ALT F20T

2011

State as of March 26, 2011: Ongoing work on the design development, namely the mathematic modelling and virtual testing of a new hull, fins and rudders. We have made the third hull version now, but modelling results still do not fully meet our expectations.

 

2010

This season brought a slow-down in F20 Predator development. CompoTech focused its resources on the preparation and launch of the construction of their own new factory. Hardly any development took place – only sailing and racing in both domestic and international waters. However, co-operation with the STYACHT design company was agreed before the end of the year. This started the development of a brand new Predator design led by experienced boat designers D. Schickler and D. Tagliapietry. The end of the year brought tests of Baby Predator, prototype No. 2 with installed gennaker.

 

2009

Ongoing co-operation with David Křížek and Milan Hájek, who raced on the lightest Predator No. 3 throughout the whole season. Its total weight was 165 kg. We introduced a new 28m2 gennaker. Various minor problems were solved during the season and the product improved in numerous ways. The whole season was very intensive with training camps and races. First successes on the international scene. They included 7th place in Round Texel, the largest catamaran race in the world.

2008

Claas continues over the winter in improving first boat. However progress in Comlet is not as fast as we expected. Sandvich foam laminate design development took more than planned. At the end we are at least happy to have first boat Blue Flame ready for the first race in 2008. Boat was finished just before the race and was not trimmed properly. Tornado people gave us hard time during race in light wind. Vladislav and Tadeas Ptasnik crew trained hard over the summer, smaller Tornado main is trimmed (17m2). Blue Flame takes part in several international regattas in Baltic and North Sea. Also Class’es boat No. 1 races in regattas in Germany. Another two hulls for PREDATOR No. 3 for David Krizek are finished at the end of summer just before September Czech Republic Tornado Championship. PREDATOR No. 3 has already 22 m2 main. There are 3 PREDATORS in the race including prototype. In the last race of the regatta David Krizek wins overall beating all Tornados. We have the fastest cat in the Czech Republic! After that we start work on design and production of lightweighted glass-fibre foam sandwich hulls. Plans for full carbon hulls are formulated. Thanks to David Krizek impulses and initiatives we start working on lighter rig and improving system for gennaker raising and mast rotation control. Plan is to come up with a very, very light machine for season 2009.

 

2007

We started work on mock-up at the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007. Thanks to skillful Galasport mock-up developers we get PREDATOR mock up. Unfortunately work on mold and first hulls were postponed and postponed. First two hulls were delivered so late that we had to cancel racing season 2007. As soon as we got them in autumn 2007 they were sent to Claas Schwandt for completion, trimming and testing over the autumn 2007 and winter 2008. Claas equiped the boat since the beginning with 22 m2 main sail. Mold was moved to ComLet at the end of 2007 where other hulls were planned over the winter.

 

2006

Ondrej Uher came with an idea to found formula 20 Class Association sometime at autumn 2006. At that time me (Vladislav Ptasnik) and Vitek Sprdlik had already absolved a trial ride on Ondrej’s 20-ft prototype catamaran and we were both “infected”. It is fact that to our regeneration into multihull fans contributed also our friend Jonáš and Claas Schwandt. Thanks to all that our intention to race on our own 20-ft cats was formulated. We would use Tornado main sail. Maybe some Tornado sailors could join too…