Mathew Mason, the multiple America’s Cup- and Sydney Hobart-winning yachtsman, has formed a partnership with boat designer Scott Robson to develop foil-assisted and fully foiling technology for pleasure and commercial craft. They call themselves RM Yachts. 
Mason’s aim has been to develop world-leading technology in all facets of the hull and foil system design, to include complete foil integration into the hull, the ability to adjust the trim angle, and a fully retractable foil. He hopes to incorporate this technology in a new range of RM 444 series 13.5m catamarans he will be marketing through RM Yachts, alongside other world leading brands he represents in New Zealand.
Mason has vast experience in boatbuilding, systems engineering and foiling vessels, having worked with America’s Cup teams Team NZ, One America and and Oracle as a sailor and boatbuilder. Robson is known worldwide for his performance catamaran hulls and styling aesthetics. The pair engaged leading composite engineering firm Pure Design to undertake the composite engineering and Bieker Yachts, one of the world’s foremost foil technology designers who worked with America’s Cup teams Oracle and Luna Rossa, to develop the foil designs. Together they make one of the most formidable design teams in the industry.
Robson is responsible for the hull design, exterior styling, interiors and coordinating the structural and foil designs while Mason oversees engineering and systems design for each project.
The RM Yachts team is currently finishing the designs for the new RM 444 series of 13.5m pleasure craft available as Cabriolet, Centre Console and Sports Fly models.
The first the RM 444 Cabriolet will be launched later this year and the team is also working on the initial designs for a 18m centre console model for a client. Powered by four 600hp outboards it will serve as a tender on the international yacht racing circuit.
RMX 444 CX Cabriolet
The client’s brief for the RMX 444 CX vessel currently under construction was for a high-performance catamaran with edgy, sharp styling for day-fishing trips to Great Barrier Island with the occasional overnight. It had to be fast and comfortable in rough water.
To achieve the required ride comfort, fuel efficiency and range, the boat has been designed around a fully retractable foil system that can be adjusted for pitch underway. The foil can be retracted completely out of the water in the marina to prevent bio-fouling.
An extensive CFD design programme resulted in an integrated foil system that offers significant efficiencies throughout the speed range and higher levels of ride comfort. Designed and engineered by Mason’s team, the foil retraction system has electrical actuators that adjust the foil’s angle of attack for different speeds. The foil also retracts into slots in the catamaran hull at rest, clear of the water.
The client requested a large fishing cockpit with drop-down hull sides and a large aft platform to maximise the vessel’s fishability – resulting in a huge fishing area for a 13m vessel. The cockpit has a BBQ, swim ladder, bait tanks, bait station, rod holders and aft-facing seating.
The saloon has a full-length galley on the port side with ample refrigeration and modern conveniences. The settee and dining table are on the starboard side. The helm has seating for four with the inboard seats rotating to face aft. Below, the vessel sleeps up to seven in three cabins with a large bathroom on the starboard side .
The interior is designed with a minimalist beach house feel using light-coloured timbers and fabrics.
Constructed from a composite of epoxy resin, foam and knitted fabrics, the engineering design is by Pure Design in Auckland. The vessel is designed and engineered to withstand the very high structural loads expected during the vessel’s operation in rough seas. The first RMX 444 CX Cabriolet is nearing completion at Allspec in Nelson, overseen by Malcolm Coffey and his team.
RMX 666 CCX Centre Console
Designer Scott Robson from Robson Design has vast experience designing similar vessels for the American market. Robson has utilised his knowledge to design the ultimate high-performance centre console vessel for sportfishing or else configured as the ultimate watersports party boat.
The RMX 666 CCX will feature an advanced multi-stepped hull pioneered on the World Championship-winning catamarans designed by Robson. When powered by optional quad Mercury 600hp outboards, it will be one of the fastest boats of its type in the world.
The RMX 666 CCX is available as centre console with a T-top and a good-sized head in the console, either set up for fishing or as a water sports party boat with the option of a Hi-Lo centre transom platform and drop-down sides.
The other models in this line up are the walkaround Centre Cab CCB X which has a berth, galley unit and separate head. In the Florida option the cabin can be closed in with air conditioning, a settee and dinette. The model is also available as the CC XL with a semi-cab forward with berths forward and a head in the CC X-style console.
The vessel will be available in either a composite – epoxy resin, foam core and carbon – or in high-spec aluminium using the very latest advanced alloy composite technology where special Sealium plate aluminium is combined with alloy and foam composite sheets.
For More Information Email scott@robsondesign.co.nz
http://www.robsondesign.co.nz
