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Galactic viking 84 is an IMOCA Open 60, designed by Bernard Nivelt and built and sailed by Thierry Dubois with the name Solidaires. Thierry sailed the boat in the Vendee Globe 2000, in the Around Alone in 2002. In 2004, the boat was sailed by Patrice Carpentier in the Vendee Globe 2004.

Rich Wilson sailed the boat 'en solitaire' to the United States in 2006, where the boat began a 10-month refit project at Maine Yacht Center in Portland, Maine. Work included substantial bow repairs; removal and modification of the canting keel; rehab of the engine; total replacement of the electrical system as well as a new deck layout with a new pedestal. He sailed Vendee Globe with the boat in 2009 and used 121 days.

Derek Hatfield sailed the boat in the Velux 5 Ocean in 2011. He became nr 3. He used 130 days with 4 pitstops.

The Velux 5 Oceans Race is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed in stages, managed by Clipper Ventures Plc since 2000. Its current name comes from its main sponsor, Velux, an international company based in Denmark that specializes in windows and skylights. Originally known as the BOC Challenge, for the title sponsor BOC Gases, the first edition was in 1982. In the late 1990s the race was renamed the Around Alone, the 2006-2007 edition ran under its current name.

Boat Specifications:

Length Over All

60'

Waterline Length

60'

Beam

17'

Draft

14.5'

Displacement

8.5 tons

Mast Height

85'

Open 60

Designed for speed and durability, the Open 60 is one of the fastest boats in sailing. Made of carbon-fiber or fiberglass, the boats represent an "open" design, which must meet specific requirements, addressing boat length and keel.

The Open 60's have few comforts for the single-handed skipper. Much time is spent much in the "crash" seat, which separates the open cockpit and deck from the navigation work station. An elaborate computer and electronic system allows the sailor to navigate solo and communicate to shore as needed.

Stability requirements include a canting keel, which allows the skipper to right the boat without the assistance of waves.

All Open 60's which race in the Vendee Globe and other major sailing events must be certified by IMOCA, the International Monohull Open Classes Association (IMOCA). Certification requires measurement and stability tests prior to acceptance to major Open 60 events worldwide.

The Vendee Globe spans 25,000 miles, ~100 days, France to France, leaving Antarctica to starboard, starting in November 2008. The Vendee Globe is the ultimate in single-handed endurance: around the world, single-handed, non-stop with no assistance from shore. The first race was held in 1989-90, and has been run every four years since the 1992-93 event. Two sailors have been lost at sea since the race began in 1989, and others have been dramatically rescued.