Magic Trick, a high-tech, carbon-fibre sports boat which
weighs 250kg and can reach speeds of 18.5 knots, will be
competing in the Donald Hay Classic Yacht Race on Lake
Wakatipu on Saturday. It is owned by Milton Bloomfield.
Photo supplied.
The 31st running of the Donald Hay Classic Yacht Race
will include a new breed of high-tech sports boat, which, it is
hoped, will generate a new following for lightweight racing
yachts.
The race, which will take place on Saturday, is
organised by the Wakatipu Yacht Club and commemorates the
voyage made by explorer Donald Hay from Kingston to
Queenstown, in a basic raft in 1859.
The Donald Hay Classic is open to all trailer and keel
yachts, 5.2m and over.
Christchurch man Milton Bloomfield has has built a carbon
fibre sports boat, Magic Trick, which he hopes will encourage
a greater interest in trailer yacht racing.
Mr Bloomfield is the technical director of design and
engineering company Dynamic Composites, credited with the
development of the Olympic bikes ridden by Sarah Ulmer,
Hayden Roulston and Alison Shanks.
"I grew up sailing and my Dad used to come down for the
Donald Hay race," he said.
"Sports boats are not a new concept, but they have been slow
to take off.
"But these boats make for fast, fun and exciting sailing and
we can continually develop and increase performance."
Mr Bloomfield and sailmaker friend Phil Auger decided to
build two sports boats, in the hope they would spark interest
among racing yachties.
While Mr Auger's is constructed of wood and fibreglass, Magic
Trick is carbon fibre.
Mr Auger raced his boat Badonkadonk in the Donald Hay Classic
last year, notching up the fastest time on the water, but it
is the first time Magic Trick has been to Queenstown since
its completion in December.
While traditional trailer yachts can weigh more than 2000kg,
Mr Bloomfield said Magic Trick, which has reached speeds of
over 18.5 knots, weighs just 250kg.
Designed for speed, the sports boats do not have cabins and
the crew lean out over the sides supported by trapezes,
similar to those used on racing dinghies.
"That helps to balance the boat, as the keel on a sports boat
is only about 100kg, compared to up to 500kg on a traditional
yacht."
Wakatipu Yacht Club member Andrew Husheer said the organisers
were delighted to see the addition of a new breed of
lightweight sports boat competing.
"These boats are fast and exciting to watch.
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