Concentrating on the need to remain at the cutting edge of performance, the J Class yacht Hanuman’s team has just finished a range of new initiatives to additionally optimise speed as well as efficiency. Central to these initiatives was a rig enhancement programme that comprised the installation of full continuous EC6 composite rigging, along with the design and production of new Rondal spreaders.
As builders of the original rig, Rondal saw this development as an opportunity not just to redesign the spreader ends to accommodate continuous rigging; but also to optimise structure and shape for optimum weight and strength while further reducing wind resistance.
The original 52.6m main spar – built in two full length vertical sections by Rondal in collaboration with the world’s finest rig design consultants and sail makers – continues to perform outstandingly well. It offers extremely sophisticated rig adjustment by the trimmers for optimum sail draft and luff curve across all wind and sea conditions.
The mast has now been re-stepped in the United States and sailing yacht Hanuman is sail-trialling well.