New boats and refits for North Sails

by Zoe Hawkins on 5 Dec 2010
Included in recent launches is the first Kiwi 40FC from BT Boats, now in the water with a full wardrobe of North Sails.

A production Class 40 designed by Farr Yacht Design and built by Cookson Boats the Kiwi 40FC will provide affordable, accessible offshore racing for amateur sailors, combined with a rigorous box-rule that keeps purchase and campaigning costs low.

Magnus Doole from North Sails Auckland loft design team provides an overview; 'They’re class restricted in what they can build the sails out of, so the only sails that are 3DL are the mainsail and the J1. The other sails are polyester based which is a rule limitation.'

'It has a massive square top main - the boat has a lot of righting moment so the aim was to power it up quite early.'

'She has upwind sail area of 115 square metres and downwind sail area of 260 square metres.'

The boat’s first race was the Wednesday night summer opener. Crew Josh Tucker says it went really well and shows a lot more potential. 'We didn’t use the water ballast and were still not far behind the 50s. The sails look great. We were doing over 15 knots in 18 knots of breeze at one stage – it’s a very impressive boat.'

On the superyacht front North Sails Auckland loft is currently working on sails for the new Briand 220 launching shortly, and Janice of Wyoming, currently undergoing a refit, recently purchased a new North Sails reacher.

Local customer, Bill Dalbeth is due to launch his new Elliott Tourer soon with a full wardrobe of sails from the North Sails Auckland loft completed and ready for action. Bill planned to sail this year’s Coastal Classic two-handed together with Richard Bicknell, with a view to also pairing up on board the new ride for the 2011 Two-handed Round North Island Race.

Another new build, Ray Haslar’s new Reichel Pugh 42, is under construction in Davie Norris’ Christchurch yard and progressing well.

30 foot Elliott canting keeler Overload is equipped with a new North Sails mainsail and is gearing up for 2011 Two-handed Round North Island Race which starts 19th February 2011.