Since its inception in France in 2005, the Class40 has become one of the fastest growing offshore yacht racing classes in Europe. Its prime objective is to promote affordable and manageable offshore yachts that can be sailed short-handed or fully crewed.
Development of the Orca Class40 by Humphreys Yacht Design in the United Kingdom has built on an extensive R&D program begun in March 2007. Performance optimisation has been based on meteorological profiles for the transoceanic classics, such as the Route du Rhum. Ergonomics studies have also been undertaken by top offshore sailors Phil Sharp and Kristian Hajnsek and a full scale, heeling cockpit mock-up was built to refine certain areas of the design.
The Orca40 will come in three versions: basic racer, Class40 optimised racer and a fully equipped cruiser version, with the prototype to be launched this month.
More information: www.orca-yachts.com.
