Bright future for new 36-footer

A 36-foot development of the successful Irish 32-footer Aztec that promises to compete directly against the indomitable BashfordHowison 36 design has been launched on the Solent with the 1998 Commodore's Cup specifically in mind.

From the drawing board of Co Wicklow designer Mark Mills and named `Quokka IV' by British owner Peter Rutter, the new design is competing at the Hamble winter series under CHS handicap, though plans include fitting a new International Measurement System (IMS) optimised keel next season for English team trials.

Quokka follows the 1996 CHS design Aztec for Dun Laoghaire's Peter Beamish who ran away with Dublin Bay silverware, including the 1996 Superleague class title, before transferring to the Solent where the 32-footer won regattas held under the burgees of Warsash Sailing Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

Mills, who teamed up with Solent builders 2HO Limited for the £120,000 project, has taken a more moderate approach with Quokka and deliberately avoided certain rule-beating extremes to create a medium displacement boat to allow her rate under popular handicaps. Mills says the design also anticipates the arrival of the new IR2000 handicap rule to maintain a competitive edge into the next millennium.

Under the 1997 CHS rule, Quokka with low tech sails would rate approximately 1.075 and is predicted to rate 1.078 under the 1998 version with her Kevlar inventory.

Targeted for optimum performance in the medium conditions that prevail on the Solent, the yacht can also rely on its large sail area, inherent stability and low wetted surface area to excel in a broader range of conditions.

Meanwhile, as the Skiff dinghy series ended last weekend in Howth, close on 60 cruiser-racers continue their competition at the club's Brass Monkey series. On ECHO handicap, Francis Ennis in Joker produced a win in class one last weekend as did Tom Fitzpatrick's Arawak in class two.

Michael Evans and Robbie Hamilton sealed their overall victory of the Skiffs by winning both races in style in medium winds last Saturday. Maurice and Aidan O'Connell were second with Dan O'Grady and Emma McDonald third.

As a Christmas present idea, the autobiography of naval architect George O'Brien Kennedy, whose designs include the IDRA 14 dinghy, has been published by Morrigan Publishing and is on sale at £22 from all leading bookshops.