ÉTOILE HORIZON

Naval Architect Patrick Balta has kindly given us permission to use pictures of this unusual, high tech gaff cutter ÉTOILE HORIZON (Star Horizon).



The modern interpretation of a gaff cutter was built in 2001 to run the Transat Jacques Vabre Open 50 class, Etoile Horizon then participated in the Route du Rhum 2002 with Bob Escoffier and holds the SNSM record in its class.

Since then the boat has been completely refurbished and is operated as a charter yacht



ÉTOILE HORIZON may be a gaff cutter, but she takes full advantage of modern technology. Hi-tech sails combined with carbon blocks, winches and running rigging for maximum efficiency. Built in Cedar epoxy, the spars are surprisingly of aluminium, overall she is a bit heavier than a carbon hull/rig combination. But Etoile Horizon is still a fast cruising boat and one which doesnt disappoint, she can sail at 11 knots upwind and over 15 knots on a reach.



Naval Architect Patrick Balta
Hull length 15.25m
Draught 2.00m
Sail area 280m2

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Wizard of Oz

In contrast to the high-tech Etoile Horizon (below), these photos depict a humble thirty foot sharpie ketch, designed and built in wood, by Ozzie Whittley.

Ozzie Whittley has been designing and building boats all his life. Hes eighty-two and still designing and building boats.
Wizard of Oz is a junk rigged sharpie with lee boards and 18hp outboard motor.

Around Australia a sailor must be able to navigate very skinny water.
Built with twin cabins, dual cockpits and homemade sails, Wizard of Oz was conceived for efficient single-handing by Ozzie, as his own cruiser, when he was seventy.

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