Revamped radical supermaxi is launched in Tauranga

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 12 Nov 2016 The revamped supermaxi, formerly Nicorette now known as CQS, has been launched in Tauranga, on New Zealand's east coast.

Originally 90ft, the hull has been stretched to 98ft and fitted with several new features including a reverse bow, DSS foils, an outsized bowsprit, and 'wings' to spread the shroud base supporting the mast.

The spars for the remodeled supermaxi are coming from Hall Spars & Rigging NZ. The yacht is owned by Ludde Ingvall. The rebuild has been undertaken with assistance from Sir Michael Hintze who founded the London-based hedge fund company CQS, now the naming sponsor of the yacht.

CQS features DSS - Dynamic Stability System - using foils that are similar to those used by several of the entries in the current Vendee Globe race. As well as lifting the hull and reducing drag the DSS foils also produce righting moment for the supermaxi.

The supermaxi is expected to compete in the Round White Island Race starting in Auckland on November 25 and is also expected to sail in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.

The design project was led by prominent naval architect Brett Bakewell-White, the design and engineering team includes Andrew Baglin of Multiphase design, Mark Bishop of Waterfront Composite Solutions, Rodney Keenan of Evolution Sails and Hall Spars' Dave Ridley.

The CQS/Nicorette building task was undertaken by Southern Ocean Marine of Tauranga.

Bakewell-White also undertook the revamp of RIO100 - formerly the BWYD supermaxi, Zana - which was stretched and had a new after section added by Cookson Boats, along with other significant work to bring her back to being a competitive racer. She was designed to win The Barn Door trophy in the TransPac and set the course record.