Marlene Brudek’s HEARTBEAT 2 at the ARC
Alexandra
Marlene Brudek is racing across the Atlantic in the ARC aboard a used JPK 10.30 re-christened HEARTBEAT 2, currently sitting 41st of 144 boats overall and 6th among racing teams after passing the midpoint toward Saint Lucia; she remains connected via Starlink and reports a consistently fast boat speed in trade-wind conditions.
Selection criteria: what a racer needs for ocean crossings
Her checklist read like a racer’s logistics brief: a true planing hull, CE Category A certification for unrestricted ocean voyages, single- and doublehanded racing capability, a wide open transom, double rudders (preferably folding), a single tiller, generous sail area, carbon rigging and a retractable bowsprit, plus full standing headroom in the saloon, a proper chart table and an easy-to-operate water ballast system. Draft had to stay below two meters due to extensive North Sea tidal berthing, making a lifting or swing keel a high-priority item.
Must-have features
- CE Category A for ocean passages
- Planing hull and wide transom
- Double rudders and single tiller
- Carbon rig and retractable bowsprit (preferred)
- Lightweight interior with racing-focused ergonomics
- Draft ≤ 2.0 m to suit tidal harbors
- Reliable onboard electronics and NKE preferred
New vs used: market realities and sustainability
After the Midsummer Sail inspired her to upgrade from a First 27 SE, Marlene surveyed the new-boat market and found rising prices, long lead times and perceived declines in build quality. For both budgetary and sustainability reasons she shifted focus to the second-hand market: prolonging the life of a well-built hull reduces waste and often delivers better value than a new production boat burdened by higher materials and labor costs.
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Why many new models were rejected
Models like the Pogo RC, current Class 40 designs, Figaro 3 and the new JPK 10.50 were assessed but ultimately failed to meet draft limits, price targets or singlehanded ergonomics. High freeboard, heavier interiors and unsuitable cockpit ergonomics were recurring issues on the shortlist of new builds.
Used-boat trials: comparisons and trade-offs
Marlene tested several used designs before committing: a JPK 10.30, SunFast 3300, J/99 and Pogo 36. Performance, construction quality, cockpit layout and weight distribution were decisive. The Pogo 36’s lifting keel looked attractive for shallow harbors but carried too much interior weight for her racing goals. The SunFast showed structural and water-ballast concerns; the J/99 had manufacturing quality but a single rudder and helm pressure she disliked.
| Model | Pros | Cons | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPK 10.30 | Stiff hull, race-focused layout, light interior | None critical; minor retrofit for bowsprit | Chosen — HEARTBEAT 2 |
| SunFast 3300 | Fast concept | Thick bow section, production defects, ballast issues | Rejected |
| J/99 | Solid build quality | Single rudder, high helm pressure, cockpit layout | Rejected |
| Pogo 36 | Lifting keel | Heavy interior, winch distribution & cockpit ergonomics | Rejected |
Why the JPK 10.30 suited her
Ultimately the JPK 10.30 delivered the best balance of weight, hull form and cockpit ergonomics for single- and doublehanded racing while staying within draft limits. The previous owner had already installed a tidy electronics package, leaving Marlene to focus on a single future upgrade: a retractable bowsprit, with the moulding provision already present.
Onboard setup and race-mode tactics
HEARTBEAT 2 features stripped-down, race-oriented accommodations, with two facing contoured seats and minimal heavy furniture — a configuration that reduces weight and simplifies sail handling for a small crew. Marlene prefers to race in company; ARC rules prohibit solo entries, and she enjoys the competitive stimulus of monitoring nearby trackers and extracting marginal gains from sail trim and course choices.
Logistics for long passages
- Communications: Starlink for live position and weather updates
- Navigation: NKE-preferred electronics suite for performance data
- Provisioning: lightweight stores and spares to maintain performance
- Crew planning: small team optimized for offshore watch scheduling
Caribbean season and future routing
While in the Caribbean, Marlene plans to explore island-hopping, invite guests, and possibly enter regional events such as Caribbean 600 or Antigua Racing Week. Her planned return route remains flexible: Azores, Canary Islands and into the Mediterranean, or a direct homeward leg to Germany depending on weather windows and commitments.
Practical note for sailors and charterers
For those who charter or rent for seasonal cruising, Marlene’s approach illustrates important selection priorities: match boat draft to local harbors, choose hull and cockpit ergonomics suited to intended sailing style, and verify electronics and retrofit options are feasible within your budget. For racier itineraries, a lighter interior and efficient sail handling matter as much as raw hull speed.
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The recent story of a racer electing a used JPK over new production models has modest global impact on tourism maps but is highly relevant to the active sailing community: it highlights the resilience of pre-owned boats for performance-driven voyaging and underlines supply-chain pressures in new-build delivery. GetBoat aims to stay abreast of these developments and keep pace with the changing world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.
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Summary: Marlene Brudek’s decision to race the ARC in a used JPK 10.30 demonstrates how performance priorities, draft constraints and build quality can outweigh the allure of new models. For charterers and buyers, the lesson is practical: match platform and outfit to mission, inspect electronics and hull history, and weigh sustainability and cost of ownership. Whether you’re planning a yacht charter, a coastal cruise from marinas to clearwater bays, or dreaming of a superyacht-level adventure, platforms like GetBoat make it easier to find the right boat — be it for sale or for rent — offering transparent listings with make, model, ratings and options to suit every taste and budget. Consider your next sea plan: yacht charter, boat rental, or sale — all roads in the world of yachting lead back to smart choices about vessel, captain and itinerary in the sun-drenched water of beaches, gulfs, lakes and oceans.
