Razzle Dazzle (Irwin 42)

This article is about two of the 42-foot Razzle Dazzle yachts designed by Ted Irwin. The first competed in the 1983 and 1984 SORC regattas. The second was built to make her debut for the 1985 edition. An earlier Razzle Dazzle had sailed well in the 1982 SORC and the design became the basis of the Irwin 41.

Razzle Dazzle sails downwind during the 1984 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

The original Razzle Dazzle was considered to be one of the fastest yachts upwind and close-reaching in a breeze in the 1983 and 1984 editions of the SORC, but didn't manage to finish all the races it started. In 1983 she was forced to retire from two races and couldn't start in a third, finishing ninth in Class E (with race results of 3/DNF/DNS/2/DNF/1) and 53rd overall. In 1984 she finished five of the six races and sixth in Class E (1/DNF/3/5/8/1) and 16th overall. Over that period she twice won the Nassau Cup in the Bahamas and not only topped her class but was the overall winner in the 1984 St Petersburg - Boca Grande race. 

Razzle Dazzle in hard running conditions during the St Petersburg to Ft Lauderdale race during the 1984 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

For 1985 Irwin did not come out with an exact twin of the earlier Razzle Dazzle, as the new boat featured a centreboard instead of a keel. While such appendages became popular for a brief and controversial period in offshore racing in the late 1970s, it was a radical departure from the norm by the mid-1980s. Irwin nevertheless considered that the centreboard would be an advantage in SORC conditions. The board was on the small side (as was the previous Razzle Dazzle's keel), but nevertheless weighed over 5,000lbs, with an elliptical trailing edge. The board was lifted hydraulically about three feet into the hull, and was fitted with a gasket to reduce turbulence around the trunk.

Razzle Dazzle performs a spectacular wipe-out during the 1984 SORC as captured by Guy Gurney

The centreboard's retractability gave a considerable reduction in wetted surface area off the wind, as recognised by the IOR and leading to a 0.3ft rating penalty. As the boat featured a high sail area/wetted surface area ratio already, removing half the foil area suggested the potential for good speeds in light airs downwind. 

The centreboard trunk and hydraulic mechanism of Razzle Dazzle in photo 1 (left) and her complex genoa car set-up in photo 2 (Yachting magazine) 

Razzle Dazzle leads the Italian yacht Almagores in light airs during the 1985 SORC (photo Paul Mello)

Apart from this notable feature, Irwin was focused on retaining the phenomenal ability of the original Razzle Dazzle to go fast to windward in a breeze, and her other distinguishing feature was a chine running along her stern counter. With similar livery and the same sail number as her predecessor (which had since been sold to a New England yachtsman and re-named Mohuaki) it could be a little difficult to outwardly tell the difference between the two boats, although the open transom of the new boat did help in this regard. She was also designed to be eligible for the US trials series for the 1985 Admiral's Cup, and her 31.7ft rating (for the 1985 SORC) fell easily within the 33.5ft upper limit that organisers had set for the team. 

Razzle Dazzle rounds a windward mark in close company with Lobo during the 1985 SORC (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

Compared to other similar-sized entries in the Class 4 division of the SORC in 1985 (e.g., Snake Oil, Sidewinder and Scarlett O'Hara), the new Razzle Dazzle was smaller in absolute terms (shorter and lighter) but had the highest displacement/length ratio, and the smallest sail area/displacement ratio. Similar to the earlier boat, Razzle Dazzle had a large proportion of her total displacement as internal ballast, which was expected to reduce pitching moment and improve her performance in a seaway. However, she was also noted to have the widest beam of her group, which provides a rating advantage but can also be a handicap in wavy conditions. 

Razzle Dazzle follows High Roler and Sleeper during the 1985 SORC (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

In the end, however, Razzle Dazzle was only able to manage eighth in the 21-boat fleet in Class 4, with placings of 6/12/11/10/7/17, and 37th overall, in the 1985 SORC. She went on to compete later that year in the US Admiral's Cup trials (presumably with some alterations designed to increase her speed as her rating had increased for that regatta to 32.0ft), but was not successful. 

Razzle Dazzle during the 1985 SORC (photo Paul Mello)

Razzle Dazzle rounds a weather mark during the 1985 Brenton Reef US Admiral's Cup trials (photo Phil Uhl)

Razzle Dazzle with a twisted spinnaker during the 1985 Brenton Reef series (photo Facebook)

A recent photograph (date unknown) shows that the yacht has since been laid up and looks somewhat forlorn.

Article dated March 2024