A crucial factor will be the partnering
shipyard, something that is in advanced
negotiations and will be announced
in June. “Having everything under one
roof makes a lot of sense,” says Kay.
Infiniti projects so far have all been
custom designs.
Reverse or plumb bows optionscruising boats that can be raced, rather
than pure racers, the beam is needed
for the expected volume of the interior.PRODUCTION SCALE
The 60, 80 and 105 announced will be
joined by more models in the pipeline
(a 50 and 115 have been discussed).the Infiniti 105 will weigh around 53
tonnes which, even though five tonnes
more conservative than Welbourn’s
predictions, would still equate to
around 25-30 tonnes lighter than a fast
carbon monohull of similar length.
The weight savings increase
simultaneously with the length of an
Infiniti/DSS yacht – and the foil adds
stability as the boat accelerates. “Size
is actually your friend with the sweet
spot beginning at 60ft, owing to the
natural base speed right up to the
largest study we have done at 80m,”
says Kay.
Consider the righting moment:
without a foil, the 105 would have
around 80 tonnes, says Kay, but with
a single transverse foil this increases
to 200 tonnes. You then appreciate
the implications for the rig, where
everything can be scaled down, along
with a smaller, simpler and easier to
handle sailplan. And subsequently
the ballast... hence the overall
displacement of the 105, with cruising
accommodation, could be on a par with
a Wallycento (47-49 tonnes).
Past Infiniti designs such as the
36 and 46, have been comparatively
skinny in beam, because the beam
is not needed for righting moment.
However, as these new models areTHE LONG,
POWERFUL LINES
OF THE 85, WITH
OPTIONAL
STRAIGHT STEM
RIGHT: THE
MINIMALIST DECK
OF THE INFINITI 60
BELOW RIGHT:
NATURAL LIGHT IN
THE INTERIOR OF
THE 85, WITH
OPTIONAL INFINITI
LOGO IN THE
ROOF. A FAMILY
RESEMBLANCE IS
SHARED BY THE
RANGE