When he took control of his Ultim' Actual in August 2015 (former Sodebo of Thomas Coville from 2008 to 2014) and while sailing, Yves Le Blevec was already thinking about how to optimise his trimaran for his solo round the world voyage in 2019. In order to be able to optimise his single-handed sailing, his 31m trimaran underwent a major technical refit, according to the specifications drawn up by Yves Le Blevec to have his Ultim' in the hand of his skipper.
A new rigging
The mast has been shortened to make the boat safer and more manoeuvrable single-handed, while gaining significant weight at higher altitudes. The mast is now only 30.5 m long (instead of 33 m), which is half a riser less (2.5 m). This change has led to numerous transformations on the deck and sail plans.
The boom is longer, but 20 to 30 % lighter than the old one, while the rigging has been lightened by 200 kg to 600 kg. Finally, the sail plan has logically evolved, but the overall surface area remains the same (215 m2 for the mainsail - maximum surface area upwind : 395 m2 - maximum downwind area: 500 m2).
The deck plan was also modified with the removal of the mast foot winches and the centralization of the adjustments in the cockpit. The result is better overall ergonomics for much less friction and easier manoeuvring.
The life cell was also redesigned, refurbished and repainted and several pieces of equipment replaced.
Still as powerful, but easier to operate
The black and red trimaran was already performing and powerful, but this potential will now be easier and safer to exploit. The team's objective being the solo round the world in 2019.
"We deliberately took the time we needed, a whole season, to observe and study the boat from every angle in order to make the right technical choices for the future. This major upstream work means that we can now be serene about the outcome of the boatyard and the new rigging" explains Yves Le Blevec.
Technical data of Actual
Architect : Nigel Irens - Benoît Cabaret
Shipyard : Boat Speed (Australia)
Structural design: John Levell
Drawings of the appendices: Martin Fischer
Hydrodynamic studies: Yann Roux
Decoration: JB Epron
Launch: June 21, 2007
Baptism: September 28, 2007
Length: 31 m (102')
Flotation : 31 m
Beam : 16,55 m
Draft: 3 m
Displacement: 12 t
Tilting wing mast
Sail, close: 395 m²
Sail area, load-bearing: 500 sq. m
Air draught: 35 m
Photo credits : Stan Thuret
