X-Factor is a highly engineered, one-piece platform 16.5 metre performance catamaran and an all round work of art, designed to provide maximum stiffness under sail, and a safe and comfortable platform for the crew. The vision behind the design also embraces aesthetics, controllable handling, easy two-handed sailing, comfort and specific requirements about weight, performance, on board systems and a moulded, seamless look.
Achieving stiffness in the basic platform was a major objective because it’s critical for a tight forestay and the ability to point upwind – an achilles’ heel of many catamarans. This is predominately achieved by a central structure linking the fore, main and rear beams. It stiffens the catamaran diagonally and longitudinally, transfers compression loads from the fore beam back into the main beam, and helps the rear beam carry the significant mainsheet loads. By extending forward past the fore beam, the structure carries masthead extras, the anchor and, internally, an extendable prod for the screecher – (code zero). The aft Lumite trampoline area is huge, seven metres wide and six metres deep but, divided by the centre structure into two areas, designed to remain firm underfoot in the worst conditions. Across the front, the raised main beam supports mast and boom. Aft, the symmetrically curved rear beam cradles the mainsheet track. The cockpits each contain two workstations – a helm and mainsheet station aft and the headsail/gennaker trim station midships, with seating outboard. The inboard side supports the self-tailing winches at hip height and has open bins below for the rope tails. A cut away in the middle provides a passageway to the trampoline, allowing quick and safe inter-hull movement, essential when short-tacking. A curved, raised screen across the front of each cockpit shelters crew and the interior entrance from wind and spray and, by extending aft, helps shelter the helm.
The 400mm chord mast has no spreaders; the mast is kept in column by virtue of its carbon structure, an impressive engineering feat by Chris Mitchell (Team New Zealand) and Hi-Modulus Engineering. Apart from the Dyform stainless forestay, each side has double backstays and fore and aft lowers in Aramid. The fore lowers can be removed and replaced by a half-height forestay to carry a staysail in strong winds, which concentrates drive midships with a deeply reefed main. They can also be removed when using an overlapping genoa or reacher. All fittings are bonded to the. With offshore use in mind, with its working sails, X-Factor has a relatively conservative Bruce number of 1.6. In light conditions this has the potential to be cranked up by adding screechers and other extras. SELLER IS MOTIVATED! PRESENT ALL OFFERS!
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