The latest performance 50s from Infiniti, Neo and Ice yachts
LOA 16.0m/52ft 6in BEAM 4.5m/14ft 9in DISPLACEMENT 7,400kg/16,314lb (52R) 8,000kg/17,637lb (52RC) DRAUGHT 3.6m/11ft 10in PRICE FROM €975,000 ex VAT www.infinitiyachts.com
It’s unusual for a new design to offer a genuinely revolutionary difference to existing models. However, the Infiniti Yachts 52R (Racer) and 52RC (Racer-cruiser) present a rare opportunity for those who race offshore on existing production yachts to step up into a high-performance foiling design.
Hugh Welbourn’s Dynamic Stability System (DSS), launched in 2007 after 10 years of development, has been a critical driving force behind the foiling monohull revolution from the outset. Infiniti Yachts’ first boats, a 36ft daysailer and 46ft offshore racer, were launched in 2011 and 2015. The latter went on to establish an enviable record, including class wins in successive editions of the Rolex Middle Sea
Race, as well as the RORC Transatlantic Race and Transpac warm-up, the Socal 300.
DSS has also been incorporated in Quant Boats and retrofitted to the supermaxi Wild Oats XI, while Welbourn was involved with the design work on the foils for Alex Thomson’s last Hugo Boss. Inifiniti Yachts’ Gordon Kay says: “It is safe to say that without DSS there would be no foils in the IMOCA class.”
DSS foils are now being fitted to a growing number of leading-edge designs, most recently the 142ft superyacht Canova, built by Baltic Yachts. This yacht has a massive 9m long sliding foil just below the static waterline that’s capable of generating a colossal 40 tonnes of lift.
Infiniti Yachts’ latest models, which are also drawn by Welbourn, promise a paradigm change for owners of grand-prix raceboats, as well as those who seek a more manageable performance yacht with greater comfort that can be sailed hard with a crew of only eight people.
The concept for the boat, which is less technical than the Infiniti 46, was developed with four-time Whitbread/volvo Ocean Race winner Stu Bannatyne of Doyle Sails. He has described the project as: “… incorporating all the best features available today and targeted at a space in the market crying out for such a concept.”
Both versions are intended to combine ground-breaking performance with easy handling and are designed around an efficient single transverse DSS foil, with single rudder and fixed (ie non-canting) keel. In both cases the foil is moved by an electric motor. They also share the same carbon/foam hull construction, plus a high-modulus three-spreader carbon mast with composite rigging.
Bannatyne told us that both the hull shape and sail plan were designed around the DSS concept at the outset. “Compared to a TP52 optimised for the Super Series,” he says, “the hull is a bit skinnier, with a bit less form stability and has a little more rocker. This gives the boat better performance in light airs as there’s less drag.”
The foil is fully retractable, so it doesn’t add drag when not in use.
When reaching in stronger winds the foil gives added stability. “So you have a double gain of getting more stability, but still with very low drag,” Bannatyne adds. Upwind in a strong breeze the foil stabilises the boat, including a big reduction in pitching, a reduction of heel angle, and a useful jump in VMG.
The sailplan was developed to optimise reaching and downwind sailing when racing offshore, while retaining a competitive rating. It incorporates Doyle’s cableless sail technology, which significantly reduces halyard loads. Bannatyne says there’s a reduction in total mast
compression loads compared to a conventional race boat of 30-40%. “It’s really significant,” he says, “and we can incorporate those benefits into the design philosophy from the outset.”
Powered winches make it possible to race the 52R with a crew of only eight to ten. In addition, there’s a workable, lightweight interior configured around the needs of offshore crewed racing.
The 52RC cruiser-racer has a simplified deck layout, with a captive winch for the mainsheet, self-tacking jib and a rig that doesn’t depend on runners for structural support. The idea behind this is appealing, allowing an owner to sail with only two or three friends yet still achieve boat speeds of more than 20 knots when reaching, still staying well within the limits of control.
Design Unlimited is responsible for honing the external styling into an absolutely stunning shape and created the comfortable, ergonomic accommodation. This also puts the boat in a different class to other designs of this size that offer the highest levels of performance.
The 52RC version has enhanced accommodation forward of the saloon, including a generous galley, outboard facing navstation, and an enclosed heads/shower. The forepeak is fitted out as an owner’s cabin, with a double island bed and further stowage. This option, including the additional systems, adds just
600kg to the total weight of the boat.
This is therefore an appealing concept for anyone looking for a state of the art very high performance yacht, but who doesn’t want to sacrifice the ability to sail with friends. Bannatyne and Kay say interest is coming from a lot of people who are currently racing offshore on boats such as Cookson 50s, XP44S and J/boats, but are looking to step up to a higher performance boat that still offers a level of comfort.
The IRC rating is expected to be in the region of 1.390-1.440, with the higher figure representing a set up with big spinnakers for largely downwind races like the Transpac. The boat is intended to also be competitive under all common rating systems around the world.
Kay has been in touch with builders in different parts of the world, including Latitude Yachts, a company recommended by Gurit. “It’s not a wellknown yard,” he says, “but does really high quality work at competitive prices and has completed some extraordinary projects like two 52m carbon trimarans.”
This route makes it possible to get an Infiniti 52 for less than €1 million.
Alternatively an owner who’s happy to spend significantly more could go to a more established yard like Persico, an option being considered by a couple of former mini maxi owners.
The first boats are expected to be ready for a Rolex Fastnet Race programme in 2021.
The largest model to date from Paolo Semeraro’s Neo Yachts yard is this Carkeek-designed 57ft high-performance cruiser/racer. The brief for this model is ambitious to say the least – producing a yacht with the same speed, power and performance as a TP52, but that also offers the option of a spacious and comfortable interior.
Carkeek has produced eye-catching lines that include a reverse, heavily cambered bow. At first sight the boat appears to be flush-decked, but a vestigial coachroof is cleverly blended in with the clean lines of the deck. Construction is pre-preg carbon with every component designed to be as light and as efficient as possible.
The boat can be configured to meet owners’ requirements, with a choice of single or twin rudders and fixed or canting keels. The extent of the interior fit out is also optional, with some owners preferring a stripped-out two-cabin layout with open forepeak that saves 500kg of weight, but others liking a full owner’s suite forward.
The first example, which is currently in build, will have a cruiser-racer specification, including a 3.0m tender garage, 450kg of water ballast, and a lifting keel that reduces the 4.2m draught to a more manageable 2.8m. Unusually, this boat features a forward saloon/dining area ahead of the central galley.
Semeraro has described Carkeek’s insistence for weight control as being “absolutely maniacal”. He says every element of the boat is pushed to the limit in this respect, doubling the build time, but creating an impressively light structure.
The cruiser-racer currently in build is expected to stay below 11 tonnes, with an impressive 50% ballast ratio along with systems including air conditioning, watermaker, electric toilets and eight electric winches. The racing version is anticipated to be 500kg lighter, and a fully-fitted cruiser a half tonne heavier. This compares to well over 20 tonnes for most production performance yachts of this size.