aero engineers and exclusive access to the North Design Suite, its advanced sail design and aero simulation tool.“This event is the pinnacle of our sport and proving ground for sailing technology,” said Ken Read, president of North Sails and North Technology Group.“Because of this, North Sails keeps learning and is constantly climbing the ladder in terms of product development. It is an incredible resource for the teams and in turn, our business.”Design evolutionDuring this Cup cycle, North Sails will work in close collaboration with the teams and twelve North Sails aero engineers have signed on across the five syndicates.Two key developments from the 36th Cup were how to get more range out of the sails and how to use materials in new ways to achieve that range. As a result, within six months after the final race, North Sails made Helix Structured Luff for Upwind available for all racing clients.Barcelona, Spain, will host the 37th America’s Cup in September and October 2024. The five teams signed up to compete are NYYC American Magic (USA), Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA), Alinghi Red Bull Racing (CHE), Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia (GBR), and Defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL).North Sails is also the official supplier of 3Di one design sails for the AC40, which will be used for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup events.TopicsAmerica’s CupMasts, spars, sails & riggingNorth Sails

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