Realise this is not a yacht racing forum but seeing as this yacht is 10m and hence down in or close to the LOA range of most of us on here, thought it would be of interest to post. Apologies if not.

Interesting new Robert Hick 10 Toecutter in the 23 SH

www.sail-world.com/news/269976/?source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3i7t0t8vqmIpw1gT-uALvg4XOUQc3tMDDT29ndZOGZxACJUkUffIWReow

www.mysailing.com.au/sydney-hobart-new-look-toecutter-returns-to-the-race/

I just have to go and sight this thing alongside tomorrow. If I interprete the article correctly it is 2.5t displacement - if that is the displacement of the yacht plus 6 crew plus all provisions for the race - and it could well be - then that is seriously light for a 10m yacht.

Presumably the JPK 1030 and Bepox 990 French designs influenced Robert a tad............JPK yachts are sublime all rounders and fly downwind......expect Toecutter 2023 will do the same.

www.jpk.fr/en/gamme/jpk-1030/

www.bateaux.com/plaisance/voiliers/bepox-990-REFqcL6aYJb39M,

Thanks for that - go the little blokes and little boats.

That's going to seem like a very long race in that boat! I wish them well. The interest for me is the same as last year. I will follow the two ladies in the Currawong in the two-handed division. New mainsail and spinnaker this year. I think they will do well.

Very interesting. Yes it will be a long race for them. Lets hope they do OK.
Im not keen on the maxis with their diesel engine powered winches etc. Defeats the idea of a wind powered boat.

I didn't make it to sight Toecutter 2023 at the CYC today and won't before the race - will keep a sharp eye out for it on the TV start coverage if they can be reasonable and give every entrant their due time in the cover rather than focusing on the maxis most of the time - with their BS powered winches as per Trek. I found the below 2 shots on line - imho a sublime hull and sailplan/rig but the all in one foredeck and cabin is more than a tad polarising. The sailplan/rig has a larger J (bow to mast) and smaller E (boom length) than expected but this should give better reaching and running performance. The keel doesn't seem to have a bulb - assume it is all lead - this design is very influenced by the JPK yachts in that size range. I am sure they will do very well in the race. The Currawong ladies will also do well again, and hopefully not have to have a rest in Eden like last year - of course that was the correct decision.

rolexsydneyhobart.com/news/2022/day-6/currawong-finishes-in-fine-style/

Select to expand quote

r13 said..
I didn't make it to sight Toecutter 2023 at the CYC today and won't before the race - will keep a sharp eye out for it on the TV start coverage if they can be reasonable and give every entrant their due time in the cover rather than focusing on the maxis most of the time - with their BS powered winches as per Trek. I found the below 2 shots on line - imho a sublime hull and sailplan/rig but the all in one foredeck and cabin is more than a tad polarising. The sailplan/rig has a larger J (bow to mast) and smaller E (boom length) than expected but this should give better reaching and running performance. The keel doesn't seem to have a bulb - assume it is all lead - this design is very influenced by the JPK yachts in that size range. I am sure they will do very well in the race. The Currawong ladies will also do well again, and hopefully not have to have a rest in Eden like last year - of course that was the correct decision.

rolexsydneyhobart.com/news/2022/day-6/currawong-finishes-in-fine-style/

Hope the non slip on that foredeck is good. No wonder it is light - there is practically no freeboard in the aft third of the boat! Be interesting to see where waterline actually is.

Believe that reduced freeboard aft design is due to the wide beam aft design - so when heeled the windward aft gunwales don't get too high and look terrible and act as increased wind resistance. Perhaps Toecutter 2023 has pushed the limit a tad. Still can't fathom why he did the foredeck and cabin all in one like that - ok faster and cheaper to build and less wind resistance but aesthetics? All the best for the festive season to all.