The new Formula 40?

RMW Marine introduce a new 40ft one design catamaran

To meet MOCRA requirements there is the minimum accommodation with nominally three bunks, a head, a gas stove and 25lt water tank with handpump. The standard package will include an outboard bracket and 9.8hp outboard.

The optional electronics package is a B&G Hydra 2000 system with a set of transducers in each hull and a mast rotation sensor. A Hydra Pilot can be added to this set-up for short handed races.

RMW Marine anticipate it taking three people four hours to get the boat from trailer to the water. The boat is designed for slipway launching and will be supplied with dollies. Alternatively the boat can be craned in from lifting positions on the cross beams.

A Class Association is to be established to act as a communication point for members, to organise racing including liaison with other classes and clubs such as RORC and MOCRA and help with PR and sales.

Although the boat is designed so that it can be shipped abroad, there is a large potential for racing this boat in the UK through a combination of the circuits run by MOCRA and RORC, alongside the class' own events.

The race programme will be determined by the first owners, but the proposed circuit includes races out of the Hamble at the end of April prior to the RORC's Cervantes Trophy on 3-4 May and the Round the Island Race with the season concluding with the class' own races in Weymouth and Torquay in September before returning to Hamble for two more races in October. Alternatively or in addition to this there is the entire MOCRA calendar such as the Royal Southampton YC's races starting with the Frostbite and Spring Series. Boats racing in these events will do so under MOCRA's time correction factor.

The £99,750 price tag gets you the boat with outboard engine, launching dollies, but not a trailer, electronics and sails. With everything the whole deal is expected to cost around £125,000 or the best part of £150,000 with VAT.

As you may have gathered from this, RMW Marine are attempting to set the circuit up with private owners and at present at least are shying away from turning it into a sponsor-driven circus as might be found over the Channel. However who knows where this could go... Certainly a high tech flier capable of speeds well in excess of 20 knots with inshore and offshore capability for the prices quoted should provide excellent bang for the buck.

To find out more about the RMW Marine contact: Richard Woof, RMW Marine, Rackfield Park, Bridge Street, Uffculme, Nr Cullompton, EX15 3AX Tel: +44 (0) 1884 841880 Email: richard@rmwmarine.com

More photos on the following pages...

What's you view of this? Would you trade in your Farr 40 or Mumm 30 for this? Does the concept have legs? What would you like to see different? Email your thoughts to feedback@thedailysail.com (via Outlook) or go to our Contact Us page to use a message box...