Design #539 was commissioned by CAM (Caja de Ahorros del Mediterr รก neo) to meet the demands of the extremely competitive IMS racing circuit in the Mediterranean and to build on the success of their previous 2001 World Champion Farr 51 named CAM - Design #466.
This design is a significant step forward from our past IMS successes. The distinctive hull shape was developed using our extensive suite of research tools combined with our comprehensive knowledge of the IMS rule and its recent changes. The resulting hull has powerful ends that will handicap very well with excellent performance in the relatively flat water of the Mediterranean. The stern is long for exceptional speed when heeled yet maintains the overall balance of the hull as heel angle increases. The straight and fairly level sheer shape and height have been tailored to get the most advantage possible from recent changes in the IMS rule. The topsides sport the maximum allowable tumblehome giving the boat a curiously distinctive feature. The deck geometry starts with a moderate camber that carries its curvature relatively far outboard. This outboard loaded camber shape is combined with a large sheer radius to soften the edge of the deck and improve upwind aerodynamics. The hull and deck shapes are a unique blend of performance and rule optimization that results in a large, powerful boat that will handicap well under IMS.
The rig is a continuing development of our very successful no-runner, non-overlapping headsail rig first introduced to Spain and the rest of the Mediterranean on our original CAM, winner of the 2001 IMS World Championships. For this new design the mast has a bigger fore triangle and smaller mainsail in keeping with changes to the 2004 IMS rule. The mast is very tall with ample sail area to promote good speed off crowded starting lines and on the all-important first windward leg. The rig is a two-spreader, 7/8's style fractional in carbon with swept spreaders and non-overlapping headsail. The spreader envelope has been widened relative to the deck beam to reduce overall loading. The combination of curved spreaders and diagonals located aft maximizes jib LP's. The spar has been IMS optimized in terms of mast weight, center of gravity, and overall tube dimensions.
The appendages were designed to achieve the correct balance between their size, rig size and keel weight while ensuring the keel, rudder and hull always operate well together. Appendage area is generous (as typical under IMS) allowing a correspondingly large sailplan for good acceleration off the starting line. The keel is designed to permit quick changes in the amount of weight carried in it and hence the stability of the boat.
The interior is a fairly typical, modern day, IMS racing interior, meeting the minimum IMS interior regulations and providing clear open space for storing and retrieving sails. The bunk arrangement includes the required two "hard" bottom berths as well as the required two "soft" bottom berths. Additional bunks may be added in different configurations to suit various venues. An interesting aspect of the interior is the ability to position crew below in "hiking seats" where they will produce an equal if not higher righting moment than crew on the rail in a typical position. These seats are angled benches that allow 3 crewmembers to sit comfortably on the windward side, which should also be helpful when packing chutes below and securing sails.
The cockpit is shaped to suit the narrow deck beam while keeping the helmsman positioned as far outboard as possible. The edge of the working deck is truncated aft, behind the afterguard, to shorten the required lifeline surround. Pedestal grinders are positioned for maximum efficiency at both primary and mainsheet winches. All main trimmer's control lines are lead aft for easy adjustment. Topmast backstay winches are positioned aft of the helmsman and outboard for easy adjustment upwind by the afterguard.
Construction is carbon laminates on SAN foam core. Mtorres in Spain is building the new CAM under the direction of Richard Gillies. Female tooling and application of CNC machining methods have been successfully used in the building process.
PHOTOS Click to enlarge.
SPECS
16.64 m/54.60 ft
14.56 m/47.77 ft
4.02 m/13.19 ft
3.30 m/10.83 ft
10,300 Kg/22,711 Lbs
13,650 Kg/30,098 Lbs
22.17 m/72.74 ft
6.33 m/20.77 ft
23.49 m/77.07 ft
8.38 m/27.49 ft
22.17 m/72.47 ft
6.33 m/20.77 ft
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