The Artemis 20 is one of a kind and at first glance there is little doubt that ‘mini AC ’springs to mind. She is in fact a yacht that can be sailed by abled bodied and disabled sailors alike and for probably the first time, disabled sailors can have an image that is ‘no different’ to abled sailors racing or just plain, playing around in boats. The same can be said on the performance side in that she can be fully tweaked and offer all the excitement of a race boat. In essence she not only looks great, but she truly offers an ‘even keel’ for all!

Although the main objective of the project was to develop a safe disabled yacht we believed that this did not mean that looks or performance needed to be compromised and with this in mind The Artemis 20 has been developed with as many goochy features as one would expect from a top race boat and beyond. For example: clear coat topside so you can see the carbon fibre in the hull, an AC style square headed mainsail, a powerful carbon rig and quality deck gear, not to mention the AC double knuckled bow! As testament to this concept there are as many abled bodied sailors dying to get in this boat as there are disabled!

On the technical front she is made of carbon/e-glass/foam, which gives a light, strong and stiff structure. The complete boat ready to sail excluding crew is 500kgs, of which 225 kg is in a lead bulb and combined with the steel keel fin totals 275kg (55% ballast ratio). As a result of this large bulb the Artemis 20 is a stable little boat and whilst it heals to about 20-25degrees upwind, she is very reluctant to go any further.

There are several unique features:

• Two canting seats which allow the sailor to be virtually upright at all times, regardless of the position of the boat.
• A steering system with vertical tiller which allows the boat to be steered from either seat (or both).
• An integrated lifting keel system to aid launch and recovery in shallow water reservoirs.
• A double knuckled bow ensures there is plenty of volume forward to prevent nose diving, which surprisingly keep the decks incredibly dry.
• Self draining cockpit, ensuring the crew remains drier than existing designs.
• Spinnaker sheet system set up so that there is no need to leave the seat whilst sailing, whilst ensuring an exciting downwind ride.

The deck layout is simple and intuitive and once one has over come steering with a vertical tiller she is an absolute joy to sail. Very responsive, accelerates well and sails with finger tip control!

There are a fleet of five Artemis 20s currently in build and as they name suggest the boat has been sponsored by Artemis, a Private Fund Management company based in Edinburgh, UK.

Pictured above and to the right is an amazing person called Hilary Lister. Hilary is the 35 years old and as a quadriplegic is only able to move her head and neck. In 2005 Hilary became the first quadriplegic ever to have sailed solo across the English Channel. She did this using a unique ‘sip-puff’ method of steering to control her boat, by breathing down two straws enabling her to steer and adjust the sails; it was a remarkable achievement!

On Tuesday 24th July 2007 Hilary notched up yet another record, but this time in her new Artemis 20 named ‘Me Too’ and sponsored by Artemis and Pindar. After 11 hours, 7 minutes and 22 seconds, and covering 50 miles, Hilary once again did a first but this time it was Round the Isle of Wight. Hilary Lister commented: "It was an incredible day; I surpassed even my own expectations during this marathon solo sail. Sailing round the Isle of Wight is much further and more complex than across the Channel, which was only 22 miles compared to the Isle of Wight’s 50 miles, over double the distance, round lots of corners! My new Artemis 20 was an absolute dream to sail. This was the boats first real test since she was fitted with a unique ‘sip puff’ system which allows me to control the boat with just my breath."

In Summer 2008 Hilary has her sights firmly set on her solo ‘Round Britain Dream’, where she intends to complete a solo circumnavigation of Britain stopping off at various ports along the way. Hilary will now continue her training for her ‘Round Britain Dream’, including her search for support which will enable her to achieve this dream. Hilary also plans to set up a charity which will aim to help disadvantaged and disabled people to get out on the water and experience the thrill of sailing, whilst showing that disabled people can live challenging and exciting lives. For further information regarding ‘Hilary Lister’s Round Britain Dream’, including Hilary’s wish list, please visit: www.hilarylister.com

For general Artemis sales and marketing information please visit: www.vizmarine.com