In the competitive world of foiling Moth Class racing, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. The Bieker Moth has not only managed to stay ahead but has consistently outpaced the competition. A contributing factor to its success is the collaborative approach between Mackay Boats and C-Tech.
Like many relationships in NZ’s marine industry, what starts as personal friendships often morphs into business relationships and opportunities. Notably, the paths of C-Tech's Managing Director Alex Vallings and Mackay's Director Dave McDiarmid who have grown up in the same racing circles.
With the first Bieker Moth iteration, Mackay’s worked closely with C-Tech on producing the foils. “Crafting foils requires a very high degree of expertise as every prepreg carbon layer for the foil is a different shape. When laid up, the layers must fit perfectly into the mould, where there can be no voids between each layer,” says McDiamid.
The combination of having C-Tech work on the foils while Mackay’s worked on the hull for the first BM V1 model proved to be “gold.” Not only did this collaboration accelerate speed to market but it also helped to achieve unrivalled performance gains in the Class, with a 2nd at its first World Championships and four finishing in the top ten.
Collaboration between both companies continued post the 2019 Worlds where different foil models were developed. This included new vertical and horizontal foil options that catered to different sailor weight and wind ranges. While Mackay took over the manufacturing of these foils, C-Tech continued to develop and supply the pre-preg cut kits used to build the foils. And again, the new foil models combined with the hull proved to be a game-changer at the 2021 Worlds where the top six where Bieker Moths and in 2022 Worlds seven in the top ten.
Fast forward to 2023, where the latest Bieker iteration has undergone a comprehensive aerodynamic review featuring a new hull design and control system by Mackay's, and a new mast post and rig concept developed by C-Tech. While we have written previously about the Bieker’s new hull and control system, we can now share more information on the new mast post and rig concept by C-Tech.
C-Tech’s mast post, now in its third iteration, has been engineered to be smaller and more technologically advanced, significantly reducing aero drag and weight while effectively handling the substantial loads imposed by the vang. A standout feature of the 05 Range, is its reduced diameter, achieved through a transition from a 37mm to a 33.68mm mandrel. This development allows for the manufacture of the mast with a slightly thicker wall, ensuring the same stiffness with only a minimal weight penalty. The BM-V3 will have eight different mast options available, the stiffest being the 05 model and additionally the softest is C-Tech’s new 05F mast, tailored for lighter sailors weighing around 65-70kg or less. When paired with the new smaller area sails, this softer mast option empowers smaller sailors to compete more competitively in medium and stronger winds, significantly enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of the sport.
In tandem with these mast developments, C-Tech has also revealed a new dual-tapered boom, featuring a front width of only 22mm. This innovative design not only reduces weight but also contributes to a cleaner and more efficient deck sweeper pocket. These advancements in mast and boom technology underline C-Tech's commitment to enhancing performance, accessibility, and inclusivity in Moth class.
One thing is for sure, every aspect of the Bieker Moth has been scrutinized for optimisation.