At the same time, the America's Cup has seen more billionaires per foot of waterline than any other marine-based sporting spectacle.

And the direct result of all this money is a mass of R&D that has pushed the top end of the industry to new heights of sophistication.

Lewmar agrees the IACC hardware scene is a testing ground for the latest thinking and technology and says with syndicates willing to invest substantial sums in the quest for that extra percentage point in performance, the cup has consistently acted as a spur to development in both design and materials technology.

Carbon has underpinned the greatest advances made in this field to date. And it has brought some heavy capital investment with it.

Lewmar has constructed inhouse thermoclave and composite facilities in order the guarantee the laminate schedule and the quality of individual components.

The company has also invested in the CNC machining centres - like those used by Formula 1 racing teams - to enable every gram of excess weight to be eliminated.

Lymington-based Formula Yacht Spars is building a 1.2m (3.9ft) diameter autoclave that will be able to cure spars up to 50m long at up to 6 bar.

Hood Yacht Spars recently installed filament winding equipment that enabled the company to produce the rudder stocks for Mirabella V .Lewmar says things like counter-rotating (anti-clockwise) winch drums have become a standard feature on IACC boats for both runner winches and primaries.

Using these winches allows the designer to align the substantial compression loads most efficiently in relation to the strongest structural points in the boats.

The structure of the winches themselves are also optimised to balance the load sharing, and flat bases keep the hole cut-outs to the minimum required for the drive shaft.

Maintenance has been facilitated by the introduction of drums that can be removed at the touch of a single button, keeping downtime to a minimum.

Dual-track genoa sheeting systems, known as fore-and-aft, or X-Y transverse assemblies, use a block and sheave assembly mounted on a transverse beam that in turn moves fore and aft along two parallel tracks, allowing trimmers to pinpoint the clew anywhere between the twin rails.

Mainsheet systems have had to adapt to IACC boats becoming narrower, resulting in shorter mainsheet tracks.

This, says Lewmar, has led to more compact mainsheet cars to allow maximum travel, while at the same time having to accommodate loads that have increased by around 20% since the 1995 America's Cup.

Many of the advances that start out as highly priced custom-made items do ultimately trickle down to the more leisurely end of the market, says Lewmar.

See next month's BB for a James Boyd article on this very subject.

Bainbridge International hasexpanded over the past couple of years and now handles Lewmar (deck hardware), Navtec Norseman Gibb (rigging systems), Yachtspeed (rudder stocks to pump action cleats), Tylaska (snap shackles), Titan (composite and aluminium winch handles), Aquabatten (sail accessories), Bainbridge's own anchor chain and FSE ropes.

FSE is an Austrian company, founded in 1790, that claims to be at the leading edge of rope technology with a range of products from basic mooring lines to aramid and PBO lines designed for specific applications on top Grand Prix yachts.

The company has been involved in some very high profile campaigns, working with Assa Abloy, SEB and Djuice Dragon in the Volvo Ocean Race, using the race to develop the company's range of ropes for both racing and cruising applications.

Bainbridge says FSE is rebranding this year as FSEROBLINE and has introduced a number of new products, such as aramid luff rope, Vectran Ultra, Dyneema 3000, polyester mooring line with loops and mini reels.

says its ball bearing mainsheet systems have been upgraded and are now available in a modular format, making it easy to custom build a system to suit individual requirements.

Control line cleats can be fitted to end fittings with straight or angled take off, or fitted directly to the car.

Barton says purchases of up to 4:1 can be achieved.

Systems can be easily added to, upgraded or easily serviced at any time and the company says of particular interest to dealers and stockists is the fact that any system in the range can be built up from just five component items per size.

They say this means less money is required in inventory to provide customers a choice of the full range and models available.

All models are available in three sizes to suit yachts up to 14 metres. A choice of three track alternatives - drilled, concealed bolt or beam - is offered.

Supplied in new bubble packaging to aid store display, all components come with full and simple assembly instructions.

Barton says a very competitive dealer stocking offer is currently available from its distributors, Plastimo or X-M Yachting, and the new Barton catalogue has just been published.

C-Quip handles the US Accon Marine range of deck fittings, including a pop-up lifting eye and pop-up lights.

The oval lifting eye measures 10.6 X 6.6 X 5.3cm and as what Accon says is an innovative hub that pivots two ways to overcome any slight misalignments during installation.

Accon says the unit - made in 316 stainless - takes up less below-deck space than its competitors and can be fitted with a drain, or sealed watertight.

The pop-up lighting is available for bow, port, starboard, stern and side. The lights fold down flush with the deck - another toe-stubber out of the way.

All are constructed in UVresistant plastic and measure 13 X 8.5cm. The bow lights are currently also made in 316 stainless and the rest of the range will be made in stainless in the near future.

Harken is another company working on the Mirabella V project. The company's website has details of the mainsail headboard, which will help keep the Doyle sail - the largest main ever built - where it belongs.

"The height of the sail from boom to headboard car when the mainsail is lowered was a major concern and a big factor in deciding what type of bearing system to use, " wrote Steve Orlebeke, senior engineer of Harken Custom Products.

"We chose T-Track slider cars for the battens, luff cars, reef cars, and headboard car to keep the system simple and compact."

With over 42 15cm (6") batten and luff cars, stack height would be almost 20ft. So Harken designed a track "switch" system to keep stack height as low as possible.

The single track splits and becomes two when the sail is lowered, automatically putting cars into alternating slots.

"Because of the huge required safe working load (SWL), the locking headboard car was also a difficult design challenge, " says Orlebeke.

"The required SWL is more than two times greater than we have ever designed for. The extreme head loads, use of a lock, and change in load angle at the reef points makes for a difficult balancing act. It is important to balance the loading so the entire car is working. If this is not done properly the car will not move or can even be ripped off the back of the mast. Wear is also a major design concern. The pivoting components of a locking headboard slider have to endure repetitive motion at these extreme loads."

Some of the expected loads have forced the company to think creatively. Blocks will have to bear loads up to 60 tons.

Harken has developed new winches to handle the extreme loads anticipated.

IMP distributes the Gebo range in the UK and tells us the Dutch company has improved the friction hinge on its round hatch, which was launched last year.

IMP says this hatch is popular in the US and Europe in white powdered coated finish with tinted or clear acrylic and that Gebo offers a variety of aluminium and acrylic finishes and is prepared to look at low production volumes.

The round hatch is available in 227mm, 420mm and 518mm diameter.

IMP says Gebo has also increased the choice of corner radius to R-30, R-42, R-55, R-95 for the Standard Ocean Deck Hatch. The hatch has now been in manufacture for over 30 years and is the most widely used deck hatch in the world. All are guaranteed 100% watertight.

IMP says it supplies yachtbuilders and chandleries in the UK and is increasing its activity with narrowboat builders. The company says Gebo produces a 495 x 495mm hatch that matches the industry standard and is available in standard silver anodised, black or gold powder coated.

IMP also handles Profurl in the UK and tells us the company has recently extended its warranty on the Classic head sail system for 10 years.

New developments in the NEC systems (Stayfurlers and furlers for flying sails), Profurl has recently supplied a 30T stayfurler for 115ft Maiden (Hong Kong) with a breaking load of over 55 tons.

The company has also improved the design of the spool for continuous line NECs allowing enhanced furling line grip on all NEC and NEC ST models.

IMP says Profurl NECs have been installed on over 30 of the premier monohulls and multihulls, including Kingfisher, Foncia and Fujicolour.

Jeckells the Sailmakers hasdeveloped a new electronic rig testing service for clients that offers a quick and simple way of detecting problems in rigging before they become serious and cause damage.

The non-destructive test measures the electrical resistance between the wire and its termination. Jeckells says the system is essentially comparative, looking for the difference between the readings taken from similar terminals. Any defective joints will generate high resistance readings and lead the tester to a potential problem area.

Customers can send their rigging to Jeckells at the company's Wroxham loft, or arrange for a full rig test on the boat.

The cost varies from £3 per terminal if the mast is down and from £10 if climbing of the mast is required.

The company says group bookings can also be arranged for Jeckells to spend a day in one area and carry out a rig test on an entire fleet for a special rate.

"Sails and rigging go hand in hand and we feel that our investment in this new technology will provide an extremely valuable service for our clients", explained managing director Chris Jeckells.

US hardware company Johnson Marine says its extreme duty offshore series lifeline fittings offer the ultimate in safety and reliability.

New for 2003, Johnson says these fittings - when used with its new solid aluminium stanchions - ensure the strongest life line system afloat.

They are available for 4.76mm or 6.35-mm coated or uncoated cable and include tubular and open turnbuckles, single and double gate eyes, toggle jaws and pelican hooks.

The fittings are constructed of T-316 stainless steel and include full length wire engagement terminals that meet military specifications, with T-bolt-style fittings for reliability and safety.

Johnson Marine is looking for a UK distributor for its range - contact details in contact panel.

Lewmar brought out a number of new products in the first quarter of this year.

Synchro Control is a range of 13 new 40mm blocks that Lewmar says will have a multitude of uses from dinghy mainsheets to control lines on 50ft (15m) racing yachts.

The blocks are, according to Lewmar, extremely light with very high strength and impact resistance. The sheave is moulded in MRT (Metal Replacement Technology) material so the stainless steel balls will not embed in it or deform.

The composite lightweight cheeks use LFT (Long Fibre Technology) for unprecedented load bearing capability. The rivet at the base of the sheave eliminates distortion of the cheeks, thus preventing ball loss, while open access to the balls makes the block easy to keep clean, free of debris and smooth running.

The max/min line size in the sheave encourages proper line size use so ensuring total efficiency. In addition, safe working load data is clearly displayed on each block.

Lewmar says tests show the Synchro Control 40 is probably now the most durable block of its type on the market. The range includes a single shackle block, single strap head, web block, cheek block, doubles, triples and cleated blocks.

Product manager Matthew Townsend explained: "We have applied the most advanced technology and materials now available. The Synchro Control 40 range can be recognised for its versatility as well as its superb efficiency and durability, whether for hand held control for fine tuning on top racing dinghies and sportsboats, or for the flag halyard on a superyacht."

Launched at Earls Court, Lewmar's range of CT Winches (Composite Technology) is, they say, a cost effective lightweight alternative to alloy and chrome winches.

For any cruising yacht or sportsboat up to 31ft (12.1m) the CT Winch is suitable as primaries, spinnaker winches or halyards.

The CT drum is manufactured from a composite material that has been selected for its strength, hardness and wear characteristics, resulting in a lighter drum than the existing metal equivalents. The winches are currently available for three sizes of standard winch; 5, 7 and 12. CT drums will also be available later in the spring for self-tailing models 12 and 20.

According to Lewmar, a unique feature is the ability to interchange the drum of the winch with Lewmar's alloy or chrome options at a later stage, without incurring the expense of changing the entire winch.

CT Winches have a two year warranty and Lewmar says they are around 30% cheaper than the alternative chrome drums.

Marine & Industrial (M&I) is now handling Sta-Lok's chandlery business and is carrying the entire range, from terminals through insulators, rigging spares kits, Sta-Lok components, guardrail fittings, bronze turnbuckles, turnbuckle components and stainless turnbuckles.

Nauquip handles the US Schaefer range of deck hardware, including the company's latest universal deck mount system (UDMS) that allows multiple deck accessories to be mounted into one deck plate.

Schaefer says this unique deck plate is manufactured from 316 stainless steel, has a 4200lb safe working load (SWL), and includes a stainless backing pad.

The system accepts an 8.5inch stainless cleat that is removable with a 1/4 turn. The system locks securely with flush release levers and the cleat can also act as a chock or fairlead.

The screw eye (4200 lbs SWL) can also be used for lifts, tie downs, towing, etc.

The company says an additional benefit of the system is that a Schaefer stainless Series 8 block or snatch block can be screwed into the stainless deck plate.

Ormiston Wire is now 210 years old, says Mark Omiston.

He added the stainless steel wire rope the company sells to the marine trade is to the same spec it was producing 30 years ago.

Sounding a note of caution to riggers, etc, Ormiston warns they should get their wire from a reputable supplier who san offer traceability of the product. He says liability could end up with the rigger if they are unable to prove where their wire came from if there was a failure or problem.

All Ormiston reels have a batch number on them which allows us full traceability, he told us.

Petersen Stainless Rigging manufactures the Hi-MOD range of stainless steel rigging components and shackles.

The company has also developed what is says is a unique design of stainless steel compression fitting incorporating a special Crown Insert.

The special "star shaped" Crown Insert holds the wire strands in place during and after assembly and does away with the need for awkward "wire end" bending.

The shallow angled cone establishes more direct mechanical contact over a greater area of wire providing a tighter grip, says Petersen.

All parts are manufactured from stainless steel grade 316 with the exception of the Crown Insert, which is made from aluminium bronze.

There is no need for sealant or packing and Petersen says the fittings are available in eye, fork and stud design from wire size 3mm to 26mm.

UK Wichard agent Pro-Boat has introduced the company's new range of roller blocks.

Originally designed to equip carbon masts for racing, Wichard says these blocks have been developed with great care in order to ensure perfect resistance and reliability for demanding users.

Their modular design permits maintenance without the use of specialist tools, they say.

The blocks use high resistant aluminium cheeks and sheaves, stainless steel heads with polyester or Torlon rollers.

Wichard says their larger sheave size offers a better sweep radius and, consequently, an easier rotation than traditional designs, making them ideal for modern ropes from 6mm - 60mm. Retail prices range from £22 - £1,800.

Pro-Boat also claims the largest and most extensive stock of rigging hardware in the UK, including the entire Blue Wave range of rigging screws, terminals, swageless fittings, etc.

The company holds Wichard's entire range of stainless steel deck and rigging hardware as well as its own comprehensive stainless steel range including wire rope, shackles, eye bolts, carbine hooks, guardrail fittings, stay adjusters etc, all available for next day delivery.

Pro-Boat also offers the full range for Gleistein Yacht Ropes including the new "Cup T" which is a traditional looking bronze line with the high specification of their modern low stretch cup.

RWO says it has raised the break load and reduce the friction with its new MX range of 19mm and 28mm ball bearing blocks.

The company says the sheaves and side cheeks are manufactured from glass reinforced polymer and house a caged stainless steel ball race, resulting in much greater break loads and reduced friction on high loads.

The grey sheaves have also been shaped to accommodate the new generation of ropes, such as Dyneema, and RWO says the blocks are capable of much higher speeds.

The single looptop versions have a new slim shaped strap allowing smooth directional movement.

The blocks are, says RWO, very competitively priced, starting at £4.91 retail ex VAT.

Specialty Fasteners & Components offers the Varilift range of gas springs or struts.

They come charged to a maximum force, dependent on size, and the pressure can be easily released to provide a pressure setting to suit the application or environment.

SFC says the units are simple to adjust, self-contained and maintenance free and come with a wide selection of end fittings that offer flexibility and suitability for most applications.

The range is also available in stainless steel and SFC says there are no minimum order quantities.

Contact details

Bainbridge International -Tel: 01489 776000 Fax: 01489 776005 Email: info@bainbridgeint.com Web: www.bainbridgeint.com Barton Marine - Plastimo -Tel: 023 8026 2211 Fax: 023 8026 6328 Email: sales@plastimo.co.uk Web: www.plastimo.co.uk.

XM Yachting -Tel: 01323 870092 Fax: 01323 870909 Email: sales@xm-yachting.com Web: www.xm-yachting.com C-Quip - Tel: 01489 577257 Fax: 01489 574488 Email: info@cquip.com Web: www.cquip.com Harken - Tel: 01590 689122 Fax: 01590 610274 Email: enquiries@harken.co.uk Web: www.harken.co.uk IMP - Tel: 01763 241300 Email: sales@improducts.co.uk Jeckells the Sailmakers - Call Chris Jeckells or Tom Roberts on 01603 782223.

Johnson Marine Box L, East Haddam, CT 06423 USA.Tel: +1-860-873-8697 Fax: +1-860-873-8589 Web: www.csjohnson.com Lewmar -See Bainbridge International Marine & Industrial -Tel: 01692 406822 Fax: 01692 406866 Email: sales@marine-consumables.co.uk Nauquip -Tel: 01489 885336 Fax: 01489 885337 Email: sales@nauquip.com Web: www.nauquip.com Ormiston Wire - Tel: 020 85697287 Fax: 020 85698601 Email: sales@ormiston-wire.co.uk Web: www.ormiston-wire.co.uk Petersen Stainless Steel Rigging - Tel: 0191 414 0156 Fax: 0191 499 0041 Web: www.petersen-stainless.co.uk Pro-Boat - Tel: 01621 785455 Fax: 01621 785467 Email: sales@pro-boat.co.uk Web: www.pro-boat.co.uk RWO - Tel: 01268 566666 Fax: 01268 795118 Email: sales@rwo-marine.com Web: www.rwo-marine.com Specialty Fasteners & Components - Tel: 01803 868677, or visit www.specialty-fasteners.co.uk