New Pindar hits the water

Juan K Open 60 put through her paces in New Zealand

Pindar have this week launched its brand new Open 60 in Auckland, New Zealand. A radical new design, which incorporates many cutting edge features including a rotating wing mast and hydraulically adjustable outriggers. Having teamed up with ISAF World Sailor of the Year and Volvo Ocean Race winner, Mike Sanderson, and innovative designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian, Pindar’s new Open 60 is being likened to the latest generation Volvo 70s, proven to be some of the fastest monohulls on the planet.

At 60 foot long, with a 4.5 metre draft and over six metres wide, Pindar has a wing mast which is able to rotate side to side, as well as being raked forward and aft using telescopic outriggers.



Project managed by Tom Faire and built by TP Cookson’s boatyard in New Zealand over an eight month period, the hull was constructed from a carbon composite using a male mould. The design and build process amassed 25,000 man hours of building, with hundreds more spent in research and testing. The new Pindar comprises sails made by Hadleigh Prendergast at North Sails NZ, with her mast and rigging supplied by Southern Spars and Future Fibres.

Mike Sanderson, who skippered a Juan Kouyoumdjian designed Volvo 70 to victory in the recent Volvo Ocean Race, has been a key consultant throughout the project, overseeing the build from his home with Pindar’s Emma Sanderson (née Richards) in New Zealand over the winter. Sanderson, who was recently appointed Team Director of the British America’s Cup syndicate, TeamOrigin, was present in Auckland, New Zealand, for Pindar’s first sail.

Mike Sanderson commented: “The new Pindar Open 60 comprises many new technical developments which make this boat one of a new breed in the world of Open 60s. Combining lessons learnt from other boats and classes, in terms of sails, rigging, hull and keel design, we have created what I believe will be an absolute weapon. She’s very different to Pindar’s previous two Open 60’s, with an interesting transom design and a very different rig set up. The first few days of testing have gone really well, and I look forward to Pindar’s arrival in the UK when the team can tune her up for racing.”

Juan Kouyoumdjian commented: “This boat is a very powerful Open 60. With her telescoping outriggers she has an interesting rig concept as well as deep chines, which affect the boat’s performance dramatically when she is heeled. It has been exciting developing the new Pindar and I’m looking forward to seeing her out racing.”

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented: “The Pindar team has been working really hard to get the boat ready and they have done a superb job. Mike Sanderson has taken the boat out in the Hauraki Gulf, off Auckland, with Brad Jackson, Mike Cookson and a talented array of America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race sailors. She’s an amazing boat and we look forward to seeing what she can do.”

A prominent supporter of international sailing, this is Pindar’s first ever new build racing yacht. Pindar’s Open 60 will be shipped to the UK later this week with the intention of competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, before taking part in various other training events in the build up to the Transat Jacques Vabre this November. An official naming ceremony and UK launch will take place in the UK this summer.