Bavaria B-One makes its debut
by Hyde Sails 28 May 2012 14:51 BST
Bavaria B-One makes its debut © Hyde Sails
Hyde Sails has been working closely with Bavaria on the sail development for its exciting new one-design keelboat, which hit the water this week
The latest competition in the one-design sportsboat market comes from Germany, with the launch of the Bavaria B/ One. Designed by Farr, the Bavaria B/One has been developed by Peter Meyer with the team from Bavaria, while the sailplan has been developed in collaboration with Hyde Sails in the UK and the sails will be built by Hyde.
Hyde’s Richard Franks said: “Being a one-design keelboat, the B/One is the type of project that Hyde has built its reputation on. We were delighted when Bavaria asked us to be involved.”
The B/One is 7m long, with a beam of 2.45m. The sail plan includes a square top mainsail, but interestingly there’s no backstay. The upwind sail area is 32sq m, with a 9/10ths 46sq m asymmetric flown from a retractable bowsprit.
Class rules stipulate a maximum crew weight of 285kg, while the maximum permitted head count is six.
The boat enjoyed its inaugural sail last week, with Hyde’s design director Mike Lennon joining Peter Meyer and his team for the boat’s first sea trials in Italy. “We have worked very closely with Bavaria to perfect the sail design,” Mike explained. The company is perfectly placed to produce the sails from its long-established, state of the art loft in the Philippines.
As well as the sails, attention has been given to producing a whole package for customers, with specific mast socks, under and over covers, life line protectors etc. “One of the reasons Bavaria came to us was our immense experience with the specific challenges a strict one-design presents. We have really enjoyed the challenge of creating a great package for a promising new class.”
Five boats have already been built, with the first boats expected to be delivered by the end of May and going out to Germany, Sweden, Denmark, USA, the UK and even Chile! Bavaria already has orders for 25-30 boats, with four boats coming off the production line each week, which suggests a rapid growth for the class in the first year! There will be plenty of racing for them as well, with an attractive racing circuit planned for the 2012 season.
For more details on Hyde Sails and the one-design classes the company is involved with, see www.hydesails.com