SECU PROJE FACNO
R C
Opposite: George Sakallaris’s Vrolijk-designed Maxi72 Proteus racing at the Copa del Rey in Palma, the most competitive open (ie non-class specific) inshore regatta in the Mediterranean and a target event for a new or existing class from elsewhere that aims to gain traction in southern Europe. From the start the Solent based Fast40 fleet (above) expressed a desire to extend their reach to a Mediterranean series, perhaps in alternate years, but so far this fleet remains stubbornly polarised where it began. Fast40s would, however, offer a quick start to a simpler 40ft box rule fleet which may now appeal in the Med with the current fragmentation at this size. A 40ft box rule class created to be very flexible in terms of course type – inshore/coastal/short offshore – would prove a useful answer for an owner wishing for maximum access to the best events around the Med or Adriatic
What at the time seemed logical, to reduce spending, in the end became reason to narrow the boat’s use to a single course type and refine further towards that use. I am afraid money just got re- allocated, not saved. After years of growing closer to their ‘afterlife use’ once sold, Super Series boats now slowly drift away from that use, which will have an effect on secondhand demand. At 40ft we cannot ignore that there is and will continue to be interest in a box-rule class next to the one-design option, to be able to be different and optimise within member-chosen boundaries, whether strict or based on a rating rule like the Fast40 class (using IRC). But somehow the Fast40 seems to have got stuck a little and possibly it is good to look into how to get unstuck? I feel the rating rule connection mainly serves a purpose if there is a large variety of boats, as there was when this class was launched based on all sorts of existing lightish and fast 40-42ft boats. But once purpose-built new designs get into play the rating component just adds complexity and cost as it is a moving target – and one with many assumptions and variables.
I feel the Fast40 class would be helped by an upgraded box without a TCC limit for new builds, and the creation of an ‘elite’ global com- petition in which Fast40s race boat for boat. From this competition boats would then trickle down to local competitions, like the current series in the Solent. These events could then continue to be based on handicap scoring if the spread of boats requires it. Is this a wild or a very new idea? Not really… it is what we see with the TP52s where the 52 Super Series, like the MedCup pre- viously, is the breeding ground and testbed from which boats are sold and then spread out over the world for many more years of rewarding use. It would be interesting to create this box at the smaller 40ft size and to see whether it could attract enough support, as indeed it takes 10+ boats to create the confidence for longterm success.
I do not think the Solent can be the breeding ground, more likely it should be a circuit that operates mainly in the Med. But I am sure that Solent Fast40 racing long term will benefit from such a devel- opment, as well as other regions like the US east coast. Wouldn’t that be great?
Rob Weiland, Class Manager, TP52 and Maxi72 SEAHORSE 31
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FACNOR LOCKS
> ONLY ONE TRIGGER LINE TO LOCK OR UNLO SAFE LOCKING & UNLOCK NG EASY INSTI
ONLY ONE TRIG > SAFE LOCKING > EASY NSTA AT EXTERNAL & I IN
TALLATION ON MAST ALLATION ON MAST
> EXTERNAL & NTERNAL RANGES > A LOT OF OPTIO
A LOT OF OPTIONS & TERMINALS
NTERNAL RANGES ONS & TERMINALS
GGER LINE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK UNLOCKINGI
OCK
o
PAUL WYETH
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