Lombard’s aluminium blue water cruiser

BY ADMIN • MAY 29, 2017 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, YACHTS • COMMENTS OFF • 212

The Gulliver 57 is from the board of legendary French designer Marc Lombard and is finished to a very high standard. The concept arose when Carlo Gullotta was looking for a new boat but couldn’t find what he wanted from the established builders.

“I wanted an aluminium boat that would be safe, lightweight, recyclable and yet have a long life,” says Gullotta. “I asked some of the French builders, but they couldn’t incorporate all the ideas I wanted. So instead I went to Marc Lombard and asked him to design the boat I wanted.”

The result is a very appealing blend of French offshore design knowledge and Italian style, with impressive attention to detail and a high standard of finish. The first two examples are already afloat, having been built near Milan. The prototype, built for a friend who was looking for a yacht on which his young family could live, hit the water in summer 2016. This was followed by a second boat in April 2017.

The chined hull has twin rudders and a hydraulic lifting keel reduces draught from 3.5m to just 1.17m. The carbon spars are by Lorima (same supplier as IMOCA 60s). Forward and aft watertight bulkheads hint at the kind of serious sailing Gullotta had in mind when commissioning the design.

Future boats will be completely customisable in terms of layout and equipment, although the first two follow broadly similar principles. The accommodation layout is unusual, yet maximises the use of space. The saloon is right at the back of the boat, under the cockpit. Forward of this is a huge galley to starboard, while the large navigation station, with provision for office space, is to port. The overall effect is one of plenty of space, along with masses of storage. Fit out is in white painted composite sandwich panels offset with wood trim. It looks great yet is also practical and will clearly work well at sea, where the deep fiddles and numerous handholds will be of great value.

Forward of these areas are four double/twin cabins, plus two head/shower compartments. There are two pilot berths outboard of the saloon, plus lee cloths on saloon settees so there are ample good sea berths. The galley, plus saloon and cockpit tables are designed around the use of catering industry standard Gastronorm containers, which is hugely efficient and makes great use of space.

LOA 18.6m

Hull length 17.5m

Waterline length 17.41m

Beam 5.18m

Displacement 19.054kg

Ballast 4,254kg

Draught 1.7 to 3.5m

Mainsail 105sq m

Solent jib 90 sq m

Spinnaker 287sq m

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via Lombard’s aluminium blue water cruiser | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

MAIB publishes report into Clipper Race deaths

BY ADMIN • MAY 29, 2017 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, NEWS • COMMENTS OFF • 304

Working on the foredeck of IchorCoal.

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published a report into two crewmembers that died in separate incidents aboard ‘IchorCoal’, a 70ft yacht in the last edition of the Clipper Round the World Race. These boats are crewed by amateur sailors, many of which had little experience before joining the programme, and the lessons learned are equally relevant to owners of long-distance cruising yachts. They are the first fatalities in the event’s 21-year history, which to date has seen a total of 84 yachts complete circumnavigations.

In the first incident watch leader Andrew Ashman, was struck by the mainsheet during an accidental double gybe off the Portuguese coast in the early stages of the first leg. Immediately before the incident he was briefing his watch on reefing the mainsail, a task they had not yet undertaken while racing. To do so he moved forward from near the helm, where he had been monitoring an inexperienced driver, to stand in the ‘danger area’ in way of the mainsheet and traveller.

At the time the boat’s course was weaving 50 degrees, which eventually led to an accidental gybe. It’s believed Ashman’s head was hit by the mainsheet, killing him instantly. A preventer was rigged, but the Dyneema strop securing the forward end broke, rendering it useless. The MAIB therefore recommends the Royal Yachting Association, World Sailing, British Marine and rope manufacturers work together to provide advice on the use and limitations of different rope types.

12 identical 70ft yachts competed with amateur crews in the 2015/16 Clipper race.

The second incident was a crewmember overboard on the leg between Qingdao in China and Seattle on the west coast of the USA in winds of 40-60 knots. On returning to the deck, after summoning additional help from off watch crew to hand the yankee jib, Sarah Young omitted to clip her harness to the boat. A wave washed over the vessel, sweeping her down to the lee rail. Before she could recover, and before fellow crewmembers were able to help, a second wave swept her through the guardrails and into the sea.

She was wearing a personal AIS beacon, which enabled the crew to determine her position accurately. However, by the time the sail had been doused and the boat had recovered her, she was no longer breathing. She was found without the sprayhood of her lifejacket having been deployed. As well as a poignant reminder about the importance of harness discipline, especially when going out on deck from below, the MAIB recommended lacing between the deck and lower guardrails to help restrain crew.

In addition, the MAIB identified that both accidents might have been avoided though greater levels of supervision. It has therefore recommended that a seconded paid seafarer, in addition to the skipper, is employed on each boat.

Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, welcomed the report, commenting: “The MAIB has an important role in ensuring that the valuable learnings from accidents are shared with the industry to help improve safety. These two fatalities, resulting from two very different incidents, were the first in our long history and are tragic, especially as they were caused primarily through momentary lapses in applying basic safety training.

“The report acknowledges that we have been proactive to mitigate the risks concerned even further… We will continue our long established collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the MAIB, to develop, test and improve safety standards, devices, methods and procedures, not only for the benefit of Clipper Race crew but also to pass on any lessons learned, during the toughest around-the-world race that is available to amateur crew, to the sailing community at large.”

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via MAIB publishes report into Clipper Race deaths | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

Crushing blow ends world record attempt

BY ADMIN • APRIL 25, 2017 • NEWS, OLDER • COMMENTS OFF • 359

Australian single-handed sailor Lisa Blair’s world record attempt to be the first woman to sail single-handed and non-stop around Antarctica is over. A broken mast in savage Antarctic weather in the Southern Ocean’s notorious Roaring Forties has brought the record attempt to a cruel premature end after she had completed three-quarters of the 14,000-mile voyage over 72 days.

Having set out from the southeastern Australian port of Albany on January 22 Blair successfully passed Cape Horn – roughly the halfway mark – after 50 days of sailing. Her boat, Climate Action Now is an Open 50, originally built in the early 2000s for the 5,500-mile Melbourne to Osaka double-handed race.

At the time Blair said: “While I knew I was settling in for the long haul of this trip I have been quite surprised at how quickly the time has passed even though the days feel long,” Blair said after the first 60 days of her voyage. “It will be a few more short weeks and I will be setting foot once again on home soil. A part of me can’t wait to get there, but another part knows that I will end up missing this simple life at sea of eat, sleep, sail when I go back to the bustle of land.”

Although there had been many items that have needed small repairs, at the 65 day mark Blair had managed to avoid any significant damage to her boat, with the exception of damaging the storm jib while lying to a series drogue in a storm just after Cape Horn and a bent pulpit leg.

In the latter case, after being pummelled by a depression with winds of 45 knots that kicked up waves of 6-7 metres, an exploded block for the boom preventer caused the line to rip a leg of the pulpit out of the deck. Blair was able to rig a replacement block and secure the pulpit and tension the lifelines using lashings.

At the time of writing Lisa Blair was motoring to Cape Town to assess the situation and effect repairs.

RECENT POSTS

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via Crushing blow ends world record attempt | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

Triple Crown events added to Cowes Week

BY ADMIN • MAY 29, 2017 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, RACING • COMMENTS OFF • 75

There was a time at which Cowes Week, which is still the world’s most popular regatta after more than 190 years, was solely the preserve of the rich and famous. Fortunately, it’s no longer as exclusive and many of the 30-plus classes are yachts whose original design is at least 40 years old and that change hands for the price of a modest second-hand car.

Ludde Ingvall’s 100ft revamped super-maxi CQS

Of course, at the high end there are still some of the world’s best racing teams in large state of the art yachts, which helps give the event much of its character and excitement. Last year was no exception, with the 13 strong FAST 40+ class producing the best racing on such powerful yachts in the northern hemisphere.

However, regattas in northern Europe have tended to largely miss out on the boom in superyacht racing as these boats generally travel between the Mediterranean in the summer and Caribbean in the winter. The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s biennial 605 mile Rolex Fastnet Race, always attracts a few superyachts in the 80-100ft range. This year the club has ‘relaxed’ the upper size limit to allow yachts of more than 100ft for the first time ever. This is sure to attract more superyachts to the event.

The Dongfeng race team’s Volvo Ocean 65. The event will be the first time competitors in the 2017/8 event line up together on the water.

Cowes Week has added to the attraction with the announcement of the new Triple Crown, which is open to large IRC rated racing boats up to 36m length. Three of the sailing world’s most historic and prestigious trophies will be awarded. These include The Queen’s Cup, which was presented by Queen Victoria in 1897; The King George V International Cup, a huge flagon that was awarded for the 23 metre class in 1911; and the Royal Yacht Squadron’s King’s Cup which was presented by King George V in 1920.

A wide range of boats is expected to enter, from out-and-out racing boats to cruiser-racers. Early entries include Ludde Ingvall’s 100ft revamped super-maxi CQS and the entire 2017/18 Volvo Round the World Race fleet. It will therefore provide a further injection of adrenaline and glamour into the event.

“The Volvo Ocean Race is known the world over and to have them joining us on the start line will be fantastic,” says Regatta Director Phil Hagen. “Together with striking yachts like the super-maxi CQS with its state-of-the-art design technology, they will be turning heads out on the water.”

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via Triple Crown events added to Cowes Week | Yachting News Update | The Business of Boat Ownership and Marina Berths.

The race is making a firm commitment to visiting North America, South America, Australasia, China, and at least five major European markets at the very minimum once every other edition (and in some cases every edition), making it easier for two-cycle sponsor commitments to be made to teams before fully detailed final routes are fixed.

Turner explained: “One expected result of these changes will be teams and their sponsors committing for 2 races at a time, over 3 to 4 years – something that has rarely happened in the past with a previous timespan of 2 races in 6 years being too long a commitment for most companies. That means more continuity for everyone, more sponsor activation and general ‘noise’ between races since the teams will not close down, and more effective long-term sailing team set-ups in both sporting and commercial terms.

“Losing the long gap of over 2 years between the races helps solve many problems – including the sales process for teams, who today, since the switch to provide One Design boats, end up trying to sell sponsorship when there is no race on. Going forward that activity will happen during one edition, for the future ones – the best time to sell being during the action.

“There will still be plenty of breathing space for this iconic event, though – between one finish and the start of the following race, there is still going to be 16 or so months, so we are not over-exposing it either.”

The Volvo Ocean Race is relatively unique in sports business, being owned by its joint Title Partners, Volvo Group and Volvo Car Group. This continues to provide important long-term stability to the event, something extremely valuable to other stakeholders involved in the race on team, event and host venue side.

The race has already announced that the 14th edition in 2019-20 will be contested in brand new foil-assisted monohull boats. The addition of ‘flying’ multihulls for use inshore means the race will provide the toughest all-round test in sailing.

The switch in cycle could also help complete the alignment of sailing’s big race calendar. For the first time in history, the Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup, Olympics and Vendée Globe’s 2 and 4-year cycles should be in sync with no direct overlap of the actual events.

The Volvo Ocean Race was originally run every four years from its first edition in 1973-74, when it was known as the Whitbread. Since 2005-06, it has been on a three-year cycle.

The race is committed to two more starts – after the 2017-18 edition – from its established home in Alicante, Spain.

In the future, newly imagined race routes are possible, including starts and/or finishes outside Europe and a non-stop leg around Antarctica.

“The race will always go around the world and the Southern Ocean will always, always be at the core of the challenge we set for the world’s best professional sailors, with a new non-stop full lap of Antarctica likely to be included as a leg in most editions too,” said Turner.

“We believe for the first time we are managing to increase the sporting equity and value, AND the commercial value at the same time. It’s no longer a compromise between the two.”

–NOTES–

The Sports Consultancy

UK-based agency The Sports Consultancy has worked with the Volvo Ocean Race for over 10 years to develop Host City partnerships.

via Volvo Ocean Race switches to a 2-year cycle and a 2019 start for 14th edition| Volvo Ocean Race.

Volvo Ocean Race switches to a 2-year cycle and a 2019 start for 14th edition

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www.gregbeadle.com

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Benoit Stichelbaut / Dongfeng Race Team

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Marc Bow/Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race will switch from a 3-year to a 2-year cycle after the upcoming 2017-18 edition (full story below)

The Volvo Ocean Race will switch from a 3-year to a 2-year cycle after the upcoming 2017-18 edition, a change that will provide more continuity and more commercial value for professional sailing teams, sponsors and Host Cities.

Confirmation of the change will mean at least some race activity in every calendar year, from now on – meaning more action for fans of sailing’s iconic race around the world, more continuous employment for the professional sailors involved, and even greater return on investment for the stakeholders backing the teams.

The 2017-18 edition starts 22 October from Alicante and will finish at the end of June next year in The Hague, Netherlands. The three races after that will run 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2023-24 and the tender process for Host Cities is now open for all 3 editions. This change, coupled with the new mix of stopover formats, and additional inventory, means the best ever value proposition, and flexible options, for the bidding cities around the world.

The race has again engaged long-term partner The Sports Consultancy to work on Host City partnerships and develop these new opportunities, with discussions now starting with existing and potential future Host Cities.

Over the last 20 years, the Volvo Ocean Race has expanded massively from the early routes that made as few as three stops around the world. The race now visits many more markets that are important to both stakeholders and fans and in 2017-18 the route takes in a total of 12 Host Cities.

By reducing the cycle, it won’t be necessary to go to all commercially important markets in every edition, meaning organisers will be able to choose routes that provide the right balance between the sporting integrity of the race and commercial value.

“The shorter cycle means we could shorten each edition by a few months from the current 8-9 month format, but nonetheless go to more markets in total over each period of 4 years and 2 races,” Race CEO Mark Turner said.

“At the same time we will strengthen the core DNA and heritage of the race – always being around the world, and always having the Southern Oceans around Antarctica at its heart.”

The race is making a firm commitment to visiting North America, South America, Australasia, China, and at least five major European markets at the very minimum once every other edition (and in some cases every edition), making it easier for two-cycle sponsor commitments to be made to teams before fully detailed final routes are fixed.

Turner explained: “One expected result of these changes will be teams and their sponsors committing for 2 races at a time, over 3 to 4 years – something that has rarely happened in the past with a previous timespan of 2 races in 6 years being too long a commitment for most companies. That means more continuity for everyone, more sponsor activation and general ‘noise’ between races since the teams will not close down, and more effective long-term sailing team set-ups in both sporting and commercial terms.

“Losing the long gap of over 2 years between the races helps solve many problems – including the sales process for teams, who today, since the switch to provide One Design boats, end up trying to sell sponsorship when there is no race on. Going forward that activity will happen during one edition, for the future ones – the best time to sell being during the action.

“There will still be plenty of breathing space for this iconic event, though – between one finish and the start of the following race, there is still going to be 16 or so months, so we are not over-exposing it either.”

via Volvo Ocean Race switches to a 2-year cycle and a 2019 start for 14th edition| Volvo Ocean Race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is relatively unique in sports business, being owned by its joint Title Partners, Volvo Group and Volvo Car Group. This continues to provide important long-term stability to the event, something extremely valuable to other stakeholders involved in the race on team, event and host venue side.

The race has already announced that the 14th edition in 2019-20 will be contested in brand new foil-assisted monohull boats. The addition of ‘flying’ multihulls for use inshore means the race will provide the toughest all-round test in sailing.

The switch in cycle could also help complete the alignment of sailing’s big race calendar. For the first time in history, the Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup, Olympics and Vendée Globe’s 2 and 4-year cycles should be in sync with no direct overlap of the actual events.

The Volvo Ocean Race was originally run every four years from its first edition in 1973-74, when it was known as the Whitbread. Since 2005-06, it has been on a three-year cycle.

The race is committed to two more starts – after the 2017-18 edition – from its established home in Alicante, Spain.

In the future, newly imagined race routes are possible, including starts and/or finishes outside Europe and a non-stop leg around Antarctica.

“The race will always go around the world and the Southern Ocean will always, always be at the core of the challenge we set for the world’s best professional sailors, with a new non-stop full lap of Antarctica likely to be included as a leg in most editions too,” said Turner.

“We believe for the first time we are managing to increase the sporting equity and value, AND the commercial value at the same time. It’s no longer a compromise between the two.”

–NOTES–

The Sports Consultancy

UK-based agency The Sports Consultancy has worked with the Volvo Ocean Race for over 10 years to develop Host City partnerships.

via Volvo Ocean Race switches to a 2-year cycle and a 2019 start for 14th edition| Volvo Ocean Race.

Britain’s Dee Caffari will lead ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – a mixed youth focused team with a strong sustainability message

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Corinna Halloran/Team SCA/Volvo Ocean Race

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Caffari’s campaign, already backed by the Mirpuri Foundation and Ocean Family Foundation, is dedicated to the issue of ocean health.

Britain’s Dee Caffari will lead ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – a mixed, youth focused team with a strong sustainability message in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18. Her campaign, already backed by the Mirpuri Foundation and Ocean Family Foundation, is dedicated to the issue of ocean health.

The sixth confirmed team out of a possible eight for the upcoming edition will amplify United Nations Environment’s ‘Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on Plastic’ campaign throughout the eight months of the race, which covers 45,000 nautical miles of racing around the world, taking in 12 Host Cities on six continents.

Caffari’s ambition is to build a multi-national, 50-50 male/female squad, with the majority under 30 years of age. As part of the sustainability focus, the messages around diversity in age and gender will be strong themes of a campaign that in sporting terms may not start as a favourite, but could easily surprise on the water.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to sail for a cause I am so passionate about,” said Caffari, whose UK-based company will also run the project. “The Volvo Ocean Race is the ultimate test of a team in sport, and with the ambition to race with a youth-orientated international mixed crew, we are looking to make an impact on and off the water.”

Caffari’s team is already part-funded by the Mirpuri Foundation and Ocean Family Foundation (OFF), who join an increasing number of partners backing Volvo Ocean Race’s campaign on ocean health and sustainability.

The Mirpuri Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up by Portuguese businessman and philanthropist Paulo Mirpuri with the aim of making the world a better place for future generations.

In addition to raising awareness around the growing issue of ocean pollution, the partnership is part of the Mirpuri Foundation’s long-term ambition to build a new chapter in Portugal’s rich maritime history by creating a strong offshore legacy for future generations of Portuguese sailors. Caffari will include two Portuguese sailors in the team with a view to building a full Portuguese team in future editions of the iconic race.

“We feel immense pride to be backing this incredible ocean health campaign which we are sure will provide a great contribution to the health of our wonderful blue planet,” said Mirpuri.

“We must act immediately if the next generation is to inherit seas and oceans which resemble those that we knew as children.”

He continued: “In Portugal, we have long held a rich maritime heritage, and this youth-orientated campaign is a major step towards shaping the world-class future of Portuguese offshore racing. The Mirpuri Foundation looks forward to working closely with the Volvo Ocean Race to achieve that objective over the coming years.”

Alongside the Mirpuri Foundation, the aim of the Ocean Family Foundation is to promote awareness of the effects of pollution, the importance of bio diversity and the necessity for conservation of the world’s oceans.

“The Ocean Family Foundation is delighted to be supporting this exceptional campaign to support ocean conservation and clean-up,” said Peter Dubens, on behalf of the Ocean Family Foundation.

“Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing our globe, with plastic debris forecast to double over this decade, causing huge damage to our oceans as well as to humans.

“With her public profile as a British world record-holding athlete, Dee Caffari is the perfect leader to raise awareness of the need for urgent action.”

via Britain’s Dee Caffari will lead ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – a mixed youth focused team with a strong sustainability message| Volvo Ocean Race.

Caffari is an experienced round-the-world sailor who will return for a second consecutive edition, having competed on Team SCA in 2014-15. She is also notable for setting a landmark record in 2006, becoming the first woman to sail single-handed and non-stop the ‘wrong way’ around the world.

Then in 2009, she completed the Vendée Globe race and set a new record to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in both directions.

“It’s an honour to represent this landmark campaign, and to lead the team on such a prestigious platform is exciting,” said Caffari. “Seeing the amount of plastic in the ocean is heartbreaking. We’re abusing our planet – and this campaign is about pushing people to proactively do something about it.

“We will be sailing with a youth-orientated team because the reality is, it’s going to be the next generations who inherit the mess that we’re making now. This is a major issue and we need to encourage this generation, and future generations, to step up.”

The Turn the Tide on Plastic boat will amplify the Volvo Ocean Race’s larger sustainability focus for 2017-18, and joins team AkzoNobel (Simeon Tienpont, Netherlands), Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier, France), MAPFRE (Xabi Fernández, Spain), Vestas 11th Hour Racing (Charlie Enright, USA) and Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (David Witt, Australia) in the fleet for the 2017-18 edition.

The Volvo Ocean Race starts from Alicante 22 October and will stop at Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff and Gothenburg before a big finish in The Hague at the end of June 2018.

— NOTES —

About The Mirpuri Foundation

The Mirpuri Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up by Portuguese businessman Paulo Mirpuri with the aim of making the world a better place for future generations.

Mirpuri himself is no stranger to life offshore, or the Volvo Ocean Race. To raise awareness of the Foundation’s ‘Save The Ocean’ marine conservation campaign, he recently skippered the former Green Dragon Volvo Open 70 yacht – renamed Mirpuri Foundation – on a 2,300-mile passage from Cape Verde to Bermuda.

The six-day voyage was completed by an experienced 10-strong crew, sourced from seven European countries. Aside from marine conservation, the Mirpuri Foundation focuses its resources across many areas including aeronautical and medical education and research, wildlife conservation, social responsibility and performing arts.

Mirpuri is a highly successful investor, philanthropist and a passionate sailor who is also a qualified medical doctor and Airbus-qualified airline pilot.

For further information about the Mirpuri Foundation please email [email protected]

About Ocean Family Foundation

Ocean Family Foundation’s aim is to promote awareness of the effects of pollution, the importance of bio diversity and the necessity for conservation of the world’s oceans. Ocean Family Foundation is a group of likeminded families that have come together to support ocean conservation and clean up. For further information about Ocean Family Foundation please email [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 207 766 6900

via Britain’s Dee Caffari will lead ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – a mixed youth focused team with a strong sustainability message| Volvo Ocean Race.

Discovery Yachts buys Southerly

12 Jun 2017

Discovery Yachts has bought Southerly

Discovery Yachts has acquired the Southerly range of swing keel sailing yachts for an undisclosed sum.

The move follows the recent management buyout and new investment and is a ‘logical move’ for the Discovery Group that is aiming to become one of the UK’s leading sailboat builders with its range of cruising yachts – monohull and catamaran – from 32 to 67ft.

Plans are underway to enhance the Southerly offering by adding a mix of bespoke customisation and handcrafted joinery.

New build programmes have been entered into the 2017 Discovery production schedule with production of Southerly yachts taking place at Discovery’s Southampton based facility. A new product launch for the Southerly brand is expected for September’s Southampton Boat Show.

“The purchase of the Southerly Yachts brand is a vital element in the exciting growth and investment strategy we are planning for the Discovery Yachts Group,” said

MD Sean Langdon.

“This purchase enables us to offer our clients a much more extensive size range, as well as the versatility of the variable draft designs. We plan to capitalize on the global appeal of the dual brands to become one of the UK’s leading quality sailboat builders.

“We look forward to welcoming the Southerly owners and prospective purchasers into the Discovery Groups’ family.”

Northshore Yacht Services, based at Chichester Harbour will continue to be an approved specialist Southerly refit and repair centre and Southerly yacht brokerage.

via Boating Business | Discovery Yachts buys Southerly.