Cristabella

Diverse Race Case Study The Cristabella team have been sailing for many years and have had a number of different racing yachts throughout this time. This case study is about the team's last boat, a JV 48 specifically built to race under the IMS rating rule. Built in 2003, Cristabella was an extremely competitive design built from carbon in order to be strong but light. Designed, built and sailed by top-level professionals, Cristabella enjoyed success on the water. From the blue prints to the race course… Diverse were involved from the very start of this project, from the initial hardware, electric and electronic design ideas, through the installation and on to the water. The concept of a clear deck with an uncluttered appearance was adopted yet this still had to be efficient, up to spec and weight saving. Diverse supplied equipment for the following areas: 1) Harken Hardware 2) Harken Winches 3) Diverse Custom Hardware 4) Loadcell 5) Electronics 6) Electrics Harken Hardware Through their close relationship with Harken and with the oversight of the project manager, Brendan Darrer, Diverse identified the areas in which standard Harken kit should be used and supplied the appropriate hardware. Some specialised equipment such as carbon drive shafts were specified correctly and then installed by Diverse to ensure correct installation and a top quality finish. Other deck hardware was fitted such as Spinlock clutches and cleats. Overall we provided a full spec deck hardware solution. Diverse Custom Hardware Included in the full deck hardware solution was some specially designed custom kit. There were requirements in certain areas in which existing hardware did not fill the needs and so Diverse designed and built custom equipment which was both very strong but light weight to satisfy these needs. Find out more about Diverse Custom Hardware. Loadcell Considering and monitoring loads on race boats such as Cristabella is very important and in some cases essential. A loadcell was fitted to Cristabella to measure the force being put through the rig and to ensure this stayed at a stable level. The loadcell was accurately specified as is all the precise equipment we supply. Find out more about loadcells. Electronics The latest in electronic equipment was fitted on Cristabella. B&G's WTP processor, the fastest and most accurate processor on the market, was supplied and installed. A full B&G system was used and complimented by the RaceVision 2 and Deckman for Windows. All of this equipment and the electronics throughout the boat were installed and tested by Diverse to ensure everything was in full working order. Electrics The electrics were fitted and tested so the crew would be in doubt that everything would work perfectly when they needed it. Light weight, aircraft spec cable was used ensuring reliability. Battery utilisation was also optimised. Completing the service... Test sails were carried out prior to racing and Diverse were there to check the equipment was performing well and being utilised correctly. Simon Fisher, Diverses's Custom Projects Consultant and now navigator on ABN AMRO 2 for the forthcoming Volvo Ocean Race, became part of the crew aboard Cristabella and helped the boat through the test stages and was navigator during racing. Due to the close relationship between Diverse and the Cristabella team, we were able to test new gear on the boat in order to provide a tried and tested product to all our customers. Diverse are currently working with the Cristabella team on their new TP 52 project. Again we are providing the full service and look forward to supporting the Cristabella team on the water in 2005.