GC 32 super cat

This is a very innovative cat! It bears a great similarity to a Martin Fischer A class Cat. So far I haven't found who designed it. Check out the website-it is very good with lots of info:
http://www.thegreatcup.com/thegreatcuphome.aspx

Below-the actual daggerboard, a rendering of the boat and the almost finished rudders-note lifting foils(featured on the SA "what is it" contest):

 

Gc32

I was right-it is a Martin Fischer design:

Martin Fischer (Hull, Appendages Designer)
Martin is in charge of the overall design of the GC32. Martin has a PhD in physics with a focus on fluid dynamics. He has been working on multihull design over the past 15 years and has become one of the most successful designers in the highly competitive Formula-18 catamaran class with his winning designs “Capricorn”, “Hobie Wild Cat”, and “Phantom”. Furthermore he was involved in several big multihull projects like Groupama-2, Groupama-3, Sodebo-Maxi and Banque Populaire-60.

 

Looks like it is in the same market as the SL33.

According to the info on the websites it is about 11% heavier than the SL33 and has less sail area.

A few SL33s were sold to the AC teams for training, and I know one boat was sold here in the USA (SF Bay area). The builder's website is gone, so I don't know if they are still in business.

 

Love the flair in the bow treatment, very clever !

 

Gc 32

An interview with a company honcho: http://www.catsailingnews.com/

 

While it's cool I'm with Paul B in thinking that SL33 is cool too (and one of the few Morrelli-Melvin designs I like aesthetically).

 

Gc32

Launched yesterday(light wind):

 

Gc32

Under sail: ( Look at the lee hull- lots of "foil assist" )
click-

 

Gc32

Under sail 2:

click:

 

Gallery of photos over at Christopher Launay's website.

http://sealaunay.photoshelter.com/gallery/Great-Cup-32/G0000EwyLikPUAoU/

 

Thanks, Corley!

 

Gc 32

Info from "Macca" connected with the Company(from SA) :

There is one M2 that has been converted to this foil type, in tests against a standard M2 it was considerably quicker.

The build team at PCT for the GC32 is directly run by Darren Schofield who has built everything from the assassin moths, to Elliot sports yachts and even Bruno Trouble's personal yacht. So as you can imagine the quality of finish is perfect.

A complete GC32 is under 180k Euro sans sails.

 

Hi Paul,

Our boat (GC32) is actually the same weight as an actually measured SL33 give or take a couple of KG. and the sail area is also very close in total. (same sail loft... so we know)

In terms of comparative performance, we will have to wait and see but after sailing both boats i know where my money is going (and has gone!) and im happy to back our creation anyday.

For sailing on the bay I think you would be hard pressed to find a better suited platform then the GC32, we have massive volume forward and a very effective foil setup.

 

Gc 32

from Scuttlebutt Europe this morning:

GC32 Launch

You can feel as prepared humanly possible, but launching a new boat is never an easy job, but finally we made it!

After 11 months of hard work with a fantastic design, engineering and build team, the GC32 sailed its first miles on the warm waters of Dubai.

Surrounded by super sailors F18 World Champion Thijs Visser, F18 vice World Champion Karel Begemann, F18 legend Bastian Tentij, Olympic Sailor/Coach & X40 Sailor Hugh Styles, Moth World Champion Josh McKnight, F18 Sailors Olivier Witteveen, Tim Shuwalow & Jason Waterhouse, we worked hard days and nights at the Dubai International Marina in front of the amazing landscape assembling, splicing ropes, and generally playing boats and winding the structure up to load test everything.

Right from the first day sailing, the GC32 demonstrated its personality, with a very stiff platform giving amazing acceleration. We were all astonished at how quick the boat was out of the box. Many of the complex areas such as foil control systems worked perfectly well from day 1 and the boat has already demonstrated that it will be a great class racing boat that rewards tidy crew work and focused helming. She is so quick, safe with great sailing behavior remaining well on top of the water with bear aways easily accomplished. The double S foils and L Rudders give an amazing new turbo button adding more righting moment (horse power) or more lift.

The whole team at Premier Composites that have been supporting us in many many ways during the entire launch. We could have not made it happen without them. Southern Spars, North Sails, Heol composites and OnDeck have all gone the extra mile as well in order to ensure the success of this exciting new class. -- Laurent Lenne

www.thegreatcup.com

 

The latest edition of Inside Sailing has a roundup of the ESS and video of the GC32 in action in Dubai.