Update: I just received an email from Lochli who pointed out one thing I got wrong: The compression struts itself now run into the mast pole so they can actually touch each other inside the pole” they dont touch, they rest in a hole in the plasice fitting, so they have the effect of touching but not! Also the shroud fitting will only be replaced on Lochli’s boat – it will be the same on all production boats.

Since I returned from New Zealand I have been incredibly busy. I managed to sail 2 days, but could only foil temporarily as there was the typical lack of wind. In between I returned to a full desk, loads of unanswered emails, employees who demanded a lot of attention. Additionally I had to do the follow up from the New Zealand conference and I had to find a new apartment.
Today I picked up our new booth and modeled a bit.
Now I just finished up packing my bags (very heavy due to all the marketing catalogues), so now I am prepared as I am going to the US tomorrow. Now I just lighted up a cigar and grabbed a beer. And now I am taking the time to present the Mach2 to you in full detail:

This is the first Mach2 that has been sailed by Si Payne during the Australian nationals. Now this boat was sold to Lochli Byrne who currently works for Amac. So this boat is not the very last, final version, but it is damn close.

Firstofall let me tell you something about the look of the Mach2. It is all clear, bi-directional carbon. So from the distance it looks like pure black, but depending on the light you can see many different shades. it is really cool.

The wing frame is definitely something Amac has put a lot of thought into. First of all the side wingbars are not a straight tube but actually become bigger towards the middle, which is really nice when you sit on them. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture, as the tramps were fastened around it and you couldn’t see it – but feeling it is awesome. Also the side wingbars are attached to the frong wingbars at the joint of the front bar and the compression strut. The compression struts rest in a hole in the plasice fitting, so they have the effect of touching but not.

Lochli told me that the shroud fittings will be replaced with some weird spliced rope in the future…? (update: this is only on his boat, the production ones will come with the metal fitting) The compression struts itself now run into the mast pole so they can actually touch each other inside the pole:

The rear wingbars are now very different from the BRs. First of all they are not in one piece anymore. Instead they are slid into tubes placed above the rear deck:

I also think the way the rear wing bars connect to the side wingbar is really cool:

The gantry is a tube construction that is covered with some carbon expanse to keep the water off. the three tubes now run into the boat which is a real good idea to attach it tightly.

The vang is now attached to the hull with a spliced rope that runs around the bottom of the mast pole. It is really difficult to see. By the way you don’t need any knots on the Mach2 – everything is spliced.

The centerboard case is now glued on to the deck above the deck. The centerboard case and the center board both come with three holes so you can adjust the angle of attack

By the way here is a pick of Lochli doing some splicing. He actually asked me not to take a picture of him – at least I am not showing the ones I took from me and Lochlin while partying in Melbourne. He should thank me for that

The boom itself is a piece of art. Unfortunately I don’t have a complete pic of it. You just have to believe me. Also note the way Si Payne has put the Zhik sticker on there. You can only read it when the boat is capsized…

and here another one of the way the sheet attaches to the boom. Awesome isn’t it?

Now let me show you some more details about the amazing bow of the Mach2: First of all the new central wand mechanism allows you to have two wands, one on either side. This is also possible with the Assassin. I haven’t tried it but Lochli said that he will always sail with two wands in the future as you can actually come out of the water as high on either bow.

The big hole you are seeing is a spare one so you can run a rope to the front. For example to tighten the forestay while sailing.

Unfortunately you cannot really see the wand mechanism. Well it is centralized right in the middle of the boats axis and the leverage can be changed when sailing in different conditions. Also one thing Lochli really liked is that you can use the mechanism upside down. So in really light winds you can lift the wand up in the air which reduces drag. When the wind picks up you just pull the rubber and it swings down…

To reduce windage you can put a small piece of carbon on top of the whole mechanism which looks awesome (I know you know these pictures, but I took this one Actually I am really amazed by the whole wave piercing A-Cat like bow. It really works. I tried sailing the Mach2 in big waves (typical for Melbourne) and the big difference is that you get out of the water faster as you are not doing a full stop every time you hit a wave. I love it. It is a big, huge advantage.

So finally we can talk about one of the most interesting parts of the whole boat – its foils. One thing you notice right away is that they are longer than the BRs, roughly 10cm (my guess). The rudder is just like the Assassin’s without a rudderboard case. Instead the bold is connecting the rudder with the gantry directly. Lochli hates it (and so do I) as it is just a pain in the ass to attach and detach it. Of course there are two arguments in favor – it is supposed to be stiffer and it causes less weight. (Also it is cheaper, but you will never hear this advantage from a builder…)

One of the best things Amac has done when designing the whole Mach2 is the following:

Do you see the little bulk on the centerboard? This is where the center board touches the centerboard case. All other parts of the foils are narrower. So sliding it into the centerboard case is easy and you don’t have all these stupid issues like sand getting in between (yak). You can also see that the back of the foil is cut back. This is done so you can change the angle of attack with those three holes I have told you about earlier. Also both foils get narrower towards the bottom both in width and in breadth. They are not the straight ones you know from BR. Lochli told me that there is a lot more carbon towards the top and you can now stand on the middle of the foil ( I didn’t try, as I am still having my weight issues). Here are a few more pics of the foils:

Now the whole winding is taken care of with stainless steal winding molded into the foils – good idea..

The flap is a bit smaller but the up and down movement has been increased.

to make a long story short, the Mach 2 is an awesome boat. It is really good to sail (but that is another article) and has been build to the best standards. Unfortunately the price is also the best (at least for Amac and McConaghy). My personal believe is that you cannot do anything wrong when buying a Mach2.

Oh, and by the way, the Mach2 has got a cover as well:

PS.: If you want more pics from the Assassin or the Mach 2 just let me know. I just think that there are enough pics in this post

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