Two IRM 30 ft Yachts Commissioned
by Jason Ker 10 Jun 1999 01:00 BST
QUOKKA 5 + SHAKERMAKER 2, LAUNCH IN JANUARY 2000
Two established offshore campaigners, Peter Rutter and Paul
Churchill, have commissioned Ker Yacht Design, the South Coast-based naval architects, to design their level-rating 30ft IRM yachts for the Commodore's Cup 2000. These are the first owners to commission new designs under the new IRM rule.
Peter Rutter, a long established offshore campaigner and Chairman of the IRM Steering Committee, will take delivery of his new yacht "Quokka 5" in January 2000.
Paul Churchill currently campaigns "Shakermaker", also designed by Jason Ker. She was designed for CHS to be fast and fun, but also competitive; not the usual combination of adjectives associated with the former rule. Paul's new yacht "Shakermaker 2" is also scheduled for delivery in January.
Ker Yacht Design has started its research programme using a
combination of VPP's (Velocity Prediction Programme) and experimental methods (tank and/or wind tunnel testing).
The build team, headed up by Nick Spens & Simon Crawford, is using wet-preg laminates, vacuum bagged and post cured for optimum structural properties within the IRM rule. A detailed structural analysis is to be carried out by John Levell Engineering to minimise structural weight.
The launch of these yachts next January heralds the start of an intensive two boat tuning and training programme and it is hoped that both boats will find a place on the three-boat English Commodore's Cup 2000 Team.
For further information, please contact:
Jason Ker/Ker Yacht Design
Tel: 01703 330230/Mob: 07970 941732
E-mail: jker@compuserve.com