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Did you know? #2: Sail Area over Displacement Ratio

The principle is quite basic: the more sail area we have, the more power we get. This wind’s energy is used to move the boat’s weight.

The lighter the boat is, the more responsive she will be in after tacking, in accelerations, and of course in her capacity to reach high speeds with a given wind force.

So far, so good!

The SA/D ratio was originally created to compare monohulls abilities, most of them “pushing” water.

Pushing here means displacing water, as one can easily imagine these massive round hulls bouncing into waves to make route.

However, since planning hulls came in, we must admit that this ratio is now a bit oldschool. From the moment a hull will plane, it will not be facing this natural brake offered by the water mass to be displaced.

What about our modern cruising multihulls? With their thin bows and their hulls litteraly piercing waves?

The answer is obvious: they just sail faster!

From then on, even if we consider the original formula is outdated, we could not prevent ourselves from comparing modern cats, especially the one promising a stunning performance!

While it’s quite easy to add square feet of white sails to a boat, it’s clearly more complicated to reduce her weight.

Unless you select a catamaran which has thoroughly been designed with a light weight in mind…and consequently a natural ability to sail faster.

Clearly, one thing has not changed:  based on a given sail area, the lighter a catamaran, the swifter, and the funnier she will be to sail!

When you have two minutes, take a bit of time to compare other cats with ORC, using the formula below.

Nota Bene: 

To get displacement from “pounds” to “cubic feet,” you will need to divide the displacement weight by 64, which is the weight of a cubic foot of seawater (62 for pure water).

FYI, the ratios for ORC are 33 for the ORC50 and 38 for the ORC57! Not bad, huh?

If you want to check by yourself what it means in reality, feel free to contact us and we’ll arrange a sea trial!

Fair winds,

The ORC Team

ORC50#26: final countdown before splashing

Time flies, but weeks are all different at the Lorient-based Grand Large Yachting site, where ORC are built.

While the ORC50#25 splashed earlier this week, this will soon be the case for this ORC50#26.

She comes in a 3-cabin version, with a liveaboard project, and a navigation agenda that surely is an invitation to dream…

It’s now a question of days before we introduce you to her happy owner.

Remember, this boat will be showcased at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September!

Until then, should you have any question on this model, we’re here to help.

See you soon,

Fair winds,

The ORC Team.

ORC50#25: Splash me if you can!

Here we are! Yesterday, she gently splashed and got masted. Soon she will be tested by our expert team, before final delivery. This 4-cabin version of the ORC50 belongs to two couples – which was also the case for the ORC50#24 – who will fight with each other to get at the helm this summer!

Splashing is always a magical moment, that we have captured here:

We’ll come back later on this boat and her specifications, to tell you more about the configuration that has been chosen, and also why.

And, simultaneously, we’ll tell you about the ORC50#26, also splashing in a few weeks from now.

What a busy period in our Lorient La Base shipyard, in the heart of the Sailing Valley! If you would like to visit us or witness a boat launch and feel the thrill too, let us know here.

See you soon,

Fair winds,

The ORC Team

Did you know? #1 Bridgedeck Clearance

Among the factors contributing to the comfort at sea, you will find the bridgedeck clearance. Why? Because this height above the water, depending on its importance, will increase the seaworthiness. Just like the hull thinness, this height will prevent the boat from slamming on waves. When waves are slamming under, not only it’s unpleasant to hear, but it also slows the boat down!

Next time you will be walking on a pontoon, watch carefully the cats you will see, and get a chance to check this height. It will tell you a lot on their comfort…and efficiency!

Bridge deck clearance ratio (BCR) starts to be good from 6% of LOA.

On our models, the bridge deack clearance is as follows:

Should you have any questions about other measures, or want to know more about our boat specs, please let us know!

Speak to you soon.

Fair winds,

The ORC Team

ORC57#4: ready to mold!

Two weeks ago, we told you about the imminent start of the 4th unit of the ORC57, here.

The very first step of this process is a meticulous preparation of the molds.

These molds will soon receive a thin layer of wax, to facilitate the future unmolding.

But that’s another story to come, and we have a lot to share in the meantime!

Next big step will be what we call “draping”.

We’ll let you know in two weeks. Save the date!

Fair winds,
The ORC Team