We're just learning that Alex Mehran's Open 50' "Truth" has obliterated the previous record for the Single Handed Transpac previously held
by the Open 60 "Wild Thing" by 2 days 10 Hours and 32 minutes!!! The Open 50, was previouslyowned by Philippe Kahn went a pretty
expensive metamorphosis. The original class mast and articulating bowsprit were
replaced by a fixed and longer sprit, and taller mast. Additionally the ballast system was modified into 4 separate sections
to allow better trim. A new keel and bulb along with future fiber shrouds and complete change out of the electronics and auto pilot,
and the addition of coffee grinder and pedestal with Harken winch packages.
Philippe and Richard Clarke race the boat doublehanded in the 2008 and 2010, and had the fastest crossing in 2008, completing the course in
7 Days, 15h, 17m & 50s, boat for boat beating afully crewed, TP 52 Flash, Santa Cruz 70 Holua, and the Wylie designed 70' Rage in the process.
2008 Pac Cup Results
Zan Dredges, who has worked with and crewed with Alex for some time "Truth" as Alex prepared for the trip was dutifully impressed.
" It's a monster to handle shorthanded" says Zan "Taking the boat out by yourself is no small task" He also adds
that Alex has been doing most of the work on the boat himself of late, even pulling apart the hydraulic winches, which later required
some assistance getting back together. "The boat reaches beautifully and when locked in, is super stable, but she has to go through
110 degrees during gybes, which can be troublesome solo." Alex managed to minimize the gybes, keeping them to 5 and rode the south
side of the rhumbline all the way into the record books!
above and below, " Truth" blasting her way home from the 2012 DH Farallones with Alex and Zan
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