extra was there to compensate for not only the unexpected, but also any imperfections in build and calculation. Now yachts are flying, the extra weight is no longer an acceptable value in the equation. So, the alternative is precise engineering and perfection inmanufacturing. Here PersicoMarine hasmade huge strides in recent years, seeing the developments occurring elsewhere within the Persico Group. If you want consistency and tight tolerances, it can only be achieved through striving for perfection. If one part of the structure needs adjustment to fit, then the same has to be done for all of the
builds.Much better to get it right and accurate first time, and stick to that. Now, looking at the far more
mature class that is the Imoca 60, this is a class that dipped its toes in the water with foils when the idea of a flying monohull was little more than science fiction. The initial development was an addition to the existing platforms, with little full understanding of the increased loads that the hull and structure would be asked to cope with, particularly as the foils got bigger and bigger. Whilst structural failure in the class 12 years ago was a pain, and often resolvable through a chat on the phone between the sailor and the engineer, finding a makeshift repair from what was on board, the refinement of the engineering over recent years has meant that often what may appear to be a small structural issue can actually be a fundamental show stopper for a campaign. As such, again, quality,
:
Paul Meilhat’s is
one of two Imoca 60s in build at Persico’s Nembro yard. While some components are now built by robots to a higher specification than any human could achieve, skilled composite laminators still play a crucial role in Persico’s raceboat production
consistency and a full knowledge of the accuracy of build becomes the focus. For Persico Marine, this was shown to a large extent with the last Imoca to come out of the Nembro yard doors, LinkedOut. The Verdier design that started life as the Volvo Super 60 was soon developed into the racing steed for Thomas Ruyant, who, along with Morgan Lagravière, stormed to victory in the 2021 Transat Jaques Vabre. In a class so closely fought and with such great names on the start line, this comprehensive victory was only possible because the team could press and press, knowing that they had full trust in the yacht. PersicoMarine is now in the final
stages of assembling Biotherm, a near sistership to LinkedOut, using the same, slightlymodified tools and the samemeticulous approach. PersicoMarine are very proud to be working with Biothermand reusing the tooling as far as possible, with the approach of refining even further what has been learned to date with this evolving design. As with the Persico FLY40, the Imoca builds today cannot afford to carry around extra weight as a backup. Engineering has to be precise, with a true knowledge of the limits and the build has to meet the engineering precisely. The Imoca class has even given specific permission for PersicoMarine to manufacture components using a robot with lighter weight laminates than normally permitted within the class.With precision inmind, the robot is far better suited to laying downmultiple layers of lower weight tapes than the normal hand-laying methods. Thus, and since it doesn’t take coffee breaks, it can efficiently and accurately lay the fibres exactly where needed and in less time than it would take a highly skilled teamto do so with the normal heavier fibres that the class rules envisaged. In theory there is no performance
advantage as the same total weight is needed in any one direction to
replicate a 300gsm unidirectional laminate. But as the robot completes this in two layers of 150gsm material, the precision is where the benefit is truly seen. And the robot really comes into its own when manufacturing the structures for the foils. Where hundreds of layers of unidirectional fibres are needed to all follow in exacting paths, what better way to ensure accuracy and no distraction than through a robot? Interestingly, Persico Marine is
also applying itself to what might be considered a more traditional Imoca. During the previous Vendée Globe, many were surprised to see Jean Le Cam maintaining his position and nearly getting onto the podium with a non-foil assisted, older design. The theory being that higher top speed will never beat higher average speed around the planet. Jean demonstrated this well. But many were left asking “what could he do with a current generation version of the same idea?” Persico Marine is currently completing the tooling for a boat to answer just this question. With Jean Le Cam firmly behind
the project and a hope to build multiple boats from the same tool, Persico Marine is at the heart of answering whether simplicity, when pushed to the same levels of accuracy and quality of build as the high fliers, can beat them at their own game. Maybe the latest weather models will help or hinder. But the one certainty is that the theory will be put to the test without the normal caveat of it being a second-tier campaign with an inferior boat. The engineering and production will be of the level now expected from Persico Marine, so we will be able to see a true comparison of approaches. The years of gradual refinement
in boatbuilding seem to now be behind us. There is now a revolution in quality that is allowing engineers the freedom to work in a realm that they used only to dream of.
www.persico.com
❑ SEAHORSE 67
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