DARK N STORMY started life in 2007 as a groundbreaking design in the GP42 Medcup fleet. Originally called PUERTO CALERO, she was a step away from the other GP42 class - with more volume aft, increased form stability, but with also a reduction in wetted surface area and associated drag reduction. She was designed alongside the all-conquering team Emirates New Zealand TP52 and shared many of her attributes.
She impressed, along with her stablemate MADRID CASER ENDESA and brought a new way of thinking into the GP42 class. Sadly though, the financial meltdown hit the MedCup and the GP42 class was lost. Towards the end of the series, in 2009 the yacht returned to Longitud Cero for optimization and increased beam in the hull shape.
PUERTO CALERO was eventually bought and went to Germany where she was renamed HISPANIOLA and sailed reasonably, but without any optimization, in the ORC fleet for a few years. She was then hunted down and bought for the growing Fast 40+ fleet on the South Coast of the UK and after a large refit and IRC optimization, was launched into the fleet as ZEPHYR. She sailed with a largely Corinthian crew from Scotland. She showed occasions of blistering pace along with her stablemate MADRID, (again hunted and refitted, optimised and then called TOKOLOSHE).
Deck layouts in grand prix racing yachts have not changed substantially in the past 20 or 30 years, with a type form coffin shaped cockpit, giving some headroom below, with the trimmers typically placed in front of the helm and mainsheet trimmer. However with the aforementioned increase in volume in the aft end of the hull, crew placement has moved further and further aft, to balance form stability, and rudders have also moved further forward to allow higher angles of heel without ventilation. It makes a lot of sense then, to swap the position of the helm and trimmers to effectively sail the yacht and stay in position, keeping the crew weight in the right place and giving the helm the best view.
Known previously as Jean Genie she underwent a large refit in 2020, with a new deck design and build from the transom to the forward hatch. A lower volume cockpit with raised cushioned floor gives a comfortable and efficient working platform, along with a centrally located pit winch driven by the pedestal, which is mounted aft. Spinnakers are now ground up, and a drop line is used to grind them down, much like a dinghy. No requirement for any crew below for a drop, speeding up the process significantly and saving precious seconds on the racecourse.
As DARK ‘n’ STORMY she has under gone continual fine tune of systems.
DARK ‘n’ STORMY has a very comprehensive sail inventory, which covers both windward / leeward courses and reaching and coastal courses.
A new electronic setup works well on the yacht, with a deck screen linked to a laptop below, plenty of readouts around the deck for different positions, no hydraulics onboard, (apart from the integral mast jack) makes the yacht very simple to sail, manage and look after.
Dark n Stormy would be an ideal small boat for the upcoming Admirals cup.
As project manager and main trimmer, I am in a unique position to advise on the boat so please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Construction
RCD Status: Our understanding is that the yacht is exempt from the essential safety requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive as a craft designed solely for the purpose of racing.
Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:
- Carbon composite hull and deck. Built by Longitud Cero in 2009.
- Hull shape as per the original yacht, deck has been substantially remodelled and optimised in 2020 for inshore racing. Construction drawings originally by Botin & Carkeek and local professional and engineering by a local specialist.
- Internal Forestay fitting reinforced 2022
- 2 x Custom padeyes fitted to foredeck 2023
Keel And Rudder
- 2018 rudder, slightly smaller than original, and moved forward 400mm. inc rudder bag
- New rudder 2022 – remodeled existing rudder to increase area/grip. Inc rudder bag
- Extended draft Weldox Keel fin Botin design 2018 with carbon faring’s to 3m. Re-potted 2022
- Single bolted keel in tapered box – easy to fit and remove for transport.
- New 2 ton Botin designed bulb 2018
Engine
- Yanmar 3YM30 engine with SD20 saildrive.
- Fully serviced early 2023, inc new water strainer and fuel strainer.
- New water pump belt 2023
Propulsion And Steering
- Saildrive SD20 new gear oil 2023.
- Tiller steering with new Spinlock tiller extension 2023
- Carbon tiller with upside down hockey stick shape, as low as possible on the cockpit floor.
- Spare tiller in storage bag.
- Saildrive fairing.
Electrical Systems
- Victron Blue (Lithium Ion) battery charger 12 V:30 Amp.
- Service: - Lithium-Ion battery re-vamped 2023
- Engine: - Lithium-Ion start battery new 2023
- 2 x 12v power sockets
- Switch panel
- Ammeter
Alternators:
- Alternator on main engine. New belt 2023
Bilge Pumps:
- Four electric bilge pumps below, with manual and auto switching
Tankage
- 28 Litre plastic diesel tank. With shut-off valve.
Navigation Equipment
- Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer with Deckman and Expedition (license to be retained).
- Deck screen wireless / Bluetooth.
- A&T ATPWDC HF01 system fitted 2022
- 4 x A&T repeater GFD on cockpit sides, 2 x new 2023. 2 x refurbished 2023.
- 5 x B&G 20:20 on mast & 1 x B&G GFD
- Diverse forestay loadcell pin, serviced 2023
- Jib cunningham purchase Cyclops loadcell. (secondary)
- Router
- B&G Clinometer
- String pot rudder indicator, new 2023
- Fixed compass
- Portable VHF
- Nav bag
Lighting:
- LED strip lighting below.
- LED nav. lights at bow and stern.
Deck Equipment
Rig:
- New High modulus Hall Spars rig in 2018.
- Re-in forced around hounds for Helix Jibs 2022
- New Maffioli Runners in 2023. Plus older spare set
- EC6 standing rigging in 2018.
- Internal mast jack and external hydraulic pump, serviced 2023 – not for use while racing.
- Custom Wheel system for deflectors. New deflector cable 2023
- New deflector legs 2023
- Fixed length forestay with attachment point above deck. (3 rake positions possible)
- Tack shuttle for Jib on forestay.
- Halyard locks for Jib, Mainsail and 7/8th Code 0.
- Waterproof halyard tubes at deck to slow water ingress.
- Twin spinnaker halyards, zero halyard and main halyard all new 2023
- Zero and G/S Halyards
- Customs mast brackets for 5 x B&G 20:20 & 1 x B&G GFD
- Original boom, with cascade outhaul purchase inside.
- Bowsprit with 1:1 and 2:1 tacklines. Inc S/S Bobstay
- Spare bowsprit (same length). Inc spare S/S Bobstay
Winches:
- 7 x Harken winches in total.
- Pit and 2 x primary winches driven by pedestal in aft of yacht.
- Pedestal has overdrive and dropline controlled with lines and cleats.
- Winches and gearboxes fully serviced in 2023, with many new parts.
- Winch handles.
- 7 x Reelers
- 4 x Magic wheels
Sails All North Sails. All Upwind 3di 870
- Main 3Di
- J1 3Di 870 Helix August 2022 ( used 3 regattas )
- J2 3Di 870 Helix August 2022 ( used 3 regattas )
- A2 August 2023
- A2+ August 2023
- Main, 2020
- J1, 2020.
- J2, 2020
- J3, 2020
- J3+, 2020
- Storm jib.
- A1 2020.
- A2 2020.
- A2+ 2020.
- A0 with furling gear.
- GS 2020. with furling gear
- Main, 2019.
- J1.5, 2019.
- J2, 2019.
- J3, 2019.
- A2, 2019
- A4 2019 (Used twice)
S/S, 2019. With furling gear
Please note 2020 sails were only used lightly in 2021 due to covid.
Running Rigging
- Fitted downwind Jib sheets (under-deck)
- Hobble strop and traveler line
- Jib sheets
- Spinnaker sheets
- Code Zero sheets
- Staysail sheets
- Many new spectra strops 2023
- 3 x Spinlock XX0812 Powerclutches 2023
- Many spares
Misc
- Side deck and forehatch deck covers.
- Cockpit floor cover
- Fenders and warps.
- Boom tent / bimini.
- 2 x 1Kg Dry Powder fire extinguishers new 2023
- Anchor & warp
- Lifelines – 50/50 stainless steel / Spectra
- Dinghy hatches with socks for line storage whilst racing
- Boat cradle with Custom Hull Forms
Recent Race Results
2021
Britannia Cup Winner
New York Yacht Club Challenge Cup Winner
Cowes Week Class 0 overall Winner
2022
Solent Spring Championships Winner
RORC Easter Challenge Winner
Vice-Admiral’s Cup 2nd
RORC Nationals 2nd
Round the Island Race Line honours Winner
RTI Division 1 Winner
RTI overall (1,100 boats) Winner
Cowes Week Class 0 overall Winner
Britannia Cup Winner
Royal Southern Autumn regatta Winner
2023 – year to date
RORC Easter Challenge Winner
Royal Southern Spring Regatta Winner
IRC National Championship 2nd
Round the Island 2nd class/overall
Cowes Week Winner
