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Displaying items by tag: Barbara Lowth

The heartfelt sympathies of all those with extensive interests in the culture and history of the maritime world are with Cormac Lowth of Dublin and his sons on the sad loss of his wife and their mother Barbara, writes W M Nixon.

Cormac Lowth is a man of the most extraordinary range of interests in all aspects of seafaring history and the art and the life of coastal communities, particularly in the Dublin area, and his lectures on an extensive range of topics draw fascinated audiences to learn more about an enthusiasm he has developed extensively after spending part of his working life at sea as a professional seafarer.

Not only does Cormac have this breadth of knowledge and comprehensive range of material to go with it, but he is more than generous in sharing it with others across the widest imaginable range of topics, including maritime art and inside stories of waterfront community development.

Being with him is like being with a one-man maritime museum and discussion group, and Barbara’s support for his exceptional level of enthusiasm has been enormously beneficial to the entire maritime community in Ireland.

Our heartfelt condolences are with Cormac, his sons Niall, Conor, Donal and Brian and the family’s many friends on their sad loss.

Published in Coastal Notes

About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.