The hull and deck shells are constructed using E Glass fibres over PVC foam and coremat. The internal structure is female moulded, solid fibreglass. All components are engineered to exacting standards to ensure strict control of weight and provide a strong, stiff, durable and light yacht. Ease of operation and low maintenance are prime considerations in the construction of all components. All equipment is selected from recognised suppliers with good worldwide service coverage.

The strategic placement of all controls around the cockpit allows for ease of use by skipper, mainsheet/traveller trimmer, jib trimmer and bowman. Halyards, vang, tack line and control line for the retractable bow pole are controlled from the base of the carbon-fibre mast. Trimming position for mainsheet and traveller is just in front of helmsman, and jib sheet winches are well forward. Hiking straps run the length of the cockpit. There is a removable bowsprit so that the boats can be sailed with the option of spinnaker or gennaker. There is a pit forward of the mast for the bowman and for sail stowage. The keel fin, which is retractable, is constructed of carbon fibre with a lead bulb incorporated. The rudder, which is removable, has a carbon fibre stock, foam and glass blade.

Mast and spars are built by Southern Spars. The mast and boom are of a modern design, constructed of carbon and aluminium materials, using state of the art engineering. The mast is designed to be lightweight but still retain standard operation safety factors as normally expected in this type of rig. Mast assembly is consistent with common practices, to enable easy maintenance and service. The rig has been designed to allow for effortless assembly, stepping and tuning.

The new RNZYS 10 boat fleet are exciting state of the art yachts that will appeal to the new generation of sailors and stay current into the next decade. These new boats are a development of the 6 metre design and will elevate the RNZYS programme to the next level. They represent an extension of the Youth Training Programme. They are not intended to be radically different from the Elliott 6 but have a lot of subtle changes. They are more geared towards a real keelboat experience and are intended to be used in a wider application than just youth training. For example ISAF Grade 1 match race events, in house fleet racing, corporate events and adult sailing. The design of the boat provides high stability allowing for a wide crew weight range of 270kg-350kg. 

The RNZYS Youth program was conceived 25 years ago after the 1986/87 America's Cup and the realisation that a training program was needed to produce the sailors necessary to fuel an America's Cup program.

The inaugural fleet of Elliott 5.9s was launched in 1987, these were replaced in 2000 with a new fleet of Elliott 6 metres which were the base design for the new Elliott 6m Olympic match racing yacht. Fleets of Elliott 6 are also used for youth training and sailing development at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and the CNC - New Caledonia.
The RNZYS Youth Training Program has been highly successful, spawning at least four teams on the World Match Racing Tour including the current world champions, BlackMatch Racing. Graduates of the programme can be found in most high profile international sailing events such as Around the World racing, the Match Racing circuit, Americas Cup campaigns and Olympic sailing. An early graduate is America’s Cup skipper Gavin Brady and a more recently 2009/2010 world match racing champion Adam Minoprio.

In considering the fleet replacement options in 2009 the RNZYS, led by Harold Bennett, chose a 7 metre yacht capable of taking four crew and providing more of a keelboat experience than the smaller boats. Greg Elliott was the designer selected for this project. Having been closely involved with the scheme over the last two decades he had an intimate knowledge of the rigorous requirements for the fleet.

The RNZYS new Elliott 7s Youth Programme sailing by Scott Dickson

Articles

• A boat for the future
• The Lion Foundation - Youth Training Programme Report
• Fleet for the future
• RNZYS launches third generation of Youth Training program yachts
• RNZYS Commissions New Elliott 7S Fleet