Annals Of Enormity–Maximum Maxi Yacht: These days, massive, shockingly fast monohull sailboats are all the rage. Mari Cha IV, at 145 feet, is the Gold Standard, but she is mainly built for breaking records. Drop down to around 100 feet and there is a growing group of vanity rockets that are built to win races, or, to be more accurate, just finish the races first. They usually lose out to smaller yachts once the handicaps are all tallied up. But, hey, the owner and crew get to sail really fast and be the first ones to tap the keg. That’s got to be worth something. Doesn’t it? Anyhow, the latest 100-footer to go into build is a little number called Team EBS, the brainchild of two New Zealand businessmen. The design brief was classic: “To design and build the world’s fastest monohull race yacht and to win line honors in all major Grand Prix Super Maxi events over three continents in 2005.” Oh, is that all? Anyhow, who knows whether they’ll scupper all the other rich guys with 100 footers out there (one innovation will be a rotating mast), but if you want to see what it takes to build a yacht like this from start to finish, spend a few minutes on their website. It’s got a very cool, 7-minute video that takes you through the whole concept and the incredible schedule of racing they plan. There are also lots of galleries. Best site I’ve seen. Sure hope the boat isn’t a dog…



“Uhh, Bill? Nice work on the hull, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to need a bigger shed…”

(Photo: Team EBS)