Out95

Hi all,

I thought you might like to see the press release on the boat. It explains a bit more about the design.

Cheers, Mark

The Out and Out Race Boat?

The 32 foot all-carbon OUT95 is an innovative high performance racing yacht. The OUT95’s futuristic looks are the first to catch the eye, but it’s her blistering performance that is going to make the biggest impact on the racecourse. Modern sportsboats transformed downwind sailing, the OUT95 makes these performance gains upwind and in light winds. Why limit yourself to half the fun?

Inspired by the Pacific Proa's ability to sail with only the Vaka (main hull) in the water in all but the very lightest winds, Neal Pawson penned an extremely narrow hull similar to that of a multihull combined with wide solid wings to give a large crew righting moment. The resulting winged wave-piercing monohull is designed to be fast in 'real time' and not rely on a favorable handicap to win.

Whilst being fastest with the wings flying clear of the waves, their high volume provides low drag reserve stability when in contact with the water. As well as making it simple and safe to sail the wings also provide a wide staying platform allowing a lighter rig and accommodation for four berths beneath a large uncluttered deck. Andrew Claughton (Design Head, ETNZ) completed the tank testing of the design at Southampton's Wolfson Unit in 2000, validating the design characteristics before construction was started.

The project includes a partnership of leading marine companies who are using the innovative OUT95 to push the barriers of technology and performance. Hardware is by Lewmar, rigging by Navtec, electronics by Silva, all held together by adhesives technology from Wessex Resins. Other project sponsors include clothing from Helly Hansen and CNC machining by The Cutting Room.

The OUT95 is specifically designed to compete in a wide variety of events worldwide. The result is a uniquely versatile and highly competitive racing machine incorporating a number of different sailing modes: water ballast for shorthanded sailing, five trapezes for fully crewed lake racing and a crewed conventional hiking IRC option.

Developed and built by Out and Out Solutions using pre-preg carbon on a Nomex core, Alex Ashworth Briggs, joint OOS director explained ‘Although we were striving for a lightweight product, we were also focussed on producing a boat that could easily be transported from event to event. This dictated a modular construction to allow the craft to be broken down into four components for ease of transport via trailer or container.' 'An extensive impact testing program also allowed us to optimise the hull and deck to provide a longevity not usual in such a lightweight structure.’

The OUT95 has a highly efficient carbon fiber rotating wing mast simply supported by shrouds and a single set of diamonds. The forestay is set back from the bow with a self-tacking headsail. The mainsail has a square cut top with full-length batterns and three reefs. There is the option of flying a code zero from the tip of the bow or a masthead asymmetric off a sprit. A lead bulb on a carbon fin keeps the boat upright on the mooring and prevents capsize when the crew gets it badly wrong!

Life's to short to go slow, stop this foolishness, speed is king!