Future Fibre delivers multihull mast package for catamaran

Although Future Fibres’ composite rigging is commonplace in the multihull sector, they have just completed their first full multihull mast package for the Nigel Irens Design A65 catamaran, manufacturing a high performance rotating wing mast with carbon rigging.

The catamaran is expected to be ready for summer sailing in Abu Dhabi where the boat has been built by Abu Dhabi Mar.

The second project on the water is the Rapier 550 for which Future Fibres has supplied a complete mast and rigging package. The rig utilizes the same tooling as the A65 but this mast offers some unique characteristics, with the mast and sail controls being led inside the main saloon for a truly ‘armchair sailing’ experience.

Now, with the third contract signed for another Nigel Irens Design catamaran, -APC78, and a specialist multihull team to complete it, there appears to be no stopping Future Fibres in this sector.

The Advanced Performance Cat being built at Green Marine will sport a state of the art, fully customised carbon mast and integrated rigging package. The design of the tube section has been refined by data from a detailed aero study in order to maximise performance. The composite rigging completes the package and incorporates the smallest diameter carbon rigging on the market, including a set of aerofoil diamonds.

The Frontline spoke to Nigel Irens about their decision to work with Future Fibres on this project: “The Nigel Irens Design office works in collaboration with a number of individuals who are specialists in diverse fields of activity. Where fast offshore multihulls are concerned, we have had the pleasure of an ongoing dialogue with Torbjörn Linderson, who has had as much experience as anyone in this field.

"In parallel we have a longstanding relationship with Future Fibres. In fact in 1994 the company supplied one of the earliest sets of Kevlar standing rigging to our 85 ft catamaran ENZA New Zealand as she prepared for what became a record-breaking circumnavigation later that year

"Given the above it is hardly surprising that the news that Linderson was to combine his skills with those of Future Fibres was of immediate interest. Obviously we have no way of knowing how the APC78 rig will perform, but it is good to know that we are setting out on the road to the future accompanied by a team composed of some of the best qualified specialists in the industry”.

In this rapidly evolving sector, Future Fibres is focused on driving forward the development of their high performance products and using the experience of a uniquely qualified team to take the future of multihulls to the next level.

Future Fibre