Davie Norris Boatbuilders
Christchurch, New Zealand
Blackjack - Page 2
Boating New Zealand Article
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The paintwork,
metallic blue with metallic warm grey arch and spars, would out-smart
a two-tone Cadillac. This ultra modern yacht had the air of a classic
the moment she went in the water.
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| Most
of us could not afford to spend around NZ$800,000 on a boat, especially
one you can’t even sleep in, or partake in any other bed-based
activities, but I invite you to explore the concept of a day sailer.
She is extremely simple and minimal in her systems, although she
has grand prix-quality gear.
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| Take the sails. There are
just three but they are 30 per cent Kevlar, 70 per cent carbon fibre
moulded construction from North Sails. The construction has artistic
flair; more importantly, it provides for immaculate sets and good
performance, of the type usually reserved for top racing yachts.
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The carbon fibre
in the sails is UV resistant; the Kevlar is UV-vulnerable but provides
stiffness so the sail is less likely to stretch. Boat owners aspiring
to moulded sails on their yachts will be pleased to hear prices
will continue to come down as manufacturing processes become more
efficient.
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The wardrobe comprises
a fully-battened mainsail on a Leisurefurl boom, a self-tacking
jib and a gennaker that will be used only occasionally for the odd
fun harbour race with friends — the only nod to another purpose.
The mainsail has standard roach and the overall working sail area
is small for a 43-footer because there is no plan to stack crew
on the rail.
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To keep the decks
clear, the self-tacking jib has its sheet run about four metres
up the mast, before going inside the mast and back down to the deck
collar. From there, it runs under the coachroof to emerge at jammers
just aft of the windshield and just in front of the helmstation.
Inspection covers in the coachroof lift to allow access to the
control lines. The sheet tension on the self-tacking jib remains
unchanged through the tacks.
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The owner is one
of Japan’s most eminent eye surgeons and takes particular
care to avoid injury to his hands. Electric Lewmar 50 winches provide
the power and built-in tailing bins keep the ends tidy. The mainsail
sheet, too, comes back to the helmstation. Everything is handy to
the driver — just like a car. While on the helmstations, you
may have noticed there are two, for good visibility on either tack.
Lever controls, like those more usually seen on a powerboat, operate the 50hp Yanmar
saildrive which pushes the boat at up to 8-9kts.
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Visibility is excellent,
even ducking down to check beneath the jib is easy. Since our sail,
the dodger has been fitted. It folds down into the trench formed
behind the wind screen. When open, it zips onto the mainsheet arch
to form a roof and wind-screen — sports car style.
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The mainsheet secures
to a bridle sys cm on top of the arch. This system won out over
a traveller, which would be tricky to control on the arch without
complicated control lines. A one-point attachment was considered
but it wouldn’t have secured the mainsheet fully when at anchor.
The bridle system means the yang, rather than the mainsheet, controls
the leech tension.
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