Two confirmed orders from Lymington designed house

Rogers Yacht Design Ltd are entering the rapidly expanding Class 40 arena with two confirmed orders. The first hull has been sold to well known pro sailor Tanguy de Lamotte and the second to a private UK owner. Tanguy has a five year programme set up with his two sponsors Smart Up and Set Environnement, which will culminate in the Route du Rhum in 2010.
This highly competitive class with its box rule parameters has produced a plethora of differing designs on the water and many with cruiser/ racer compromises. From the outset Tanguy’s brief was clear: "A full on race boat, no compromise!"

Careful consideration has been given to the detailing of the boat for shorthanded sailing. The most significant of these details is the central winch and the pedestal grinder. The sail plan has been designed to have maximum power while maintaining optimum balance in all reefed configurations. Much of RYD’s Mini and Open Class experience has been of great benefit and this full on design has already created quite a stir.

The Class 40s are being built at CMI in Thailand from female moulds from the outset, giving excellent surface finish and minimum weight. The Rogers Class 40 is being built in epoxy, E glass with a foam core and will have a carbon mast, boom, bow sprit and spinnaker pole. CMI have been chosen because of their combined experience with "minimum weight rule boats", which includes AC yachts and Volvo 70s and continues the ongoing relationship that RYD and CMI already have through the Rogers IRC 46s. Tanguy will be based at CMI to supervise the build of the first boats; the first is due to be launched in April 2007.

Given the level of enquiries RYD has experienced to date, the Rogers Class 40 has been set up ready for production with the Base Boat package costing 220,000 Euros delivered to UK ex. vat, sails, electronics and safety gear. This undoubtedly makes the Rogers Class 40 the best value Class 40 on the market today!