Rambler 100

Rambler 100 was commissioned and launched by NYYC member Alex Jackson as Speedboat in 2008. Fellow NYYC member George David is campaigning this Juan K design in 2011 as Rambler 100. An extensive series of races is planned including the TR 2011, the entire Atlantic Ocean Racing Series, and Sydney Hobart in December.

Juan K modeled Rambler 100 on his highly successful Volvo 70 designs for the Volvo Ocean Race. Exceptionally wide at the transom and with deep canting keels and supplemental water ballast, these designs are targeted at maximum stability with sail plans to match. The result is nothing but speed and especially in conditions off the wind.

Speedboat was initially targeted at the transatlantic race record and made attempts in 2008 and 2009. As with all new boats, a period of trialing and modifying is needed and circumstances didn’t permit this until later in 2010. The result has been a significantly modified sail plan with smaller mainsail and larger jibs. The result is a more balanced boat and, based on early race results, this and other modifications appear successful. Rambler 100 won the 2011 RORC Caribbean 600 race against a competitive fleet and took four hours off the prior record in the process.

George David said, “It’s a challenge and a reward to take a fast and competitive boat and make it more so. Rambler 100 is as powerful boat as I have ever sailed. Reaching and running, the acceleration to boat speeds four knots or more over wind speeds is instant and exciting. We haven’t tested the boat yet in tough ocean conditions, and we’ll have to see what happens when it’s blowing thirty and above.”

“The TR 2011 should be quite a ride for us and we’re hoping for a good result against serious competition,” concluded David.

George David has campaigned multiple yachts under the names Rambler and Idler. The prior Rambler accumulated a solid record internationally over the years 2007-2010, winning transatlantic races in 2007 and 2009, the Maxi World Championship in Sardinia in 2008, and traditional blue water races including Annapolis to Newport, Marblehead to Halifax, Buenos Aires to Rio, Rolex Fastnet, and Rolex Middle Sea. Rambler holds a number of records in these races.

Boat Statistics