A search for lightweight fittings
Skipper Marc Guillemot has set several objectives for his new MG5 catamaran project. His 52-foot multihull must be able to accommodate passengers for seminars and professional activities, but also to participate in the Route du Rhum 2022. For this, he did not want to concede anything in terms of the boat's lightness. "For the fittings, I was looking for both weight and aesthetics. I've done a bit of attic work for racing teams, but for the hoods, for example, I needed something new, reliable and aesthetic. And I came across Goiot in my internet research. To be honest, in my vision as an IMOCA racer, I had not seen the evolutions of the brand and I was left with a rather old-fashioned image. I was surprised and so I contacted Goiot" says Marc Guillemot.
A laboratory to test the material and its evolutions
Goiot's welcome was very positive and a working relationship was quickly formed. "We saw that this was a project for us, with a prototype to test equipment and a potential for small series behind it. There was also the interest of a real technical feedback from the user. We jumped at the chance", summarizes Arnaud Leblais, Goiot's sales manager.
New version of flush deck panels
The MG5 is one of the first boats to feature Goiot's new range of panels called Magic Flush. "They were designed to save weight, which corresponds to the project that makes them a beautiful window. The glazing goes from 15 mm thick on the Opal range to 12 mm in the Magic Flush. A number of accessories and spacers are removed, as well as the compasses on the smaller models, replaced by friction hinges. In the end, the panels are lighter and even less expensive than the Opal range," explains the sales manager.
The thermoformed handles have been redesigned and integrate directly into their body the locking by a simple angulation, without adding a visible button. "At a glance, you can check from a distance if everything is closed", says the Goiot manager.
Lighter glazing
For the fixed glazing of the boat, Goiot is also experimenting with a lighter version of its usual products. A thinned PMMA is used to save weight on the nacelle. "It's an interesting test for us, before we know if we can offer it on other boats" explains Arnaud Leblais.
As the launch approaches, discussions continue on all the details. To complement the aluminum stanchions and cleats, custom elements could be added, such as the swim ladder, making the boat a small testing laboratory for Goiot.
