Carkeek Improves Winning 40-FT Racing Sailboat

Reflecting the growing interest in the 40ft race boat scene on a global, national and, in many cases, local level, the new and improved Mk2 version of the Carkeek C40 is attracting substantial interest say the designers.

The outstanding track record of the Mk1 C40s such as Steve and Heidi Benjamin’s Spookie and Stephen Murray’s Decision delivered over the first two years of racing has built a level of enquiries which has surprised even the Carkeek design office, who have tapped directly into a wellspring of enthusiasm for sailing very fast, fun boats of this particular size.

The first of the Mk2 Carkeek C40s, for a prominent Japanese owner, is currently in build at Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai and is due to be shipped late February. The second and third boats are allocated and will build immediately after boat number 1.

Carkeek Design Partners have responded to enquiries from the USA, South America, the UK, Australia, Italy, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia, France and throughout Asia and are in discussions about further sales.

The Mk2 Carkeek C40 further develops just about every key area of the Mk1 version, which in reality is a two-year-old design. It is the product of all the empirical data collected from the racing performances of the three initial C40s, plus owner and crew feedback. The Mk2 Carkeek C40 incorporates a new rig layout and sail plan, appendage layout and an updated hull form. Aerodynamics are improved, windage is reduced and the deck layout is further optimised.

Carkeek concludes: “This C40 design is breaking new ground as a light, powerful dual purpose high speed inshore-offshore boat, easily driven by owner-drivers as well as pros. The owner-drivers are delivered a boat which is very manageable, controllable, simple to sail, easy to set up with a wide groove in all conditions.”