21st Century Harbour Racer

by Media Services on 24 Nov 2006 The Mills Enigma 34 is an exciting new bay racer. A gentleman’s day-sailer with speed to burn. It’s easy to sail and set-up, and easy to transport, it has sleek modern good looks in a very competitively priced package. .
www.enigmayachts.com

The design parameters called for a fast, stiff and simple yacht to sail with limited crew. With a sailing water line of almost its LOA, this yacht should compete head to head with many existing 38 and 40 footers. An ideal boat to sail short handed or with a group of inexperienced hands!

Its ability to fit into a 40 foot container for simple and cheap transport worldwide helps keep the costs low, and provides an opportunity to develop cost effective One Design Regattas as the Class develops.

The carbon mast is built in two parts for easy stowage in the container. The Keel fin is carbon and the full weight of the keel, 1 Ton, is in a modern TP 52 style lead bulb attached to the bottom of the carbon fin. The all up weight of the boat is only just over 2 Ton producing a significantly 'Stiff' yacht.

The asymmetric spinnaker and retractable carbon bowsprit provide the simplest off wind performance option, avoiding the need for crew on the foredeck. Down below is very simple with functional settees, a sink and icebox, and an optional toilet forwards. The relaxed evening picnic or transport back from race-course to marina is made easy with an inboard 13hp diesel engine.

Built by Frank Kirkegaard of Enigma Yachts based in Istanbul Turkey. The Enigma is built from the latest materials and production methods. The Hull is laminated using E Glass multi axel mats and Vinyl ester Resin vacuumed using the 'Infusion' method to ensure exact resin – fabric ratios and enhanced laminate stiffness for long life and durability.

Only the best equipment is used. Mast and rig is by carbon specialists Seldon Spars and deck gear is by Harken.

Much design effort has been concentrated in the easy demounting and transport of the design: firstly the rudder cassette is lifted from it’s mounting, and then the keel is lifted through the hatch area, by attaching the hoist to the fin. As the keel approaches the fully up position, a pair of strops take the weight, and the entire boat is lifted. The boat is supplied with a moulded bed on wheels, supporting both the keel and the boat, which can either be used as it is or mounted on a trailer.

The Naval Architect / Designer is Mark Mills, A San Francisco native raised in Ireland. Mills started by working for ULDB pioneer Thomas Wylie in California and later with Seattle designer Bob Perry. After graduating from Willamette University in 1990 he returned to the UK to earn a Naval Architecture Degree at the Southampton Institute. Mark’s recent successes include the top performing DK 46’s, the IRC 39 'Mariners Cove', winner Class 2 Cowes Week, and the IRC 40 'Tiamat' recent winner Class 'O' RORC Championships UK.

Mark Miles talked about the new design 'The Enigma 34 is a racing day-sailer that offers exciting performance. Enigma Yachts based in Istanbul Turkey approached us with a very clear vision of the performance day-sailer they wanted to build.

'An experienced sail maker with North Sails, and dynamic businessman, Enigma's head Frank Kirkegaard had many friends and contacts in the eastern Mediterranean sailing world who were looking for a simple high performance way to get racing, without the overhead of larger yachts and handicap systems.'

Originally from Denmark his experience with long narrow Scandinavian designs helped shape the final design:

Kirkegaard explained 'We were looking for a reasonably priced, stable, quick, and simple One Design which would offer closely matched racing, look elegant, but also be designed for simple and cheap transport anywhere in the world by 40' container for the widest geographic appeal'.

A part from its intended use as a harbour One Design Racer, it seems it will also prove a sound performer under the IRC rule and it may prove popular for owners looking at mixed fleet racing.

Australian Agent: ACK Management PL suggest an initial price ready for sails and instruments of A$135,000.00

For more details contact Jamie MacPhail on 0408114477 or 02 9997 1185, yachts@tpg.com.au