McConaghy Boats launches their latest build

by McConaghy Boats on 2 Apr 2015 Ambush is the first boat from the Mills 41 moulds for McConaghy Boats' repeat customers Andrew Taylor and Joachim Isler. McConaghy Boats' ability to semi customise their production boats enabled them to deliver a boat that responds specifically to the owners requests. Ambush particular boat has been optimised for the conditions typically experienced on the Asian circuit, but Mills Design has ensured that the boat is competitive across the wind ranges and sea conditions whilst performing well on IRC.

“After seven years in our current McConaghy built Mills 41 and with IRC now allowing lighter, fun 40s we decided to join the arms race in Asia and build a new boat.” Commented Andrew Taylor, “after a lot of research we decided to go with Mark Mills again, having had a great experience the first time around and especially after seeing the spectacular Alegre. Once a designer had been chosen we again did some investigation on potential builders. We have been very happy with the quality of the first boat and the team of Mark, Jamie and Stephen have really excelled with the current build. The boat came out looking brilliant, on budget and on weight. The level of communication and interaction with us through the build has also been great.”

The Mills 41 is the latest of a new generation of lightweight high-performance designs from Mark Mills and his team, it is the result of a comprehensive R&D program aimed at optimising the boat for both inshore and offshore conditions. The design process involved CFD driven VPP study with KND-Sailing Performance, looking at multiple hull shape options, foil configurations, and sail plan sizes. This work built on Mills previous studies of new designs based on increasing form stability when heeled, resulting in significant performance gains.

“The build process with Mark Evans and his team at McConaghy’s has been very efficient and professional. They played a major part in the development of the design along with engineer Steve Koopman of SDK, as always the best projects have a team ethos. The boat is right on its weight and trim targets, and most importantly the customer is very satisfied, so we are very happy.” Commented Mark Mills.

SDK, world leading composite racing boat engineers of successful TP52s, Mini-Maxis and America’s Cup racing yachts, have produced a refined structural layout with a focus on weight reduction, global stiffness, and ease of movement internally. The result is a simple interior with features such as a basic galley and cooler stowage on either side of the Hall Spars NZ mast, Nav seat on the engine box, and a head to starboard forward adding offshore functionality.

McConaghy’s recent investment into CNC Robotic Machinery has assisted with enhancing accuracy, efficiency and weight control. “We are extremely pleased to be part of this project with Drew and Jochim, it has been great working with Mark Mills and his team and it is very rewarding to have another state of the art racing yacht leave the factory. The whole McConaghy team is extremely proud of our 48 year history, we have now built over 1200 boats since we opened our China factory, and they continue to back up our proven track record with some incredible results. We wish Drew, Joachim and crew the best of luck and look forward to seeing the Ambush name on the silverware. ” Said Mark Evans, Joint Managing Director, based in China.

The Ambush crew have had a taste of the boat in some light conditions in Hong Kong so far. Former America’s Cup Sailor and Sail Designer Magnum Dooles of North Sails NZ has joined them for sea trials “I must say the boat feels great and powers up nicely; she falls onto the hull form very well and powers forward. ' Said Dooles
Ambush is based in Hong Kong and will be competing in the Asian circuit that kicks off with the San Fernando (Philippines) which started yesterday.