Wild Oats XI close to completion

by Andrea Francolini/Sail-World on 3 Nov 2005 The newest Reichel Pugh supermaxi, the 98 footer (30 metre) Wild Oats XI, is nearing completion at McConaghy’s Boat Yard in Mona Vale, on Sydney’s northern beaches. Here is a sneak peek inside the factory.

On December 26th, Bob Oatley’s latest ‘Oats’ will line up against Neville Crichton’s six month old Reichel Pugh 98 footer 'Alfa Romeo' in a 630 mile maxi-match race south, during the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Right now the build team is on the final straight in the race to complete the supermaxi on time and the high tech canting keel is coming alive!

Amongst all the dust and fumes an army of very dedicated shipwrights with plenty of muscle and brains are working around the clock, towards the end November launch deadline.

Here is a peek around the factory as the new ‘Oats’ takes shape.

Thanks to all the McConaghy team for letting me shoot and show something new to many of the sailing public.

All the latest images of the construction of the new Wild Oats can be seen
on: www.afrancolini.com

Key word: Wild Oats 98ft