These are small, but expensive, details that are all too often missed out for the sake of economy. The deck layout is simple, but effective, using quality gear, including ratchet blocks and a ball bearing track for the mainsail luff slides that makes hoisting, reefing and lowering the sail easy. Headsails are designed to be easy to handle, with a blade jib and code zero on furlers plus a large asymmetric spinnaker that sets from a long fixed carbon sprit. On deck and performance The 9/10ths fractional carbon rig has spreaders swept aft by 25 degrees and no backstay to allow for a fat headed mainsail. This means that, even if a deck fitting leaks, water cannot find its way into the timber. Similarly, over size holes are drilled for the fastenings for deck fittings, which are filled with epoxy, before the correct size hole is drilled for the fastener. When the hull is turned over it’s then sheathed in a similar manner inside, creating a fully waterproof and abrasion resistant structure. Once planked the hull is sheathed in epoxy and glass before being faired. The western red cedar and epoxy construction is stiff and very light – the hull weighs only around 300kg. The rig and hull are nicely balanced, with just a touch of weather helm evident when sailing upwind fully powered up. The deck layout is simple, but effective, using quality gear. The prototype boat has a lifting bulb keel, although a fin keel option is also available. The hull shape owes a lot to designer Simon Rogers’ experience with Class 40s and Open 60s, carrying maximum beam well aft, with chines to increase stability when heeled. Hull shape The production boat is a slightly smaller version of Collective Spirit, although with the same beam, a little more accommodation and an inboard diesel engine. It’s easy to see the appeal – the hassle that’s all too frequently associated with sailing is minimised, while the sailing experience itself is optimised – akin to handling the best high-end performance cars. The market is arguably ripe for this style of boat, as evidenced by the success of the French Tofinou series, the Rustler 33 and a number of others. ![]() Key attributes Jesse Loynes, one of the boat builders on the project, saw the potential for private owners wanting a distinctive dayboat/weekender that would combine easy, yet fun and fast sailing with the kind of pride of ownership that run of the mill modern designs simply can’t provide. ![]() The Arbor 26 production boat is a slightly smaller version of 2012's 'Collective Spirit', although with the same beam, a little more accommodation and an inboard diesel engine.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |