The recent launch of the JV60 'Jethou' and the 39 metre superyacht 'Cinderella IV' represents two significant new projects for Future Fibres, with both pioneering the use of the company's revolutionary Under Deck Turnbuckle (UDT) system.

Plans for the UDT were announced in late 2007 and yacht designers immediately showed strong interest in the system, which removes cumbersome hardware and places it out-of-sight underneath the deck. Jethou and Cinderella IV are the first to capitalise on this technology, which not only streamlines the deck but also has a positive effect on both weight and windage.

Future Fibres' R&D director Humphrey Bunyan commented: "Composite rigging is being accepted very quickly and we are seeing a bunch of new players enter the market. Naturally we want to maintain our technical advantage and intend to keep driving our development forward at pace. The next twelve months will see us release several major developments; the UDT is just one of them.
"These projects are also great examples of a rigging company working with designers, yards, PMs and other suppliers, to produce the very best yacht possible. From conception to delivery, Future Fibres managed the relationship with all those involved and ensured that everything worked perfectly from day one. This is the direction we see Future Fibres moving in the future – taking a leading role in the whole rig package and working collectively to achieve the very best results for the customer."

Launched in May, Cinderella IV was constructed at Vitters Shipyard and features a full set of Future Fibres' rigging. With an owner's brief which focused heavily on great aesthetics, speed and long range comfort, it was felt that composite rigging was a must. Future Fibres' experience in the superyacht market, combined with the company's GL approval and weight advantage over other systems meant it was quickly chosen as the preferred supplier.

Cinderella's skipper Andy Wilson commented: "We went out with the sails on for the first time yesterday and everything went according to plan. The rigging and the UDTs look great; it makes a real difference to the line of the deck and is a very clean system. We are very happy with what we have seen so far and look forward to seeing the difference the composite rigging makes".
Cinderella's UDT design, which is the first of its type, was developed by Future Fibres' in-house engineering department, who, after presenting the idea early on in the design process, worked closely with the Tripp design office and Vitters yard to ensure a seamless installation. The result is a stainless tube, bonded directly to the chainplate, into which sits an inner adjustable tube housing the V1 end fitting.

Running in parallel, Jethou is the first in the race market to feature the UDT system. Built by Green Marine, the Judel Vrolijk designed 60 footer, launched in April, features a fully optimised race rigging package. This includes internal tangs, bullet threaders and a set of bespoke spreader ends – designed to minimise the profile of the spreader tip.

Future Fibres' Miles Amin remarked: "There has only been a handful of custom race boat launches this year, so it's great that we were able to see the UDT in action on a boat of her calibre so quickly. We worked very closely with Green Marine's engineering department to produce an ultra light version of the UDT. Constructed mainly out of composite materials, it offers a considerable weight reduction compared to a normal turnbuckle, as well as having a significant impact on windage."

Future Fibres' revolutionary new shim-based turnbuckle system, which caused a stir at September's Monaco Yacht Show, has received a special mention at the international METS marine exhibition in Amsterdam.
The decision by the DAME jury to recognise the LP Adjuster™, out of a 125 entrants, confirms Future Fibres' position at the forefront of composite rigging innovation; as the company's CEO, Ewan McLellan explains: "We are delighted that the independent jury acknowledged the product's potential. Our in-house R&D team spent six months dedicated to understanding and designing a product tailored specifically for the composite rigged world."

The LP Adjuster was chosen as one of just a handful of products which combined product styling, construction, functionality and a level of innovation in relation to its intended use. The DAME Jury also considered the product's originality, ease of operation and impact on the marine industry when choosing the category winner.

The new LP Adjuster was commended by the panel for its market flexibility: Able to work across the full range of vessels, from 40 footers to the largest superyachts, the product represents a big step forward for product optimisation, whilst remaining a cost effective alternative to a traditional turnbuckle.

The Future Fibres R&D team removed a remarkable 60 percent of the weight compared to a traditional turnbuckle, with a similar reduction in height. The resulting simple, yet elegantly engineered solution now attaches directly into the boat's chainplate and is suitable for either above or below deck installation.
Head of Future Fibres R&D, Humphrey Bunyan, commented: "The LP Adjuster fits well with our design philosophy, by incorporating asymmetric, incremental adjustment within the toggle itself, we reduce the number of parts and metalwork to an absolute minimum. This not only provides simple installation and maintenance but is also inherently safe and strong."
The LP Adjuster is another example of Future Fibres working closely with yacht designers and yards to move rigging technology forward and deliver the very best package to the client. This latest development follows just months after its revolutionary Under Deck Turnbuckle (UDT) system was heralded as a massive success – featuring on the latest JV60 Jethou and the Tripp 38m sloop, Cinderella IV.

As composite rigging continues to infiltrate every area of the marine industry, the push for increased customisation and flexibility also continues to rise. With these attributes at the core of Future Fibres' R&D ethos, the company has developed a system capable of accurately specifying the torsional requirements of its code cables.

Originally developed for the Volvo fleet, code cables, or torsional luff cables, have now been widely adopted for furling free-flying headsails and staysails. Suitable for boats up to 40 metres, they are designed to make handling code zero sails, gennakers and staysails far easier.

Specially engineered to transfer torque from the furling unit at the base, through the end fitting and along the length of the cable, the result can be likened to a thirty metre long propeller shaft, which can be coiled up and stored in a bag when not in use!

Through extensive in-house testing, Future Fibres has identified the specific cable characteristics required for durability, flexibility and torsional stiffness. Using a variety of materials and construction methods, the R&D team has adapted the manufacturing process to enable the precise requirements of the client or team to be met. The new range

"For a long time, Future Fibres code cables have been considered the best available, especially in the race market, where we definitely have the commanding share. However, in comparison to our current cables, and those still being sold by the competition, the new system is years ahead and means we can offer a range of options based on a boat's specific requirements." comments Alex Runciman, Head of Future Fibres' Project Management Team.

Future Fibres continues to work closely with sailmakers and furler manufacturers, which has enabled it to develop the first model capable of accurately calculating torsional requirements, based on sail size, loads and wind speeds. This in turn has enabled standards to be created for specifying cable torque and flexibility. A test regime for durability has also been developed which involves furling, interspersed with simulated 'packing' abuse, to identify fatigue issues and reduce their impact.

Alex continues: "By adjusting the way we construct the cables we can accurately build in the required characteristics to give optimum performance. The choices come down to torque, longevity and weight, and we can adjust the production variables in a number of different ways to achieve the perfect balance. We can't really go into a lot of detail about how we do it – it's a significant lead over of the competition and we want to keep that way!"

Due to be launched at this year's Monaco Yacht Show and targeted at both the superyacht and race market, the new turnbuckle replacement offers significant savings compared to alternative systems. Suitable for either above or below deck installation, the new system removes a remarkable 60 percent of the weight and height of a traditional turnbuckle. The Valencia-based R&D team was able to remove all unnecessary metalwork to develop the Low Profile (LP) Adjuster (patents pending), with the resulting simple, yet elegantly engineered solution now attaching directly into the boat's chainplate. Able to work across the full range, from 40 footers to the largest superyachts, the new system is a big step forward for product optimisation and manages to remain a cost effective alternative to a traditional turnbuckle.

As market leaders in an increasingly composite-rigged world, Future Fibres has always strived to challenge the historical technological standards. Now, the ability to produce composite cables with millimetre accuracy and zero creep, together with the almost standard use of mast jacks, has removed the need for adjustment under load to tune the mast. Head of Future Fibres R&D, Humphrey Bunyan, commented on what this has meant for development: "The LP Adjuster fits well with our design philosophy: by incorporating asymmetric, incremental adjustment within the toggle itself, we reduce the number of parts and metalwork to a minimum, which not only provides simple installation and maintenance but is inherently safe and strong. This is only possible because of the remarkable base properties of PBO.

"The LP Adjuster is another example of us working closely with yacht designers and yards to move rigging technology forward and deliver the very best package to the client. This latest development follows just months after our revolutionary Under Deck Turnbuckle (UDT) system was heralded as a massive success  and featured on the Tripp 38m sloop, Cinderella IV. It's an exciting time to be in the rigging industry!"

The Future Fibres R&D department is also currently working on several other major product developments, including an improved code cable. The team has been working closely with a Madrid based technical institute to identify ways to maximise the life of existing products, as well as research into other fibres and optimising manufacturing processes.

FUTURE FIBRES BECOMES THE FIRST RIGGING PROVIDER TO ACHIEVE GL APPROVAL FOR BOTH CARBON AND PBO RIGGING SYSTEMS

Valencia based Future Fibres has achieved the prestigious 'Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Type Approval' for a new carbon rigging product – a key objective in the company's goal to offer the right composite fibre for the right application.

The new product, which is still in the development process, has been a highly guarded secret until now, sparking rumours as to what the Future Fibres team have been working on. Today's announcement demonstrates the market leader's continued focus on R&D, in what is fast becoming a highly competitive industry.
Germanischer Lloyd (GL) is recognised by the marine industry as the leading authority in its field. For more than 140 years, GL has been offering its marking services to the shipping industry and setting standards in technology, safety and quality.
Tom Hutchinson, Future Fibres' founder remarks: "This is an important milestone in an ongoing development process for us. We now have a carbon product which already outperforms the competition, but we are looking for a lot more before we come to market. With the most detailed understanding across multiple fibres and technologies we are in a unique position to offer an unbiased opinion on the most suitable composite for a given project and our aim is to lead the way into the next generation of composite rigging, just as we did ten years ago."
Future Fibres carbon forms part of a major four year R&D initiative. The overall objective of the programme is to create the ideal product for every application, regardless of material or construction method. Humphrey Bunyan, Future Fibres' Head of R&D explains: "For us, carbon is definitely not the only solution. We will be looking to carbon to complement our existing cable range, not replace it. We want our clients to know that they are getting the optimum system, using the right materials for each cable type and constructed to the highest, certified standards.
In the coming months, the company is also preparing to reveal some significant advances to its range of PBO products. After studying the super fibre on a microscopic level, with the help of a Madrid-based materials institute, Future Fibres has identified areas where significant performance gains can be made.  On-the-water testing is currently in progress and the company expects to launch a new product at METS in November.
Regarding their latest certificate, Hasso Hoffmeister, GL´s expert for structural analysis of yachts and rigs, comments: "Future Fibres was the first manufacturer to attain 'Type Approval' in 2007. Achieving the certification according to our Guidelines for the Type Approval of Carbon Strand and PBO Cable Rigging for Sailing Yachts demonstrates Future Fibres' commitment to quality and safety. It is therefore with great pleasure that I'm able to confirm Future Fibres has now become the first manufacturer to accomplish Type Approval for carbon as well as its PBO rigging system.

The long process to achieve certification requires systematic proof of all quality measures and Future Fibres' carbon rigging product has successfully passed the challenging testing regime, including impact, chafing and fatigue tests."
Tom concludes: "The team pulled out all the stops to get us to this position – It's simply a fantastic achievement. I'm extremely proud of everyone who's involved and delighted we're the first to achieve this award for both PBO and carbon.

DOUBLE TURNOVER, BIGGER AND SMALLER BOATS, FASTER PACE, MORE PEOPLE, NEW PRODUCTION LINE, RECORDS BROKEN, CLASSIFICATION APPROVAL… WORTHY OF AN AWARD!

Future Fibres has always been the forward-looking specialist rigging company – predicting and driving demand in a competitive market for lightweight PBO rigging. While planning for 2008 and beyond, a quick reflection of Future Fibres' achievements in 2007 shows success at all levels...

The superyacht industry has embraced the use of PBO rigging, a panel of superyacht owners and experts voting Future Fibres winner at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice in April. Six weeks later Germanischer Lloyd awarded classification society approval to Future Fibres' PBO cables after extensive testing and scrutiny of production processes and documentation. Absolute confidence in the product's safety and performance has led to superyacht owners, designers and project managers specifying Future Fibres for new build and retrofit projects. Fast superyachts Sojana and Hamilton II have both reported dramatic improvements in performance since opting to retrofit PBO rigging earlier this year.

Racing monohulls whose owners selected PBO rigging, after comparing it with continuous carbon, include Morning Glory, the Reichel Pugh Z86 and Leopard 3, the supermaxi destined for the charter market after an intensive 18-month race programme. Future Fibres has also made a big impact on the Open 60 class this year. This exciting fleet is growing rapidly in preparation for next year's Vendée Globe, starting November 2008. Six of the nine entrants starting in the Barcelona race this month are carrying full sets of PBO rigging, as are over 50% of the potential Transat Jaques Vabre and Vendée fleets

Multihulls Sodebo and Groupama 3 have been working with Future Fibres on an extensive R&D programme throughout the year, smashing several records along the way...

Wally, another brand synonymous with leading edge thinking and style, has Future Fibres PBO rigging on Y3K – its latest 'reference point' technologically advanced racing boat, as well as the Wally 148, Saudade, a Wally 130 (in production) and a recent order for a Wally 101.

Clean design is evident in every item emerging from Future Fibres' facilities, the continuously wound concept pioneered by Future Fibres being the neatest and best looking system on the market. And now, for those who like an even more minimal design on deck, an 'under-deck turnbuckle' has been developed and patented, reducing drag and windage while also lowering the centre of gravity

Production and semi-production boat builders continue to recommend Future Fibres PBO, as they aim to differentiate their product with a performance edge. From Dehler 44's to Shipmans (80, 72 and 63s) and a number of Southern Wind 100s, this is an exciting development as this high tech product receives general market acceptance, a lot sooner than anyone could have imagined

Teamwork is at the heart of Future Fibres and its core team has seen the benefits of keeping the pace fast, meetings short, and making every project an opportunity to improve a boat's performance and make a client happy. Now with over 50 full-time staff, Future Fibres is currently recruiting further technical sales staff, project managers, engineers and service personnel whilst expanding its production and test facilities at its 5,000m² factory in Valencia, in order to fulfil its growing 2008/09 order book.

Future Fibres has always been the forward-looking specialist rigging company – predicting and driving demand in a competitive market for lightweight PBO rigging. While planning for 2008 and beyond, a quick reflection of Future Fibres' achievements in 2007 shows success at all levels...

The superyacht industry has embraced the use of PBO rigging, a panel of superyacht owners and experts voting Future Fibres winner at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice in April. Six weeks later Germanischer Lloyd awarded classification society approval to Future Fibres' PBO cables after extensive testing and scrutiny of production processes and documentation. Absolute confidence in the product's safety and performance has led to superyacht owners, designers and project managers specifying Future Fibres for new build and retrofit projects. Fast superyachts Sojana and Hamilton II have both reported dramatic improvements in performance since opting to retrofit PBO rigging earlier this year.

Racing monohulls whose owners selected PBO rigging, after comparing it with continuous carbon, include Morning Glory, the Reichel Pugh Z86 and Leopard 3, the supermaxi destined for the charter market after an intensive 18-month race programme. Future Fibres has also made a big impact on the Open 60 class this year. This exciting fleet is growing rapidly in preparation for next year's Vendée Globe, starting November 2008. Six of the nine entrants starting in the Barcelona race this month are carrying full sets of PBO rigging, as are over 50% of the potential Transat Jaques Vabre and Vendée fleets

Multihulls Sodebo and Groupama 3 have been working with Future Fibres on an extensive R&D programme throughout the year, smashing several records along the way...

Wally, another brand synonymous with leading edge thinking and style, has Future Fibres PBO rigging on Y3K – its latest 'reference point' technologically advanced racing boat, as well as the Wally 148, Saudade, a Wally 130 (in production) and a recent order for a Wally 101.

Clean design is evident in every item emerging from Future Fibres' facilities, the continuously wound concept pioneered by Future Fibres being the neatest and best looking system on the market. And now, for those who like an even more minimal design on deck, an 'under-deck turnbuckle' has been developed and patented, reducing drag and windage while also lowering the centre of gravity

Production and semi-production boat builders continue to recommend Future Fibres PBO, as they aim to differentiate their product with a performance edge. From Dehler 44's to Shipmans (80, 72 and 63s) and a number of Southern Wind 100s, this is an exciting development as this high tech product receives general market acceptance, a lot sooner than anyone could have imagined

Teamwork is at the heart of Future Fibres and its core team has seen the benefits of keeping the pace fast, meetings short, and making every project an opportunity to improve a boat's performance and make a client happy. Now with over 50 full-time staff, Future Fibres is currently recruiting further technical sales staff, project managers, engineers and service personnel whilst expanding its production and test facilities at its 5,000m² factory in Valencia, in order to fulfil its growing 2008/09 order book.

The future of Carbon is here! Future Fibres´ all new FlexC™ carbon is a true technological innovation which has been recognized this week by the METS DAME Special Mention.

A number of carbon rigging products have appeared in the last 3-4 years which all rely on standard carbon/epoxy technology. The downside with this technology is its poor flexibility which limits its applicability for certain cable types.

Having completed homologation of their TSC technology, Future Fibres R&D team set out specifically to build a flexible carbon cable. A number of months later and the R&D workshop resembling a chemistry lab rather than a rigging shop, a flexible carbon product (FlexC™) was born.