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Fuente info Thedailysail
New Paprec Virbac IMOCA 60 launched
Third new IMOCA 60 for Jean-Pierre Dick
Tuesday May 18th 2010, Author: James Boyd, Location: New Zealand
Jean-Pierre Dick's brand new IMOCA 60 Virbac-Paprec 3 has just been launched in Auckland, New Zealand. As with Dick's previous two Open 60s, the design team has innovated and the VPLP/Verdier plans mark a radical break with the boats that have gone before. Dick now has a new vessel on which to go in search of his Holy Grail: the Vendée Globe 2012. Between now and then, the schedule is busy with a half round-the-world, the Route du Rhum and the Barcelona World Race to undertake.
Jean-Pierre Dick comments: "The philosophy is monastic! Virbac-Paprec 3 will be a very light boat and therefore spartan. Paprec-Virbac 2 was a palace in comparison! This is the ultimate boat for extreme races in which there is complete physical and moral involvement. I now have sufficient experience in offshore racing to do without the unnecessary and only to think of the objective! The only items of comfort will be the seats on board for steering and sailing preparation, a berth designed by a bedding specialist and two helm stations which are real cocoons."
The main design feature of Virbac-Paprec 3 is it's 'bi roof'. Dick explains: "We have created two cocoons under a Plexiglas dome to provide a perfect view; much as you would have in a helicopter. They will enable me to watch and steer in all weather and stay dry. Before, there were two distinct stations, so this means a reduction in weight. This work is a continuation of that carried out on Paprec-Virbac 2 with the sliding roof. The difference is that this time we agree to manoeuvre wet.
"Virbac-Paprec 3 is 10 to 15% lighter than Paprec-Virbac 2. At each step in the construction, we found ways to simplify; to find a lighter and more intelligent way of building her. For example, the chart table is only a computer screen on a rotating stand with a seat that can be moved from one side to the other. The boat is completely empty inside! The advantage is the capacity to make quicker progress with less sails or to keep it longer. The skipper does less manoeuvring and saves more of his energy.
"In terms of hydrodynamics we have designed 70 hulls with architects. Four were retained and tested in the test tank. To finish, they sailed a virtual round-the-world routed by a meteorologist to make the final choice. The lines are very taut and they have sharp bilges.
Aerodynamics We have a standard mast with two spreaders, but with only one backstay cable* instead of 3. This is an innovation to reduce weight and wind factor."
"We have focussed on safety by learning from unfortunate experiences. We have designed a safety hatch in the centre of the hull, so as not to have to leave the yacht from the rear. This hatch is pre-cut in the carbon and I will be able to saw it open if I find myself upturned. We have strengthened the watertight bulkheads to prevent the boat from filling up with water completely, at all costs."
As to the programme Dick says: "One of the advantages of building in New Zealand is the return journey to France by sea. This helps us to get to know and perfect the new IMOCA 60 in real sailing conditions and on a world scale. This requires a lot of involvement, since it lasts two months but is extremely rewarding for the team and I. When I arrive in Lorient in mid-July, the boat will already have sailed more than 12,000 miles (22,224 km), or the equivalent of three transatlantics. So this is a perfect test bench for the run up to a busy end of the year with the Route du Rhum and the Barcelona World Race, in which I will be defending my title!"
Designer VPLP / Verdier
Boatyard Cookson Boats(New Zealand)
Materials Carbon
Length 18.28m
Beam 5.7m
Draft 4.5m
Displacement Approx. 7.8 T, or -10/-15% in relation to Paprec-Virbac 2
Keel (material and deployment) Cast iron countersunk into the main body
Bulb weight 3 T
Ballasts 3 pairs / capacity: ap 8,000 litres
Rudders Retractable
Other appendages Curved centreboards
Mast
Height 29 m clearance
Manufacturer Southern Spars
Type Fixed mast with 2 spreaders
Upwind sail area 300 m²
Downwind sail area 590 m²
Number of sails 10
Type of tiller Hand tiller
Construction Work hours 29000
Boatyard staff / number of people 25
Design team R&D hours 4000
Number of hulls designed 70
Moulding female
