TP or not – RP? That is the question…
by John Curnow on 13 Mar 2009
Theres room up here! - Scarlet Runner 2 John Curnow
Tucked away in a shed in Melbourne’s outer South-Eastern suburb of Braeside, is possibly the other side of the coin in the great 50 footer question.
So just when is a TP not a TP52, but an RP52? Simple. When it is in Steve Campbell’s Composites Constructions factory and work progresses well on the pre-preg hull inside the female mould, whose lines have been drawn by the legendary Reichel-Pugh team. With the pre-preg deck also nearly finished, they appear to be on-track for their May Christening.
The intention is clear. Make a package that will sail hard and well, be cost effective, be an absolute darling of the IRC Board and importantly, can be replicated for other buyers.
Cabin top complete with windows, a true galley, enclosed head, proper nav desk and overdrive propeller are certainties, as you look for all the possible advantages to optimise your IRC chances.
No one is entirely sure what the final number will be, but less than 1.34 will surely add some spice to this hotly contested segment. Another huge advantage is that she will be built ‘Bass Strait Ready’ from the word go and that has to be a good thing.
Very unlikely she’ll need extra ring frames, reinforced chainplates and I’m assured you’ll be able to move around on her deck without leaving permanent footprints! Nice one.
Final layout and colour schemes are yet to be set in two-pack, but we do know a few things about this IRC Racer/'Cruiser'. She will offer the ability to cruise or race short-handed. A ‘best-of-everything’ policy has been deployed for the deckware - hydraulic winches by Lewmar, Ronstan-Fredriksen blocks and Harken traveller.
Quantum are doing the rags, so look out for a square top main like the RP62 ‘Limit’. Black stick by NZ Rigging and S/S rod rigging will round out the overall picture.
This new boat’s owner is Rob Date who currently drives the Sydney 38 ‘Scarlet Runner’.
So just maybe Scarlet will instead be the new Black!
Potential crew looking to get onboard should take a number behind the man who knows everyone however, Mitch Batson.
May 2009 and the first of this year’s ORCV Winter Series and the season’s Northern races should provide some answers. Got to love that Icpota eh?
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