It's About Time to race in comfort
by Jason Rowed 18 Feb 2020 13:00 PST
Cookson 50 'About Time' © Pantaenius
Well pardon the pun but its true, the Cookson 50 has its own little niche in the Race Yacht market. A concept put together by legendary kiwi boat builder Mick Cookson and the Farr office, the outcome achieved was a sleek, stylish race yacht that combines performance racing with an unusual level of comfort.
Utilizing construction techniques that earned Cookson Boats a world class reputation, the Cookson 50 is exceptionally well designed, with none of the on-board creature comforts compromising its ability to go fast. These boats are strong yet still light enough to give those adrenaline junkies a nice hit as they pop an A sail up and head down the coast. And yet a boat that may just entice the family out to join you.
If this appeals to you, then About Time is on the market with www.raceyachts.com.au
With impressive interior volume, features include:
- Hot and Cold pressure water
- Gas stove and oven
- Large refrigeration unit
- Double carbon sink with a large carbon bench top
- Spacious enclosed head with push button electric toilet
- Comfortable saloon with large carbon table (removable)
- Large double Vee berth
- Second enclosed head - Used as a wet locker on About Time
- Dedicated Navigation station with chart table and storage
We could go on but I'm sure that gives you a sweet taste of how cool the interior is on the Cookson 50.
On deck we have a similar concept with a generous cockpit that includes comfortable seating at the forward end. There are twin carbon wheels, hydraulic powered winches (3) to do all the grunt work. About Time has been specified with additional features like the offshore companionway hatch, Sat phone, HF radio and the like. She also has a full B&G H5000 instrument system including an auto pilot.
Up above decks is an impressive double spreader Carbon Fibre mast and boom set up for triple reefing which also has carbon ECsix rigging. An array of Harken winches, deck gear plus Spinlock clutches with Lewmar ports finishing of the perfect combination of quality brands and products.
About Time has been super consistent with her results, for the last two years she has raced in the CYCA Ocean Point series and come away with 2nd IRC Overall 2018/19 beating high end competitors like TP52 Quest and Rogers 46 Smuggler. Then again in 2019/20 About Time scored another impressive 2nd IRC Overall. This was backed up with yet another 2nd IRC Div 2 Sydney Gold Coast race 2019 and a 3rd IRC Div 2 Hamilton Island race week 2018.
Earlier in her life under a previous name, About Time's keel was modified to a fixed fin, and it was optimised further for performance in 2011 by Farr Yacht Design. She now has an IRC rating 23 points below her canting sisterships and often beats them across the line as well. Pretty good outcome I would suggest.
So, if you'd like the choice to enjoy a cold beer, a hot oven cooked meal with some fun fast sailing and great results then it's About Time for you.
For more information, contact www.raceyachts.com.au or contact Jason Rowed, telephone +61 (0)414332255 or email