“DMG Mori”: A radical boat as a counterpoint to Boris Herrmann’s “Malizia 4”

Above all, it is the unusual hull shape, with its distinctive bustle in the underwater section, that clearly sets the boat apart from its most recent competitors. A comparison with Boris Herrmann’s new “Malizia 4” in particular highlights just how far apart the design philosophies are.

The “DMG Mori”, skippered by Kojiro Shiraishi from Japan, is still in the early stages of its trial programme. The initial sailing trials that have just been completed should therefore be seen less as a demonstration of performance and more as the start of an exciting series of practical trials. However, the design by Guillaume Verdier promises (Here you’ll find an in-depth profile of the French designer) A lot: earlier lift-off on the foils, smoother handling in waves and greater efficiency in an area where the boats of the previous IMOCA generation reached their limits.

Initial tests: Results are still pending

From the outset, the new design was presented as a deliberately different Imoca. The focus is on mitigating some of the typical weaknesses of modern foilers: hard impacts with the waves, difficult transitions between displacement and foiling modes, and generally erratic behaviour in choppy seas.

This is where the “DMG Mori” concept comes in. The hull’s underwater profile is significantly different from that of most current boats. The so-called ‘bustle’ – a pronounced bulge along the keel line – is designed to offer hydrodynamic advantages and improve the transition to foiling. The idea behind this is to design the boat not only for maximum performance in challenging conditions, but also for a more controlled and efficient overall handling.

So far, the information publicly available has mainly consisted of assessments from the development phase and the team’s initial expectations. Comprehensive comparative data from longer test series is not yet available. Caution is therefore advised. The approach is considered highly interesting, but its actual performance has yet to be proven at sea.

The first major test will be the Ocean Race Atlantique, which runs from New York to Lorient and starts on 1 September. Among those taking part in the first test race for the new generation of IMOCs are Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia, with the “Malizia 4”, which is also practically brand new and Francesca Clapcich’s crew on “11th Hour Racing” (formerly “Malizia 3”).

The difference compared to “Malizia 4”

A comparison with “Malizia 4” is particularly revealing. Both boats belong to the latest generation of IMOCA yachts, yet they address the same issues in completely different ways.

“DMG Mori” represents a radical new approach. The boat appears more voluminous, with a significantly more distinctive underwater shape, and is overall strongly characterised by a different hydrodynamic philosophy. With this design, Verdier is not merely building on existing lines, but is making a clear break with what had recently become the norm in the class.

“Malizia 4” takes a different approach. The new design from Boris Herrmann’s team is considered to be slimmer, lighter and more focused on versatility. The approach is less overtly revolutionary, but is instead consistently geared towards weight management, balance and broad versatility. Whilst “DMG Mori” is seeking to make a major leap forward, “Malizia 4” focuses more on refinement. “DMG Mori” is attempting to achieve a leap in performance through new geometry. “Malizia 4”, on the other hand, seeks speed through efficiency, streamlining and balance across a wide range of conditions.

Technology platform featuring components from Germany

However, the project is not only interesting from a sailing perspective. “DMG Mori” is also an example of just how closely offshore sport and industrial high-tech are now intertwined.

The name refers not only to the sponsor, but also to the technical background of the project. The Japanese-German machine tool manufacturers It is clear that the Imoca programme is also being used as a technology demonstrator. This is particularly evident in the area of parts manufacturing: high-stress precision components, including titanium parts for key areas such as the keel and rudder, were manufactured at the group’s German plants in Pfronten, Wernau and Bielefeld.

This gives the project a German connection. The boat’s construction and the development of the racing yacht are rooted in the French offshore scene, but the industrial manufacture of individual key components highlights the expertise of a company with a strong presence in Germany. The boat thus also serves as a showcase for high-precision manufacturing under extreme conditions.

Find out more on this topic at YACHT.de

• “Unlike any other”: Kojiro Shiraishi’s new rocket
• Lighter, slimmer, faster: Boris Herrmann’s new IMOCA rocket, ‘Malizia 4’
• “Malizia 4”: What lies behind Boris Herrmann’s radical new building
• The skipper and his cook: Boris Herrmann on the new build
• Launch of the ‘Malizia 4’ with Cole Brauer