class 40 racing yacht

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety

Class 40 Mighty Mites

• By James Boyd
• May 23, 2023

For sailing fans visiting from ­outside France, the Route du Rhum is a cultural shock, barely to be believed even once seen. It is France’s oldest singlehanded race, first held in 1978, and run every four years from St. Malo in northern France 3,500 miles across the North Atlantic to Guadeloupe. The fleet of 138 boats that assembled for the start in November 2022 was incredible, with an estimated value of 260 million euros—from the implausible 100-foot Ultime trimarans to a record fleet of 38 IMOCA 60s and a similarly impressive fleet of 55 Class40s. Dock sides are crammed with spectators, many hoping to catch a glimpse of the top skippers—some are genuine sports stars. Had the 2022 start not been delayed, French President Emmanuel Macron was to have attended. It’s that much of a big deal.

In the days and hours before the Route du Rhum started, more than 1 million people passed through its race village in St. Malo. In this environment, even non-French amateurs, such as the two US Class40 skippers, Alex Mehran and Greg Leonard, gained celebrity status with relentless autograph signing, selfies with fans and press interviews. Usually outshone by the bigger, higher-profile boats, the Class40 is the most successful 40-footer of all time. While the Farr 40 never topped more than 40 boats at a world championship, this is the second Route du Rhum in which more than 50 participated. To date, 192 Class40 hull numbers have been allocated.

While “Open 40s” once competed in the OSTAR and Around Alone, the Class40 came about independently. Born in France in the early 2000s, two designs defined the class: the Pogo 40 and the Jumbo 40. But the success and longevity of the Class40 is due to its highly constrictive box rule, drafted by a group that includes wise French sailor and journalist Patrice Carpentier, which remains robust 18 years on.

The box rule’s basic parameters are a maximum length overall of 39 feet, 11 inches; max beam of 14 feet, 9 inches; draft of 9 feet, 10 inches; average freeboard of 3 feet, 6 inches; max mast height of 62 feet, 4 inches; max working sail area of 1,238 square feet; minimum displacement at 10,097 pounds; and max water ballast of 1,653 pounds per side. Most brutal are the materials limitations: Carbon fiber, aramid, honeycomb cores and pre-preg resin are forbidden from the construction of the hull, deck, interior structure and fittings; go down below on one and, joyously, thanks to the GRP construction, it is not coffin black.

Carbon fiber is permitted for the mast, boom and ­bowsprit, while standing rigging must be steel rod. Sails are limited to eight, and all but two and the heavy-weather jib must be polyester and nylon. A single fixed keel and as many as two rudders are permitted, but daggerboards and foils are banned, as are canting, rotating masts, mast jacks, and adjustable or removable forestays. However, complex kick-up rudders are permitted. (Although their effectiveness to kick up in a collision is allegedly dubious.) Over the years, displacement and average freeboard have slightly reduced, but the biggest rule amendment has limited “how scow” Class40 hull shapes can be. While the latest foiling Protos in the Classe Mini (the “flying bathtubs”) are fully flat-bowed, Class40 has two max beam limits just short of the bow to prevent this. Naturally, costs have risen, but the rule has successfully limited them; today, a top Class40 costs 700,000 to 800,000 euros.

Those sailing the Class40s in the early days were a mix of pros and amateurs. Today professionals on sponsored boats are the majority. As for aspirant French pro sailors, the Class40 has become a significant stepping stone between from the Classe Mini and Figaro circuits to the IMOCA.

As skipper of Groupe SNEF , leading Mini and Figaro skipper Xavier Macaire says: “The transatlantic races like this [Route du Rhum] are very interesting to us, and the boat is not very expensive. The Class40 is easy to maintain and prepare, and is not a complicated boat like an IMOCA where you need 12 guys. With this, you need two or three, not full time. It is an easy, fast boat.”

With more top pros like Macaire joining, 30 new Class40s have been launched in the last four-year cycle. The most recent Route du Rhum podium, for example, comprised two-time Solitaire du Figaro winner Yoann Richomme ( Paprec Arkea ) and Mini Transat winners Corentin Douguet ( Queguiner-Innoveo ) and Ambrogio Beccaria ( Allagrande Pirelli ) of Italy.

Of the French classes, the Class40 and the Mini remain the most cosmopolitan, with entries from other European countries, notably Italy at present, while the United States, Australia and South Africa were also represented in the Route du Rhum. Far from being put off by the pro element, Americans Alex Mehran and Greg Leonard were thrilled to be on the same starting line. “It is such a privilege to race against some of the top offshore sailors in the world,” says Leonard, who hails from Florida. “It is like playing football against a first team in the NFL—it is that level of quality. There are not that many sports you can do that in.”

Both American skippers came to the Route du Rhum from similar paths. With his Mach 40.3 Kite , Leonard is a professional economist originally from Texas. He campaigned a J/120 for many years with his remarkable son Hannes, who raced his first doublehanded overnighter with his father at age 13. Now 18 and with thousands of race miles under his belt, both in the US and Europe, he is a Class40 expert. For his father, the Route du Rhum was his first singlehanded race.

Over the years, several top shorthanded sailors, notably British Vendée Globe skippers Mike Golding and Miranda Merron, have raced with him, also coaching him. He is very enthusiastic about the Class40: “They are beautiful boats, such fun to sail. When we delivered her to St. Malo, we had 28 to 40 knots just aft of the beam, and we just hung in the low 20s boatspeed, and it was finger-light steering.”

Mehran skippers Polka Dot , which has the perfect pedigree, being Yoann Richomme’s 2018 Route du Rhum winner—a Lift V1 design. Growing up as part of the St. Francis YC Laser squad and subsequently a Brown collegiate sailor, he met Welsh Class40 designer Merfyn Owen in 2009 and raced one of his designs. Remarkably, he won his first major singlehanded race, the 2009 Bermuda 1-2. He subsequently graduated to an Owen Clarke-designed Open 50, in which he set a record in 2012’s singlehanded Transpac. He then went off, had four kids, and developed his commercial real estate business before getting the itch once more last year. He competed ­doublehanded with Owen in the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre on an old Class40, but as Mehran puts it, “We needed to get ­something scow.”

He too has been receiving coaching from Merron and Golding, among others. According to Mehran, one of the most difficult things to explain to those back home is less the offshore-racing fever that afflicts French fans, but that their skippers are not multimillionaires. Instead, they come from a wide age group and all have commercial backing to either buy a secondhand boat or—if they are higher-­profile, more accomplished or just plain lucky—build a new one. So, returning to the Route du Rhum podium, Paprec’s business is waste disposal (admittedly, its owner races his own Wally 107), Arkea is banking and insurance, Queguiner is building materials, Innoveo is an app-­development platform, and Pirelli makes tires (its CEO has a Wally 145).

Over the last two decades, the Class40s themselves have evolved, despite Draconian design limitations. What started as cruiser-racers with fitted-out interiors became racer-cruisers and are now refined pure racers. They may not be black inside, but the build quality of the latest-generation designs is of the highest ­standard, and it seems no longer possible to buy a cruiser-racer.

A delight of the Class40 is that no one designer is dominant; eight different designs make up the 30 boats built over the last four years. Pogo Structures, last of the original builders, is on its fourth version of its Pogo 40, the S4, designed by Emirates Team New Zealand’s naval architect, Guillaume Verdier (who also designed Structures’ scow-bowed flying Proto Mini).

The man who developed the first blunt-fronted scow Mini, David Raison, produced the Max40, built by JPS in La Trinité-sur-Mer. Also built by JPS are Sam Manuard designs—the Mach 40.4, such as the 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre winner Redman , skippered by Antoine Carpentier (nephew of the original rule’s writer), and now its evolution, the Mach 40.5, of which two competed in the Route du Rhum.

In 2020, VPLP made its first foray into the class with the Clak 40, built by Multiplast, of which four raced in the Route du Rhum, the top finisher being Martin le Pape’s Fondation Stargardt. Etienne Bertrand, another successful Mini designer, had two Cape Racing Scow 40s in the race, while Allagrande Pirelli , believed to be the most expensive of the latest crop and campaigned by last year’s Mini Transat winner, Ambrogio Beccaria, is an all-Italian affair designed by Gianluca Guelfi and built by Sangiorgio Marine Shipyard in Genoa.

However, after the recent Route du Rhum, ­nosing in front in the design race is Marc Lombard with his Lift V2s, of which seven were racing, including Yoann Richomme’s winner, Paprec Arkea . Lombard is one of the longest continuous players in the Class40, and has worked with Tunisian manufacturer Akilaria on its RC1, RC2 and RC3 models since 2006, of which 38 were built. His latest designs have been the Lift, introduced in 2016; Veedol-AIC , one example, took Richomme to his first Route du Rhum victory. The Lifts were custom-built with a hull and deck made by Gepeto in Lorient, but finished off by the V1D2 yard in Caen, and were more precisely engineered and built than the Akilarias. They were superseded this cycle by the Lift V2, the most popular of the new Class40s, with seven competing.

For Richomme, the Route du Rhum was a small distraction from having a new IMOCA built. He entered the Route du Rhum to defend his title and stay race-fit. If the first Lift was an early scow, the present one is at the limit, to the extent that it has a bump in the hull 2 meters aft from the bow at the limit of where the Class40 rule restricts the max beam to prevent such extreme scowness.

The scow bow provides more righting moment, but it also does interesting things to the boat’s hydrodynamics. “With a pointy bow, the keel is more angled and creates more drag,” explains Richomme, who is also a trained naval architect. “When a scow heels, the hull is almost parallel to the keel, so sometimes when we go over the waves, we can feel the keel shudder when it is producing lift. The chine is low and therefore very powerful, and when we heel, it makes for a very long waterline length. Also, we have very little rocker, whereas other [new] boats have a lot, which creates a lot of drag so they don’t accelerate so well when they heel.”

The Lift V2 “is a weapon reaching,” Richomme says. “We can hold the gennaker higher than we used to. Last time, I didn’t even take one. But with the power going up, so have the loads, and we are having problems with the hardware. I have broken two winches already.”

A downside of the big bow and straight chine is downwind, where the technique seems to be preventing the bow from immersing. Paprec Arkea is typically trimmed far aft, including the stack and the positioning of the 1,653 pounds of water ballast (most new boats have three tanks each side), while its engine is 19 inches farther aft, and the mast and keel 11 inches farther aft than they were on his previous boat. They are 77 pounds below the minimum weight, which Richomme admits may be too extreme—during training they broke a bulkhead.

Otherwise, their increased cockpit protection is most noticeable on all the new designs (although not to IMOCA degrees), while most have a central pit area with halyards fed aft from the mast down a tunnel running through the cabin. On Paprec Arkea , a pit winch is mounted just off the cockpit sole. With the main sheet and traveler lead there as well, Richomme can trim from inside the cabin.

Most extraordinary about the scows is how fast they are. Anglo-Frenchman Luke Berry, skipper of Lamotte-Module Création , graduated from a Manuard Mach 40.3 to a 40.5 this year and says: “It is a massive improvement both in speed and comfort. Reaching and downwind, we are 2 knots faster, which is extraordinary.”

The top speeds he has seen are 27 to 28 knots. “Most incredible are the average speeds—higher than 20.”

This effectively turns yacht-design theory on its head, with ­waterline length and hull speed having less effect upon defining the speed of a boat that spends so much time planing. On the Mach 40.5, the waterline is just 32 feet, with a length overall of 39 feet. Compared to the Lift V2, it has more rocker, supposedly making it better able to deal with waves.

Nowhere is the speed of the latest Class40s more apparent than where they finished in the Route du Rhum in comparison to the IMOCA fleet. Paprec Arkea arrived in Guadeloupe ahead of 13 IMOCAs, or one-third of the way up the IMOCA fleet. Richomme says he used to sail on a Lombard-designed IMOCA 20 years ago, when they would make 10.5 knots upwind. “On a reach, I reckon we are faster than them now. We can do 20 to 22 knots average speed.”

Ugly seems to be quick, but when it comes to the Class40, beauty is in the eye of the beholder of the trophy.

• More: Class 40 , Offshore Racing , Print March 2023 , Racing , Sailboat Racing
• More Racing

Sailing’s Health Starts At Home

Luna Rossa’s New AC75 Marks Its Silver Age

Emirates Team New Zealand Splashes Defense Yacht

Wanderers of the Wayfarer Dinghy

Alinghi Red Bull Racing First to Reveal Its AC75

On the Line With US SailGP

Terhune’s Take On A Winning Streak

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

• Presentation
• Board of Directors
• Races open to Class40
• Championship
• RDR 2022 selection
• Minutes of the Executive Meeting
• Class rules
• Appendix to class rules
• FFV/world sailing documents
• Constitution and internal regulation

3 fiche(s). Page 1/1

• 28 avr. The Transat CIC
• 8 mai Porquerolle's race
• 9 mai Armen Race

1 fiche(s). Page 1/1

Class40 was born as a result of the distillation of excellent yet simple ideas. Designers, sailors and boat builders had been working on the idea of a dedicated offshore race boat for some years prior to the creation of the Class in 2004. A boat somewhere in between a Series Mini and an ocean-going 60 footer. A true race boat of course, but more than that… a boat sufficiently seaworthy to safely sail across the Atlantic. The Class40 was already well on its way… For several years, ideas had been based around a 40 footer, but had not yet taken form. In 2004, at the request of many people in the marine industry, skipper-journalist Patrice Carpentier took the initiative to draft the Rules for Class40. He brought together the skipper Michel Mirabel, Christian Bouroullec of the Structures Boatyard, and Pascal Jamet, CEO of Volvo and passionate about sailing. Between them, they created the "Class40" Association. Creative influences and moderating influences in the same boat... At the time, on the one hand there were boatyards with existing 40 footers. Of particular note was Structures' Pogo 8.50 which had just won the Transquadra, and the Jumbo 40 from the yard of the same name. These boat builders knew that there was a demand, and a market for this kind of boat. They wanted to find a framework and rules for this 40 footer aimed at enlightened and "wise" sailors. On the other hand, there was a group of designers and racers from the Classe Mini, full of talent and ideas, and fans of sailing at speed and surfing. "Patrice Carpentier managed to get these two groups, both of which were brimming with what appeared to be incompatible ideas, but which were in fact totally complementary, to work together" , explained Pascal Jamet. "There were creative influences and moderating influences... " Drawings of existing 40 footers, and boats which had yet to be built were put on the table. The brief contained three points: design a simple, reliable and fast boat. "We set ourselves the goal of making the rules fit onto two pages!" recalled Patrice Carpentier. "It took us about a year to define the rules, but it was fascinating! It isn't easy to get numerous designers around the table at the same time! They are all stubborn but utterly brilliant individuals!" recounted Pascal Jamet. 2005 Paris Boat Show: Class40 unveiled At the Paris Boat Show in 2005, the Class40 Rules and the broad outlines of this new offshore class were officially unveiled, and a race programme in which the 2006 Route du Rhum was to be the highlight. The conference room was packed. The audience was captivated: Class40 had its first success. The success of the Class was rapidly confirmed in the following months. The Pogo 40, the Jumbo 40 and then the Akilaria came out of their respective yards. Many designers took to the drawing board. The first prototypes appeared... "It happened very quickly! We were astounded by the enthusiasm generated by this Class!" recalled Pascal Jamet. And in fact, ten months later (a mere 10 months...), in October 2006, the Class already had 54 members, and 25 Class40s lined up for the start of the Route du Rhum! These 40 footers made up a third of the fleet in this mythical transatlantic race... Since then, Class40s systematically make up the largest fleet in the offshore races they take part in. In 2007, the Class40 Association had 129 members, and 30 of them were on the start line of the Transat Jacques Vabre. Since then, the Class has settled at 120 to 130 members per year, and a fleet of 40 or so boats which compete regularly. Conviviality is the catalyst In terms of quantity, the Class had made it. In terms of "quality", the brief was answered to perfection. "We wanted to create a Class for enlightened amateurs, and a race circuit accessible to all. A Class which enables all good sailors to fulfil their dream of offshore racing - easily, for pleasure, and without bankrupting themselves, or spending months in the yard on a complicated prototype," explained Michel Mirabel. It was spot on. Heads of companies and professionals who have kept a toe dipped in the water and the wind in their hair, make up the bulk of Class40 membership. Young semi-professional sailors have joined the fray. The end result is a successful mix of sailors. Everyone is delighted with their new-found freedom to do be able to do what they want: take part in offshore races. Friendships have formed from the earliest Class40 races. Memories are etched for good. This is the glue of Class40. Diversity: a long-term attribute Since its creation, Class40 has found its place in the world of offshore racing. It quickly expanded internationally: South Africa, Germany, England, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, USA, Holland, Italy, Norway... Today, Class40 is made up of sailors from 22 different countries. Patrice Carpentier sees this is a strength: "The mix of different types of people and the internationalisation of the Class are very good attributes. What makes Class40 so attractive is its diversity, and that makes me optimistic for the future." This diversity can also be seen in the lines of the Class40 boats themselves. Designers have had a ball finding ways to optimise the Class Rules. Inevitably, boats have steadily become more powerful. "Class40 is just fine as it is! We got the basics right, because not only have we been able to design very different boats within the same framework... but there are still lots of avenues for designers to explore," enthused François Lucas, designer, and one of the founding members of the Class. However, Michel Mirabel believes that it is crucial to remain faithful to the founding principles of Class40: "Where the rules are concerned, we need to systematically go for the solution which costs the least. It is the only way to prevent an arms race. We must stick firmly to this principle." A Class to watch... With undeniably good beginnings and now well-installed in the world of offshore racing, Class40 has won its first bet. For the future, the Class must find the right balance between performance and accessibility; between "pro" budget, and simply budget; between true offshore races and "grand prix" events open to all... Class40 is on course. It must make the right tactical decisions: those which enable sailors to fulfil their dreams.  Author : Catherine Ecarlat

• Skip to navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

• Raceboats/Dinghys
• Sharpies – Presto Boats™
• Race / Cruise
• Fast Cruising
• Performance Upgrades
• Structural Engineering
• Architectural / Industrial
• News & Media

Class 40 “Icarus Racing” 40' / 12.19m

The first Class 40 to be designed and built in the United States. Currently being campaigned by Jeffrey MacFarlane. http://jefferymacfarlane.com/

Yacht Specifications

“icarus racing” – the first u.s. built class-40.

Build of the boat is by Ted Brown and Stewart Wiley of Al Fresco Composites, Portsmouth, RI.

To begin the design process we decided to test a series of hulls in a weather matrix for the race as well as a long-race performance predicition tool developed in-house by RMD. Class 40 is a ‘box rule,’ so we investigated one shape overtly maximized to the box. The other extreme was considerably narrower than the maximum, with a single rudder, lighter hull and a higher ballast-ratio, both to the minimum displacement. A third boat tested was between these extremes. For these three exploratory types, we used a ‘parent/child’ annex to our Velocity Prediction Program (VPP). This allows the boat to choose the location and amount of ballast (including ballast to leeward or empty) to give the boat its best performance in every wind strength and direction. Of course it doesn’t take into account sea conditions, exhaustion, broken gear and the indefinable issue of seakindliness. If it did, we could leave it all to the machines!

An intuition that a subtle step further was needed, led to the final hull choice. It was faster in the weather matrix and RMD’s own RTW test by a greater margin than all the others. We were on our way and sent the surface files to Goetz Custom for computer cutting. Design partner, Ross Weene has worked wonders (and long hours) to complete this program efficiently and accurately.

Spars are by Halls Spars of Bristol, RI.  Sails are North 3Di. Steve Koopman, Dirk Kramers’ partner in SDK Structures has worked with Ross to engineer advanced light, durable hull and appendage structures with materials from Rich O’Meara’s ROM Composites of Newport.

This is not only an all-out US entry into Class 40 and ocean racing arena, but an all-Rhode Island entry too.

ICARUS RACING SAILPLAN (pdf)

ICARUS RACING COMPOSITE PLAN (pdf)

GLOBE 40: A LIFELONG DREAM

The GLOBE 40 is a Round the World race, which is accessible to both informed amateurs and professional skippers. It is a Round the World, which combines competitive performance, adventure and travel, a Round the World whose course takes skippers off the beaten track and offers up some unique stopovers, a Round the World on a craft that is accessible both competitively and financially.

The Class40 is the benchmark monohull for offshore racing with the 60-foot Imoca Vendée Globe.

It is an international support which gives the Globe40 a planetary dimension.

The 1st edition of the Globe40 has been given in Tangier, Morocco on June 26, 2022. This will be the first offshore race start on African soil.

After more than 30,000 miles sailed and 8 legs crossed, the arrival of the Globe40 will be in Lorient, the leading European hub for ocean racing.

A double race

The Globe40 is a double-handed race with the possibility of changing one of the two skippers at each stage.

The race program

Tangier the great start venue.

• Start from Tangier on June 26, 2022
• Arrival of the first Class40 in Cape verde on July 05, 2022
• Start from Cape Verde on July 17, 2022

Mauritius Island

• Arrival of the first Class40 in Mauritus island on August 18, 2022
• Start from Mauritius island on septembre 11, 2022
• Arrival of the first Class40 in Auckland on Octobre 06, 2022
• Start from Auckland on Octobre 29, 2022 at 12pm
• Arrival of the first Class40 in Tahiti on Novembre 08, 2022
• Start from Tahiti on Novembre 26, 2022
• Arrival of the first Class40 in Ushuaia on Decembre 15, 2022
• Start from Ushuaia on January 08th, 2023
• Arrival of the first Class40 in Recife on 25th January 2023
• Start from Recife on 5th February 2023

Grenada island

• Arrival of the first Class40 in Grenada island on 14th February 2023
• Start from Grenada island on 24th February 2023

Lorient Agglomeration

• Arrival of the first Class40 in Lorient Agglomeration on March 13, 2023

THE GLOBE40 BOUND FOR VALPARAISO

INTERVIEW – JONAS GERCKENS

CANADIAN MELODIE SCHAFFER BACK ON THE GLOBE40

VIRTUAL REGATTA AND THE GLOBE40 LAUNCH A 2ND VIRTUAL EDITION IN 2024

INTERVIEW – LISA BERGER

INTERVIEW – MUSSULO 40 JOSÉ CALDAS

Partners of the legs.

MAURITIUS ISLAND

GRENADA ISLAND

LORIENT AGGLOMÉRATION

Official suppliers

00(33) 1 47 04 61 14

[email protected]

5 rue de l’Amiral Hamelin 75016 Paris

Solo Challenge

Cole Brauer and the Class40 First Light at the GSC: A Woman’s Breath Over the Ocean

• Margherita Pelaschier

©Samuel Hodges Photography

Cole Brauer , a young American sailor, entered in the Global Solo Challenge aboard her Class40 First Light, adds a feminine touch to the event with her infectious enthusiasm and passion for sailing. Cole works tirelessly to prepare for her round-the-world trip and has assembled a team that shares her values and assists her in managing the project. “Sailing is both my profession and my hobby; I never take breaks. Preparing for a round-the-world race means constantly thinking about the next step. Thankfully, I have an extraordinary team that supports me and tries to relieve the psychological pressure so I can focus solely on the race aspect. Moreover, I wholeheartedly believe in my boat and her equipment.”

For her round-the-world journey, Brauer chose a boat to which she is sentimentally attached: “I’ve always wanted to sail around the world and envisioned doing it on a boat I know, love, and trust. For this reason, I chose First Light. To me, she embodies all of this. When we’re at sea, I talk to her as if she were my child. When she’s fine, I’m fine. We have a wonderful relationship and deep mutual understanding: when things aren’t going right, I feel she’s showing me she’s doing her best to improve the situation. Furthermore, as a Class40, she was born and built sturdy and resilient for challenges like this.”

First Light was previously named Dragon, and Cole had captained the boat for four years before she was sold to the Day brothers, who subsequently changed her name. The two brothers didn’t have enough time for the boat, so they asked Cole if she’d continue sailing her and develop a racing program. Initially hesitant and busy with other boats, Cole eventually agreed and relocated to Florida, where First Light was based. She participated in various races, honing her skills and forming an even stronger bond with the Class40. This led to her desire to expand her horizons to international competitions. “The original plan wasn’t to participate in the GSC; I wanted to compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre. However, when one of the Day brothers asked if there was a chance to win it, I said ‘no.’ Given her age, First Light wouldn’t be competitive.”

First Light is a 2008 Class40, designed by Owen Clarke Designs and built in the UK by Composite Creations, the same model as ZeroChallenge (formerly Fuji) sailed by Ari Känsäkoski.

The Owen Clarke design studio, based in Dartmouth, UK, with branches in the USA and New Zealand, is renowned for designing performance cruising and racing boats, superyachts, and high-latitude exploration boats. Their designs range from Mini 6.50s to eighteen Class40s and eight IMOCAs that participated in the Vendée Globe, culminating in the creation of a massive 75-meter aluminum schooner.

Founders Merfyn Owen and Allen Clarke began collaborating in 1993, bringing their unique skills to the table to devise high-performance, seaworthy, and attractive vessels. Merfyn Owen, a graduate of University College London, boasts extensive experience not just in naval architecture but also as a sailor with over 250,000 miles covered in races and expeditions. Allen Clarke, trained at Falmouth Boat Building College and Southampton Institute, is a reference point in the world of Class40s and in the development of fast cruising boats. He gives particular attention to details and aesthetics, thanks to his previous career as an interior designer.

In preparation for the Global Solo Challenge, First Light underwent a detailed refit and thorough examination at the Newport Shipyard in Newport, Rhode Island. “By November 2022, the mast and rigging had already been replaced and are now brand new. First Light was in the yard from June to September this year. The mainsail track on the mast has been reinforced. The keel was inspected, repaired, and subsequently reattached. All running rigging, including halyards and sheets, have been renewed. The team dedicated an entire month to reinstalling the equipment, making sure every single detail was examined. We only entered the GSC a few months ago and therefore started preparations later than other teams. Without the patience and understanding of Newport Shipyard, which believed in this project from the start, none of this would have been possible. First Light’s sails, made by North Sails, are new, and during the Atlantic crossing to A Coruña, I had the opportunity to test them, and I was pleased with the results.”

Cole loves the boat that will help her realize her dream but she is also aware of her weaknesses: “First Light is structurally very sturdy, and I believe she will prove to be a reliable vessel for my project. I know every inch and have explored every corner. However,she has her weak points, such as friction spots that tend to wear out materials rather quickly. She’s a real war machine; she destroys everything in her path, including things trying to make her go faster!”, the sailor jokingly comments.

For power generation, Brauer will rely on the hydro generator and a methanol battery, the Efoy, which can also serve as heating in colder seas. She hopes to primarily use renewable energy sources but will also have the engine’s alternator for emergencies. Moreover, along with the electrician who revised the onboard systems, she’s considering installing backup solar panels.

Regarding rest onboard, the sailor is confident: “I’ve always managed my sleep cycles well onboard. In areas away from marine traffic, I can sleep for two hours, then wake up, check the boat to make sure we’re on course and that the sails are set correctly, and then go back to sleep. I also follow navigation from my bunk, so when I feel drowsy, I sleep. I tactically plan my sleep cycles in relation to sail changes and wind conditions. In light and unstable conditions, like in the Doldrums, it will be harder to stop thinking and turn off the brain.”

There is one distinguishing trait of her character, which the sailor emphasizes, which will probably help her in situations where not every detail can be planned. “In general, I have the ability to let things go. When something doesn’t go right, I might get upset at that moment, but then, much like a goldfish, I forget and move on to the next challenge ahead.”

For provisions, Cole has a very pragmatic approach, revealing she’ll mainly bring dried foods, which she confesses she sometimes even uses on land for the convenience in preparation. “We’ve already prepared bags with three full meals a day, plus one or two snacks to ensure I eat enough.”

Cole’s project is a solo voyage, but one of its pillars is her team. The sailor tells us about what unites all the members of the group and how the message she wishes to convey at the GSC concerns all of them.

“My team has made this journey possible. Before meeting them, I was losing weight due to stress. I called upon the universe for help and was gifted the best team I could have ever wished for. I cannot thank them enough for all the work and energy they’ve invested in this project. I am very happy to be able to share this adventure with them. Special thanks go to the core group: Duncan Nevard, Brendon Scanlon, Jimmy Carolla, and Sammy Hodges, but also to everyone else.

Through my sporting challenge at the GSC, I want to promote the idea that any individual, no matter how “small” or limited they might seem, can achieve great things. Every member of my team, at some point in their lives, has felt overlooked, underestimated, or rejected for who they were. Each of us carries stories of pain and challenge. We came together with the common purpose of realizing this dream, supporting one another.

My desire is to be a competitive sailor but also to maintain a positive and joyful attitude, seizing every opportunity to have fun, smile, and savor every moment. My goal is to give a voice to those silenced and belittled and ensure that, especially women, are taken seriously in the sport of sailing. I just wish it were possible to enjoy the sea and sailing, even in a competitive setting.”

The boat’s name aligns well with the strong social message Cole tries to bring into sailing and sports. First Light, an initial glow meant to illuminate many stories and make them known so that certain episodes don’t repeat. It’s a call for more respect in sport and in life, in general. “I liked the boat’s original name, Dragon, because for the first time, I was in the role of captain. Even though she wasn’t mine, I saw her as my Dragon. However, I also love First Light. It reminds me that, even when everything seems to be going wrong, when everything is shrouded in darkness, the sun will always rise. It’s a certainty and it’s very comforting.”

At sea, Cole Brauer has collected many beautiful memories. Through a woman’s breath on the ocean, we discover how one can feel alive and in the right place.

“One of my favorite sailing memories is from when I sailed in Hawaii. That period marked a turning point in my life. I was born in Long Island, NY, where it’s warm for a few months a year. Then, moving to Hawaii, where good weather is the norm, I realized that I loved living outdoors. I wanted to explore what the world had to offer. I remember one night at sea, under a starry sky without the moon, when I saw bioluminescence lighting up and enveloping the bodies of dolphins as they swam at the boat’s bow… It felt like I was breathing for the first time in my life. Every day, out in the ocean, I stand at the bow of First Light and repeat that same breath. I smile. I cry. I scream. Then, silence. There’s something so magical about the ocean. I can finally… breathe.”

Ready to embark with Cole and her team? “All the members of my team have transformed their lives to join this project; so, I firmly believe we will persuade many more people to come on board with us!”

Cole Brauer and her First Light’s departure from A Coruna is scheduled for October 28 .

The  Global Solo Challenge  kicked off on August 26. Given its unique format, the  20 skippers  will set off in staggered starts over the next four months, depending on the performance of their boats.

For further details on the departure dates of each skipper, please visit this link:  https://globalsolochallenge.com/start-dates/

To follow the route of the skippers at sea, a tracker is available on the Global Solo Challenge website:  https://globalsolochallenge.com/tracking/

Latest Updates

News articles.

Global Solo Challenge Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. Website created by Primeconsulting

The Event, its name, logo, website, social media pages and all their content are the sole property of Marco Nannini LTD, 3rd floor, 166 College Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1BH, UK. All rights, title, intellectual property, Copyright, contractual and other entitlements of and relating to the Event, its name, logo, website, social media pages and all their content, vest in and are retained by Marco Nannini LTD.

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Cole Brauer and the Class40 First Light in Global Solo Challenge: A woman's breath over the ocean

Related Articles

• OC Wally Cento
• 84 Mini Maxi
• IMOCA Open 60
• Consultancy Services
• 30m Blue Water Cruiser
• 25m Explorer Yacht
• 24m Fast Cruising Catamaran
• 23m Performance Cruiser
• 20m Explorer Yacht
• 20m High Performance Cruiser
• 18m Blue Water Cruiser
• 15m Performance Cruiser
• 15m Explorer Yacht
• 12m Explorer Yacht
• Multihull Design
• 18m Explorer Yacht
• 40m Blue Water Cruiser
• 40m Cruiser Racer
• 33m Performance Cruiser
• 30m Wally Cento
• 24m ORCsy Racer Cruiser
• 24m Day Sailer
• Carbon Component Design
• Yacht Performance Development
• CFD and Model Testing
• Twin Rudder Steering Systems
• Custom Deck Hardware
• Modifications and Refit
• VPP Routing and Sail Analysis
• Classic Yacht Refit & Optimisation
• Naval Architecture
• Engineering
• Rudder Design
• Brokerage Services
• 'Seahorse Magazine' #192
• Lucent #180
• Influence #171
• 'Eora' #169
• 'The Three Brothers' #168
• 'Edenred' #165
• 'BHB3' #163
• Polka Dot #154
• 'Teata' #148
• 'Kite' #144
• ‘Sensei’ #131
• 'Sabre II' #93
• French Pineapple #79
• 'Letto Di Pletto' #47
• 'Mowgli' #41
• 23.8m Ultime Trimaran
• 20.7m Orma Trimaran
• 18.28m Orma Trimaran
• 16.75m Cruising Catamaran
• 16.1m Cruising Catamaran
• 12.8m Crowther Shockwave Catamaran
• 9.1m Seacart 30 Trimaran
• 26.3m Aluminium Sloop
• 22.38m Aluminium Classic Yacht
• 21.0m Steel Schooner
• 21.0m Aluminium Cruising Ketch
• 20.0m Aluminium Explorer Yacht
• 20.0m Luca Brenta Racer Cruiser
• 19.6m Aluminium Bluewater Cruiser
• 18.8m Custom Steel Sloop
• 18.23m Mylius Racer Cruiser
• 16.0m Sly Cruiser Racer
• 14.5m Aluminium Cruising yacht
• 13.87m Wooden Motor Sailer
• 11.6m Classic Pilot Cutter
• 25.25m Reichel Pugh Maxi
• 18.28m IMOCA 60 One Planet
• 18.28m O Canada IMOCA Open 60
• 18.28m Come in Vendee Open 60
• 18.23m Mylius FD Racer Cruiser
• 15.84m TP52 Racing Yacht
• 15.25m Pegasus Open 50
• 10.89m Figaro 3
• 10.1m Figaro 2
• 14.5m Aluminium Cruising Yacht

New Owen Clarke Class 40 scow in-build

Posted on 2nd november 2022.

New Owen Clarke Class 40 in-build at Evolution Marine

Sixteen years ago, Owen Clarke Design (OC) saw the baptism of its second Class40, #15 Bolands Mill.  Revolutionary design put that first boat on the podium in the 2006 Route du Rhum, the year where the emerging Class40 ended up dominating the entry list of the iconic ocean classic with 25 boats showing up on the starting line. 

Since those early days, OC has continued to be a leader in the class with eighteen boats delivered, all to private owners and still competing across the globe.  In a class with incredibly close racing, reliability and polyvalent design has proven to deliver an edge in race after race. 

Given our history with the class that stretches back to the very beginning, we are proud to announce that construction is well underway on a new, sixth generation design.  Commissioned by Michael Hennessy, American skipper of the legendary #54 Dragon, this new OC scow design is intended to take on the best of the Class40 fleet on both sides of the Atlantic.

Owen Clarke, working with Peter Hobson Design (PHD) and PURE Engineering have come up with the fastest, most versatile Class40 drawn to date.  Merf Owen, principal designer, explains: “after a close review of the existing scow bow fleet, we identified key design features that contribute to success and as importantly, those that do not.  In 2022 alone we subjected 86 different hulls to CFD analysis and VPP testing against computer models of our competitor’s designs, on the classic ocean racing courses using historical weather data. We are highly confident that the boat can reach the top of the podium across a wide range of courses and conditions”.

The design team also worked closely with Hennessy to focus on skipper ergonomics, designing a cabin, cockpit and deck that are meant to provide unparalleled protection for its crew and ensuring that they can sail at peak efficiency for transoceanic races.  Leaning on his own ocean racing experience, Merf reflected “a fast boat is better able to achieve its potential if the crew can perform at 100%.  Hennessy adds: “I strongly believe we’ve been able to ensure this new design supports a better ergonomic outcome than any other boat in the Class40.”

Evolution Marine in Cape Town has been engaged to build the new boat.  Their experienced team, led by Oliver Dawson, has already built the hull and deck tooling and is busy laminating structure.  She will be delivered from South Africa to France for final fit out by Marco Lefevre and his Class40 specialists at V1D2 in March of 2023, and will be raced in Europe next season against the best of the Class40 fleet. 

For more information about Owen Clarke’s new scow Class40, please contact [email protected]

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

AC40: the America’s Cup class’ younger sister

• Toby Heppell
• January 27, 2022

All about the AC40, which will be used for the Youth and Women's America's Cups and the America's Cup preliminary series

The 37th America’s Cup may be retaining the AC75 – albeit with a tweaked rule set – for actual Cup racing, but there will also be a new kid on the block in the form of the AC40. This one-design foiling monohull will be used by teams for training, development and America’s Cup preliminary regattas.

The purchase of one AC40 will be a prerequisite to entry into the 37th America’s Cup with the boats being used for an America’s Cup preliminary series (consisting of two events in the run up to the Cup itself), and also the reintroduced Youth America’s Cup.

Both the Youth AC and Preliminary Events (previously called the America’s Cup World Series) concept have been a feature of past America’s Cups, but both were dropped in the run-up to the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland.

The 37th AC will also introduce a new concept in the Women’s America’s Cup, which will also (controversially for many) take place in the smaller AC40 class that the youths will use.

The first AC40 is now in production by builders McConaghy Boats and is promised for delivery in July 2022 with production slated to be one new boat every five weeks thereafter.

Teams entering the America’s Cup and so purchasing an AC40 will also be given access to a simulator developed by Emirates Team New Zealand for pre-delivery training.

Emirates Team New Zealand’s training boat, Te Kahu. Photo: James Sommerset / Emirates Team New Zealand

The birth of the AC40

In the run up to the 2021 America’s Cup all teams tried out various test boat platforms – often modified 30-40ft racing yachts – in order to get to grips with the previously untried new concept of keel-less large foiling monohulls that had been introduced for the AC75 .

These test boat platforms were used by the teams to test foil shapes. For some, it was also a first opportunity to start getting to grips with the complex soft wingsails that had been newly introduced to the America’s Cup world with the AC75 rule.

The last team to launch a test platform was the (successful) Defender of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand .

The Kiwis were last onto the water with their test boat (they launched Te Kahu , the test boat, after their first AC75 hit the water but before their second race boat AC75, Te Rehutai ), and also had the advantage of the team’s highly advanced simulator and computing platform. So it’s unsurprising that the New Zealand team’s test boat looked easily the most polished and closest to the AC75s in almost every way.

It is also hardly surprising that, as Defender and co-writer of the 37th America’s Cup rules, the new one-design AC40 class looks very similar indeed to both Te Rehutai (from which the hull shape is taken) and Te Kahu .

How does the AC40 work?

The AC40 is designed to behave in a similar way to the AC75. They have two large, weighted foils on either side of the boat but no traditional keel.

The boats are designed to foil on one foil only with the windward foil raised out of the water to reduce drag and provide increased righting moment.

With only four crew members onboard the AC40 there will be a reliance on a variety of automated systems, including a battery powered system replacing the need for grinders, and automated controls to adjust foiling height and self-tacking headsails.

In terms of the rig, the AC40 will mimic the AC75s and will feature the same D-shaped mast on which two sail skins will be hoisted to create a soft wingsail, offering plenty of control but a sail plan that can be easily raised and lowered from onboard.

As with both the finalists in the 36th America’s Cup there will not be a boom, with a variety of hydraulics used to shape the sail from foot to head.

Southern Spars will supply the mast spar, while North Sails will be the supplier for the sails.

Is the AC40 a one design?

The AC40 concept is designed to meet a variety of criteria, providing one-design racing in the run-up to the America’s Cup itself (and for the Youth and Women’s AC ) but also to function as a test platform for the teams to develop and trial concepts ahead of building their AC75s for the America’s Cup proper.

This second function is vital to control costs – it is much cheaper to develop concepts on a smaller class than it is on the larger AC75.

But when it comes to the two preliminary events ahead of the AC (a third preliminary event will be sailed in AC75s), the Youth America’s Cup, and the Women’s America’s Cup, all boats will need to be stripped back to conform to the one-design AC40 rule.

AC40 Performance

In their modelling so far, Emirates Team New Zealand report that in light winds the AC40 is expected to be able to sail at up to 26 knots at 46º upwind and 30 knots boat speed at 138º downwind.

At the upper limits of 20 knots TWS, the boat speeds are expected to escalate to 39 knots upwind at 41º and 44 knots at an angle of 155º downwind.

Can I buy an AC40?

In theory, an AC40 can be bought by anyone, allowing for the possibility of private ownership. As a further step on from this, Emirates Team New Zealand say the simulator will be available to private owners, should anyone be looking to purchase one of the scaled down AC class.

Whether or not any private owners would be tempted by this remains to be seen. It would certainly be a thrilling boat to own, though running costs and complexity could also be incredibly high.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Class 40 Sailing: First Impressions

• June 2nd, 2016
• Sailing Yacht

Now that some 4 weeks passed by since I´ve had my fist real offshore sailing experience with a Class 40 sailing yacht and with having gained some distance to that trip I am trying to sum up my experiences and bundle testimonies of my fellow crew mates to have a thorough review of what it is like to sail a Pogo 40. You may read the cruise report of the first leg here  and of the second leg under Gennaker here  .

First of all: Looking at the boat is an experience by itself. Being accustomed to the view onto classic yachts, seeing this compact, flat hull with its extra-wide stern is amazing. This hull seemingly promises to go fast by its looks alone. My heartbeat went faster upon arrival at the mooring and it was the same with the other crew members. Let´s board the ship and have a look around.

Rigging and Cockpit Layout of a Class 40

A Class 40 is made for single handed and double handing racing. That means first of all that all ropes and lines must be guided in a way that they could be worked upon from the cockpit. Which is done beautifully in the Pogo 40: All halyards run down within the massive carbon mast or over the cabin roof and through jammers and can thus easily be unlocked, brought on to the winch and worked with. Only for hoisting and reefing of the mainsail somebody has to proceed midship to the mast.

When sailing single or double handed – above all in race situations – maneuvers have to be carried out with speed. To assure this, everything has to be within reach of one person: And it is indeed! There is a sheet winch on either side of the cockpit, well within reach with the one mainsheet winch on the center-housing for the life raft. This winch can operate both sheets of jib and Genoa as well as the backstays which also run through spinlocks.

Traveller sheets end in spinlocks right vis-à-vis the mainsheet winch. So, in theory a lone sailor could handle all the running rigging alone. Which of course is proven by a dozen of single hand sailors on Class 40 yachts all over the oceans. Although the cockpit is with its 4.50 meters extremely wide, ways from winch to winch and to the tiller helms are very short. The timeframe from changing conditions to a reaction can thus be made very short.

Of course, our Pogo 40 was equipped with Lazy Jacks to have the ritual of taking down the main sail made as easy as possible, though I can state by my own experience that both hoisting these 70 square meters of canvas and taking them down properly was extremely hard work: I can barely imagine doing this all alone. Thank god electric winches are invented. I felt at home in our Pogo´s cockpit and after a few hours manning the different stations was a no brainer. Again: Being responsible for the whole ship alone should be trained very thoroughly. A Class 40 is far away from being a no frills boat control wise.

Class 40 Sailing: Fast Planing like a Rocket

That was something I was looking forward to the most when booking a cruise on this boat. After having done the interview with Sven, co-owner of SY KNUBBEL, a Pogo 12.50 (which can be read here ) I was impatiently waiting for that sensation when the hull does overcome the boundaries of the wave system and sails faster than her theoretical maximum hull speed. So, all hands on deck, hoist all sails-ho! And tell me now what´s this planing like?

“Planing is when this constant gurgling and bubbling at the stern suddenly stops and is substituted by a smooth Swoosh….- like sound”, tells Sven when I was asking him. Sitting at the helm of POGO 1 beating upwind with 11 to 12 knots I am shouting to the skipper: “Capt´n, at which speed will she start planing?” “We already are – it needs 8 knots”. And yes, looking aft in our wake I notice a white trail indicating the gliding of our hull. It´s just an awesome feeling!

Maintaining control over the ship´s bearing is easy: The Pogo 40 is equipped with twin rudders in such an arrangement that even when heeled extremely the lee-rudder will have full steering capabilities. There was never too much pressure on the rudders though we didn´t have had to cope with too severe gales or swell conditions. It felt quite easy to trim her course by giving rudder – she reacts very vivid and instantly to even smallest corrections. Steering whilst planing? No difference to the classic way of sailing.

Speaking of heeling: The Pogo 40 needs heeling. This process assures the exposure of a smallest possible wetted surface under water thus reducing resistance. She sails very stable even when heeled extremely to up to 40 degrees and I never had the impression of being unsafe. Roaming about on deck when heeled is tricky: It´s wet and slippery, there are ropes virtually everywhere and – when sailing with a crew of five – even a 4.50 meters wide cockpit can easily become cramped.

A truly unique experience was sailing under Gennaker (which can be read in detail here ). The Class 40 is trimmed to go downwind – and she will go as fast as hell! Fastest speed on our POGO 1 in light conditions has been 14 knots, our skipper told us of occasionally exceeding speeds of 20 knots easily. Again: This is a racing machine and riding this stallion must be done only by experienced skippers and crews. She´s definitely not a boat for the rookie.

The Beauty of Sailing a Class 40

Nevertheless, counting myself to the rookie side and looking at how my fellow crew mates managed their jobs on board – all of them with far more experience in sailing than me – with a good skipper sailing on a Class 40 is both exciting, full of adventure and thrilling on the one hand and filled with beauty and grace on the other. Seeing the Class 40 under all canvas, accelerating to full speed and starting to plane filles me with pure joy.

It is barely imaginable that any sailing vessel can sail faster than these kind of boats. I was puzzled when we were overtaking another sailing yacht going at full speed with engine in a matter of minutes, doing our 50 miles in less than 6 hours with light winds. Although it´s a frightening idea but I´d love to be sailing with a Pogo 40 when things get a bit rougher. Well … there are some cruises offered on the Pogo 40 in September. This do get rough in September … This yacht let endorphins flow to the liters, people do have a constant grin on their faces for it is extremely satisfying to sail on a Class 40. Going fast is satisfying: Who wouldn´t trade his VW Golf for a Porsche? I felt constrained to compare the beauty of these boats to the grace of the old square rigged Clipper ships, which might be a sacrilege, but thinking of it there are so much similarities to these fastest sailing vessels of forgotten times.

“She sails wet.”, said skipper Thomas when conducting the safety briefing. There was some water coming down the companionway indeed, but I read reviews of real tough regattas and saw pictures of saloons full of water, soaked cushion and no dry place left whatsoever. As well a frightening prospect, but hell, this must be an awesome experience!

Reviewing a Class 40 Interior

Down below a Class 40 like the Pogo 40 is a true miracle regarding space. She is a 40 ft. boat – I personally find 40 feet with more than 12.50 meters huge compared to my 33 ft. King´s Cruiser – but due to her extreme width of 4.50 meters internal space is just huge! Even with 5 adults leaving their berths, brushing teeth, searching for clothes and having a cup of coffee the saloon didn´t felt cramped at all.

The main saloon is dominated by the large navigation station right on the keel in the middle of the cabin. A seat, a rugged laptop, radio and plotter – even by poking one´s head down the companionway all essential data could be grabbed at once. Down the cabin in the middle is a big fridge and the large folding table which makes dining even with a big crew easy.

Due to the fact that this is a high performance yacht you shouldn´t expect panels or veneers: Even the massive structural stringers of the underbody structure is clearly visible. Watch your step! There´s an L-settee to the port side, a long settee on the starboard side right after the galley which features a two-fire stove, a large sink and working table.

The Pogo 40 features two aft cabins of which the starboard cabin is large enough for two persons, the port cabin has a berth too is also filled with machinery such as heating, vents and pumps and the main power control. Here a more than bare head is to be found: One can seal off when doing his business by having a curtain applied, but again: No doors, no real visual protection and no sound protection at all. It´s a race – not a cruise …

Next to these three possible berths there is more on the port side settees, two persons, another one on the starboard side and – whilst in port – the fore cabin could offer two additional berths. In the end, a crew of 8 persons could find a place to rest while on board but again, that´s just in theory.

When we have been underway with five people – four crew and one skipper – we´ve had two of us in the forepeak, me and another member in the aft cabin, skipper and the last crew member in the saloon berths. Though I didn´t slept on any of the other bunks, I guess I have been lucky indeed having won a berth in the comfortable aft cabin.

To sum it up: The interior won´t appeal to everyone since the isn´t any. Wooden surfaces are limited to galley and folding table, cushion is water proof and so not very cozy (the color being grey does add nothing to create a “ship-like” atmosphere as well) and there is bare GRP everywhere you look. She´s a pure racer. Oh, is she?

Cruising with a Class 40?

There are more owner cruising with their boats than serious racers. You can do cruising with these boats: They have everything needed. This ship is large enough to have provisions and fuel for Blue Water passages, more than enough space and – above all – it will bring you faster to the destinations of your dreams or – being fast above all – allows to stay longer because of reduced sailing time. I guess, a Pogo-concept of fast sailing does correlate with a French sailing philosophy (which I tried to look into here  by interviewing Charly Fernbach of Pogo structures and naval designer-legend Marc Lombard).

If one can adapt to this bare and uncomplicated style of sailing by actively abstaining from luxury I would say yeah, cruising with a Class 40 can be done and should be done! Why wasting precious time on lame old fashioned cruisers? Why not prowl the oceans with speed, arrive early and spend more time? Well, I guess it´s because these days a classy wooden Hallberg-Rassy interior has its fans still – and besides, controlling a yacht like the Pogo 40, going wet and fast with extreme heeling is prospect of asking too much of the ordinary family skipper.

Looking at the sparse interior fitting – even when thinking of replacing the faux water proof leather of the cushion by a friendlier, fresher color, it´s still hard to envision myself and my family going on a long cruise (even a short one) in this boat. Well, envisioning myself I can, but the family … Nevertheless, there are reports of some families doing exactly this.

And the more I think about it – given that I can build up more and more competence and sailing abilities over time – this idea becomes attractive and tempting to dream of ever more. I just love this no-frills-approach to sailing (apart from the not-so-no-frills demand of the boat to be controlled with aplomb), this clean, white, bare surfaces. No wooden panels to care about, easy to maintain and clean, no doors, no portholes – no frills.

I fell in love …

And with all these no frills-commodities, there comes so much joy, so much adventure, so much fun. So much demanding in this boat and – which is most attractive I would say – so much gain in reachable distance! Going faster than 10 knots at virtually any time increases the range of activities extremely: Going faster could mean to reach more distant places or reach more places in the same time. Fascinating. And, sadly enough, unreachable for me (and totally impractical as well). But there´s a solution: Simply by booking another cruise on these fantastic sailing machines.

An alternative for owners who seriously consider to get a Class 40 could be the smaller yet comparable Class 9.50 racer of which some interesting boats are on the market, or – very interesting indeed – a Beneteau Figaro II. A sailing yacht legend of which I am going to publish a couple or articles in the near future.

Bottom line: Class 40 sailing has opened my eyes and thinking back to the wonderful 110 miles aboard POGO 1 still thrills me.

Thanks to Ole Macke for these wonderful Pictures