Alfa Romeo 2 – the smart super maxi

by Richard Gladwell on 13 Oct 2005 Sail-World NZL had the opportunity to look over Neville Crichton's new Reichel/Pugh designed super maxi Alfa Romeo 2, which is currently in Auckland.

It is hard not to keep drawing comparisons between her and the Greg Elliott designed super maxi Maximus.

First up the boats are very, very different – probably the only common items are the fact that they are the same length, have a prodder(bowsprit) and twin steering wheels.

Alfa Romeo is a hydraulically driven boat – meaning that there are no grinder pedestals – all winch power comes from the engine, which must be constantly running while sailing.

When talking to the sailing master, Murray Spence, there is constant reference to the PLC – which those in the IT field will know stands for Process Logic Controller. This is the heart, or rather brains, of the boat. PLC’s are in common use in industry and are basically a closed box computer noted for its speed of processing, reliability and lack of human intervention. This one has a expected no failure time of about once every 30,000 hours.

The PLC is capable of taking the inputs from various functions throughout the boat and coordinating these so that the systems and boat runs smoothly and in synchronisation.

Spence gives the example of canting the keel between tacks – a process that takes 11 seconds. The PLC controls the swing process of the keel driving the hydraulics controlling the motor revs so that the required power is available when required, and the controls the power and the swing of the keel so that it cants in a smooth process without sending the usual shock through the boat.

Similarly with the retractable propeller which is also pulled into the boat under PLC control, coordinating a number of functions along the way - and doing preventing inadvertent operator error, too.

Alfa Romeo 2 features CBTF – (Canting Ballast Twin Foil) technology, which means that she has a forward rudder to provide both steerage and lateral resistance (reduces leeway/provides lift). The boat is steered using a conventional rudder, however the forward rudder is also linked to the movement of the aft rudder again by the PLC which mimics the movement, or operates in a reduced way depending on the choice of the helmsman.

In this area Maximus is quite different using a centreboard and trim tab, located a lot further after in the boat and with manual control only – there is no linkage to the helm.

The cockpit of Alfa Romeo is completely clear – there are none of the usual grinder pedestals – and all winches are push-button hydraulically driven models at the top end of the standard Harken range. The fact that she lacks manual power will mean that Alfa Romeo 2 is ineligible for many of the recognised Race Records, however under super maxi and event rules, she is still entitled to race for line and overall honours plus trophies. (Maximus can work in both hydraulic and manual mode).

Although she is eight feet longer than her predecessor, Alfa Romeo 1, the latest iteration is only a tonne heavier , has the same amount of ballast and carries 30% more sail – a significantly quicker package.

She draws 5.1 metres and the keel will cant to 40 degrees from the centres.

All halyards are locked off in super maxi fashion to reduce rig compression load and allow the sails to be tensioned hydraulically. In the case of the jib, the luff is tensioned with the aid of an A-frame which is neatly contained in a well in the bow. The hydraulic lines run forward in a sealed deck trench – a very nice way of concealing the lines and stopping hydraulic leakage below decks.

The standing rigging is all PBO rope, chosen for its weight saving, supporting a fixed 45 metre long Southern Spars mast.

Sailing handling is generally through a large retractable and pneumatically sealed foredeck hatch.

An interesting feature are the floating jib blocks where the height is controlled by a line led forward to a hydraulic control, and athwartships in the conventional manner. The advantage is that the lead position can be controlled be controlled very precisely and over a much greater range than conventional car systems.

Below decks Alfa Romeo is stunning in both style and functionality. Builders, McConaghy Boats, have done a superb job.

The dominant feature is the canting keel mechanism which is in the usual two part wetbox and dry box, with the whole being covered by a clear polycarbonate cover. It occupies the starboard side of the main saloon area but is not that obtrusive.

The interior is white with highlights of black carbon fibre and red upholstery – in spite of the illusion of colour – particularly the silver surfaces, everything is carbon.

Forward is a working area used for storage and sealed with a watertight door, opening into a large saloon with cathedral-like headroom and with the head and galley to starboard.

Moving aft under the cockpit head room is greatly reduced – down to sitting headroom only. The centrepiece is a long engine box with our now familiar PLC buried at the end of it in a very watertight compartment!

Further aft is the piece d’resistance – the very futuristically styled but functional navigation station. Like all great pieces of design it is simple, looks great and works well. Access to the deck is by a second companionway exiting to a conventional hatch in the aft end of the central winch pedestal.

The pedestal also houses probably the most important feature of the boat – the STOP button – which is for emergency use and will stop all currently running functions allowing a winch over-ride, or a serious accident to be sorted without the PLC grinding the situation into oblivion.

For all its intelligence, the PLC still needs human assistance – 22 of them in fact to form the racing crew. Most of whom are specialists in particular areas of the boat and its functionality.

Performance numbers are impressive – evidenced by the delivery trip across the Tasman completed in just under four days – under storm jib and delivery main – without one sail change. Even so the top boat speed was an impressive 30 knots in 40 knots of breeze.

Yes, the on the water match ups between the supermaxis are going to be quite something – a real test of sailors, design technology and courage.