A just-in-time construction and assembly site
The video in time lapse is shot at the Multiplast site in Vannes (Morbihan). The shots retrace almost 2 years of design and manufacturing. During this short period, the design offices and builders worked on a just-in-time basis: while the floats were being moulded, the central hull was designed.
As the platform is assembled, calculations on the appendices are progressing. The final choice of fittings is made during the painting of the largest parts...
All the pieces of the puzzle were assembled at the Multiplast site. Given the scope of the Sodebo Ultim 3 project, some parts have been outsourced to other specialists such as the 2 arms or foils from Italy
Only 6 Ultims in the world
The Ultim 32/23 class includes a small fleet of giant trimarans, they are among the most sophisticated boats in the world. Currently, 6 Ultims lead the class of excess:
- The Trimaran Macif (2015 boat that underwent a major refit in 2018)
- Actual Leader Ultim (former Sodebo Ultim 2, repaired and optimized)
- Edmond de Rostchild (with Gitana 17 boat from 2017) who joins the class at the beginning of 2019.
- Sodebo Ultim 3 becomes the latest addition to the Ultim 32/23 Class
- Banque Populaire is building a new giant trimaran for 2021 (following a capsize during the last Route du Rhum).
- Idec has the right dimensions, but has not integrated the class
The figures of excess
Like all the sailboats in its class, Sodebo Ultim 3 is 32 m long and 23 m wide.
The mast reaches a height of 34 m. It's huge. However, thanks to the lowering of the sail, the spar is 1 m shorter than the previous boat.
The mainsail in high position has a total area of 277 m², or a tennis court and a half. Who wants to hoist the mainsail while Thomas tidies up the par-battage??
The largest gennaker is 420 m², exactly the size of a basketball court. In other words, it takes a little time to get it out of the hold in solitary mode.
On this audacious boat, the life cell is advanced in front of the mast. It seems very exposed, but offers the advantage of centering the weights and allows the boom to be lowered to the lowest level. This life cell, carved like an aircraft cockpit, is only 9 m².
