Under 24 hours…

by John Curnow on 5 Dec 2016 …, which would then make this the really un-Hobart, ‘Hobart’ story. Sean Langman and his Team Australia, together with their ORMA 60 trimaran of the same name, hold the record for a wind-powered dash down South at 29 hours, 52 minutes and 23 seconds. Along the way they punched out a tremendous top of 39.6 knots of boat speed, at an average of 21, to totally eclipse the monohull record of 42:23:12.

Now it is absolutely, categorically and undeniably not the same thing, but you’d need something like the Aga Khan’s, Destriero, to in turn smash all of those numbers. For the record (fully intended) she’d probably do it at an average of more like 53kts. So if Langman’s hope is that they can get their ratified record down to under 24 hours, and without resorting to installing three massively powerful gas turbines of an utterly staggering 20,000 shaft horsepower each, where do you go? Answer – and wait for it - foiling, of course.

The incredibly impressive MOD70’s Phaedo3, and Maserati have already, and are still showing what is possible. Just look at the RORC Transatlantic Race. Getting up on three foils has proven to make it all very stable, and in a way, nominated the Pterodactyl as the preferred, or default, foil delivery device (boat to most of us).

Yes the totally amazing, L'Hydroptiere, has shown that a tri can get very, very close to Destriero’s top speed of over 59 knots. You also have to pause almost as quickly to realise that the technology is marching on incessantly. Destriero goes back to the early 90s, and L'Hydroptiere the last decade. Things in this space move as quickly, if not faster, than the very craft themselves. This is one technology curve that resembles more the ‘J’ Foil of the IMOCA 60s, rather than the ‘L’ Foil of the MOD70s!

Given that L Foils are not exactly a shelf item at the local chandlery, where could you locate said parts, knowing that they benefited from the millions poured in by some, and were engineered to the highest standard? Yes, that means heading off to the AC teams, and wouldn’t you know it, ETNZ had a couple left over from the AC72 days.

Langman spoke of it all this week, “We put the big boat away for a few years and just saw how development went around the globe, but kept our foil programme alive with Wot Rocket. Team Australia has entered the entered last round of the ESS as the Wild Card. We got GC32 on Sunday, and the regatta starts this Thursday, so not a lot of time to get sorted.”

“We have been talking with ETNZ about their ‘left over’ foils, and are working with them to get Team Australia up in the air. The main aim is to make an attempt on our own record in the next 12 months.”

“I am quite keen to go for a controllable T Foil off the main hull, with an L off the float. Yes what we’re getting is cat tech, but there is nothing wrong with that, given that it is primarily about the delivery of the tech, as opposed to the hull itself.”

“The tri platform is better for trying not to make it exclusively a reaching or downhill vessel, given that the daggerboard is 6.5m deep when heading uphill. This is important, because part of challenge is to have a crossover vessel that can foil off the breeze and still go to windward without having to foil.”

“It has taken a bit off effort, which to date has been all from inside the Noakes Group. I am also very keen to look at supercavitation and explore ways to reduce drag.” All we can say is bring it on, mate. Bring it on!

Of course, Langman will once again take the classic, Maluka (c1932), to Hobart on Boxing Day. “When I sail Maluka I get a few days at sea to think about it all and we do not have Internet on board.” That of course means they’ll be relying on the HF for the cricket scores, so it is pretty old school in that way.

Now we also have to mention Lisa Blair again this week. She will shortly head around the bottom of Oz to get to Albany, WA, where she can set of solo around Antarctica. Like wow. Her plans include a Vendée ultimately, and we wish her every joy with her programme. She has worked very hard to get to this point and her Hick 50 is all set too. Cheers from here, Lisa.

Mick Miller is another inspiring person. Phil Smidmore introduced us to him here. In speaking with him recently, we learn that his house at Elvina Bay, Pittwater, has not been rented for the upcoming Etchells Australian Championship. It would also suit a crew for any other title in the area, or even as a base from which to cruise. The house boasts:
o 3 Bedroom - sleeps 6 (2 queen, 1 double)
o 2 Bathroom
o Open plan kitchen, dining and living room.
o Large veranda with BBQ, stunning water views, outdoor setting.
o Rear courtyard and large lawn.
o Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher.
o Water access only - pontoon holds up to a 4.8 metre boat.
o Eight minutes by speedboat from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club.

You’d think it will be bound to move smartly, so get onto it… Go to his site for contact information.

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