Design
The chamfered bow sections are a Carkeek trademark. They reduce windage, increase panel stiffness, reduce weight and deflect spray
to be efficient and effective, validating a simple and minimalist approach to deck hardware that focuses on short- handed sailing, usability, reliability and waterproofing. Carbonita has built-in aft water ballast
tanks to replicate crew weight when sailed short-handed, and an efficient control systemtomove the water quickly tack to tack. Semeraro reported its use in the Straits ofMessina in the Palermo race enabled themto tack when needed on intervals as fast as fiveminutes. The time and effort spent on designing,
fabricating and installing interior design elements was also proven effective. The relatively open interior layout with centre aisles and an open composite space frame rather than central main bulkhead makes sail stowage easy, and well-crafted and positioned storage lockers kept the below deck clutter to a minimum whilst facilitating easy movement fore and aft without having to climb through mountains of sail bags. The centreline nav station has does not give any weight bias while working on either tack or gybe and has two screens and an articulating seat. Rather than having racks of framed
bunks are aft on each side and there is easy access to an additional two - four bunks forward for getting rest when the crew weight is needed forward (and low) for light air. The galley is large and on the centreline, Volvo Ocean Race style. While most raceboats have nothing forward of the mast but an empty cave with maybe a toilet, the Neo 570 c has a large open area, and, with the table dropped, this area becomes area king size bed. Separation doors or a sailcloth curtain are an option to create a private third cabin. Just as there’s been no compromise
‘The design incorporates a unique high-speed water ballast system’
on performance, nor has there been any on down below comfort and convenience either: Carbonita is fitted out with an HVAC system for air conditioning, a watermaker, refrigerator and freezer, showers in both bathrooms and on the beach platform. There is an anchor control system in the bow when in cruising mode, and the keel can lift 1.4m to reduce the draft when approaching harbours, a huge advantage in extending cruising ranges. Given the reliance
pipe berths in a black carbon cave, the Neo 570 c has its interior painted in a light colour, with deck hatches and windows to provide light, fitted with proper fixed berths that are lightweight and strong (they are carbon after all) and designed to drop down to be seatbacks when not in berth use. There are accessible hanging lockers for wet gear rather than having them hang in the two enclosed heads. Two large double cabins with racing
82 SEAHORSE
on electric and hydraulic power for many onboard systems, it’s notable they’re placed where their weight and function have the least negative effect. The hydraulic system that controls the keel lift is designed by Cariboni for on-deck functions as well, like the vang, outhall and cunninghams. There is a carbon hydraulic reservoir below deck and custom hydraulic cylinders that are easily accessible and recessed under the deck, designed with exterior channels to keep the water out and simplify the installation and secondary structure. Electrical power is provided by three large 24V Lithium batteries, which are
rechargeable by the engine: double 24 volts/150 Ah Alpha Pro alternators from mastervolt or shore power. There is one 12V dedicated engine battery to ensure power is there when you need it, and even though there is an option for electric or hybrid propulsion systems, either fixed or lifting, Carbonita opted to keep things simple with a conventional sail drive. AC power is permanently available during sailing up to 10.5kw, thanks to the 3 Mastervolt MassCombi chargers. One of the more impressive features on
deck to indicate the Neo 570 c’s potential as a serious cruising boat is the lightweight garage space built below the cockpit floor and accessible through the transom. This space can handle a four- metre long RIB or other craft. There is also a dedicated locker for a liferaft when this is needed on long offshore races. With the huge amount of attention to
detail given by Semeraro’s build team, Carbonita’smeasured specifications came very close to expectation. The displacement on their ORCi certificate is 11.9 tons, stability index is 136.5, and 2022 all-purpose handicap is 386.3 sec/ mile. By comparison, one of the newest- built andmeasured TP 52s is 7.2t, has a stability index of 142.5 and an APH of 382.6 sec/mile. Their rated VMG upwind and downwind boat speeds in both eight kts and 14kts are nearly the same as that of Carbonita. And this is with the same crew weight of 1,200kg on both boats. Using these metrics it would seem
that Semeraro and Carkeek have done it: created a boat with the performance of one of the most successful raceboat classes in history that has the creature comforts of a well-appointed cruising boat. Well done.
www.neoyachts.com
❑
ANTONIO LATINI
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