IMOCA partners with Orca3D to Push the Limits of Offshore Racing

Authors: Bruce Hays, Co-Founder, Orca3D, LLC and Stéphane Dardel, NDAR

The International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) is the governing body behind the IMOCA Class, a series of high-performance monohull sailboats designed to withstand the toughest challenges in offshore racing. With events such as the prestigious Vendée Globe — the ultimate test for solo sailors — and The Ocean Race, IMOCA 60 boats must meet strict standards for both speed and safety. These vessels are at the forefront of technological innovation, and Orca3D is honored to support IMOCA in ensuring these boats meet the highest stability and performance requirements.

Figure 1) IMOCA 60 boats in action at the Vendée Globe

Orca3D's Role as a Technical Partner:

Orca3D is proud to serve as an official IMOCA Technical Partner, providing essential software and technical support for the analysis of each IMOCA 60 boat. Using Orca3D’s advanced tools, IMOCA ensures that every boat design adheres to stringent stability criteria. These tools are critical for maintaining the safety of sailors, especially in the extreme conditions of all the IMOCA Globe Series races.

Orca3D’s software offers comprehensive stability analysis, which are crucial in analyzing how each boat will perform in various sea conditions. The ability to fine-tune boat designs using Orca3D’s precise analysis tools enables designers to predict and enhance vessel performance while keeping safety at the forefront.

Notably, the winner of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, MACIF SANTÉ PRÉVOYANCE, was designed with the help of Orca3D. Skippered by Charlie Dalin and designed by Guillame Verdier and his team, this state-of-the-art IMOCA 60 not only conquered the unforgiving ocean but also shattered the previous race record, completing the journey in just under 65 days. The success of this yacht underscores the power of collaboration between cutting-edge design and Orca3D’s advanced tools in ensuring boats meet the highest performance standards.


Figure 2) MACIF SANTÉ PRÉVOYANCE designed using Orca3D

Why IMOCA Chose Orca3D

In the world of offshore racing, where precision, reliability, and performance are critical, IMOCA needed a software solution that could meet their exacting standards. Orca3D’s software suite stands out for several key reasons, making it the ideal choice for IMOCA and the broader offshore racing community.

  • Rhino3D Environment: Orca3D’s seamless integration with Rhino3D was a key factor in IMOCA’s decision to partner with Orca3D. Rhino3D is widely used in the marine industry for its ability to handle highly detailed 3D geometries, including complex appendages and deck recesses. IMOCA needed a tool that could manage the intricate details of boat design, and Orca3D’s integration with Rhino3D provided the cost-effective and capable solution they were looking for.
  • Advanced Scripting Capabilities: IMOCA yachts feature canting keels and mobile appendages, which lead to a large number of trims and configurations that must be assessed for each design. Orca3D’s scripting capabilities proved to be not only useful but essential. The ability to automate the stability calculations and analyze a wide range of configurations was fundamental in meeting IMOCA’s strict Class Rules.
  • Technical Support and Training: IMOCA found Orca3D’s technical support to be both efficient and accessible. The Orca3D team, including the experts at our reseller NDAR, made themselves available to organize software training workshops, providing IMOCA with the necessary tools to maximize the software's potential. These efforts are helping to build equity among IMOCA members, as the level of technical support can vary between different teams. For IMOCA, building equity within the Class is crucial to ensuring that all teams, regardless of resources, are operating with the same level of expertise.
  • Long-Term Viability: IMOCA sought a software solution that would not only meet their immediate needs but also offer long-term reliability and support. Orca3D and NDAR provided a stable, forward-looking solution that addressed these concerns and gave IMOCA confidence in the future of their design and stability analysis.
  • Safety and Harmonization of Procedures: Orca3D's software helped IMOCA standardize and harmonize their design and stability procedures. With everyone working from the same platform, it minimized discussion and allowed for higher-fidelity work, ensuring that all designs met the same rigorous safety standards. This harmonization is critical for IMOCA as it ensures consistency across all boats and reduces variability in design decisions.

"The partnership with Orca3D has been a game-changer for our design process. Their tools, especially the scripting feature, allow us to fine-tune every aspect of the IMOCA 60. Orca3D’s technical support, led by Stéphane Dardel at NDAR, and their commitment to training have been invaluable in helping us push the boundaries of what’s possible in racing." ~ René Boulaire, Chief Measurer, IMOCA

The Cutting-Edge Technology Behind IMOCA 60

The IMOCA 60 boats are the result of the latest innovations in materials science, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics. These vessels are designed using the most advanced CAD (Computer-Aided Design) which enable designers to optimize every element of the boat’s structure and performance.

Figure 3) IMOCA 60 Design shown in Orca3D Software – CAD geometry courtesy of Thomas Jullien, IMOCA.

From sail shape to hull design, every decision is informed by data-driven insights, ensuring that the boats can perform under the most extreme conditions. Orca3D’s software complements these efforts by providing a detailed analysis of the boat’s stability in various conditions, ensuring that safety is never compromised in the quest for speed.

A Symbol of Innovation, Resilience, and Adventure

The IMOCA 60 boats are more than just racing vessels—they are symbols of human ingenuity and the spirit of adventure. These boats are built for the most challenging solo and crewed races on Earth, including the Vendée Globe, where sailors brave the world's most extreme and unpredictable ocean conditions.

Each boat is designed to be fast, resilient, and sustainable, utilizing the latest in eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems. The journey to the finish line is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of the sailors, and the boats themselves embody the relentless pursuit of excellence in offshore racing.

Figure 4) IMOCA 60 Holcim PRB, Credit: Julien Champolion - polaRYSE / Holcim-PRB

Conclusion – The Future of Offshore Racing

As the IMOCA Class continues to evolve, it serves as an inspiration for future generations of sailors, engineers, and boat designers. Orca3D is proud to play a key role in this ongoing evolution, providing the critical tools necessary for designing safe, high-performance vessels.

The partnership between Orca3D and IMOCA ensures that these boats will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in offshore racing while maintaining the highest levels of safety and performance. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with IMOCA and supporting the next generation of sailors as they race toward the future of ocean exploration and adventure.

Figure 5) Charlie Dalin Wins Vendée Globe 2024/2025, Credit: Eloi Stichelbaut- polaRYSE / IMOCA

"Orca3D is proud to be part of the journey, supporting the next generation of ocean racers and the ongoing quest for excellence in offshore sailing." 

~Bruce Hays, Co-Founder and President Orca3D, LLC

 

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