Pyewacket Z86 Refit to 94'
Naval Architecture by Juan K. Built by Westerly Marine, California Launched June 2007
In an effort to break the Transpac Race record, Westerly Boatbuilders made extensive modifications to the ZX86 and transformed it into a 94-foot rocket. Along with Salthouse Boatbuilders and a short time frame, Pyewacket IV made the start line of the 2007 Transpac race and took line honors in spite of the non-traditional, light winds.
The project started in January of 2007 - the wing-decks, canting keel foundation, foils (canards), and bow, were on the docket for modification. A new bow was built along with two canard cases.
The canting keel and hydraulics were replaced by new upscaled and redsigned components. This called for the entire bilge to be cut out at this area, re-structured and ready for a new canting keel. The work completed by Westerly included cutting off the existing bow at the chain plates and the new, longer version re-joined. The wing decks were tooled, fabricated and joined to the gunwhales to provide an additional area for stacking sails.
Despite a narrow time frame of only four months from start to finish the modifications were completed on schedule and the result was a line honors victory for Pyewacket, and the late Roy Disney in the Transpac 2007.
