Unveiling the design strategies behind Charlie Dalin's triumphant Vendée Globe IMOCA vessel
In the world of offshore sailing, the IMOCA class is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. The latest addition to this prestigious fleet, Macif Sante Prevoyance, helmed by Charlie Dalin, is no exception. This new boat showcases a host of design evolutions aimed at enhancing both performance and livability.
The hull shape of Macif Sante Prevoyance is a testament to sophisticated engineering. A superstructure extending aft, wave deflecting strakes and chines running forward, and a gull-wing organic deck shape are just a few of the features that contribute to improved stability, wave deflection, and lowering the centre of gravity. These design elements aim to handle big seaways without speed losses and damage potential, while maintaining fast, smooth averages.
The boat's cockpit and nav station have been thoughtfully designed, mirroring a pilot's seat in an aircraft cockpit. Dalin's cockpit includes a forward covered area and an aft living 'pod' called the studette, both designed to reduce movement for efficient ergonomics and to prevent being thrown around during rough seas. The spaces in the cockpit are intentionally small, and the number of steps between each function has been carefully considered to optimise crew efficiency.
Weight reduction and system optimisation have been key focuses in the interior and systems design. Four winches have been used in the cockpit instead of five for reduced weight, and the winch arrangement allows every sheet to be used on three out of four units. The aim is to create a hull shape that can handle big seaways without speed losses and damage potential, while maintaining fast, smooth averages.
The design evolution for the 2024 IMOCA cycle has mostly centered on two major areas of improvement: hull shape and 'liveability'. A 1:1 scale mock-up of the cockpit and living area was created at the MerConcept team base during the boat's construction to ensure a seamless transition from design to reality.
Dalin's customised bunk and deep foam mattress have gone through several iterations to perfect it for the Vendée Globe, the ultimate solo, non-stop, around-the-world ocean race. Ventilation was given a lot of focus in Macif's design, with access hatches that can keep out water, spray, or be fully opened/closed.
Macif Sante Prevoyance has been designed to improve on a previous design, Apivia, which was one of the benchmark IMOCAs of its generation. Apivia had a small weakness in running dead downwind with a big sea state, a problem that has been addressed in the design of Macif.
In summary, the key design evolutions in the 2024 IMOCA class focus on hull shape refinements and interior improvements that enhance both foiling performance and livability. These advancements collectively push the IMOCA class to a new performance and safety level while supporting the demanding liveaboard needs of foiling ocean racers.
During the 2024 IMOCA cycle, advances in both hull shape and interior design have been primarily concentrated to elevate foiling performance and improve liveability. Remarkably, in the same vein as aviation technology, Macif Sante Prevoyance's cockpit and nav station mirror a pilot's seat, leveraging science and technology to optimize ergonomics and stability in rough seas.
