Dockmate docking system on the KC62,’ Hayward says, ‘which controls the engines and windless and allows boat to be kept into the wind using a joystick remote whilst standing on the foredeck. It also controls lowering and raising the anchor. The Dockmate system was working well so anchoring was handled. Dockmate also addressed ease of docking as it integrates the drop-down bow thruster with the engines and allows the boat to be controlled from the joystick remote at the dockside rail.’ The remaining issue to tackle was arguably the most relevant for performance-minded sailors who want to have as few barriers as possible to enjoying their time under sail: efficiency and ease of boat handling, particularly for the short- handed crew. This is handled through several features: l electric winches with forward sails on electric, continuous and single- line furlers l self-tacking jib l hydraulic mainsheet and Antal line driver for the main traveller l a roller-furling boom for the full- batten 25-30% square top mainsail to achieve fast sail reduction while retaining upper mainsail sail area. The latter system does, however, require some specific conditions for its use… Hayward explains: ‘The boom angle to the mast needs to be 87 degrees for the sail to roll correctly and the issue was how to set the boom reliably. Even when using low stretch line for the topping lift and the mainsheet at preset positions, there is still the possibility to create stretch variances and inconsistent rolls.
70 SEAHORSE
‘So, working with Offshore Spars, the first suggestion was to have a system that uses the mandrel length inside the boom, but this would be complicated. On a monohull you can simply put a chock in the vang to set the boom angle, but our boom is only one metre off the coachroof and we didn’t want to lose mainsail area to create space for a vang.
‘We eventually figured it out: our traveller is coachroof-mounted and curved to the arc of the boom and the boom is low to the roof, so this allows for use of a king post which drops down from the boom onto a cup on the mainsheet cart. The length of this post will be adjustable to set the boom at the correct angle, and tightening the mainsheet will put the boom in position for the furl. The cup on the mainsheet cart will pivot to allow for boom swing. Lowering the traveller will also enable the main to be shortened off the wind without having to sail through 90 degrees.’ The topping lift and mainsheet are the backups in the system and the mainsail can be lowered without having to leave the front cockpit. For remote monitoring a camera could be placed under the spreader so that the helmsman could check on progress of the roll. And at anchor the king post does away with the need for a topping lift or boom crutch.
More adaptations in design Offshore multihull owners vary in how they want to drive: some like the convenience and protection of an in-cabin station, while others want to have a direct feel of the breeze and spray. The KC54 offers both as standard, with a forward interior
Above: the decision to move the mast step aft from the fore- deck to the coachroof required extra reinforcement and a few additional structures such as a compression post and an athwartship beam. While this does add a bit of extra weight, it
also improves the overall rigidity of the platform and allows for a more balanced sailplan with a larger fore- triangle. The main traveller was also moved up from the aft crossbeam to the coachroof which keeps it out of the cockpit
helm and two aft tiller stations. The second KC62 that’s in build has a more complex three-wheel helm setup with Jefa Steering. The unused stations are disengaged with low- torque carbon shafts and gearboxes to retain lightness of feel. The helm seats fold away into the outer bulwarks to leave the areas above the aft steps clear when not in use. ‘Naturally buyers wanted to have this feature on the KC54,’ says Hayward, ‘but there wasn’t sufficient space for the aft stations to be organic to the boat and not seem like a subsequent add on.’ Another challenge presented itself from a Dutch buyer’s request to have a bridgedeck transom drop down to become a swim platform bridging the aft steps. The team agreed this would be great feature and asked Simonis Voogd to redesign the back of the boat to incorporate both this and the helms. After a few iterations both objectives were achieved. The helm stations became organic to the boat and the platform simply lowers onto recesses in the aft steps to minimise extra weight. The aft couch is replaced by two seats with swinging backrests to create the isle and the davits hinge back on themselves to be out of the way. This is an example of a win-win offered by carbon, creating the desired features without incurring significant additional weight, hassle and expense.
Order interest is already strong for the new KC54, with hull number one expected to be ready for the 2021 summer season, and more in the queue.
www.kineticcatamarans.com q
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