Manouch Moshayedi, skipper and owner of Rio Racing team purchased the 2003 Bakewell-White 98′ Lahana, in Australia and delivered it to Cookson’s Yachts in New Zealand in early 2014 for a complete refit.
The goal was to build a boat that would be suitable and competitive for US West Coast ocean racing and would qualify for the Transpac Barn Door trophy.
Brett Bakewell-White re-developed and modernized the design of the boat whereby the Aft half of the boat which contained the water ballasts was completely removed along with keel, boom, bowsprit, wheels, rudders, engine and all the interiors. The yacht’s water ballast was removed by cutting off the back 50 foot section and a new wider, longer stern has made it six to seven tons lighter than it was as Lahana. She also sports a new, longer boom, a new longer bowsprit and the helm stations have been pushed further aft.
A new wider and longer back half was designed and built along with new decking.
New longer bowsprit and longer boom were built, new wheel and twin rudder systems were installed along with a new lifting keel and bulb, a new engine was also installed along with a new lifting prop.
The completely new interiors allow for a much easier and more ergonomic movement of crew and materials. The new electrical and power systems along with updated and modernized electronics and hydraulics of the boat make them lighter, more automated and more accurate and efficient for use.
All paint and fillings from the exteriors, interiors and decks were removed and new lighter and more durable materials were applied along with a stunning new paint by The team of One10 of Gulf Harbor in NZ.
The design team at Bakewell-White and structural engineers, along with Cookson’s yachts, did a great job of designing and building a boat that is lighter, faster, longer and more balanced than its previous version.
To enhance the performance of the boat, Richard Bouzaid and Mike Sanderson were engaged and a new suite of sails were designed and built for the boat by Doyle Sails of New Zealand.
Not having a canting keel or water ballasts along with its all manpowered winches make Rio 100 the only 100′ boat in the world to qualify for the prestigious Barn Door trophy of Transpac.
In its first race in Yates Cup in NZ in which the boat received line honors, the boat performed extremely well as a downwind flyer.
She is also sporting a new silver/grey paint job, magnifying an undeniably sleek appearance.
