Kiwi40FC hull #1 completes first week of sea trials in Auckland, New Zealand: the first Farr-designed, Cookson-built Kiwi 40FC has successfully completed an exhaustive week of sea trials in New Zealand under the control of BTBoats
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
by Renata Minetto
BTBoats are pleased to announce that the first KIWI 40FC, the new Farr-Cookson Class 40 design, prepared in time for the Global Ocean Race, has been launched. After two postponements due to the severe weather conditions that have been battering New Zealand, the launch took place at 8.00am on Tuesday 21st September, in a wet and wild Auckland.
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
The KIWI 40FC recently made its first sail, also delayed due to bad weather in Auckland. It has now had an extensive speed test and sea trials programme, and, of course, the ‘roll-over test’ required by GOR (Global Ocean Race) rules.
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
Having launched the first KIWI 40FC a short while ago, BTBoats have successfully completed a full week of initial sea trials with this exciting new Class40 production boat. Designed by Farr Yacht Design and built in Auckland, New Zealand by Cookson Boats, the boat has now been thoroughly tested in a wide range of sailing conditions and has logged some impressive results so far.
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
“The performance of the KIWI 40FC has exceeded all of our expectations,” said Lapo Ancillotti, Director of BTBoats. “The boat is fast, very fast. We have been sailing in 5 to 25 knots of wind over the last 5 days and the KIWI 40FC is quicker than expected and agile upwind in both light and moderate wind conditions. She has highly impressed us in reaching conditions.”
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
The design/build team of the Kiwi 40FC have created practical and elegant solutions for the interior, the control lines tunnel, the cockpit and the bowsprit which have all proven to function perfectly during the sea trials. “With ergonomics such an important element we are extremely pleased to confirm that the Kiwi 40FC is a fast, strong and highly manageable machine” enthused Ancillotti.
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
Leading short-handed sailor Michel Kleinjans, who has raced extensively aboard a variety of high-end Class40s, flew in from Belgium for the sea trials and was hugely impressed with the KIWI 40FC. “The boat is fast and stiff, the onboard solutions function extremely well and the attention to detail is excellent – I believe that the Kiwi 40FC is truly a major advance in Class40 design-technology and performance,” said Kleinjans.
KIWI 40FC. Image copyright BTBoats.
With initial sea trials completed, BTBoats will now concentrate on the performance development process with the Kiwi 40FC knowing that they have created an exceptional Class40 racing yacht.
BTBoats
