Breaking water speed records might be plain sailing for Team Cobalt! 

We find out more about Team Cobalt and their bid to clinch the Round the Island speed record

Amongst the many great attractions at this year’s RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show (01-02 March) was a magnificent display in Alexandra Palace’s Palm Court from Team Cobalt.  

The brainchild of Luke Yeates and Jack Gifford, Team Cobalt has been designed with one aim in mind, to break records on a beach cat concept boat and clinch the Round the Island speed record.  

The current Round the Island record stands at 2 hours 20 minutes which means Team Cobalt will need to maintain an average of between 20-30 knots to take the title.  

“She has a design speed of 35-40 knots but is built to maintain a high average speed”, explained Luke.  “We need to ensure she can maintain a high average speed in all conditions, upwind, downwind, at every point of sail, whilst being manageable for two people.”  

We caught up with Luke and Jack at the show to learn more about this impressive craft including the design process, how they launch with just two people; the rig concept and how they keep the whole boat below 120 kgs, as well as finding out why the decided to embark on this challenge.