'Aircraft carrier9 no worry to Fay

Press, 10 February 1988, Page 31

'Aircraft carrier 9 no worry to Fay

PA Auckland Auckland merchant banker Michael Fay says he does not mind if American yachtsmen mistake his America’s Cup challenger for an aircraft carrier sent to capture the Auld Mug. Mr Fay laughed ’ when asked if he intended landing his helicopter on the broad decks of the cup challenger. “We have made no secret the boat has a 26ft beam, that was one of the four dimensions we gave in the challenge,” said Mr Fay. - “If people think she looks like an aircraft carrier then that is all right with me.” The massive hull — massive compared with any other yacht built in Auckland — is due out of the Marten Marrine shed in Panmure on March 7 or 8.

In the meantime, Mr Fay is maintaining strict security on

the finer details of the design. “We gave four specific measurements when we lodged our challenge,” said Mr Fay. “I suppose every amateur designer has sat down and tried to sketch the boat, but, I don’t think anyone really knows what we have got. “The people of New Zealand gave us marvellous support in our challenge at Fremantle and I know they are just as interested in this boat. "But, I don’t think we should throw everything away at this stage. By the time the boat is launched, the Americans will be locked into their own programme, and ■ building. Russell Bowler, the plastics expert who is deeply involved with Bruce Farr on the design of the yacht, was also discreet. “It is a one-shot boat and a

big experiment,” he said. "It has all happened so fast but, I think that is where Kiwi designers come out best.

But Mr Bowler said that he did not approve of the Americans putting up a multi-hull to race against a mono-hull. Mr Fay is still not’ saying how big the crew will be, but said there would be a different concept to sailing a 12m yacht at the America’s Cup in Fremantle. “Rod Davis has been appointed sailing master and we will have a helmsman, but, we won’t be having a central figure calling out the orders. Mr Fay said the designers Farr and Bowler, and sailmaker Tom Schnackenberg, would all sail on the yacht. He counted his own presence possible only if there was a job for him, without adding superfluous weight to the project.