Unity class: New dragons from the desert

Standardised class? You might think that there is not much that can be done, after all it is in the nature and in the literal sense of the word that boats from different shipyards are not different. In fact, there are small, subtle modification options, as recently demonstrated by the Star boat class. Now the Premier Composite Technologies shipyard in Dubai, headed by the Germans Hannes and Max Waimer, is attempting to optimise the Dragon. The manufacturer, known for high-quality small series and individual constructions in various classes such as Carkeek 47, Landmark 43, Farr 400, Premier 45 and most recently Farr 280, has put together a team to analyse various parts of the kite and has now implemented various solutions in two prototypes.

The group consists of various trades and is basically made up of experts from different fields, almost like the technical department of an America's Cup team: engineering, mould construction, production (PCT), laminate calculations, specifications, finite element analysis and materials (Gurit, Paolo Manganelli), computational fluid mechanics or computational fluid dynamics as well as speed forecasts (Wolfson Unit, Andy Claughton) and coordination (Carpe Diem Yacht Design, Claus Röder).

A striking new feature is the inverted superstructure with side walls that slope downwards. In line with the class, the coaming follows this shape, which in turn has advantages as the usable cockpit is larger and riding out is more comfortable. Another consequence of the superstructure shape is that the genoa rails have to be positioned on the coachroof, which should also bring advantages. In theory, the new kite should be more torsionally stable and work best on the cross with more wind. Ultimately, the aim is to create faster boats built to a standard previously unknown in this class.

The services of dragon ace Markus Wieser (who skippered the PCT-built Carkeek 47 "Platoon" to the title of German Sailing Champion and at the ORCi World Championship in Kiel) and his crew were secured for the tests and cooperation with the design team. The baptism of fire will take place next weekend when the boats start the Marblehead Trophy in Kiel. PCT employee Hendrik Witzmann, who is steering the second boat: "We don't know where we stand at the moment, we're testing the prototypes now and then we'll see. We won't go to market with the boats until they work."