The beginnings of the Diam 24od adventure were a simple and efficient concept, followed by a market study. From this study a boat was designed for the general public, a boat to be produced on a large scale. Its very first fans were, however, professionnal skippers …..
Montotype sailing is rare enough and before the Diam 24od, no one design trimaran under 10 meters existed. « Here was an opportunity. The concept of the Diam 24od is good and simple. Its force is that it creates a true rupture with the existing market. It is straightforward and accessible but lively and speedy, as a trimaran should be ! » notes Vianney Ancellin, designer and builder of this one design trimaran.
Quantities and simplicity
As with the launching of any product, all started with market research. This research revealed that the concept of a small one design trimaran could be viable if the production was significant, as the construction of a trimaran needs a considerable amount of tools, making the investment heavy. « A much heavier investment than to build a catamaran for example » notes the manager of ADH Inotec.
To absorb this investment, the research recommended a producion of 300 boats a year (30 boats a year, in 10 countries). It was necessary to conceive a boat for the general public.
« We decided to table on a production of 100 boats a year, which resulted in the review of the basic investments and on building all on site » comments Vianney Ancellin. The solution was therefore to design a the most simple possible boat. This became the aim of the project.
The market research also included the establishment of the necessary environment for the development of the boat over the next 20 years :
- Establishment the class rules and creation a class association.
- Creation of a logo and a design coherent with the specifications of the boat.
- Building up of a racing circuit (keeping in mind that owners of a Diam 24od will not have to travel further than 300 kms to a racing event)
- Establishment of a type of race format, including the reception of crews, that will assure a friendly atmosphere to the race circuit.
- Design and building of road trailers (for easy tranportation of boats.)
All the outlines of the adventure of the Diam 24od were set up last year ; the class rules and racing circuit are still to complete.
Thanks to professional sailors, the tuning of the boats was largely accelerated. Vincent Riou, François Gabart, Lionel Lemonchois, Bernard Stamm….. were the first to adopt the Diam 24od.
Vianney ANCELLIN / « These are professional racers, they are therefore using the Diam 24od as a « pro » boat whereas it has been designed for « amateurs » We were immediately aware of the difference between the expectations of these profesionnal teams and our « general public » specifications – but had to make do.
Especially as the partnership with ASO (selection of the Diam 245od as official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile. Ed) precipitated things …. »
The tuning phase of the Diam 24od was made via the feedback of these professional teams and along with the pressure of considerably boosting the production quantities in order to reply to all orders linked with the Tour de France à la Voile.
The yard’s construction team consequently had a dual challenge to face : technical on one side and production volume on the other. « It has not been easy to upgrade the boat, whilst tripling the production capacity ! But thanks to these professional teams, the tuning of the Diam 24od has been accelerated.
The development calendar of the Diam 24od
2013 : Demo and trial sailing.
2014 : Launch of the first season with 10 boats
2015 : Forecast of 20 to 25 boats, but our participation in the Tour de France à la Voile significantly accelerated the situation as 30 crews will be participating in this event. 35 boats built begiinig of july.
2016 : Development of the class and racing circuits in Switzerland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark ….
2017 : In addition to the Diam 24 od, an evolution towards a future model of Diam 24 ++, dedicated to professional sailors.
2020 : Possible technical evolutions of the Diam 24 ….
Technical specifications of the Diam 24 od
Design VPLP Length : 24’ or 7,25m, breadth : 5,62m, air draft : 12,20m, draught : 1,6m, displacement : 520kgs, Sail surface : Mainsail : 24m2 , Solent : 9m2, Geneker 37m2
If you are interested and want to participate in the 2016 season, or simply want to acquire a boat for your high speed leisure sailing, come and discover the Diam 24. Make an appointment with ADH Inotec for a trial sail.
The Diam 24od
This small, polyvalent, accessible to all, one design trimaran has seduced the best off-shore racing sailors on the planet, but was designed above all, for the pleasure of all racing amateurs as well as fun and high speed leisure sailors.
Contact : Catherine Ecarlat – 06 79 54 22 83 – cathercarlat@gmail.com
Photos : Jean Marie Liot
