Continuous PBO rigging

Navtec launch new 'slimmed down' solution for racing yachts

Navtec, the Lewmar rigging division based in the USA, has announced the first application of its fully continuous fibre rigging. The 23 meter (75-ft.) carbon fibre spar for the Andrews 50', It's OK, has been rigged with Navtec's newest PBO system.

Called Navtec Z-System Ultra it is a continuous fibre rigging system that offers a number of benefits with no increase in cost say the company. It allows all shrouds to pass over the spreader tips without termination, this means fewer parts - gone are thimbles, end fittings and pins at the spreader tip. Navtec say this results in a 10 percent rigging weight reduction compared to existing PBO rigging solutions and 20 percent less windage at the spreader tips. The company say that additional benefits are faster installation and tuning.

"When Navtec first approached us with the option of continuous PBO rigging, we talked it over and decided it was a cleaner way to go," said It's OK designer Alan Andrews, president of Alan Andrews Yacht Design, Long Beach, Calif. "Particularly appealing was the fact that continuous PBO rigging involved fewer parts and fewer chance of failure. These are qualities we always look for in racing, or for that matter cruising boats: how do we reduce potential failure points?"

Andrews continues, "In the case of It's OK, Navtec continuous rigging has 10 fewer end fittings than discontinuous rigging making installation, tensioning and maintenance of the rig a lot easier. In addition, there's less windage because of streamlined spreader tips. We're considering continuous rigging for larger and smaller yacht designs. I don't see this linked to only one size boat."

Navtec Z-System Ultra is engineered to the exact specifications of the boat and manufactured using a custom built CNC machine maintaining a tolerance of only one millimeter over the length of the rigging elements. Navtec's team of designer engineers are working closely with major riggers and spar suppliers to deliver the right solution for each application.

Navtec President Greg Smith believes that as the marine industry transitions to fibre rigging, the company is well positioned to develop new, innovative racing rigging that will make a critical difference in competition: "Now that we've proven the effectiveness of continuous rigging on the Andrews 50, we're focused on demonstrating its performance under intense competition on Open 60s."