Cutty Sark's 24-Hour Run Record Falls!

[TaoJones]

From today's 'Lectronic Latitude:

Maltese Falcon Breaks Cutty Sark's Record

May 2 - Azores
We received the following email yesterday from our good friend Tom Perkins aboard his amazing 287-ft yacht Maltese Falcon:
"Just a quick note from East of the Azores. I'm happy to report that the Falcon has just broken the Cutty Sark's best 24-hour run. The Cutty did 362 nautical miles and we've done 380. I believe the Cutty's record has never been broken by a square rigger . . . until today. The wind's averaged about 27 knots and the forecast is for slightly stronger winds into Gibraltar, so we'll be shooting to break 400 miles tomorrow."
It's an interesting contrast that the Cutty required a crew of nearly 30 men while Falcon can be sailed at the push of a few buttons by just one man.

- latitude / ld

[CSY Man]

Cutty Sark was probably loaded with 2000 tons of tea...

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Cutty Sark was probably loaded with 2000 tons of tea...

I think that's an astute observation, DH, and it would be fair to point out, as well, that Cutty Sark didn't know they were setting the bar for those who would follow in their wake.

It is interesting that it took so long to break the mark, but that could be because square-riggers were in decline as the most practical platform even as Cutty Sark was setting the mark. I think the current record for distance sailed in 24 hours by any vessel of any type is about 700 miles, but none of the radical yachts doing that kind of mileage (at an average speed/hour of 29+) are square-rigged.

And can you imagine what the maintenance requirements are on a pu$h-button yacht?

TaoJones

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

From today's 'Lectronic Latitude:

It's an interesting contrast that the Cutty required a crew of nearly 30 men while Falcon can be sailed at the push of a few buttons by just one man.

- latitude / ld

"Just one man" to push the buttons, and a megawatt size genset running constantly to provide the power

[hellosailor]

""Just one man" to push the buttons,"
Nah, it obviously needs two men:

One to push the buttons, a second to sign the checks.<G>

[boris]

I find it hard to compare cutty sark to maltese falcon Cutty sark had a job (delivering tea ) the matese falcon is just going from port to port chasing the sun

[GordMay]

It’s odd that the Falcon’s website makes no mention of the record-breaking run. http://www.symaltesefalcon.com/

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by boris

I find it hard to compare cutty sark to maltese falcon Cutty sark had a job (delivering tea ) the matese falcon is just going from port to port chasing the sun

Well, what is interesting to me is that Cutty Sark is a legend, and, until Maltese Falcon was built, almost no vessels adopted the square-rigger approach. Now that one has, comparisons are inevitable.

As to Cutty Sark's 24-hour run record falling to Maltese Falcon, Gord's observation that they don't tout it on their site is interesting. The only thing that records are good for is that they establish a mark for others to shoot at.

TaoJones

[David M]

It seems more of an accomplishment to break a record when one is not trying than when trying. One vessel was built to accomplish many things and the other to do one thing. Although beat, the Cutty Sark still holds the greater honor.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Thats kind of like comparing a tractor-trailer with a sportscar.Ones for working and ones for playing

[Brandywine]

How many tons of marble bathroom fixtures do you think the Maltese Falcon has on board?


Cutty sark

Tonnage 921

Loa 212
Beam 36

32,000 feet of sail


Maltese falcon

Loa 289
Beam 42.2
Tonnage 1240

25,700 feet of sail

I would say they are as close as any two ships with more then a century between them.

[rtbates]

A catamaran, Maiden II, just recently did 697 miles in 24hrs. It also broke the Atlantic crossing record. Top speed hit, 44!!!

MULTIPLAST - NEWS AND EVENTS

[Unicorn Dreams]

Originally Posted by Brandywine

How many tons of marble bathroom fixtures do you think the Maltese Falcon has on board?


Cutty sark

Tonnage 921

Loa 212
Beam 36

32,000 feet of sail


Maltese falcon

Loa 289
Beam 42.2
Tonnage 1240

25,700 feet of sail

I would say they are as close as any two ships with more then a century between them.

I wonder if the Maltese Falcon had 2484 tons of tea below decks when she made the so called record breaking run......

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

""Just one man" to push the buttons,"
Nah, it obviously needs two men:

One to push the buttons, a second to sign the checks.<G>

Signing the cheques might require a team.

[Amgine]

The Black Ball Line's Lightning, a Donald McKay-built schooner in 1854, did 436 nm on her maiden voyage. Three years later she managed a 430 nm day as well, just to prove it wasn't a fluke.