Baltic 60IMS
- The multi purpose racing yacht
This custom project for the Mediterranean was another challenging
and yet exciting project, which once again gave us the opportunity
to work in collaboration with naval architect Judel/Vrolijk &
co. A project that again put Baltic Yachts capabilities to build
a multi purpose yacht to the test. The idea was to fit and optimize
two worlds, racing and cruising into the same package.
This 60 footer was built as a custom project for one of our previous
clients and a concept was worked out together between his family
and the crew. The idea of using the boat for competitive IMS racing
was the deciding factor in asking Rolf Vrolijk and his design
team to come up with a shape that was IMS optimized, taking the
latest rule changes and model testing into consideration.
The hull and deck were constructed using epoxy carbon, core-cell
sandwich laminates and the same construction was also used for
the structural bulkheads and interior paneling. The interior was
comfortable for family cruising, but the use of high-tech methods
and materials enabled us to stay within design weight.
Some cruising equipment like air-condition unit, anchor windlass,
water maker etc was installed in such a way that they were relatively
easy to remove when transferring the yacht from cruising to racing
mode.
The yacht was delivered
early spring 2005.
Designer’s comment
It was a big challenge for us to design a new Baltic 60 one-off
for racing under IMS as well as racing under IRC, without compromising
the cruising ability.
The basic hull concept is a further development of our very successful
IMS class 500 design, such as “Innovision”, “Banco
Espiritu Santo”, “Bribon 2004”. The hull has
a high Length to Beam ratio for low resistance when heeled upwind,
but without having the extreme flat top sides you now see on many
of the new IMS racers. The displacement is in the medium range
with approximate 17000kg in IMS trim and will guarantee very good
upwind performance in all conditions. The hull has a long bow
overhang which will give a very long effective length.
The sail plan is fractional with a short top mast. This configuration
in combination with an 110% overlap Jib will be very competitive
under IMS and IRC racing. The concept with angled spreaders and
without runners will also make it a very good and comfortable
cruising yacht upwind. The mast layout allows fractional as well
as top spinnakers and can be optimize for lighter conditions by
using the top spinnakers. For cruising purposes, the asymmetrical
top spinnakers will make it easier to handle the boat downwind.
The sail area is big and will make the boat a good performer in
light conditions so often found on the Mediterranean.
One of the restrictions from the owner was the maximum draft of
3.100m. This is of course for a performance very shallow and needed
an intelligent solution. We opted for a cast iron top with a big
recess in the top that can also be used as a bilge. The bottom
part is a profiled bulb which will still give good side force
and will have a bigger affective draft. Additional to this we
designed pockets in the side of the bulb that could be filled
up with lead (weighing 450kg) to give the boat more stability
when not sailing in IMS trim. This appendage concept will produce
a very low center of gravity combined with a good lifting surface
for upwind performance.
Construction was to the high Baltic quality and the intention
to detail guaranteed a low weight for a boat with a complete interior.
The interior concept is from the Baltic design group and represents
the ideas of the owner.
We as a design team are very proud on the final outcome of the
yacht and look forward to see the performance of the boat against
the competition.
Rolf Vrolijk
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