The newest fast 30, by Farr
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 30 Mar 2020 10:00 NZDT
X2 - new fast 30 by Farr © Farr Yacht Design
The Mumm 30 as it was originally known, was designed by Farr. This is another crackerjack 30-footer from Farr Yacht Design (FYD); this time in conjunction with Bret Perry's Hyperform Yachting (HY). This is significant, because Perry has completed a lot of short-handed events, as well as winning a race in the mini transit tour in Europe (a qualifying series in the Mediterranean and Atlantic).
Perry spent five years in the Mini Transat class. During that time he co-designed a mini 6.5, which to this day is the only non-French boat accepted into the series class. They ended up building 14 of the RG650, and it was on one of these that Perry won a 500nm Mini 6.5 qualification two-handed event.
Short handed, and especially double-handed is undisputedly on the rise the world over, and the Paris 2024 event at the Olympics both serves as a marker for this, and yet another stimulus to kick the whole thing along. FYD and HY have focused on this market with the development of the new X2 you can see here, making them very much part of this new and exciting market.
"The X2 is built for in and offshore categories, including events such as the Sydney to Hobart Race, and the Fastnet Race. The design brief has the X2 able to compete in all short-handed events globally. Yet it can also be sailed at club level with crew in fleets such as the Super 30s in Australia, or HP 30s in the UK, by way of example", said Perry reflecting on the X2's ability to race in standard rating events as either a short, or fully crewed vessel. FYI, the target IRC Rating is 1.025.
"Where possible, the sail plan will utilise the knowledge obtained from the short-handed scene in Europe, including furling systems and multi-headed options (triple sail configuration with over five feet of prodder out front) to maximise performance. This leverages from our direct knowledge in Minis, Class 40 and even IMOCA. This is different to other productions yachts that did not start life with the sole purpose in mind of an offering that was customised and specialised to suit short-handed from the outset."
The cockpit and deck layout will certainly reflect this, with easy mode changes to allow for crewed racing. Where the rules allow, there are reaching struts (Code sail outriggers) for improved gennaker sheeting, that have been incorporated into the initial design, not thought of as a post-fix item. Systems will be completed as the boat goes into production, and incorporate all the latest thinking, such as only two primaries, and one cockpit winch, in order to keep weight down.
Just on that last point, the X2 is 2.5 metric tonnes, and one tonne of that is ballast. There is also an additional 250kg of water ballast for double-handed mode. Combined with a 2.1m draft, and her 3m beam, you get the feeling that clearly she is determined to be a rocketship. 64m2 uphill of rag (remember she is just 30 feet long), those outriggers, and 141m2 above you when off the breeze, will definitely allow for some great rides. Giddy Up!!!
FYD"s extensive production boat design experience in both racing and cruising has been leveraged to simplify construction. E-glass foam core construction, with carbon fibre reinforcing means she is still stiff, strong and as light as possible. All of the above means the X2 has an accessible price point. NB - The hull and carbon fibre rig are only 1500kg combined, so don't go looking for a chest freezer, island berth, or gas oven. It's not going to happen...
Her milled steel fin with a T bulb allows for best in-class stability, whilst the quick connect socket simplifies keel installation, by inserting the fin into its own female cassette, which is industry best practice.
"We also designed the X2 with sustainability in mind the vessel, so the vessel is configured with electric or hybrid power. Whilst the latter may end up qualifying under certain, current the ocean racing rules, we have also made provision for a purely Diesel option."
"The hull shape leverages FYD's experience in offshore design (think VO65 and IMOCA), and has been carefully refined using the latest in advanced CFD design and FYD's IDEOS system, which allows for analysis of thousands of designs, with changes in parameters, all at the same time. The modern hybrid-scow hull form provides many of the downwind advantages of the scow bow style craft, without sacrificing the boats performance to windward in waves."
In essence, what that last section really refers to is based on the chines aft and a drag releasing hull form, so that the effort does not go to far forward into the full scow bow. A vessel of this length could well have to be 4.5m wide to make full effect of a true scow bow, and then you have increased wetted surface are to account for. Think Comanche and you're there.
Twin, transom-hung, kick-up rudders are best for impact resistance, and also provide for reduced drag by lifting the windward rudder. This too is based on Mini, Class 40 and IMOCA experience, and you can also carry a spare on board, which is really rather handy.
"This is an exciting development from this most successful of design offices on the planet. We are planning to build the boats in Australia, which means quality workmanship, and also unreal buying power for international purchasers", said Perry in closing.
To see how much fun you can have for way less money than you think contact Bret Perry
Powering along online (like it always has)...
Pacific Sailing School have cranked up their on-line presence with iSAILation. Apart from all their normal courses, what was of note is that there are three spots for the RYA Day Skipper Theory class from April 10-14 - Yep. That's Easter. Sound like you? Head to pacificsailingschool.com.au/rya-virtual-sailing-course/ to book in now.
Our Managing Editor, Mark Jardine, gives us a little idea as to the developments at Sail-World. "We've got so many exciting things in the pipeline to keep sailors occupied in this testing time, and then raring to go once we're allowed back out on the water. This includes interviews with top sailors and industry leaders, finding out about your boat bimbles, technique tips, repair guides, podcasts, and an amazing initiative using Virtual Regatta. Watch this space!"
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John Curnow
Editor, Sail-World AUS