During the past four weeks the blu26 prototype has been thoroughly tested by Christian Scherrer and his bluboats team on lake Sempach. The result has been that the blu26has successfully completed all it’s trials. This 8-metre match and fleet racing sportsboat, a collaborative venture between Naval Design and bluboats, has been developed specifically for the Swiss market.
“We are happy with the prototype and are looking forward to incorporating what we have learnt from these trials into the production boat“, was the positive conclusion from America’s Cup Sailor and Match Race World Champion Scherrer.
The bluboats team, together with a group of the best Swiss sailors, have tested theblu26 in almost all conditions, from light airs to heavy winds. Their conclusions show that the designers have achieved their goal.
“I don’t think there is such a thing as the perfect boat for match racing, but if there should be one, it would be the blu26 ! The boat convinces with it’s clear lines and it’s simple, but at the same time demanding, handling. It all comes down to the crew – a great success for match and fleet racing on our lakes.“
Eric Monnin (Bestranked Swiss Match Racer ISAF WR 15)
“The blu26 design is a excellent development for a match race boat. She demand the crew to work perfectly together. The various trimming possibilities will bring a crew closer to the match race elite, as the boat excuses no mistakes. This is the right impulse to bring the Swiss match race scene to the next level.”
Flavio Marazzi (Swiss Olympic Starboat Sailor)
“A boat for match racing and the youth; the concept of the blu26 is simple and clear. The trails with the prototype have attracted the interest of the best sailors in Switzerland. With this new design, bluboats have developed an ideal platform which will allow young sailors to become the talents of tomorrow.“
Julien di Biase (Crew Russel Coutts RC44)
“The blu26 not only looks good, but is also great to sail. On one hand she’s just like a dinghy, reacts fast, accelerates well and sensitive to the trim of the sails. On the other hand she handles like a bigger yacht. Especially pleasant is the well thought out deck layout which allows efficient and fast manoeuvring.”
Nils Frei (Trimmer Team Alinghi)
While Scherrer, Frei and Marazzi have returned to Valenica, Dubai and Miami to continue with the training for their campaigns, the bluboats technicians prepare the blu26 for her next appearance. This will be together with here big sister the blu30 at the national boat show ‘SuisseNautic’ in Bern from the 17th to the 25th of February 2007.
Further information and pics see blu26.
