No Compromise. Strong and Fast Ocean Racer

News Flash! Kiwi 40 FC #3 Currently under construction for a January 2012 launch.

PHILOSOPHY

Class40 is the most significant offshore racing yacht rule that has ever been developed. The enormous benefits of a simple and strict box rule that allows for design interpretation but limits build and campaigning costs by insisting on inexpensive build materials, has proved irresistible. In the four years that the rule has existed some 90 plus owners worldwide have purchased a Class40. With highly competitive boat-to-boat racing available around the buoys and across oceans on a strong, reliable and affordable performance yacht, the Class40 formula attracts professionals and amateurs alike with most Class approved races yielding a fleet of at least 25 boats. Numerous design houses and builders have developed Class40 boats but now the world's premiere designers and builders have entered this exciting arena - BTBoats Ltd have brought Farr Yacht Design to conceive and build what is sure to become an iconic Class40 production boat - the Kiwi40FC.

In recent decades, Farr Yacht Design has developed exceptional yachts in every offshore discipline. From fully crewed Volvo 70 round the world racers to single-handed Open 60 rocket ships.

Farr's ability to produce strong, reliable yachts that have superb all-round performance across the wind range made them first choice designers for BTBoats Ltd and they have embraced this project with enthusiasm.
The philosophy of the Class40 Association is to provide affordable, safe and fast racing both inshore and offshore. The Class40 provides an opportunity for more sailors to be able to compete and experience the joys of offshore racing which for some years has been the domain of only a lucky few. BTBoats Ltd mirror this philosophy and with the design/build solution we have chosen for the Kiwi40FC we are taking the Class40 concept to the very highest of levels in every respect for a highly competitive price.

KIWI 40FC CONCEPT

High Quality and Keep it Simple - these have been the targets for the KIWI40FC Class40 project from conception to fruition. The Class40 Box Rule is simple and efficient but on detailed review it is clear that there are numerous elements for a designer to explore and develop. With many different ways to combine these elements within the Box Rule we constantly reminded ourselves to Keep it Simple during the design process. Following our Keep it Simple concept throughout the structural design, the geometries, the details and ultimately the construction methodology we have arrived with the KIWI 40FC - a reliable, stiff, safe, well-finished, fast and aesthetically pleasing Class40. To achieve this result, the correct vision and approach have been crucial from the outset with Farr Yacht Design fully involved since we launched the design brief. Farr Yacht Design have enthusiastically provided the appropriate design information, parameters, and geometries.

Keep it Simple is the key to being efficient, affordable and to create a boat which fits the Class40 philosophy and spirit. Keep it Simple is a critical and natural concept in New Zealand that has traditionally proven to be a winning approach. In the last 30 years New Zealand has proven its extensive capabilities for success in every sailing discipline, with countless winning yachts being built here.

Following the construction of the prototypes at Cookson Boats and now with the production set at Hakes Marine in Wellington, the KIWI 40FC will be another shining example of New Zealand's ingenuity, creativity, quality, reliability and performance. Why go elsewhere when you can have the best?