The importance of the cart wall
Started in another episode, the aft bulkhead of the roof, which houses Duracell's mainsail car, is back on the drawing board. Matt, who is transforming Duracell from an ocean racing boat to a cruising boat, explains the importance and specific stresses that this part of the boat's structure will receive. Depending on whether you're sailing upwind or downwind, the direction of the forces varies and the dynamic effects can be significant when maneuvering.
An aluminum insert in the composite part
In order to attach the future cart track, Matt chose to integrate a thick aluminum bar at the top of the bulkhead into the composite sandwich. This threaded bar will allow the fittings to be screwed in without the need to access the bottom, which is impossible in his bulkhead.
At the same time, in order to better diffuse the forces, Matt multiplies the bi-axial fiberglass fabrics. He creates a monolithic U at the top.
Discovering Mike Plant, original Duracell skipper
While preparing the roof for stratification, Matt also talks about his reading of Coyote Lost at Sea, a biography of Mike Plant, the boat's first skipper, and its builder. He explains his discovery of the character and his incredible determination to participate in the Vendée Globe, after having already taken part in the BOC Challenge in an Open 50. Faced with the cost, he decided to build it, despite his lack of taste for shipbuilding!
