Storm Trysail 65 revamped

As Larchmont, NY-based club joins forces with th Transpacific Yacht Club

In the quest to develop its Storm Trysail 65 for the best possible performance and fleet participation, the Storm Trysail Club, based in Larchmont, N.Y., has partnered with the Transpacific Yacht Club.

The Transpacific Yacht Club, based in Los Angeles, developed its successful Transpac 52 rule in response to a donation of a trophy for the first 50-footer to finish the Transpac Race, and has been working with the Storm Trysail Technical Committee and Board, prospective owners, designers and industry types to further shape the Storm Trysail 65 'box' rule, originally introduced last summer and - as modified - has become the Storm Trysail Transpac 65 (STP65) Rule.

“The obvious benefit of a ‘box’ design rule - one that limits factors such as length, minimum displacement, draft, sail area etc. - is that it maximizes performance,” said Storm Trysail Club Commodore Rich du Moulin. “Perhaps more important, however, is that it promotes very similar yachts which makes for fantastic racing, and creates a boat that stands up to the test of time rather than one that has a brief competitive racing life. The STP65 rule promotes a high performance boat for both inshore and offshore sailing, with tight enough parameters to minimize obsolescence. There is great interest from owners both on the east and west coasts as well as in Europe in the building of the new STP65.”

“Transpacific Yacht Club hit a home run with the TP52,” said Commodore Al Garnier, “and in 2005 it was recommended to our Transpac board that we move up in range to the 65 foot class. In November, Alan Andrews and Bill Tripp promoted a joint effort, and the board was very supportive, with the main requirement that the boat also meet the needs of West Coast owners. Partnering with an existing group and rule outline was an obvious choice for us, and I am thrilled that we could bring our experience to the table and help get this new rule really rolling.”

The STP65 is a high-performance 65 footer with all the modern racing amenities and a standard underwater package, meaning no canting keel, just a 'lifting' keel and standard rudder configuration. The keel accommodates a draft of approximately 4.8m in its down position and three meters when fully retracted, facilitating entry into shallow harbors or marinas as part of the class rule. (The lifting feature is not allowed while racing.)

“The boat should begin planing slightly earlier than the TP52 yet have very similar upwind stability numbers,” said Transpacific Yacht Club director and 2007 Transpac race entry chairman and yacht designer Bill Lee, who has helped in streamlining the original Storm Trysail 65 Rule. Storm Trysail members Ken Read and yacht designer Bill Tripp also have been instrumental in this project since its inception as has the design community in general - most notably Bruce Nelson, who helped launch the original concept along with Jim Schmicker, Alan Andrews, Mark Mills, John Reichel, Jim Pugh and others. Malcolm Park, project director for the highly successful Rosebud TP52 racing program, has also played a key role and has confirmed that the new Rosebud is being built to the STP65 rule and will start within weeks.

“We wanted to create a boat that could compete as a box rule and as an IRC or ORR performer, in the size range where we believe there is some serious interest,” said Read, a holder of multiple world championship titles and a veteran offshore racer. “Really, this started five years ago with the Storm Trysail Club, but the partnership with Transpacific Yacht Club has given this new class some fantastic life and momentum. I think this is going to take off.”

Recently named to the STP65 board are Transpacific Yacht Club's Commodore Al Garnier and Vice Commodore Dale Nordin, joining existing Storm Trysail Club representatives Eric Kreuter, who also serves as class chairman, and Rives Potts. Technical advisors to the Board are Bill Tripp (Storm Trysail Club) and Alan Andrews (Transpacific Yacht Club).

The STP65 Rule and supporting information is accessible at www.stormtrysail.org. For more information on the STP65 Class Association, contact Eric Kreuter here.