Euphony
60ft shorthanded cruiser
The Design Problem: To convert an ageing grand-prix Sydney 60 raceboat into a fast cruiser-racer, maintaining both IRC competitiveness whilst fully crewed and the ability for fast shorthanded passage-making.
Solution: The design concept centres around converting the weight of the internal ballast and cast iron keel fin into internal fitout, domestic systems and deck saloon, whilst the generous rig was reduced to more IRC-friendly proportions by cutting the top mast down and reducing the mainsail foot.
The keel fin was replaced with a slightly shorter, vertical, fabricated fin that lifts to reduce the draft by 1.3m, and the bulb was recast. Water ballast tanks fitted outboard of the deck saloon seats provide one tonne of moveable ballast.
The deck was modified to provide a cruising/guest cockpit forward of the mainsheet, which is now winched by pedestal-driven runner winches immediately aft of the helm, and the 100% cruising jib is fitted on a removable roller furler unit to allow the full 145% overlap racing sails to be set. Masthead asymmetric spinnakers and Code Zero can be set from the newly fitted bowsprit; whilst in cruising mode the spinnaker in a snuffer
provides easily managed offwind sail area.
The internal accommodation was designed by Bjorn Johansen to provide a sea-going, durable yet lightweight layout, and includes a 12KW genset and aircon.