New potential ‘XOD features Hyde Sails
by Hyde Sails 23 Jul 2009 07:28 UTC
Hyde Sails continues its highly-successful collaboration with the XOD class as it looks to move into a new era
Is she an X or not? That is the question surrounding the launch of ‘Xoanon’, a future potential ‘XOD’ which was christened this month by three of Lymington’s Olympic Medallists Pippa Wilson, Adrian Jardine and Nick Rogers.
Designed by Alfred Westmacott and built by a team of retired sailors from Lymington, ‘Xoanon’ is the brainchild of two famous faces in the XOD class, Adrian and Stuart Jardine. Both have been sailing the boats for over 70 years and are still winning races at top level regattas. The brothers gathered a group of local volunteers to build the boat over the winter, assisted by David Alan-Williams, David Harris, Ian Burr, Chris Baldwick, Doug Rogerson and Bill Dunsdon.
What makes ‘Xoanon’ different is that she is the result of a project to modernise the XOD build method. She was constructed using tongue and groove ‘strip plank’ wood construction with a glassfibre epoxy covering inside and out, with the aim of allowing more boats to be built at an acceptable price and assure the future of a class which dates back to 1911.
Well known yacht designer David Alan Williams volunteered his time to computerise the lines and plot the mylar sheets for making the build templates, and he also helped with the build. “The hull is as faithful as possible to the original lines”, he explains.
‘Xoanon’ took six months to build with the assistance of time, skills and equipment from Wessex Resins and Adhesives, Steve Etheridge Boatbuilder, Sanders Sails, Hyde Sails, Barton deck fittings, Funky Monkey designs, plus individual gifts from many boat owners.
Hyde Sails Paul Austin has been involved with the class for many years, as he explains: ‘“We have enjoyed a successful collaboration with the class for over 10 years now. We are delighted to support the completion of ‘Xoanon’ as she represents the forward-thinking nature of the class and presents an opportunity for this classic design to maintain its status as a leading one-design class in the lead up to its 100th anniversary in 2011.
For more information on Hyde Sails and the XOD class contact Paul Austin (T: +44 (0) 7801 907458) see www.hydesails.com or check out the class page www.hydeshop.com/xod-113-c.asp