SailGP sets up base in Whangarei to commission F50's

Marsden Cove Marina - is one of the marina facilities in Whangarei © Marsden Cove

Foiling 50's underway in Core Builder Composites facility in Warkworth © Northern Advocate

Warkworth-based Core Builders Composites has established a technical and development hub on a hardstand compound at Marsden Cove Marina as part of its work to build the catamarans which are to be used in the global SailGP competitive yachting series in Sydney next year.

Marsden Cove Marina is part of a residential/marina development by Hoppers, is about two hours drive north of Auckland, and on the SE end of Whangarei harbour.

Over the next three months SailGP will take advantage of local resources and experts to conduct testing and ensure the F50s are race-ready by February.

The hub was nearly complete with two tents, sized 20m x 25m, erected above custom-built 40-foot containers.

Core Builders Composites spokesman Peter Heath said carpet had been laid, lighting was operational and the place was already buzzing. There was an office, as well, and a catering truck and tent.

"The entire operation has been designed to be packed into and unpacked from the containers so that it can be easily picked up and transported from one competition venue to another," Heath said.

He said it was not a one-off.

"Every year at about this time they will be back testing the boats. The boats will be modified and updated as the competition develops so they will back for testing."

There are 50 people in the tech team, with about 25 to be on site at any given time.

The six catamarans have been under construction for the past 12 months by teams from Core Builders Composites, MS Engineering, Pure Design, C-Tech, Doyle Sails, Baytex and Rayglass.

The catamarans will be trucked to Ruakaka from Warkworth in their custom containers. The first F50 will be launched using Northport's 100-ton mobile harbour crane, which will lower the boats and wings to a special pontoon and mooring area the port has set aside for the purpose.

Heath said it would be a case of testing one boat at a time. As the second boat being tested on the water, the first boat was being disassembled and placed back in its container.

Sail GP have set up the New Zealand sail-trial facility at Marsden Cove Marina in Whangarei - photo © Northern Advocate

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