Current plans are for Titan 12 to race in St Maarten's Heineken Regatta, Puerto Rico International Regatta, BVI Spring Regatta, Rolex International Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week

Mark Ploch who owns two Doyle franchises one in New York City, the other in St Petersburg Fl, is the project manager.  Mark has been a good friend with Tom since he convinced him to buy Abracadabra I (now called Mermaid II), back in 1987. Mark has been seen recently on the Caribbean circuit helping current owner of Mermaid II, Bill Beradelli, to various victories including winning his weight in rum at the St Croix International Regatta this year.

caribbeanracing.com: I understand Titan will be a development of Chance, Pyewacket and Pegasus with an upwind tweak for East Coast distance races. Can you tell me anything about the improvements made on the previous designs?

Mark Ploch: Her design is different from a sled in that Tom's racing is more around the buoys that going to Hawaii. Therefore she has to go up wind as well as down. Titan 12 is heavier and more powerful than a sled. Most of this is in stability. To increase the downwind speed masthead kite and oversized pole will support a huge asymmetrical spin. We call the design a Pyewacker. Hopefully Jim has done his homework correctly and we will live up to our bragging!

caribbeanracing.com: I also understand it intended to rate at the top of the current Bermuda Race IMS limit. How does this rating compare with CSA?

Mark Ploch: I have no idea how this will rate in CSA but would assume close to were Pyewacket rates.

caribbeanracing.com: Will the boat need to be modified to rate well for CSA? The new Sotto Voce has a different rig and keel for Caribbean racing.

Mark Ploch: We will be sailing for the first time in the Caribbean so no modification for that series, it will really be the shake down for the boat. Afterwards the boat will go to the east coast for any changes deemed necessary ( hopefully none, this isn't the AC )

caribbeanracing.com: You're obviously planning to do the Newport Bermuda Race in 2004. What about the Transpac in 2005 or will this incarnation of Titan be too out of date by then, particularly in light of the new machines being built by Messrs Plattner and Disney?

Mark Ploch: We are still in the planning stages for what to do afterwards. If we do not sail the Trans Atlantic race then races such as Annapolis Newport, and Halifax will be considered.

caribbeanracing.com: Does Tom have a core team of individuals that have sailed with him for many years? Is the new boat going to need a radically different crew and if so who?

Owner, Tom Hill, at the helm of Titan XI, a Santa Cruz 70

Mark Ploch: The crew is compiled of mostly amateurs with other lives than sailing. There will be a couple of paid crew but you would be surprised to know that there are some very talented people who love to sail and do not need to be paid to do it.  Most of these guys have been sailing with tom for years and they will continue on the new boat. Tom drives his own boat. He does get very good help from tacticians and navigators. We bring these in or I fill the spot.