News Around the World
Luke Berry shows off the new bow which he grafted onto his Sam Manuard-designed Mach40.3 in the winter of 2020-2021 and which transformed the performance of his eight-year-old design. In the 2021 season Berry’s hybrid skiff-scow was only ever beaten by the much newer full-on scows, never by another conventional Class40. The new semi-spoon shape was designed for Berry by Manuard. Interestingly, the success of Berry’s modified 40.3 has prompted a spike in secondhand prices for the popular Sam Manuard design
How? We asked the architect… Manuard replies: ‘The hull of
the 40.5 differs from that of the 40.4 mostly in the front half. A lot of work was done on the forward overhangs to improve motion and speed in a seaway and reduce drag surfing into the backs of waves. ‘Also the ergonomics of the cockpit have changed with better
visibility from the watch station – which now has a better seat! – and which will be better protected thanks to an extension of the canopy. We will also be able to manoeuvre away from the spray with the addition of a central fifth winch.’ The conversation with Sam was brief because he is very busy
with Imoca projects. We also learned that he is working on a new 35ft IRC Scow-type project. While we’re on the subject, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a
new IRC Scow before long. It’s time, because you probably noticed that the Class40s would have won the Rolex Fastnet in IRC despite a handicap as big as their noses. For his part Nicolas Groleau, manager of the JPS shed at La
Trinité, which has manufactured more than 20 Mach40s, confirmed that they are just finishing a Max40 for Matthieu Perraut, before starting the production of Luke Berry’s new Mach40.5… which will be followed by a second one for an Italian sailor in July and perhaps a third in September! The first of the next Raison Class40 brand could start launching
in 2023... as soon as the designer has delivered his new plan. One year after Manuard! Wherever you go in France shipyards cannot meet the growing,
even pressing, demand for Class40s. Even Pogo Structures, a builder of significant size, is full for 2022 and cannot deliver another of her well-born Verdier S4s until mid-2023. This frenzy for new Class40s is such that we wonder how long it can be maintained…
Mr President Géry Trentesaux, who no longer needs to be introduced, succeeds Anne de Bagneaux Savatier as president of UNCL, the Parisian club that manages the IRC jointly with the RORC. He quickly appointed a tight team around him: Yves Ginoux becomes secretary general, Yves
22 SEAHORSE
Grosjean treasurer, Bruno Maerten in charge of membership and Claude Charbonnier manages IRC. Géry has established four priorities for his mandate: member retention and recruitment, the growth of IRC, moving closer to the Yacht Club de France and the launch of the new RORC/UNCL one-design 30. Géry, founder of a flourishing industrial group, multiple IRC champion and currently French Dragon champion, has a unique sense of humour: ‘I’m not gifted and I have a reputation for being an autocrat; however, when I make a decision I need oppo- sition if I am to function as democratically as I can!!’
Spreading its wings Just as Artemis Racing evolved into a wider technology operation, so the MerConcept Lab is heading into the future. Based in Con- carneau, Brittany, and created by François Gabart, MerConcept not only builds and campaigns oceanic sailing boats, including the recent Ultim SVR Lazartigue, in a few months’ time its first electric foiling catamaran will be launched. Equipped with a main foil as well as two lifting fins, and powered
by two electric motors, the 12m long and 5m wide flying catamaran has been in development for several months. Ordered by a private customer, this ‘cruising’ multihull is equipped with a flight controller developed in collaboration with Madintec, working closely with Kossel Control who are in charge of the propulsion management on the boat. The objective of this flight controller is to maintain the vessel in a stabilised flight mode, to limit drag, improve the ride and optimise energy consumption for propulsion. The controller’s programmes have been extensively tested using
a flight simulator developed by VPLP design. The longterm aim is to see these technologies applied across the wider maritime envi- ronment to improve the environmental impact of passenger craft.
Back on the (Imoca) trail Despite Groupe Finot’s fantastic track record with four consecutive wins in the Vendée Globe, Nos2, 3, 4 and 5, and the production of some excellent 2004/2008 Imocas, including Britair which fin- ished second in 2008 with Armel Lecléac’h at the helm, the design
CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI
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