Mono 60 Edmond de Rothschild – Fit for service

by Gitana on 19 Aug 2015 Following the 11th month build at Multiplast in Vannes, the Mono 60 Edmond de Rothschild was launched and was finally put in the water for the first time last Friday 7th August. This initial contact with water does not however signify the start of sea trials.

Indeed, launched without a keel or a mast, the 60-footer fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild was then sent to nearby Lorient to have key appendages stepped to then undergo a series of tests that are compulsory for any new IMOCA monohull; with the emphasis on checking compliance with the class measurement. The Gitana Team members have had a very full few days to ensure the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild was launched but this was successfully achieved early this week on Monday 17th August.

For the past twelve days, Sébastien Josse and the members of Gitana Team have been busy. Immediately after her launch last Friday, the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild was delivered to her registered port in Lorient (Brittany) in order to have her keel fitted over the weekend. With the impressive 4.5-metre appendage securely fitted, the latest addition to the Gitana fleet once again tasted the delights of the ocean from Monday 10th August.

A number of tests were carried out last week including the 180° righting tests and stepping the mast prior to the static tests and the 90° test. Such operations are always tricky (see video above) but they were carried out perfectly by the five-arrow team.

180° and 90° tests
These tests, which come as a welcome sight to those walking around the Keroman submarine base, the majority of whom are both amazed and amused by the free styling moves that the carbon monster is subjected to, are primarily focussed on safety.

As shown by the images taken on board the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild on Monday, the 180° righting test is by far the most spectacular test required by the IMOCA measurement.

Sébastien Josse gives us the low-down of the principle of this operation: “With the help of strops, the crane pulls on the bulb to gently rotate the boat through 90 then 180°. Once she is upside down, the boat is relatively stable with her keel vertical. As such, you need to activate the keel from inside the boat and without external assistance to heel her to the left or the right so as the bulb weight acts as a pendulum and enables the boat to right again. This test is compulsory to check that the skipper and the boat are able to right themselves without assistance in the event of a capsize.” Meanwhile, the so-called 90° test enables the boat’s true centre of gravity to be determined so as to adjust her power.

Static test
Although the static tests are not as telegenic they are by no means less important, as the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild explains: “Alongside, we test all the elements where there is the most stress and check how much strain they can withstand. We exert pressure on the boat to see if all the composite parts can take the load. From the runners which can withstand up to three tonnes, to the mainsheet tackle, to the hooks…you have to increase the strain to the theoretical working load and check that the of the structure is intact.”

“As ever, the team has done an outstanding job which meant we could go for our first sail on Monday', admits Sébastien Josse, happy to have finally been able to familiarise his new steed with the open ocean. “Our initial sensation is good and in line with our expectations, but there is still a long way to go and the fine-tuning has only just begun'.

Technical characteristics
LOA: 20.1m
Waterline length: 18.28m
Beam: 5.70m
Air draught: 29m
Water draught: 4.50m
Displacement (weight): 7.6 tonnes
Weight of keel bulb: three tonnes
Maximum upwind and downwind sail area: 290m2 / 490m2
M2 of living space: 10m2
Number and type of daggerboards: 2 foils
Source of energy production on-board: generators coupled to the diesel engine + hydrogenerators
Naval architects: Verdier / VPLP
Yard: Multiplast (Vannes)