66' Performance Cruising Yacht
Client: Commander Yachts Ltd
Boat Names: Knight Commander, Lasca
Performance can be difficult to quantify, as it is the sum total of the components that create the overall speed, sea keeping ability, safety ………
However, let us consider each of these components separately
The first area we focus upon is hull shape. Through our work alongside Laurie Davidson on a wide range of high performance racing yachts around the globe, we have established the areas to concentrate upon in the quest for optimum performance without sacrificing the ease of sailing and sea keeping abilities that winning designs require.
At Commander Yachts, we design High Performance Cruising Yachts. What we mean by this is that we acknowledge the issues involving comfort, ease of sailing and Clients requirements and then we wrap a high performance hull package, rig and systems around these inputs to maximise performance.
To do this correctly, we need to concentrate on a few important factors.
The keel and rudders are the next area to look at. In the quest for high performance, we need a low center of gravity and to achieve this, we need draft. Of course, for ideal cruising ability and entry into some marinas around the popular racing areas, there will be a draft restriction. This does not help performance, as the center of gravity will rise accordingly. To counter this performance handicap, Commander employ a lift keel arrangement that offers full draft capability when racing, but can be lifted easily and effortlessly for entry into marinas and bays that would normally preclude the fixed keeled racing yachts with high draft. The system used utilizes a straightforward hydraulic ram that lifts the keel effortlessly up the centrecase. To protect sightlines and aesthetics within the interior, the keel will only lift as far as required for marina/bay access. The centrecase catering for this lift will be minimized in height and intrusion, since clearly there is little point in lifting the bulb above the rudders.
Other options in the Commander Range include Fixed Keel where there are no draught restrictions and Canting Keel for ultimate performance. But initially, we look to the lift keel option to establish parameters.
Commander employs the twin rudder configuration for most of their designs, the advantage being that twin rudders make sense with lift keel arrangements. When the keel is set in ‘race mode depth’, a deep centerline rudder works well. However the keel can only be raised as far as the rudder depth permits which in many instances does not offer sufficient advantage when sailing into shallow draught areas. With twin rudder arrangements, we can reduce the rudder draft and hence the lifting keel draught by half. When sailing, the leeward rudder will always be in its most efficient, non-stallable position whilst the windward blade will be creating very little or no drag.
Twin rudders allow greatly improved utilisation of the aft lazerette. The twin rudderstocks permit centreline stowage for the inflatable, which leads to faster and easier launch and recovery times.
The third area we look to with regard to performance is the rig. Working closely alongside our rig designer, Chris Mitchell, and Southern Spars, we work through the issues of drag, weight and strength to come up with the optimum edge. Southern Spars are at the forefront of spar making technology. They are not only using Carbon Spars as the norm for most of their work, but are also looking towards innovative rigging solutions for weight savings and strength. Any weight savings aloft equals horsepower below and every opportunity to reduce weight and drag is taken, whilst strength, durability and safety are protected at all times.
The latest development being factored into our yachts are carbon stays, which both reduces weight aloft and improves directional load bearing.
The Commander Sail plan is powerful for any given displacement. We believe the Skipper can always reef when required, but can never add to what is already 100% capacity. With this in mind, we ensure reefing is as effortless and non stressful as required and we employ both Reefing headsails and Furling Boom to maintain balance and efficiency. In racing mode with full crew, the furling headsail is replaced with full racing headsails that are changed as per usual practice. For fun regattas and in performance cruising mode, the furling systems come into their own. A protruding Prod is extended during reaching and downwind legs to cater for the masthead and fractional gennakers as well as a Code Zero in tightened reaching mode.
The fourth area we look to, once performance criteria and initial weight analysis is complete, are the construction options. Working alongside our structural engineers, High Modulus [NZ] Ltd., Commander Yachts ensure the latest and most efficient materials are employed to maximize the strength and weight ratios. Carbon Fibre, Kevlar and various E-glasses are used within an Epoxy matrix. All panels are vacuum bagged and all weight saved in the hull construction can be added to the bulb for further performance gains. High Modulus have worked closely with our racing and cruising designs and are instrumental in breaking new ground with smart engineering solutions.
The heart of Commander lies in their systems and system interface. Hydraulics are seamlessly integrated with electrical systems to provide enormous power to sail handling, keel control and transferable water ballast systems. AC power is preferred to DC for its weight savings and simplification.
Commander works closely with Top Logic Systems Ltd and Onboard Systems Ltd to ensure that hydraulics and electrics remain cutting edge.
Boat International, June 2001
Contact Dibley Marine for more information