Condor was revolutionary both for having the largest (tallest) single spar mast in the world (at the time of her launch) and for being the largest of all the
IOR Maxi fleet at that time. (Ongoing IOR rule changes allowed each new yacht to be slightly bigger than ones built under previous versions of the rating rules). The boat was constructed using
kevlar and composite structures, with an Alloy
space frame inside. She was the second yacht of this type to be built where the hull itself could support the enormous loads generated by the huge mast and rig. Unlike her predecessor,
Condor of Bermuda, which was built of wood yet had (the world's first)
carbon fibre rig, ''Condor's'' mast was
aluminium. It was about 18% taller than her 'sistership's' mast due to the additional loading permitted by the space frame. An 8 cylinder 8LXB Gardner diesel engine was installed, turning a 42 inch folding propeller, despite her hull being only 3 feet longer overall. Both
Condor and
Condor of Bermuda were eventually installed with
Gardner 8LXB reserve engines, due to their reliability, and overall mass, which was a key consideration in IOR ratings at the time. In 1993, the Gardener was replaced with a Perkins 6354 diesel. In 2007 she was fitted with a smaller Yanmar 4LHA which was replaced again in 2017 with the same model. Today she runs a 26" three bladed Hydralign feathering propeller.
Condor was designed by
New Zealand boat designer
Ron Holland. ==History==