From Hugo Boss to Hublot: A pictorial tour of an IMOCA that made its mark on the class
We take you aboard Hublot, Alan Roura's IMOCA yacht. A photo tour of this radical yacht, which marked an architectural turning point for racing yachts when it was launched for skipper Alex Thomson. Closed, central cockpit, lookout station, deck layout...
Launched in 2019 for Alex Thomson as Hugo Boss, Alan Roura's currentIMOCA Hublot was a forerunner in ocean racing. Thought through and optimized to the extreme by the British skipper and the architectural firm VPLP Design, it has paved the way in a number of areas, from the fully enclosed cockpit, positioned at the foot of the mast, to the roof covered with solar panels and the living area, this yacht designed for the Vendée Globe benefited from meticulous construction by the British shipyard Carrington. We invite you to browse through the photos.
An extra-flat roof, covered with solar panels, with two accesses to the cockpit from above A third access, the only one usable when the wind picks up, located aft of the living area and the boat Wide doorways covered with solar panels With the foils in the lowered position, the foil wells on deck remain imposing. Access to the sail locker, possible from inside, is also from the foredeck The chamfer between the wall and the deck reduces the weight of the tops. The working space on the front deck is limited to the useful area
C foils in upwind position Despite all the on-board electronics, nothing beats a few marks to check the angle of the rotating wing mast A secondary helm station aft. Note also the detail of the satellite antenna, tilted for better operation at the helm. Tilt-frame bannettes on each edge of the living area aft of the cockpit The watch seat is located directly in the passageway between the enclosed cockpit and the living area. Ideal for solo sailors, but less so for crews...
Everything at your fingertips from the watch seat The "galley" with the stove on the starboard side of the lookout station The accesses to the front of the boat, foil wells and sail locker, between wall and cockpit, are very dark! The famous central cockpit, where all the controls are concentrated. Alan Roura has removed some of the electronics installed by Alex Thomson, for a more "simplified" boat Very limited direct visibility... Simon Koster at the inside helm station, on the removable seat, which moves from one side to the other, just like the tiller handle.
