The Boat

Class 40

When the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) dropped the Open 40 class from the IMOCA race eligibility list it left an opening for a new class of 40 foot footers. In 2004 the Class 40 rule was developed in France. These boats are similar to the old Open 40 rule but with material restrictions to keep cost down and encourage the class to grow. The first race for the new Class 40 yachts will be inclusion in the Route du Rhum in 2006.

The Class 40 yacht is a smaller version of the very wide Open 60 yachts used for the Vendée Globe. These high tech racing yachts are designed specifically for single handed sailing. They are very light and very fast.

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Owen Clarke Design LLP

One of the world's leading Naval Architecture firms Owen Clarke Design LLP has designed and developed a superb racing machine to the new Class 40 Rule of 2004. Owen Clarke Design LLP is recognised as being at the leading edge of high performance yacht design. Owen Clarke are particularly known as pioneers in the field of canting and lifting/canting keels for racing and cruising boats. The Owen Clarke design portfolio spans yachts from the 6.5m Mini Transat class to the 32m superyacht Paragon and includes our latest Vendee Globe Open 60, Ecover.

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