Catamaran, Spitfire 099

Length 4.98m

Beam 2.52m  

Mainsail area 15.5m²

Jib area 4.5 m² 

Spinnaker area 18m² 

Mast height 8.5m  

Weight 139 kg

The boat is essentially a standard Spitfire with additional storage for navigational and safety equipment and stores, purpose-built for the event.

A sausage-shaped bag attached to the spinnaker pole (beside the spinnaker chute) will take two drybags holding food, clothing and an anchor bag (containing a folding anchor and line). A pocket on the outside will hold a throwing line.

Drinking water will be held within bladders inside both hulls at the stern, accessed via drinking tubes. No other supplies will be stored in the hulls because this would require removal of access covers at sea to get at them, (and in any case the access is poor).

A Navigation Bag will be attached to the trampoline just behind the front beam on the starboard (right-hand) side, holding laminated chart sections, tools, spares, GPS, VHF, hand-bearing compass and some of the flares. Other flares will be attached beneath the spinnaker pole so that they are accessible if the boat is inverted.

A 5m boat is not legally obliged to carry more than a torch at night but due to the need to traverse shipping lanes a single white masthead light will be fitted, operating from a battery attached to the foot of the mast.

Each crew member will carry a miniflare pack, rescue knife, torch and mobile telephone (with waterproof Bluetooth headset for communications).

For more information about the Spitfire refer to:

• British Spitfire Class Association website www.spitfiresailing.org.uk (check out the videos in the ‘Photos’ section).
• Swell Catamarans website www.swell-catamarans.co.uk.