Gunboat 72 Series: Carbon, VPLP and three performance interpretations cruising

Standard, Explorer or Flybridge: the 21.95-metre platform brings together real wind speed, load and oceanic inhabitability.

Green in brief

Gunboat 72 is intended for sailors who include polar numbers, loads and carbon maintenance. It can be an extraordinary fast bluewater, but it should not be set up as a charter catamaran: the discipline on weight is part of the project.

Reference numbers

The plate data are project references. The test must specify people, liquids, equipment and conditions: a speed or autonomy without trim and reserve is not a repeatable data.

Component analysis by component

Carbon structure

Scafis and light structures allow displacements of 23,5 tons in the standard version. Carbon offers rigidity but requires targeted controls: shaft attacks, drifts, timones and transverses must be inspected for impacts and delaminations, with compatible methods and traceability of repairs.

Three configurations

Standard, Explorer, Flybridge and Regatta interpretation are not simple aesthetic packages. They change mass, center of gravity, height of the tree and organization of the maneuver. The Flybridge arrives at about 26 standard tonnes and 29-metre shaft; the base declares 25 meters.

Deep Derivatives

In the documentation of the previous platform the appendices carried the fishing up to about 4,6 meters, against about 1.7 with high drifts. The exact data must be confirmed on the order specification. Casse, fuse, lifting and protection in shock are primary knots on a cat performance.

Rig of performance

The Regatta version can adopt rotating shaft, larger sail plane and dedicated drifts. Each increase in power increases loads on tailors, transverses, winchs and thymones. Load sensor, instrument calibration and operating limits must be delivered along with polars.

Plants and weight

A cruiser performance loses character if generators, batteries, water toy and finishes are added without control. Each option must have mass and position. The maximum declared limit is not a set-up goal: it serves margin for crew, water, fuel and offshore equipment.

Ergonomies of maneuver

The conduction must allow visibility of the sails, communication between timoniere and grinder and safe access to the rocks. On the flybridge increase visual and social separation, but also distance from the plants. Arrests, load release and emergency rudder must be tested.

Engine, transmission and response

The performance comes first of all from the ability to navigate to the speed of the wind already from about eight knots of real. Rig, laminated sails, winch and load management are a unique system; the Regatta version adds rotary shaft, increased rig and deeper drifts. Auxiliary motors, hydraulics and service counter must be light but redundant, because a fast boat covers great distances between the service points.

In the sea trial we would note turns, knots, consumption, temperature, noise and vibration at stable intervals. We would also try degraded manoeuvre, arrests and local commands. Electronics and joysticks increase precision, but they do not have to hide mechanical differences between the two sides or a incorrect trim.

Available configurations: how to choose

The Explorer is more consistent for a shipowner who wants ocean and autonomy; the Regatta requires crew, maintenance and culture of cargo. The Flybridge improves life on board but changes center of gravity: the choice must precede the sail plan and plant inventory.

The choice must be made before sizing batteries, generator, tanks and storages. Changing advanced capitulate layout or propulsion can leave over or undersized plants, or concentrate mass where the famine tolerates it less.

Accessories and onboard services

Explorer package with additional autonomy and protection

In the capitulate they must be declared brand, model, weight installed and position. It is also necessary to identify power supply, protection and access for disassembly: the commercial name of the option, alone, does not allow to assess its integration and maintenance.

Flybridge with tree and consistent weights

The verification does not end with the ignition in the dock. The component must be tested with engine, generator or network services under the conditions provided, annoting absorption and alarms. Local commands and emergency procedures must appear in the on-board documentation.

Rig Regatta with rotating shaft and load sensor

This item changes the operating configuration and can move electric masses or loads. Before the order, a scheme is needed, the consumption data and the interference with the existing gavones, passages and equipment. It should be added to the spare parts plan.

Calibrated wind instrumentation and polar software

The installation must preserve inspection of valves, filters, fixings and nearby cablings. We would also ask what assistance can be made in frequent areas and what mode can be used if sensor, display or actuator is not available.

Dual autopilot, radar and satellite communications

The benefit is real only if crew and plant can support it. In the test the continuous operation is measured, not a demonstration of a few seconds; in the manual must be limits, maintenance and conditions that require not to use it.

Updated weight inventory for every option

Before delivery, this equipment must be included in the technical inventory with registration, schema and wear parts. The full weight includes brackets, cables, fluids and accessories: it is the complete value, not that of the only device, which enters the balance of the boat.

Layout, ergonomics and hidden plants

The 72 standard balances salon on bridgedeck and cockpit; Explorer closes part of the prodier cockpit to increase the interior; Flybridge brings a 29-metre shaft, larger displacement and a second conduction area. Each change choice derives from the wind, the centre of gravity and communication between the helmsman and maneuverers. Office, family room, desalinizer and satellite connectivity are only useful if inserted in the target weight.

We would open all the panels to identify sea sockets, pumps, valves, filters and connections. We would change drains with water, ventilation with closed environments and possibility to reach emergency equipment in night and day configuration.

verification of the expert for this model

In pre-purchase control or delivery testing we would not limit ourselves to visible finish. On this model we would put in writing at least these points:

Ultrasound or appropriate methods on carbon nodes

The point should be documented with photography, initial condition and result after the test. If different games, losses or values emerge between the sides, the cause must be isolated before acceptance.

Casting and lifting systems

No static verification is enough: a complete cycle is needed under operating conditions and a second hot check. Noise, temperature, absorption or abnormal pressure must become a measure, not an impression.

Alignment and games of thymoni

We would ask for physical access, schema and isolation procedure. The component must be able to be reached with the mounted furniture and without making any other essential function of the boat.

Calibration of loads and wind instrumentation

The minutes must distinguish ordinary wear, regulation and defect. For each anomaly, spare parts, hours of work, any feed and consequences on use until restoration are indicated.

Real dislocation and position of the added masses

The result must be compared with the configuration delivered and the maintenance historian. Software, calibrations or subsequent modifications must be recorded along with the date and subject that has performed the operation.

General control also includes CE documentation, freshmen, work history, fire protection, batteries, bilge and insulation tests where relevant. The anomalies must be quantified in hours, spare parts and boat stop, not described with a generic “to be reviewed”.

Reasoned maintenance plan

Before each exit

Quick control must include ultrasound or appropriate methods on carbon nodes and drift cases, castings and lifting systems. Levels, bilge, alarms and mandatory safety equipment occur before starting, when an anomaly can still be corrected without operational pressure.

After navigation or heavy use

Salt, heat and vibration make priority alignment and timoni games and calibration of loads and wind instrumentation. The rinse should not push water into the connectors; hot inspections should be carried out respecting protections and cooling times.

Seasonal cutting

In addition to the cycles prescribed by the manufacturer, we would insert real displacement and position of the masses added in the annual report. Photographs, fluid analysis when relevant, alarm logs and operating hours allow you to read a trend before you become still boat.

Who really needs it

Gunboat builds in carbon with female molds and tight tolerances to control weight and alignment. On a catamaran performance, 7.5 tons of standard and maximum displacement are not an invitation to fill the gavones: they are the margin in which to preserve water lines and acceleration. The deep drifts develop boline bearing and must be able to be lifted under conditions or backdrops that increase the risk of shock.

The successful configuration is the one that keeps margin: load, energy, autonomy and accessibility. It is this margin, more than the maximum, that distinguishes a pleasant boat on display from a convincing boat after many seasons.