This summer (2007) saw the
launch of the first 35XS in Hungary. The builder/owner put the boat
together from one of our kit-plan-packages
and did an absolutely fantastic job. He and his crew did most of the
construction themselves and even built a very nice wet-out
machine
for wet-pregging the fiberglass material (click
here to view the
construction process). They are now very much enjoying their
boat with
their sites set on a first place finish in the 2008 Blue Ribbon Series
on Lake Balaton.
The 35XS
is a unique hybrid of ideas combining the radical speed potential of
the 2XS-11000 one-design day-sailor and the proven offshore race
performance of the VG-Mount Gay 30. This design was primarily
conceived for the high-end PHRF/IRC market but has strong one-design
potential. Whatever the venue, there is no doubt that the
ahead-of-the-art 35XS will turn some heads on the race course.
The
hull form is a clean and exceptionally fast shape with a narrow
waterline beam and a low wetted surface. This philosophy produces a
boat that will dominate the competition in light to moderate
breezes. In the heavier stuff, as the residual resistance on
a hull form increases proportionally with the speed of the boat, the
35XS boasts a length/beam ratio of 4.4 indicating a relative reduction
in wave making drag. Combine this trend with a with a
displacement/length ratio of 70, a moderately low prismatic of 0.530, a
fine entrance angle at the bow with narrow "U" sections forward, and a
wide and gentle run aft. The result is a powerful and easily driven
hull with the potential for both a strong windward performance
and the ability to readily plane.
The
sail area/displacement ratio can be thought of as a measure of power to
weight. This design will have and a projected upwind SA/DSPL of 44 and
downwind SA/DSPL of 110, again indicating a great upwind performance
and a superb planing potential. The fractional rig is carbon
fiber with 23 degree swept-back spreaders and carries a non-overlapping
jib. Due to the highly roached main there is no backstay to
hang up on. To compensate for the fore and aft loads from
headsails a unique and user-friendly mast-head runner system has been
designed. Several rig variations are being considered at the
moment based on client needs and local wind conditions.
E-glass
and Kevlar over a foam or balsa core, vacuum bagged in an epoxy resin,
is the prescribed method of construction for the hull and deck. Carbon
fiber uni-directional material is used in areas of high loading such as
the keel grid, chainplates, and in critical transverse framing and
bulkheads. However, an all E-glass boat could be built to increase the
economic one-design potential of this design for a relatively small
increase in the overall weight.
The
deck configuration is again a trickle-down from the Mount Gay 30, which
has proven itself under fire to be a well conceived working platform
for both round-the-cans and offshore racing. The large open cockpit
will allow the helmsman and trimmers to do their jobs without the
hassle of traffic jams. The cabintop adds to the aesthetic value of the
boat as well as being a functional base of operations for the pitman.
It also provides a relatively spacious interior.
The
keel has a draft of 2.743m (9 feet) and is fitted with a trim tab that
gives the 35XS an amazing windward performance. The fin can also be
retracted for convenient trailering purposes. The fin is a
state-of-the-art, high-lift, laminar flow, foil section. The low center
of gravity, T-bulb configuration features our latest and very fast
"shark" geometry. The fin/trim tab is a carbon/foam
construction with a stainless steel internal strut bolted into the lead
bulb.
The
interior of the 35XS has a very functional and clean finish, well
attuned to offshore racing or the riggers of round-the-cans
racing. There are four fixed berths 2m in length.
The galley, forward and to port, has a sink and a one-burner
stove. To starboard there is a removable cooler, the top
forming the navigation table. Storage lockers are built in overhead and
below the bunks. Aft of the companionway is the engine box housing an
inboard Yanmar 20hp diesel with Saildrive.
When
racing offshore, sailing shorthanded, or just day sailing with friends,
a full range of stability is available using the water ballast tanks.
The system operates via an electric pump with a hand pump backup. The
flow controls are located in the cockpit just forward of the traveler,
providing quick and convenient access to the trimmer. The
total capacity of the port and starboard wing tanks is 1052 liters, or
the weight of five crew members per side.
VGYD
is selling the basic 35XS kit-plan-package for $6000 (priced reduced to $4950).
See
Kit-Plans
for details.Available options: high-tech composite
construction for
$500.
NEWS FLASH:
The 35XS can be also purchased as a pre-assembled kit, complete
with hull, deck, keel and rudders or as a fully completed boat
(excluding sails and electronics). Please contact
us for more
information on this exciting design.
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