Learn about Class 40s in the US

Seminar to be run in Newport, RI at the end of May

Want to go for a trial sail onboard a yacht in the fastest growing offshore sailing class on the planet?

In just four years Class 40 has grown from just two boats in a transatlantic race to over eighty class registered boats worldwide. Twelve are based now in North American waters, with over half of these in New England. There is a true international flavour to the class, on the dockside and in the parties before and after an event. In October this year eight nations are represented so far in the Class’s own double-handed race from France to Mexico. The 2009 Class 40 Worlds, which is always raced fully crewed has more than forty entries and will take place in England this year and Spain in 2010. In Europe where the class began, the majority of races on these fixed keel water ballasted boats are not solo, but double-handed or four/five up, which rates as fully crewed under the class rules.

So, you don’t need to have solo racing or trans-oceanic ambitions, nor be a semi-pro to own or race a Class 40. More than 50% of the enquiries for new and second hand boats come from owners who currently sail conventional racers and racer/cruisers. Last year eight boats raced fully crewed from Marblehead to Halifax in the first North American based Class 40 event. The class is steadily growing over here. An example of this is the two boats that raced this year for the first time in the Caribbean under IRC as well as the five boats that will compete in the 2009 Bermuda 1-2 and Marblehead to Halifax races.

So, how does one go about getting that first ride on one of these exciting machines?

Well, sign up for a free seminar/forum weekend being run by existing Class 40 owners in the US and come sailing with us. The event is being hosted at the Newport Yacht Club, Rhode Island over the weekend of 30-31 May.

It starts on Saturday the 30th at 11.00am with registration and an audio visual presentation by Brian Hancock, co-founder of the Portimao Global Ocean Race. There follows a series of lectures/seminars throughout the day by way of an introduction to the boats, the box rule and some of the people involved in the class in the US. Speakers will include local Class 40 designer Rodger Martin, 2008 Class 40 Champion designer Merfyn Owen, the Akilaria production Class 40 importer and racer/project manager Brian Harris. More importantly three existing North American owners will speak on a variety of subjects including class history, racing calendar, owning, campaigning as well as racing these boats. For those unable to attend on the Sunday a number of Class 40’s will be available on the dock late Saturday afternoon for shore-based tours. In order to control numbers, sailors have to attend both days to qualify for a place on Sunday when there will be test sailing throughout the day.

Sunday kicks off at 09.00 at the NYC where delegates will be allocated to boats and the format/schedule of the day explained. The sailing program will depend on numbers attending. Sailing is set to finish at 15.00hrs with the day wrapped up and people on their way home by 16.00hrs having enjoyed a great weekend and being more the wiser about this great class. Depending on the number of delegates who turn up, sailing places may have to be allocated on a first to register, first to sail basis. Register an interest now at: Class40@usa.com

For more information on the class visit the class website at: http://www.class40.com/index.php?lang=en

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