Please select your home edition
Edition
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 LEADERBOARD

New Mills 41 in Japan carries Halls Spars and Rigging from NZ

by Sail-World on 2 Nov 2016
Mills 41 Karasu was launched in September in Japan and features spars from Hall Spars NZ Mills Design
One of Hall Spar's latest projects, IRC Mills 41 Karasu (Crow) has just been launched in Japan and is currently undergoing test sailing.

Built by McConaghy in Zhuhai, this all-carbon racer is targeted at an inshore racing schedule in primarily light/medium conditions. The result of a lengthy reserach and development programme, this boat is for repeat clients in Hong Kong and reflects their experience racing locally in their previous custom Mills 41, as well as their views about the best way to approach the fleet with a new design.

A second generation mast was custom-crafted by Hall Spars & Rigging NZ for this design using High Modulus material for the mast and boom. 



The use of Hall Spar's fluid- structure integration (FSI) software has resulted in improved stiffness and sail integration. Happ Spars new fluid-structure integration (FSI) software is an advanced tool that allows us to accurately model the interaction of different sail combinations on Hall Spars' rigs. 

Giving accurate loading and mast bend predictions, this new tool enables us to explore different rig options in order to find the best solution based on each client's unique brief while reducing man hours spent on-site tuning a rig.

'The ability to integrate sail shape and mast bend and various sail configurations is a major step forward in producing the highest performing spar package possible,' says Hall Spars NZ founder Gary Hassall. 'It also allows us to effectively tune the rigging remotely - positively impacting project delivery timeframes. Loads are now more definable including deck loads for all sheet attachments: a large help for boat builders and designers.'

Karasu features a carbon headstay and a mast constructed from 3D printed titanium parts, as well as internal halyard locks and an optimised windage package.  



For more on the Mills 41 click here

For the latest from Hall Spars NZ click here

Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERPantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterMaritimo M50

Related Articles

ILCA Oceania & AUS Open & Youth Championship day 1
Wearn and Plasschaert lead the charge in Hobart The River Derwent tossed up solid conditions for the 191-strong fleet in the 2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championship in Hobart today.
Posted on 3 Jan
2025-26 Flying 11 Nationals overall
The 42 competitors were dished up a variety of conditions in Belmont Bay, Lake Macquarie The 2025/26 Flying Eleven Nationals have come to an end in Belmont Bay. 42 competitors were dished up a variety of conditions from light to moderate Easterly winds with sunshine, through to blustery 18-25 knot Southerlies with passing showers.
Posted on 3 Jan
Australian Sailing Team and Squad lining up
For the 2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Open Championships The Australian Sailing Team and Squad will line up this week at the 2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Open Championships, hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, with a strong mix of Olympic experience and emerging talent set for racing.
Posted on 3 Jan
New Vaikobi Reversible Marine Belts
Meet the belt that does more Vaikobi's new reversible marine belt is designed to keep up your pants, and keep up with your ocean lifestyle.
Posted on 2 Jan
Video: Sodebo sets new Cape Leeuwin Record
Is the Jules Verne Trophy now in reach? The Ultim trimaran Sodebo has set a new record to Cape Leeuwin of 17 days, 1 hour, and 17 minutes, over 5 and a half hours quicker than IDEC's time in 2016/17.
Posted on 2 Jan
Two visions, one RORC Transatlantic Race
Lining up together on the start line will be two extraordinary yachts. The 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race, starting from Marina Lanzarote on 11 January, will showcase one of the most fascinating contrasts in modern offshore sailing.
Posted on 2 Jan
X-Yachts at boot Düsseldorf 2026
A new way to experience X We are pleased to confirm that X-Yachts will once again be present at BOOT Düsseldorf 2026, the world's largest indoor boat show and a key meeting point for sailors and yacht enthusiasts from around the globe.
Posted on 2 Jan
The Famous Project CIC Jules Verne Trophy Day 33
Crossing Point Nemo this morning - further than Tracy Edwards - Cape Horn next Tuesday? Sailors, who, as everyone knows, love to use colorful expressions, often use the term "knitting" to describe the delicate tack changes necessary to round or negotiate a rapid change in weather systems ahead of their boats.
Posted on 2 Jan
All set for ILCA Oceania Championship in Hobart
Shaping up to be a fantastic week of sailing with 191 entries on the start line Competition racing starts this Saturday in the 2026 ILCA Oceania and Australian Open and Youth Championships with 191 entries on the start line, in what is shaping up to be a fantastic week of sailing under sunny summer skies in Hobart.
Posted on 2 Jan
2026 12ft Skiff Interdominion Championship preview
Up to 30 entries spanning NSW, Queensland and New Zealand are expected The 2026 triSearch 12ft Skiff Interdominion Championship is coming to Sydney Harbour, when up to 30 entries spanning NSW, Queensland and New Zealand are expected to take part, among them second and third placegetters from last year and past winners.
Posted on 2 Jan