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In mid-2015, we began initial discussions with Tom Ehman, who has been rallying support for a new event: The San Francisco Yacht Racing Challenge.
The event will be held annually, starting in July 2017. It promises a return to friendly competition between nations in one of the most iconic and reliably windy venues anywhere in the world. To limit costs and provide equal competition, the racing will occur in one designs. Crews will have to meet strict nationality rules and each boat will be crewed by 12 with a minimum of two women, two men, two aged 22 and under and one aged 62 or over.
Realization of these objectives requires the design and construction of a new class of boat – the Super 12.
We are thrilled to have been selected to develop this new design. This project will require all of our experience from grand-prix designs, our understanding of modern production techniques and our history with developing the most competitive one design fleets in the world. The design of the Super 12 is moving into high gear as we go to press and the work of finding the right blend of tradition, modern construction and sail handling capabilities has the entire team energized to produce something very special.
Above the waterline the boats are inspired by the meter boat look – long bow and stern overhangs, low freeboard, sheer spring, and narrow beam. Below the waterline, a modern appendage package with a deep lead bulb with wings and a trim tab provide power and exceptional upwind performance. The boats will sail upwind into the San Francisco tide at relatively high angles of heel and run deep downwind with fractional symmetric spinnakers providing spectators and television audiences’ incredible visuals in fleet and match racing settings.
The boats will be built by Westerly Marine in Santa Ana, Calif., to the strictest one design controls. They will be built from a combination of E-glass and carbon pre-preg with foam cores. We have worked closely with Westerly to develop a robust, cost effective laminate and construction scheme that will allow us to produce a boat a month at full production pace, within very strict one design tolerances. By virtue of the modern materials and manufacturing combined with the carbon rig and rigging we can achieve a similar stability level to the 1980’s vintage twelve meters but at a displacement some 6 plus tons lighter. Unrestricted by the vagaries of the twelve meter rule we are able to stretch the waterline and develop a significantly less distorted hull form, reducing drag and further improving performance. Under the water we are maintaining a modest dra of 10’5” to maximize the range of venues suitable for Super 12 racing. The rig incorporates a 20% topmast and 140% overlapping genoas to provide a silhouette that has a clear historical lineage.
Stand by for more updates on this exciting project.
Britton Ward
http://magazine.farrdesign.com/
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