2011 Retrospective Part 4 of 4

During this year dominated by AC preparations, Carbonicboats simmered along with a couple of architectural projects, aerospace consultancy, assorted mods and optimisation jobs for clients, RC yacht development, and lately some limited work on our A Cat test platform.

Personally I took every opportunity to get out on the water on multihulls big and small, and had the chance to communicate my views by writing some articles for Australian Sailing Magazine on topics such as impressions of sailing the AC45, analysis of technical developments in the AC, and a designer’s look at the A Cat Nationals. 

Part of my journey to discover and understand multihulls was learning to sail an A Class Catamaran (my thanks to coach Adam South for his patience) that was also used as a test platform for ideas that helped us get to grips with what makes a catamaran go. 

We have recently acquired a second test boat that will be seen regularly at Australian A Cat events. But more on that later…

Among the turbulence, RC Yacht production slowed as our Australian suppliers were affected by the floods in Queensland, and our European supplier closed up shop due to the loss of other clients that he had come to rely upon. There is therefore a considerable waiting list on our RC yachts. Something we are working on remedying with new in-house tooling that should be underway in the not-too-distant future.

Next year our focus will be firmly on production, returning to our roots, but growing to include accessories, parts, and fittings for RC yachts, beach catamarans and more.

I take this chance to wish a happy and prosperous New Year to all our loyal supporters.

Photo courtesy Gilles Martin-Raget