Projects To come –
Maxi Navigation
Offshore Navigation and Racing
Superyacht Delivery and Racing
2009 - 2010 'Project Aiyana'
2009 Highland Fling Wally 82
I was involved with installing and comissioning the PLC and Automated system, building and wiring the automated system with components from 'Olectric' systems and 'Maxicant'. Another successful automated system brought to the racing market.
2007 - 2009 Leopard 3
Achieved 9 World Speed sailing records
I was navigator for 9 world speed sailing records including
Powered Transatlantic Record
South Atlantic Race
Round the Island Race
St.Malo
Round Ireland
Being involved with specification of the electronic systems on this machine has been the most exciting project so far. The system is limitless and the results speak for themselves. Breaking the Fasnet Race Record and now heading for the Sydney Hobart the full potential of this boat is still to be seen!
I am currently maintaining and upgrading the systems on this yacht in preparation for the Sydney Hobart.
I am doing the mainsheet and running the electronic systems as part of the race crew for this yacht.
2007 - Mean Machine Volvo 70 Project
This involved some early development, systems analysis and load data extraction from the Volvo 70.
Using Electronic measuring equipment to extract relevent load data for design use. Sailing on board
and having the ability to sail at this level and develop technology simultaneously. Bridging the gap between the design office and the physical characteristics of extreme sailing
2006 – Pirates of the Caribbean Volvo Team (Electronics)
Pirates of the Caribbean Volvo Team working on Electronics and Navigation. This is the leading edge of development. It is a challenge in many ways from the limited timescale to the difficulty of finding parts spread all over the planet. The Volvo 70 is ‘ The worst environment in the world for electronics’, water, heat, cold, carbon conductivity, slamming, unregulated power. This is like asking a Formula one car to off road driving!
2005 – Unfurled Maxi Worlds (Bowman)
It took a month to fully set this incredible piece of engineering up. Tuning the rig, prepping the set of 3DL race sails including the Mainsail with a foot of almost 60feet long! It is a four man half day operation to remove the cruising sails and load up the race main.The work however paid off with Unfurled being crowned the Maxi World Champion Superyacht division 2005
Recently I have been managing the Electronic systems onboard Unfurled. With 48GB of Ram running this machine and over 14 PLC modules, it is one of the most complex yachts of its generation.
2005 – Leopard of
This involved a 3 month refit and overhaul of the whole boat. Setting up a Volvo boat to go offshore is easy. Bulletproofing a SuperMaxi is another challenge altogether! The boat was hit by lightning the week before the regatta! Even the hand of God was not going to stop us. We went on to have the fastest 24 hour run for our class and an awesome crossing with a never-ending supply of action. After this I also joined Leopard as navigator for the Fastnet Race. This wsa an extremely light wind race and proved interesting on one of the largest and heaviest boats competing. It was a great effort from the crew and a great result holding position on the water and beating Movistar the VO70 on the water in what was to be a small boat race.
2004 – 2005 Project ‘Ghost’
Ghost is the 122’ Brenta designed Superyacht. With an all carbon hull she is one of the largest superyachts of this type. There is no end of onboard trickery and gadgetry to keep the owner occupied and the crew busy to maintain. The simplicity of the looks and the complexity of her design are astounding. There was no area on this yacht left lacking! Pure precision all the way through. It went on to come second to unfurled in the MaxiWorlds. I was there to set the boat up and maintain the electronics during the comissioning stages.
2003 – Bear of
This was a trying time, with a young crew and limited resources it was for sure a great experience even if I did age a few years in the process. There was the two boat campaign with the arrival of ‘
