"Wild Hare" 5 meter tri drawings underway

After receiving solid interest in my 5 meter tri concept I have started drawings for an epoxy/ply version. Named after my original 1987 concept drawing of a lightweight simple high performance sailing trimaran, Wild Hare will become the 2010 version of that concept. Possibilities for this design may be plans and a kit boat but the same concept could easily be configured for composite or heat molded plastics. An obvious and possible pipeline for this design is a partnership with an existing plywood kit manufacturer or a startup to produce the kits in the applicable markets. The 5m base design will be configured for a solo skipper. Light all up weight, ease of deploying and rigging the boat will be the primary considerations for this performance oriented tri. Wild Hare will continue the development of the Windrider 10 ama which is able to produce sufficient lateral resistance for windward sailing and additionally produce righting force from its lifting shape far above that available from its buoyancy alone. The advantages of a boat that doesn't need a dagger or centerboard are obvious. If you are an individual or company with interest in this concept please follow this blog or contact me directly. More as the design evolves.

Windrider 10 to be available Spring 2011

Great news this week. In 2001 I designed a small recreational sailing trimaran for Windrider International. The boat was the sailing version of a go-kart and is the most fun you can have in a small trimaran. Unfortunately for the boat, the Windrider division of Confluence Watersports was sold while the boat was just ready for production. Despite a promotional budget of zero during the sale of the company the boat still sold nearly 500 units. The new owner of Windrider International was underfunded and the Windrider 10 tooling sat idle for several years. The good news is that Windrider International has a new, highly motivated, owner looking for larger distribution of the product line again. It is hoped that the WR10 will be available again by the spring of 2011. It is a Wonderful boat. Ask your local sailboat dealer to offer this incredible but affordable sailing trimaran. Please read the most recent post about the Windrider company.  You may want to know how this company does business before you purchase one of their boats.  Mark

Design update November 2010

It has been a busy summer here contacting potential clients, organizing the facilities here, and conceptualizing new designs. Autumn is here and while it is stunningly beautiful, working on new designs means that I see some of the fall color only through the window of my studio.
From all of the new concepts I have chosen 3 primary designs to develop on speculation. One design must still remain confidential as I don’t want to make it public yet. Let me just say it is a highly task specific sailboat for a fast growth part of the small craft market.
The design that promises the most fun and excitement both from a design and development viewpoint and from the anticipation of sailing it, is a simple, lightweight, performance sailing trimaran. As is my trademark the boat should be elegantly minimalist and offer exciting performance under sail. This design will be developed with available time but is still available for exclusive manufacturing rights. I have contacted two manufacturers who have shown interest but so far no contract is signed.
The last design is one that is of particular interest to me since it is a continuation of a rig development I started in the late 80’s. I am working on the next generation kayak/canoe sailing rig. This new rig will allow fewer components but also greater sail area than the iconic BOSS BATWING rig. While the new owner of my previous company still has a right of first refusal on this rig he has not exercised his option and I would love to hear from anyone wanting to develop this rig looking toward the longer term for delivery in the future.
Please contact me at mb at markbalogh dot com if you have interest in one of these spec designs or if you are interested in a task specific rig or boat design.

Hello. I am back and hoping to continue now to make occasional updates to the blog. I have been proceeding with conceptualization of 3 sailboat designs and have completed the initial phase of the proposals. I have made contact with 2 of the most obvious clients for these designs and have received a very positive response from one of them on one or two of the concepts. I hope to publish some details of the concepts when the clients allow. Meanwhile I am enjoying this lush summer life in beautiful SW France and arranging my facilities for some further design and prototype work. I am also accepting commissions for design work that may or may not include small sailboats. More later

The film "OCEANS"

I am now living in the Black Mountains outside of Soreze France where I have just equipped a new office with my partner Suzanne. I have a new design studio and am just settling in to start the first sailboat design. Details on that as it develops.
For now a non business post. We attended the French premier of the new documentary film "OCEANS" and it was absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend that anyone see this film if offered the chance. The cinematography is stunning and the subject matter unforgettable. This is in my opinion a must see. The director is Jacques Perrin. It is wonderful!!