Fan Class 32 - The one with the wobby mast

[snooks]

Just in case you haven't seen the Fan Class 32 before, a full report is in the September 09 issue of Yachting Monthly

The video is here

And the gallery of extra images is here

The 360s are coming soon

 

[snooks]

The 360º views are now online for your viewing pleasure

The Fan Class 32 page

 

[Judders]

Lets talk maintenance... how long until the ring leaks around the keels and how on earth can it be fixed?

 

[snooks]

Well the ring is a stainless tube, and it's all welded (except for the bolted join). The keels are bolted onto the ring....so I don't see how it would leak.

The boat has a "groove" for the ring moulded into it, the ring and the boat are two separate "things". the ring is in two parts until it's assembled around the boat, so it can be completely removed from the boat if needed.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

God the build quality looks awful! Looks like the depreciation will be shocking!

 

[snooks]

Build quality was poor in places, but as explained in the copy this was a preproduction prototype, and they are going to be improving things when they go into full production....hopefully

 

[Twister_Ken]

God the build quality looks awful! Looks like the depreciation will be shocking!

Give poor buggers a chance. It's a radical new concept, and a working prototype that's almost certainly been modded as things have gone along, and you expect it too look like a new Hallberg Rassy, fresh out of the wrapper.

 

[photodog]

I dont fancy coming into my berth when that jams.......

 

[Danny Jo]

You wait ages for a radical idea, then you get a row of them at once.

I just love the picture of the bemused tester crouching on the foredeck looking at the dropped bow roller and furler.

 

[monkfish24]

too many moving things to go wrong for me!

 

[jwilson]

Didn't see a gybe on the video... And can you lock the mast when berthed alongside someone else on a gusty day?

 

[snooks]

I just love the picture of the bemused tester crouching on the foredeck looking at the dropped bow roller and furler.

That would be the Fan Class 32 designer then....not YM's Chris Beeson

 

[snooks]

Didn't see a gybe on the video... And can you lock the mast when berthed alongside someone else on a gusty day?

Unfortunately I don't have video of her gybing - just gone back through all the raw footage, but they must have done the gybing while I was shooting stills. Sorry

As for locking the mast, it's very well dampened at the moment and will only operate (overcome the hydraulic dampener) when the boat reaches 5-10º of heel. So if you're in a marina and there is enough windage in your rig to heal the boat 10º then the mast might in theory move, but then again so will the boats next to you, so the rigs will be parallel (in theory).

On the pic of the hydraulic dampener you can see a blue ended knob, twisting that will increase or decrease the dampening on the rig.

Also don't forget the thin stick of lightweight aluminium up top, does have two keels with big lead bulbs on the bottom

 

[jwilson]

I can see the target market: I know people who don't like heeling much but also don't like the motion of cats.

 

[planteater]

I'd love to have a go in one. Looks like fun.

 

[richardromain]

Please come to Berth 030 at the Southampton Boat Show. We will be letting people try her out. Youi really have to sail her to appreciate the genius of the designer. Since she was built she has been sailed hundreds of miles, sometimes in very strong winds. She has just returned from Brittany to Cherbourg. Then she will be at Southampton followed by La Rochelle.

See www.fanclass-sailing.com.