technical exchanges with the racers More art: one that prompts the innovation needed of Facnor’s to further develop and improve a larger product line that serves both racers headsail locks receives its and cruisers alike. final touches Another key area of partnerships before that drive innovation has been with heading off rigging and spar manufacturers to to a rather develop systems suited to specific less kindly individual requirements. For environment at the top of a example, as long ago as 1999, and superyacht long before such systems became mast… rarely design using CAD, which is not only costly, but often dangerous commonplace, Facnor developed to be seen translated through to fabrication especially at superyacht size. the first Imoca 60 furling solution again other before iterative development A testament to the design and that used a Kevlar fibre cable in a than by the begins. This is what led to the reliability of the latest line of Facnor structural furler, with a seagulls but development of structural furling halyard locks has been its adoption needing to corresponding reduction in weight remain 100 systems, starting in 1998 on the by not only major superyacht aloft with no loss of strength. The per cent Orma 60s with Frank Cammas who projects, but also by Bénéteau in cable and furler fittings and reliable and used an aluminium system on many of their models. The owner of attachments had not only to match trusted Groupama that weighed 72kg. This a mid-sized cruiser-racer should be perfectly with Imoca rigs of the implicitly by early solution evolved into the first no less tolerant of failure than the time, but also to be completely the yacht’s carbon furler system, then followed skipper of the largest superyacht. crew – most reliable for this most extreme especially by the use of PBO. In just four years According to skipper Mike endurance test around the planet. when cruising we had reduced the weight of Gillespie, who has installed two The first major test of the system miles from Groupama’s system to 27.5kg – 16-ton external locks onboard the helped Michel Desjoyeaux not only base with the with no loss in performance. 203ft schooner Athos, ‘The to dominate the 2000 edition of proprietors’ ‘But the custom processes we communication in creating both the the Vendée Globe, but also set a family or employ are always done with hanging block-locks and the halyard guests new course record on PRB with the aboard… The considerations of later production locks for us has been excellent, first ‘lap time’ under 100 days. latest large manufacture,’ says Dominique Yon with the finished product produced Mich’s choice of this still very new headstay top of Facnor. ‘We feel that it’s to an excellent standard. technology was a great vote of bearings important to translate ideas that ‘We have now used the halyard confidence for the company. Since (right) bear come from great racers into locks countless times, notably on then most Vendée Globe victories no relation to products that can later benefit the the RORC Caribbean 600 race with their early have been achieved with the help predecessors whole range of active sailors.’ a 100 per cent success rate in  of Facnor equipment solutions. and contain a The Facnor solution now has locking at hoist and 100 per cent Tanguy Redon, from the design great deal of many complementary components: success on release. Although a office for the latest maxi tri Banque precision as G Wide production capacity with five challenging design, with the high      Populaire IX, says of the team’s well as robust production sites safety margins needed on a boat relationship with Facnor: ‘Some engineering. G Anodising baths at Sparcraft in like this, we always felt we could         Creating a competitors focus primarily on furling the US and that are among use the locks with confidence. For Offshore racing can offer a brutal headsail furler. So Despres left to Above: decade) puts it, ‘We chose Facnor saving weight in these systems but system that the longest in the world Athos we specified a minimum SWL environment, which is why those found Facnor with the aim of engineering for the new Ultime project because that can come at the expense of will fulfil an G An electrostatic powder painting of 16 tonnes. We have since tested who participate seriously are always specialising in the design and as art. Simple they know that reliability and safety safety and reliability. We are extremely box at Sparcraft in the US the locks to 14 tonnes of static testing their limits. Equipment also fabrication of new furling solutions, solutions are have to be the key priorities – even confident that Facnor will notify us demanding G Both CNC and traditional cable tension (which spikes always best. needs to perform to a similar level first for the leisure market then more so than ultimate when the safety coefficients are set of criteria, machining capabilities considerably with dynamic It’s amazing which will G in the same conditions but has to moving into the high-performance how long it performance. Though this too has exceeded and we always listen to perform A synergy in the production group, loads) and the locks still performed remain completely reliable under sector. took the to be at the highest level!’ what they say. The collaboration is perfectly with complementary production perfectly.’ every circumstance. Whether a big Facnor’s design team introduced sailing world What drives this innovation are fluid and responsive, they do not every time capacity in both plastics (in Ronan Lucas, Banque Populaire professional programme or a a revolution in furling solutions in to discover partnerships with some of the remain fixed in a position. Their under Maillard, France) and hot forging (at team manager, pushes even Corinthian Vendée racer, failure is 1985, with a patented telescopic the larger world’s most prominent offshore commitment to our project means enormous Wichard*, France) harder. ‘We have been using three furling ‘drum’. not an option. system that vastly improved sailors, who demand innovation we see this company as a technical load, often G A metallurgy department 30-tonne locks onboard BP5 and Similarly, the after sitting It is in this milieu that, 35 years operation under load; the same endless and reliability to achieve the results partner rather than a supplier.’ unused for equipped with the measuring have been delighted with their 100 ago, Facnor started developing product line evolves to this day. systems first they need to secure and retain Besides clever design, Facnor’s long periods equipment and tools needed to per cent reliability. We have now furling systems that could assist Soon after the first furlers introduced by sponsors. Facnor has also enjoyed success relies on production of time while ensure constant conformity of every sailed the boat for the equivalent of sailors in controlling the power appeared the same engineers Facnor back a long technical partnership with techniques that are accurate and saturated machined part three round-the-world trips needed to cross oceans fast, but at turned their attention to mainsail in the 1980s. French skipper Halvard Mabire, first cost-efficient to always carefully with salt and G Mechanical and chemical testing (60,000nm) and never encountered The basics the same time be safe and reliable. systems, the result being the on his 60-footer and now on his match product to requirements moisture, all carried out on all materials for a single problem with the locks,’ he don’t change demands Not an easy task. Facnor Facslide system of batten but composite with his British (even the big round-the-world engineering warranted reliability says. ‘At this scale of yacht that is Facnor’s engineers met these cars. This was followed by a new cables companion Miranda Merron. Both projects are still budget sensitive). excellence, G A wide service network that today a remarkable performance record.’ demands with expertise in not only range of continuous line furlers plus (above) and Miranda and Halvard are The process starts with the highest covers some 35 countries. So, for innovation, quality and mechanical engineering, metallurgy the FlatDeck jib furler. This latter vastly better experienced sailors and highly prototypes that are tested on quality design * Facnor has been part of the performance in sail-handling and composite design, but also with product won the Pittman prize in the top bearings reliable technical consultants, who custom projects, where there is a and absolute Wichard group since 2013 systems, expect the Facnor team to have made precision in a spirit of innovation that only a Racing Gear category at the Chicago for further have continued their relationship unique need not met in the current With all this capability it’s not enjoy the challenge... manufacture K small company can have when it is Sail Show, along with awards from dramatic with Facnor on their latest Class40, product line. Sailors and project … and then surprising Facnor is continually www.facnor.com able to adapt quickly to new ideas. SAIL magazine in the US and gains in Campagne de France. managers meet Facnor to explain some more entering new markets, including It all started in 1981 when Jean Segeln magazine in Germany. recent years. Facnor also enjoys technical where changes are needed to meet experience halyard locks for boats ranging from Brought to you in association with Michel Despres, technical manager At least 80 per cent of the Note the partnerships with other Class40s their use better, or discuss a 30ft to the largest megayachts. at Isomat, failed to convince his boatbuilders in France now choose covers on the as well as with ‘smaller’ racers completely new approach. Ideas Loads in these locks can range most exposed employers to enter a sector that he Facnor systems for their boats. furlers on such as Tanguy Bouroullec’s are exchanged and a synergy from two tons to 50 tons, so considered central to both cruising As Ronan Lucas, team manager this Ultime 6.50m Kerhis-Cerfrance. Facnor’s develops to generate, produce and absolute perfection is needed to and the fast-growing fraternity of of Banque Populaire (who have trimaran involvement in professional validate each new design. match the device to the task, along serious shorthanded racers – the been working with Facnor for a programmes results in valuable Facnor then commits to an initial with perfect reliability; failure can be

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