First Archambault M34 launched

Tour Voiles' Farr 30 replacement undergoes sea trials in La Rochelle

The first example of an Archambault M34, the boat set to replace the Farr 30 next year as Tour de France a la Voile one design, has been launched in La Rochelle.

Designed by Joubert-Nivelt-Mercier, the design brief for the M34 was for a yacht rugged enough to cope with offshore sailing, a hull shape which lends itself towards easy road transportation and a draft shallow enough to enter tidal ports.

Vital statistics
Length: 10.34 m
Beam: 2.98 m
Ballast: 2.400 kg
Draft: 1.70 / 2.50 m
Sails Area: 72 m²
Spinnaker: 130 m²

At present the M34 is undergoing sea trials prior to making its first public outing - to the Tour Voile 2010 start port of Dunkerque over 24-26 June. On board for these trials has been William Borel, Director of the Tour Voile and Cyrille Legloahec, skipper of Batistyl, who’s previous boat has competed in the Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

The trials have also given the opportunity for suppliers to put the boat through its paces. Among them is Southern Spars, the official mast supplier to the class.

Southern Spars say they designed and produced the carbon fibre masts for the M34 in two sections using state-of-the-art Carbon Nanotube Technology (CNT). Unlike standard filament wound products, this high-tech process allows for carbon fibre wound tubes to be manufactured with the equivalent amount of zero degree fibre as its pre-preg counterparts, guaranteeing higher strength properties.

A program of events for 2011 has been announced for the M34 including:
Primo Cup - YC Monaco
Spi Ouest France - SN La Trinité
Championnat de France Monotype Habitable - GPEN 2011
Normandy Sailing Week
Tour de France à la Voile
National M34
Projet de Course Transatlantique