Featured Boat 55' Bieker Riptide 1996 US$ 469,000 Why go slow? Carbon fiber honeycomb composite hull reinforced with Kevlar! PRICE REDUCED FROM $500,000! Conceived on the drafting table of Paul Bieker as a very fast offshore capable cruiser, Rocket Science is a yacht ahead of her time. She is strong. With Durocore honeycomb core used below the waterline, Baltec core above the waterline and the deck core construction of Nomex composite, not only is Rocket Science strong she is light. The deep keel has a torpedo bulb and a trim tab. In addition, there are water ballast tanks of 200 gallons each for extra righting moment. The hull features hard chines much like the current breed of Volvo Ocean Race 70's. Weighing in at 21,000 lbs, Rocket Science is strong, fast and capable of plugging off double digit speeds on a regular basis. Don't let her thoroughbred pedigree fool you. This is a proven serious offshore cruiser that is extremely well equipped and ready to go. From 2005 to the current date the current owner has spent well in excess of her current asking price re-fitting Rocket Science. She now sports a new Hall Carbon rig, has an auxiliary engine repower, and a fresh set of sails. A carbon hard dodger was added providing excellent protection while on deck and the twin wheels make boarding from the transom and steering from the high side a piece of cake. With SSB, Spectra Watermaker, Robertson Autopilot, B&G instruments, onboard computer with software, 8 man life raft, and much more, Rocket Science is ready to go. Rocket Science was built to ABS slamming standards for high speed military craft and Det Norske Veritas standards for high speed offshore motor craft. She is truly seaworthy, able to endure years of ocean abuse and able to sustain hull integrity in the case of hitting a log or container at 14 knots. The end result has not turned away from cruising comfort: good accommodations, places to gather or curl up and read a good book, a great sea-going galley and plenty of space for all the necessities. Rocket Science is home from a world cruise, ready and willing to head out for a second time. Again... why go slow? Rocket Science crossed the Atlantic averaging over 9 knots on autopilot. All but two days were over 200 nautical miles, with the exception in the Bermuda high. She logged several days at around 290 nautical miles which equates to an average speed of over 12 knots. Her owner reports momentary speeds near 30 knots and many hours over 16 knots in comfort and control. Much of their sailing was done under working sails (main and jib alone), most often reefing at night. The excerpts below are from the owner's log. 30 May 2008 Late morning, a light wind picked up and we were able to cut off the engine and have been sailing since. The wind slowly clocked around past our beam, and we launched the spinnaker. For a while we were making 7.8 knots in 6.5 knots of true wind. We're back to main and jib now under beautiful blue skies. The seas are a big slow swell coming in from the west. 15 June 2008 Last night's sailing was beautiful with a river of moonlight off the port bow, a low planet shining brightly just aft near the horizon, and the Milky Way filling the sky. We doused the storm spinnaker before dark as the wind picked up to the high-teens. Unlike the night before, the fair winds stayed with us all night and we cruised along at 10 to 12 knots boat speed with just the working sails. It was truly a pleasure to sit inside the cockpit as the auto-pilot steered us into the night. There was bright phosphorescence trailing off the wake of the boat. 18 June 2008 When the wind is blowing from 15 to 20+ knots, like it has been at times for the past few nights, Rocket Science flies along at 10+ knots under just the working sails (main & jib). Every night, we take down the big spinnakers that propel us during the day… The night sailing has still been phenomenal, as the full-moon has lighted our way, and the auto-pilot makes it oh so easy to sit back and enjoy the sleigh ride. 20 June 2008 | 19 49.76'N:37 28.62'W We're in the middle of the Atlantic about midway between the Canaries and our intended destination of Martinique, where we hope to enjoy all the comforts and luxuries of French food and culture. Rocket Science is an amazing boat: all day today we've been surfing along in 19 to 24 knots of breeze with the working sails. Phil hit 18 knots on one surf, while we've been averaging about 10 knots with not too much effort. Imagine that with your typical cruising boat! Lisa is driving currently, and we've been complimenting her on her skill and consistency: she can drive while holding a conversation unlike the rest of us. She even cooked two whole chickens, potatoes, and a delicious salad for dinner. We're about to reef the main, as we've elected to continue to rely on Audo the auto-pilot to aid our comfort at night. 25 October 2008 | 12 44.55'N:70 25.92'W, Offshore Colombia Land ho! Early Friday morning the crew spotted Curacao islands. By daybreak we had it at our stern and jibed on our final tack to Aruba. The trades blew hard to our beam and we made incredible time touching 15 knots at times.