An upcoming assembly phase
This maxi-trimaran was designed by the architects Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prévost (VPLP firm) according to the wishes of Armel le Cléac'h, the management of Team Banque Populaire (Ronan Lucas) and the owner Banque Populaire. "The general philosophy of the project is to build a platform for the solo sailor, within the maximum limits of the Ultim category framework, i.e. 32 m long and 23 m wide. These racing boats have a long lifespan; so, with a view to future developments, we're giving ourselves a platform at the maximum of the measurement, but with a more typical rig for single-handed sailing... Banque Populaire IX will be an evolution of the current Ultims, bigger and more powerful, a light boat, with foils and a tilting mast... We're trying to be one step ahead of the evolution of the moment" details Kevin Escoffier, head of the design office.
The central bare hull was subcontracted to Green Marine in the UK, under the supervision of CDK, due to the lack of availability of the French yards. These two half hulls have since been delivered in Lorient, where the final carbon bulkheads, made in La Rochelle, have been adjusted. A first starboard float has left Port la Forêt for Lorient. The aft boom is already assembled, and construction of the forward boom has begun. The sheeting bar is being manufactured at Gepeto in Lorient. In short, all the big parts are launched, including the mast. Only the manufacture of the boom has not yet started.
"The Maxi Solo Banque Populaire IX is a magnificent boat that we've been working on for quite some time with Team Banque Populaire. We're using a lot of our experience from the Maxi Solo Banque Populaire VII. What changes with this one is the speed and the weight, the more you lift it with the foils, the faster it accelerates. It's exciting because it feels like you're gliding, but it becomes high-flying flying that you have to master to ensure safety on a round-the-world trip. It's a great challenge! I've already done two round-the-world tours, soon to be three, and this stream of experiences has made me want to go and do another one on this new maxi" explains Armel le Cléac'h.
A beneficial experience
To build the Maxi Solo Banque Populaire IX, the sailing bank has drawn on its experience in building racing yachts and in particular the Banque Populaire V - the largest racing trimaran in the world, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy - or the Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire VII - holder of several solo records.
"Our experience of maxi multihulls helps us in the definition of all the systems on board, as well as in the understanding of the stresses" explains Kevin Escoffier. "We have a lot of reference elements, for example for the helm balances. We know how these boats behave, and we can erase the worries we have had in the past. The tops are complicated when sailing solo. Banque Populaire V was heavy and powerful because she was designed for the crew. The difficulty in solo sailing is to master all this power and make a boat capable of going fast for a long time. We need to be able to use all the potential of the multihull single-handed, that's the whole point of the exercise..."
A multihull with foils
Like most competition multihulls, Banque Populaire IX will be equipped with foils, which will allow it to fly over water. "Armel was very satisfied with the righting torque of Banque Populaire VII." continues Kévin Escoffier. "We're replicating this righting torque while trying to make it as light as possible, with a more slender sail plan. Banque Populaire VII had deficits in the light airs and we're trying to make up for these shortfalls. We will be under the weight of Banque Populaire VII, while being wider, with the same righting. All this for greater security. Alongside the structural work, the manufacture of the appendages (rudders and foils) is one of the important components of the project. The foils are going to be omnipresent on this boat." kévin insists; "We're on a new generation of appendages. Load-bearing planes are appearing on the float rudders, on the central rudder."
Maxi Solo Banque Populaire IX sports programme
- Launching summer 2017
- Participation in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017
Characteristics of the Maxi Solo Banque Populaire IX
Length : 32.00 m
Width : 23.00 m
Weight: 15 t
Mast height: 38.00 m
Materials: Carbon/Kevlar/Normex
Sail area upwind: 610 m²
Sail area downwind: 890 m²
Architects: VPLP : Martin Fisher
Shipyard: CDK Technologie, C3 Tech for the foils and Green Marine for the central hull
Mast : CDK - Sails :
Launch: 2017
