{{Short description|Class of fibreglass sailboat}} {{Infobox sailboat specifications |name = UFO 34<ref name="Sailboat_Data" /> |image boat = UFO_34_Yacht_Amadeus.jpg |imagesize = 300px |alt = |image caption = A UFO 34 built in West Australia |insignia = |class_image = |image alt = |image size = |crew = 1 to 6 |hull type = Monohull keelboat |design = |construction = Fibreglass |rig = |keel type = |trapeze = |loa = {{convert|10.54|m}} |loh = |lwl = {{convert|8.56|m}} |beam = {{convert|3.35|m}} |draft = {{convert|1.86|m}} |hull weight = |mastheight = |mainsailandjib = |sailarea = {{convert|47.47|m}} |sailarea main = |sailarea headsail = |spinnaker = |d-pn = |rya-pn = |phrf = |year = 1973 |designer = Holman & Pye |location = |role = |updated = |status = }}
'''UFO 34''' is a cruising and racing fibreglass monohull sailboat class. It is a sloop based on a design by Kim Holman.<ref name="Oyster">{{cite web|title=Previous Models: UFO|url=http://www.oysteryachts.com/yachts/previous-models/1974-ufo|website=Oyster Yachts|access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> The design features a spade rudder and a Bermuda rig with a large, overlapping headsail. Over 150 UFO 34s have been built both in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref name="Sailboat_Data" />
The UFO 34 is a seaworthy yacht for offshore voyages, including extreme weather conditions, which also performs well in yacht racing. UFO 34 yachts competed both in the disastrous 1979 Fastnet and 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht races, where lives and yachts were lost in the extreme conditions.{{sfn|Forbes|Laing|Myatt|1979}}{{sfn|Bruce|2004|p=31}} UFO 34s performed effectively in both races, winning class IV in the Fastnet race and retiring without incident in the Sydney to Hobart.<ref name="Black_Arrow">{{cite web|title=The 2015 Awards - The OCC Port Office Medal|url=https://liveicomgrshot.blob.core.windows.net/occfiles/ffarticles/FF2016-1-021_awards.pdf|website=Ocean Cruising Club|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref>{{sfn|Abernethy|2000|loc=Vol 9A - Yachts Without Incidents, Record of Interview - Dolphin, Michael J, Owner ''Not Negotiable'', 18 April 1999}}
==Production history== ''Unidentified Flying Object'' won the Royal Yacht Squadron's de Maas Cup at Cowes in 1974 and many other races.<ref name="Oyster" /><ref name="Yachtnet">{{cite web|title=UFO 34 cruiser-racer|url=http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/ufo-34/ufo-34.htm|website=www.yachtnet.co.uk|access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref> This first yacht was designed for Richard Matthews by the British naval architects Holman and Pye<ref name="Landamores" /> as a 32 ft prototype for the Three-Quarter Ton class in the International Offshore Rule. The design was developed into the UFO 34, which became the first yacht produced by Matthew's company Oyster Marine.<ref name="Landamores">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://landamores.co.uk/index.php/about-us/history/|website=Landamores Yacht Builders|access-date=29 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729174944/http://landamores.co.uk/index.php/about-us/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Over 150 were built, both in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref name="Oyster" /><ref name="Sailboat_Data">{{cite web|title=UFO 34|url=http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=3485|website=Sailboat Data|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729174039/http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=3485|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom builders included Colvic Craft (hull & deck), Landamores Yacht Builders (fitout) plus a number were completed by owners.<ref name="Sailboat_Data" /><ref name="Landamores" /><ref name="Yachtnet" /> A mark II version was also released by Oyster Marine incorporating an external ballast keel with either a racing/cruising keel (5,000 lbs) or a racing keel (6,000 lbs).<ref>{{cite web|title=Oyster Marine Press Release|url=http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?235570-Colvic-UFo-31/page2|website=ybw.com|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731185721/http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?235570-Colvic-UFo-31/page2|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In Western Australia builders included Durben Marine, AYC Yacht Construction and Sea Craft Marine.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|p=85}}
==Racing achievements==
UFO 34s are raced at club level both in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref name="Yachtnet" /><ref name="UFONEWS" /> By modern standards a UFO 34 is a moderate to heavy yacht{{sfn|Bruce|2004|p=198}} with good performance, particularly to windward.<ref name="Sydney_Hobart" /> Racing performance is similar to S&S 34s<ref>{{cite web|last1=Torvaldsen|first1=Simon|title=Thoughts on Sparkman and Stephens 34|url=http://bluewaterboats.org/sparkman-and-stephens-34/|website=Blue Water Boats|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630220520/http://bluewaterboats.org/sparkman-and-stephens-34/|url-status=dead}}</ref> with both rated the same and slightly faster than a Contessa 32.<ref name="Clyde">{{cite web|title=CYCA Classes Database|url=http://www.cyca-online.org.uk/cgi-bin/CSV_search.pl?database=webclasses|website=The Clyde Yacht Clubs’ Association|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605065117/http://cyca-online.org.uk/cgi-bin/CSV_search.pl?database=webclasses|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Yachtnet" /> UFO 34s also regularly compete in offshore races in Western Australia.<ref name="SPYC">{{cite web|title=Ocean Classic: Dirk Hartog Race & Rally Programme|url=http://www.sopyc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-OCEAN-CLASSIC-Dirk-Hartog-Race-and-Rally-Program-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf|website=South of Perth Yacht Club|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226045815/http://www.sopyc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-OCEAN-CLASSIC-Dirk-Hartog-Race-and-Rally-Program-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="UFONEWS">{{cite web|title=UFO News: The place for sailors and everyone else interested in the UFO 34.|url=http://ufo34news.blogspot.com.au|website=UFONEWS|access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref>
thumb|'Not Negotiable' a UFO 34 that successfully competed in many ocean races in Australia
A UFO 34 based in Australia called ''Not Negotiable'' had a number of good results in offshore racing, including 2000 Melbourne–King Island. PHD (1st overall) & IMS (2nd overall), 2001 Melbourne–Low Head (Tasmania) 2nd PHD overall, the 1998, 1999 & 2000 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, the 2004 Australian Three Peaks Race the 2009 Launceston to Hobart and more recently the 2013 Fremantle to Bali yacht race.<ref name="Yachtnet" /><ref name="Sydney_Hobart">{{cite web|title=Not Negotiable|url=http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/the-yachts/2011/not-negotiable/|website=Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race|access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Not Negotiable re-negotiates her position|url=http://fremantlebali.com.au//index.php?cID=644|website=Fremantle to Bali Yacht Race|access-date=29 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729231906/http://fremantlebali.com.au//index.php?cID=644|url-status=dead}}</ref> The UFO 34 ''Impulse'' also won her division in the 1999 Sydney to Hobart yacht race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Results 1999 Race IMS Div D|url=http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/standings/?raceId=14&categoryId=266&division=D&raceTime=|website=Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref> UFO 34s also had good results in the 1993 Fremantle to Lombok (Indonesia) yacht race with ''Amadeus'' winning IMS honours (1st overall) and ''Vela'' taking out the YAH trophy (1st overall).<ref name="Frem_Bali">{{cite web|title=Event History|url=http://fremantlebali.com.au/event-history/|website=Fremantle to Bali Race & Rally|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729222740/http://fremantlebali.com.au/event-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
As detailed below, the UFO 34s ''Black Arrow'' finished 1st and ''Mahuri'' 3rd in class IV of the 1979 Fastnet race.<ref name="Black_Arrow" />{{sfn|Ward|2008|pages=269}}
==Notable voyages== thumb|A UFO 34 yacht sailing
A proven cruising yacht that has extensively sailed around Great Britain, the Baltic and North Sea and Mediterranean.<ref name="UFONEWS" /> UFO 34 yachts have also participated in the 630 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race<ref name="Sydney_Hobart" /> and the 1,460 nautical mile Fremantle-to-Lombok Yacht Race.<ref name="Frem_Bali" />
In May 1979 the UFO 34 ''Windrift of Clyde'' sailed from Scotland to Iceland and encountered severe weather conditions, estimated at a sustained 60 knots plus for over 24 hours. During this period the yacht suffered severe knockdowns and capsized twice, including being pitch-poled. Despite some damage and injuries to crew, the yacht was able to sail to Iceland without assistance. A very good summary of the voyage is detailed in the fifth edition of Adlard Coles' ''Heavy Weather Sailing''.{{sfn|Bruce|2004|pp=195–200}}
==Seaworthiness==
UFO 34s are seaworthy yachts that have few vices and make a good all-round fast cruiser/racers.{{sfn|Bruce|2004|p=198}}<ref name="Yachtnet" /> The UFO 34's stability index has been calculated at 122.4 with a Limit of positive stability of 119.1,{{sfn|Abernethy|2000|loc=Vol 9A - Yachts Without Incidents, Record of Interview - Dolphin, Michael J, Owner ''Not Negotiable'', 18 April 1999}} which is above the minimum stability index of 115 required for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Notice of Race: 2016 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race|url=http://static.cyca.com.au/media/3141448/rshyr16-nor-final.pdf|website=Cruising Yacht Club of Australia|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref>
Six UFO 34s competed in the 1979 Fastnet race,{{sfn|Forbes|Laing|Myatt|1979|pages=18}} which experienced winds averaging 50 to 55 knots, gusts to 68 knots and waves as high as 50 feet.{{sfn|Forbes|Laing|Myatt|1979|pages=21}} None of them sustained significant structural damage to the hull.{{sfn|Forbes|Laing|Myatt|1979|pages=11}} Among the 58 boats in Class IV (34 ft), two of the six finishing yachts were UFO 34s: ''Black Arrow'' finishing 1st and ''Mahuri'' 3rd.{{sfn|Ward|2008|pages=269}} Three of the other UFO 34s retired without major incidents. Apart from two knockdowns ''Kamisado'' coped effectively with the storm and retired to Plymouth.<ref>{{cite news|title=The day we fought for our lives|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5362848.The_day_we_fought_for_our_lives/|access-date=23 February 2018|publisher=Dorset Echo|date=14 August 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rider |first1=David |title=ECHO ZULU, Frers CM45 |url=https://www.rolexfastnetrace.com/downloads/images/2013-news/media-documents/2013-rfr-story-leads-uk-and-international.pdf |website=ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2013 SELECTED STORY LEADS |access-date=19 May 2019 |ref=page 17}}</ref> The only UFO 34 that had significant issues was ''Sandettie'', which was rolled, dismasted and swamped. However ''Sandettie's'' crew were able to jury rig emergency rigging and sail to Lands End, where they were towed to Penzance.<ref name="UFONEWS" />
During the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race the UFO 34 ''Not Negotiable'' experienced winds in excess of 65 knots (33 m/s, 118 km/h, 73 mph, Force 12) for approximately 6–8 hours.{{sfn|Abernethy|2000|loc=Vol 9B - Yachts Without Incidents, Record of Interview - Lawrence, Mark A, Crew ''Not Negotiable'', 18 April 1999}} During this period breaking waves of 4–8 metres, with the occasional 12 metre wave were also encountered. Apart from one knockdown to 80 degrees, ''Not Negotiable'' had no issues and safely retired to Eden.{{sfn|Abernethy|2000|loc=Vol 9A - Yachts Without Incidents, Record of Interview - Dolphin, Michael J, Owner ''Not Negotiable'', 18 April 1999}} The main technique utilised was to "''...keeping our nose into it and ploughing forward and just ducking and weaving around the worst of the waves worked for us fine''".{{sfn|Abernethy|2000|loc=Vol 9B - Yachts Without Incidents, Record of Interview - Lawrence, Mark A, Crew ''Not Negotiable'', 18 April 1999}} Note that this is similar to the successful storm tactics employed by the UFO 34 ''Windrift of Clyde'' when the yacht was actively sailed with the bow into the sea.{{sfn|Bruce|2004|p=200}}
==See also== *List of sailing boat types
'''Similar sailboats''' *Catalina 34 *Contessa 32 *CS 34 *Express 34 *Hunter 34 *S&S 34 *Sea Sprite 34 *Tartan 34 C *Tartan 34-2 *Viking 34
==References==
===Notes=== {{reflist}}
===Sources=== *{{cite web|last1=Abernethy|first1=John|title=Report of the NSW State Coroner into the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race|url=http://www.equipped.org/sydney-hobart_inquery_index.htm|year=2000|publisher=NSW Coroner's Office|access-date=3 March 2018}} *{{cite book|last1=Bruce|first1=Peter|title=Adlard Coles' Heavy Weather Sailing|date=2004|publisher=Adlard Coles Nautical|location=London|isbn=0713668679|edition=5th}} *{{cite book|last1=Campbell|first1=Peter|title=The observer's book of sailing craft of Australia and New Zealand|date=1979|publisher=Methuen of Australia|isbn=0454000766|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9533781?selectedversion=NBD1650245|access-date=4 July 2017}} *{{cite web|title=1979 Fastnet Race Inquiry|url=http://www.blur.se/images/fastnet-race-inquiry.pdf |publisher=Royal Yachting Association, Royal Ocean Racing Club |first1=Sir Hugh |last1=Forbes |first2=Sir Maurice |last2=Laing |first3=Lt. Col. James |last3=Myatt |year=1979 |access-date=3 July 2012 }} *{{cite book|last1=Ward|first1=Nick|title=Left for Dead: The Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race|date=2008|publisher=A & C Black|isbn=978-0-7136-8936-5}}
Category:Sailing yachts Category:Sailing in Australia Category:Sailing in England Category:1970s sailboat type designs Category:Sailboat type designs by Holman & Pye Category:Keelboats