capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Started off Arecife in Lanzarote at lunchtime. Lead trimaran clocking 26.4 knots....
RORC Transatlantic 2026
- Thread starter capnsensible
- Start date
flaming
Well-Known Member
For a race with only 21 entrants, and only 17 in IRC, it certainly has a lot to hold the attention...
How will Raven, the 111 foot "semi foiling" maxi actually go in a transatlantic race?
The 50 foot canting keel scow, Palanad 4, that could mark a huge change in what gets built for offshore racing if it starts getting results.
A J125, probably the best downwind J ever built, taking on a tradewind race....
But fair to say that the sunfast 3300 stands out as being out of place... 101 points slower than the next slowest boat, the J125. This race has become one for the big boys....
How will Raven, the 111 foot "semi foiling" maxi actually go in a transatlantic race?
The 50 foot canting keel scow, Palanad 4, that could mark a huge change in what gets built for offshore racing if it starts getting results.
A J125, probably the best downwind J ever built, taking on a tradewind race....
But fair to say that the sunfast 3300 stands out as being out of place... 101 points slower than the next slowest boat, the J125. This race has become one for the big boys....
dunedin
Well-Known Member
It is an oddball race - just 17 monohulls and 4 multihulls.
And few of the boats seem to have any vaguely similar competitors to race against.
A 128 foot Swan, a 111 foot foiler, a 70 footer ?
The picture of the start showed how little there was in terms of comparable boats to race each other Flawless start for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race
And few of the boats seem to have any vaguely similar competitors to race against.
A 128 foot Swan, a 111 foot foiler, a 70 footer ?
The picture of the start showed how little there was in terms of comparable boats to race each other Flawless start for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race
flaming
Well-Known Member
Yes. It's not quite getting the traction that I think RORC hoped for, especially in the smaller sizes.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Certainly get a closer race across doing the ARC, with their fleet nearer 200 boats - and a substantial racing division, even if few are out and out racers.
We had a close “race” to the finish line with quite a few boats from the race fleet, all in close sight for the last 24 hours after a 3,000 mile crossing. We finished with a race fleet Farr 45 (?) half a mile ahead, and an X-41 and Pogo 40 just astern (the Pogo had done a huge extra mileage zig zagging whilst we and the X went straight downwind).
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Bit of a non story that headline - 111 foot semi foiling racer expected to claim line honours over a pair of large cruising yachts.
It’s like racing a WRC rally car against a road going Bentley and a Morgan
Not really a serious competitive race. Would be interesting to see a modern IMOCA 60 alongside Raven - would double the length be any faster than the 60.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
I wonder if that's why there is a handicap system?Bit of a non story that headline - 111 foot semi foiling racer expected to claim line honours over a pair of large cruising yachts.
It’s like racing a WRC rally car against a road going Bentley and a Morgan
Not really a serious competitive race. Would be interesting to see a modern IMOCA 60 alongside Raven - would double the length be any faster than the 60.
flaming
Well-Known Member
Not for the IMA trophy from that article, which is just a line honours trophy.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Oh well, the teams wouldn't go if the thought it was naff. Isn't it a feeder race for Caibbean 600?
The two trimaran are attempting under 5 and a half days as well as competing against each other.
Guess then it's a race for racers.
The two trimaran are attempting under 5 and a half days as well as competing against each other.
Guess then it's a race for racers.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
flaming
Well-Known Member
In a way it is a feeder for the C600. Shame in a way, as the course probably deserves a bit better. Just hasn't been able to tempt people, especially in the smaller sizes.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Yes in part a feeder for the Caribbean 600 - and in part just a seasonal migration west for the wider round of Caribbean regattas, slightly later than the ARC migration.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Day 4 of race. Gives an insight for us non ocean racers about what goes on. Day 3 report also available with some fab piccies.
2026 RORC Transatlantic Race - Day 4
2026 RORC Transatlantic Race - Day 4
geem
Well-Known Member
Argo came past us this morning on her way to the finish line. She was doing 30kts on our AIS. 60nm ahead of Zoulou. Pretty impressive 5 day crossing
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
I'd say awesome!!
dunedin
Well-Known Member
First two multihulls finished - quick crossings Newsflash: MOD70 Argo takes Multihull Line Honours in RORC Transatlantic Race
Again not a close race - other two multihulls are over 1,300nm behind.
Raven obviously leading the monohulls, though not on handicap.
But one does wonder the value of spending so much on a hugely complex 110 foot semi foiling monohull - when the smaller multis are so much faster?
Again not a close race - other two multihulls are over 1,300nm behind.
Raven obviously leading the monohulls, though not on handicap.
But one does wonder the value of spending so much on a hugely complex 110 foot semi foiling monohull - when the smaller multis are so much faster?
geem
Well-Known Member
I tad more comfortable on the 110ft mono. The Mod 70s are weapons. They sail the MOD 70s none stop on the limit. If it doesn't feel like you are about to kill yourself, you aren't pushing hard enough! That's the difference between winning and coming second
dunedin
Well-Known Member
The Swan 128 Be Cool will certainly be more comfortable - but even as biggest boat is halfway down the line honours list, more than twice the DTF as Raven (nearly 800nm behind).
I doubt it is much more comfortable on Raven than the multis.
geem
Well-Known Member
Have you seen the MOD70s close up? They have skinny little hulls. Absolute minimal internal volume. They are more like day boats. By comparison, Raven has massive internal volume.
I will have a good look at Raven when she arrives
