Hello there you aspirational RC sailor! Hope this small bit of Croatian IOM history finds you in some cosy chair ready for some light reading as we decided to share something that our longer followers might already be familiar with: how Kantun lineage started as a local IOM project and what were the initial ideas surrounding Kantun name before it became the global IOM fenomen with all of its achievements today.

We wanted to tell you a bit more from our history regarding our upcoming texts on this IOM blog where share from time to time, especially now that our futuristic VISS is already breaking waves out there, so let us dive deeper into the heritage we cherish with the Kantun IOM sailboat – a term that signifies ‘chine‘ in the local Croatian dialect (especially often in coastal and island areas of Croatia).

When every project starts, there are some fundamentals to be answered. Here is one the first questions that was asked when this RC sailing project started: what was the actual aim with new hull lines, what is the real intention behind it?

Design Aspirations (what we thought could be good aims back then):

1. Mastery in Every Condition: This IOM sailboat design stands out with its adaptability across various wind speeds and sea conditions. Ideal for anyone passionate about IOM sailing back in the days.
2. Evolution of the Hull: This design dives into the incorporation of chine and a streamlined narrow or moderate beamed hull, ensuring the IOM yacht’s performance isn’t compromised in any sea state.
3. Minimized Hull Drag: By lowering the topsides, the Kantun IOM sailboat was optimized to mitigate parasitic hull drag, enhancing sailboat stability as a result.
4. User-friendly RC Access: Embracing a large-sized plastic RC hatch, we prioritize easy access to all of your RC equipment. Moreover, this also facilitates better ventilation post-sailing, eliminating the need for self-adhesive Dacron patches above electronics.
5. Precision in Alignment: Ensuring the keel and mast are perfectly aligned is crucial. To achieve this, we utilized precision jigs/templates during the hull moulding phase.

Drawing inspiration from the craftsmanship involved in building, optimizing, and sailing the Topiko/Pikanto boats was instrumental. Robert Grubiša’s expertise in moulding Topiko and Pikanto hulls under the SAILSetc banner paired with Zvonko Jelačić’s award-winning outfitting of Pikanto IOM sailboats led to a remarkable achievement; winning the 2009 IOM Worlds in Barbados as youngest IOM sailor in the whole history of IOM sailing. That record still holds today as he was only 24 years old when he managed to do so! Furthermore, Marko Matić’s prowess was evident when he clinched the 2010 IOM Euro title in France using our modified Pikanto.

By the time the 2011 IOM Worlds in Great Britain concluded, the potential for novel “line enhancements” in IOM sailboat heritage opened, particularly slender hulls with chines. Historically, slim IOM hull designs were scarcely seen on the global stage. Yet, Michael Scharmer of Germany, through his innovative Scharming designs, left a mark on several European and World Championships. Notably, while his approach diverged from beamier IOM designs, it showcased the vast history and potential of RC sailing. Intriguingly, chines on IOM yachts were predominant during the early years, but rounded hull designs eventually became the trend in the IOM scene. The evolution of the IOM yacht and its radio-controlled yacht variants is a testament to innovation in the world of RC sailing.

During the summer of 2012, Zvonko Jelačić and Robert Grubiša embarked on a mission of discovery, garnering insights from numerous successful IOM designs to mold novel targeted design aspirations.

Though new hull lines typically derive from existing and proven forms, focus was on elevating specific design attributes. The utilization of chines on boats is a practice steeped in tradition, spanning decades if not centuries. Their intent was clear – not merely replicating or making trivial adjustments to existing IOM designs, but carving a distinct path.

Professor E.J. Richards aptly captured the intricacy of yacht design in his opening remarks at the Yacht Design Research Conference in March 1962: “Yacht design, as carried on at present, is rather like making love to a woman. The approach is completely empirical. At the end, the male, even though he might be successful, usually had no idea of just how and why he had succeeded.” When imagining hull lines we should remember that it is also a creative work in its contemporary form which mirrors the complexities of human relationships and that should be cherished with utmost care.

Our journey with the initial Kantun (I) sailboat lineage led to the development of six 3D computer models. By the third iteration, the Kantun Mk3, crafted by Robert Grubiša using the traditional plank-on-frame method with balsa, was ready for real-world testing. Pitted against Croatia’s elite fleet, which boasted some of the world’s fastest IOM designs back then, the Kantun Mk3 held its own.

Through these trials, we identified areas of enhancement for the Kantun Mk3, ensuring that each iteration was superior to its predecessor. Encouraged by the promising feedback, we further fine-tuned the hull forms, culminating in the creation of the final Kantun design. With the finalized plug and mould in place, two boats were crafted, prepped to make their debut at the October 2012 CRO IOM Ranking event in Opatija, followed by the IOM European Championship in Cres, Croatia the following month. These events offered the ultimate test, as the Kantun sailboats would compete against Europe’s most esteemed IOM fleet.

Kantun IOM RC sailboat

Now, to wrap up this little historical throwback, we’ll finish with a short dive into the Kantun’s journey with some behind-the-scenes info and additional photos that capture the early stages of developing the first Kantun design:

• The Kantun Mk3 was meticulously crafted by Robert Grubiša using the classic plank on frames approach, with balsa strips serving as the primary material. This model underwent rigorous testing performed by Zvonko Jelačić, offering valuable insights into the performance dynamics of chine and slender hull forms when juxtaposed with other IOM designs. Drawing from these learnings, the final Kantun iteration was conceived with an even more streamlined design, boasting a narrower structure and reduced freeboard in comparison to the Mk3 version. This evolution encapsulates our commitment to refining and optimizing our IOM sailboats for superior performance on the waters.

Photo showing Kantun Mk3 IOM sailboat being built using wooden planks

Photo showing Zvonko Jelačić doing “deep dive” inspection with first Kantun IOM sailboat

                                                                                     

                                                                                     

                                                                                             

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As we wrap up, we hope this little story from Kantun’s design journey has sparked inspiration and curiosity about what’s to come. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, because the evolution of IOM sailing never stops—and neither do we. Thanks for being part of the adventure, and remember: the best is always just around the corner. Keep sailing forward!