Future Fibres has announced that its first complete multihull mast as well as rigging package will be on the water this August, with a second scheduled for launch in September and a third already on the books.
Nigel Irens designed APC 78 Yacht to feature carbon mast and integrated rigging package by Future Fibres - Photo credit to Nigel Irens Design / APC78
Although Future Fibres’ composite rigging is already commonplace in the multihull sector, the Valencia based composites specialist has just completed its first full multihull mast package for the Nigel Irens Design A65 catamaran, utilising a bespoke, high performance rotating wing mast, along with a full set of Future Fibres’ latest carbon rigging. The catamaran is expected to be ready for summer sailing in Abu Dhabi, where the boat has been built by Abu Dhabi Mar.
The second project, expected on the water within a matter of weeks, is the Rapier 550 for which Future Fibres has supplied another complete mast and rigging package. The rig utilises the same tooling as the A65 but offers some unique characteristics, with the mast and sail controls being led inside the main saloon for a truly ‘armchair sailing’ experience.
In addition to its most recent and upcoming multihull launches, Future Fibres has also announced the signing of its third multihull contract for Nigel Irens Design’ latest catamaran, the APC78 yacht. The Advanced Performance Cat, being built at Green Marine in Southampton, UK, will sport a state-of-the-art, fully customised carbon mast and integrated rigging package. The design of the tube section has been refined using data obtained from a detailed aero study in order to maximise performance. The composite rigging completes the package and incorporates the smallest diameter carbon rigging on the market, including a set of aerofoil diamonds to further minimise windage.
Catamaran yacht APC 78 - Photo credit to Nigel Irens Design / APC78
Commenting on the latest projects, Nigel Irens spoke about his decision to choose Future Fibres: “The Nigel Irens Design office works in collaboration with a number of individuals who are specialists in diverse fields of activity. Where fast offshore multihulls are concerned, we’ve had the pleasure of an ongoing dialogue with Future Fibres’ Torbjörn Linderson, who has had as much experience as anyone in this field. In parallel, we have a longstanding relationship with Future Fibres. In fact, in 1994 the company supplied one of the earliest sets of Kevlar standing rigging to our 85 ft catamaran, ENZA New Zealand, as she prepared for what would become a record-breaking circumnavigation later that year. Given the above, it is hardly surprising that the news that Linderson was to combine his skills with those of Future Fibres was of immediate interest to us. Obviously we have no way of knowing how the APC78 rig will perform, but it is good to know that we are setting out on the road to the future, accompanied by a team composed of some of the best qualified specialists in the industry.”
Future Fibres’ multihull specialist, Torbjörn Linderson added: “In this rapidly evolving sector, Future Fibres is firmly focused on driving forward the development of its high performance products and using the experience of its uniquely qualified team to take the evolution of multihull rigs to the next level. It is an exciting time for us and the industry…a lot of records are going to get broken!”
