Extreme H2O gets wet in Newport Beach
by Pressure-drop.US on 20 Feb 2015
Extreme H2O Extreme H2O/ Morelli & Melvin
A long time coming, the Morelli and Melvin Designed 66' Catamaran Extreme H2O was splashed in Southern California last week, stepped and began sea trials ahead of its racing debut in the Cabo Race next month. The racer cruiser with emphasis on the racing portion began life in South Africa before being shipped to Westerly Marine for completion.
Extreme H20 specs:
• LOA 66'
• BOA 28'
• Draft 15' board down
• Draft 6' board up
• Mast ht 96'
Some interesting features:
• Curved C shaped daggerboards with assymetric section shapes provide some vertical lift and less leeway.
• Large chord rotating wing section mast.
• 3Di sails.
• Retractable propeller and hybrid diesel/electric propulsion system.
• Extreme green paint job
The boat was started in S. Africa and then shipped to So Cal and finished by Westerly Marine. Launched in Newport Beach, right next to our office. Initial sea trials are very encouraging. Very knowledgeable and capable build and management team led by Malcolm Park. The boat will be racing in Newport-Ensenada, Cabo, and Transpac races this year.
Near sistership, Phaedo, is also currently in Newport and plans on doing most or all of the same races so should be some good racing.
Peter Melvin of Morelli and Melvin designs was aboard for the sea trials last week where she hit the high teens with the full main and fractional reacher in 10 to 12 knots of breeze. 'We anticipate her doing 30 knots in the sweet spots off wind, but she will accelerate upwind as well.
Her curved daggerboards are pushing the limits, technologically, and will provide ample lift to weather plus a stabilization effect making her ride through rough seas a more pleasurable endeavour!
The boat was designed for high performance racing first and comfort cruising second. Like her near sister ship Phaedo, she was built from the same mold hull wise but Phaedo has straight daggerboards and a fixed mast, while Extreme H2O will sport a rotating mast and the aforementioned curved daggerboards. The boat should be sailing with a crew of seven - eight and boast's four very comfortable staterooms plus a plush dry main cabin to give the crew plenty of protection and much needed rest from the elements!
Also in Extreme H2O's bag of tricks is the ability to make the prop disappear! Pulling a page from the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, they have employed the retractable propulsion system made by\Amartech to reduce drag in a major way!
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