Judel-Vrolijk's new IRC52

Premier Composites to launch multi-purpose boat later this year

Premier Composites Technologies has unveiled one of its new build projects - an IRC52, expected to launch later this year.

The new 52-footer has been designed by Judel-Vrolijk integrating the latest performance and engineering developments from the Super Series 52 class, to create a high-performance IRC racer, which when not racing, can be used in performance cruising mode, widening its appeal to owners who enjoy all aspects of performance sailing.

Premier Composites Technologies is working closely with Judel-Vrolijk – which has been responsible for more than 20 TP52s over the past decade, including the World Championship-winning Ràn. PCT is in the process of completing one of the newest 52s to join the fleet, another Judel/Vrolijk design set for launch this March, ready for the 2015 season.

The all-new IRC52 is designed to capitalise on the expertise acquired by Premier Composites Technologies and Judel/Vrolijk in the highly-competitive TP52 class. Central to its philosophy is that the displacement and hull performance ratio remains the same as for the minimalist TP52, with an exceptionally light overall weight (displacement 7,290kgs). However, the IRC52 also includes key interior components, including an enclosed heads, separate owner’s cabin with door, crew pipecots for offshore racing and deliveries, and a simple galley.

“We see a strong market for this product and it fits well with our philosophy of combining technical expertise with the latest design,” comments Max Waimer, PCT’s Technical Director. “With the current Super Series 52, now out of the mold and nearing completion, we are also able to build the new deck molds and start production of this exciting race boat.”

By utilising the latest generation TP52 hull shape from Judel/Vrolijk & Co, VPP calculations currently show a significant performance gain compared to existing TP52 designs, with an upwind improvement of 2%. Remarkably, in reaching mode there is a performance gain of between 3 and 5%, giving a potentially substantial competitive advantage over offshore distances.

Removed from the ‘box rule’ restrictions which govern the TP52 class, and instead optimised for IRC, the IRC52 has no internal ballast, unlike TP52s are obliiged to in order to comply with their class rule. The IRC52 design utilises this weight saving enabling a higher coachhouse roof to be fitted improving headroom below, twin wheel pedestals, interior, and structural reinforcements. The IRC52 also has 100mm deeper draught.

The elegant, powerful design features a plumb bow with sprit, and clean, open twin-wheel cockpit. A deep 3.60m draft, with IRC-optimised hollow keel fin, will achieve very similar righting moment to the TP52, allowing the IRC52 to carry the same high-aspect carbon rig as latest-generation TP52s.

The boat will have accommodate two sail plans: In racing mode she carries a large square-topped mainsail, running backstays, and wide selection of headsails, including a 270m2 gennaker. In cruising or delivery mode she may be sailed with just five or six crew, thanks to a smaller mainsail with conventional roach, roller jib and cruising chute set from the bow padeye. Both runners may be fixed, and the bowsprit can also be removed for deliveries or cruising. There are options for a electric/hydraulic winch package, or deck pedestal grinder, depending on the type of racing planned.

“The key to this boat’s success is uncompromising performance in race mode,” concludes Waimer. “With identical ratios to the Super Series 52 and an identical racing sail plan, the boat will be blisteringly quick; however, after racing, the boat is easily switched into performance cruising mode, to sail with up to six friends.”

Vital statistics:

LOA: 15.85m
Beam overall 4.42m
Draft: 3.60m
Displacement (light) 7,290kg
Racing Sail Area: upwind 164 m², downwind 368 m²