Bob Fischer runs Avenir Composites in La Rochelle. He started to make new fiveohs there with the support of the French class. Actually we are facing an issue with the lack of recent and competitive boats to fuel the interest in the class racing program and in our boat. Hence the idea to help with the construction of new, performing but affordable boats to boost the class attendance in the coming years. Bob's response is innovative and deserves our support. 

Find out by yourself with the photo album and the interview below.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/jbdupont/Fischer_5O5

Bob's 5O5 webpages: http://www.avenircomposites.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=39

Interview:

You've just delivered your first fiveoh made by Fischer. It's the result of a pretty long project I believe... When did you come up with the idea to build fiveohs?

I started to play with the idea when Collignon and Syga boats came on the market in France back in 1986. Those two boats were moulded from Kyrwood hulls. At the time I was building a 5 meters long catamaran. But I really start to be serious about this 7 years ago when I bought a Kyrwood boat from a friend I helmed in 1986. I was just waiting to grab the right opportunity. When I spot this ad for the Collignon mold based on the Kyrwood hull, I seized the opportunity since all the ingredients were coming into place:

Not as many boat builders building fiveohs these days

Available good mold

My own boatyard set up in La Rochelle famous for dinghy sailing et where an active fleet is sailing regularly.

What really trigger that project?

The boat is fabulous to steer when the crew master this dinghy and the image of the boat is oustanding and "indémodable" (unfashionable).

Basically you are builging new boats using infusion technology. When did you start using this technology for boat construction?

I use this technology since year 2000. I resume studying in Brest at Uni. There the department is specialized in this technology.

What projects in particular?

To start with I made large floors or inner walls for luxurious yachts in the famous French boatyard. I tought them this technology while getting better at it.

Then, I created my own company so as to build boats, such as the Sormiou 28. I got to know the "LNM boat" Architect cabinet in Marseille (http://www.lnm-boats.com). LNM calculated all structural calculations for the making of the Fischer 5O5. I also made the BMS33 boat and then a Formula 18 cat (The "Tomcat" from Guillaume Verdier who is talented architect. He is well known for the Areva rudder design an the future "Bel".

Now I also make fiveohs using successfully this technology.

What is the added value of using this technology?

Infusion enable to have a very high fiber ratio in the final result – up to 70 to 75% of the total mass. This is almost similar to what can be achieved using prepreg technology in autoclave (oven).

Resistance comes from fibers. Resin is just there to glue all the layers together. Final result is very stiff and resistant with minimum resin being used.

Moreover, this technology is rather better for the environment and even better for the workers who do not breathe as much resin since there is very little solvant released in the atmosphere.

I noticed that you used Collignon moulds which were the base to make Philippe Boite and Jean-Luc Muzellec successful boats, are they adapted for infusion technology?

No 10 years old mould are adapted for infusion. But it is possible to add areas on the sides to run easily the infustion process. As a result, I hardly modify the hull mould. Whereas I recreated a deck mould in order to include all the new layups in vogue nowadays. This way the crew can move around easily inside and out of the cockpit of the boat and the mast step can be set up as far aft as permitted by current measurement rules.

How many hours are required to make a new boat?

Far too many by now. The first boat was build as a prototype and tooling for mass construction is not optimized. I need to count all the days I spent... but what is the most difficult piece to build is the deck. It takes three full days to make the deck with the new mould (24 hours for 1 person).

What are the most critical phases of the building process?

Undoubtedly it is the centerboard case. Fitting the cb to the structure that makes it stiff in return. Then the chute and finally all the numerous little things you have to make to get the boat real well finished.

Is the final hull light?

For the balsa sandwhich being used, really stiff and solid – 2 kg under is a pretty good result for this prototype.

I noticed you propose different states for the hull. What is your idea behind this proposal?

Primarily the goal is to offer an affordable new boat with same performance level than hull made of sandwhich-airex-glass-carbon reinforced of other makers. Manpower required to rig the boat is enormous. The price of manpower is too expensive. This is why I propose one hull ready to be rigged – Do It Yourself. I do set all the fittings through the deck before it is glued to the hull so as to ease up final fitting, thus reducing the necessity to work with your arms through the tanks..

How long it takes to rig your hull (Kit 2) if one is reasonably good at handywork?

Frankly it really depends on how well the guy will do this work on a fiveoh. But I reckon that with a careful and methodic approach nothing is really difficult. I would say two weeks of work for a pro and four times more for a good amateur.

You hull are pretty nicely finished as noticed Philippe Blanchard. Will all the hulls be made this way?

Yes, even better for painted part. I had to be really careful on the first boat because I was unsure about the total weight the total boat will come out. So we really did not lay up much paint on the boat.

Do you propose options?

Yes I do. You can get the chute on port as is the case with american boats. I can set the forestay at the bow of the boat as Larson uses on his boat in Santa Cruz..

I personally do not like full white boat, because of the sun reflection, my eyes get too sore... can I pick another colour?

The white I use is slightly grey and should not hurt your eyes. But of course you can pick any colour you want at order time with a price supplement.

What are your plan for the coming year?

Make the boats on order and then make one or two hulls in advance so as to reduce time to delivery. I would like to take this opportunity to improve construction process with the support of an experienced resource.

How many boats a year can you make?

Four to six boats currently.

Thank you very much Bob. An a big BRAVO for this outstanding project!