One boat and 3 variations
Two major European clubs, the Union Nationale pour la Course au Large (UNCL) in France and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the United Kingdom, already partners in the management of the IRC rule, have announced the launch of a call for projects for the creation of a new class of boats, called Class 30. These boats, 30 to 32 feet in length and accommodating up to six crew members, will be available in three versions, each of which can be sailed separately as a one-design or together through a rating. The first version is intended for clubs, with minimal and simplified equipment, while the Class 30 OD (One Design) is aimed at individual yachtsmen with a wider range of equipment. A third model called Olympic is envisaged in case of registration of offshore racing in the Olympic Games, with in particular video broadcasting devices.
Affordable sailboats for club crew training
The core of the project carried by UNCL and RORC is to address the aging of ocean racing crews with affordable and modern solutions for sailing clubs. " Our philosophy is to encourage the training of ocean racing crew members. We notice an ageing of the crew and the development of double-handed races can also be explained by this. The clubs have aging fleets of boats with Surprise, Grand Surprise or JOD 35. And they can't find boats that meet their specifications. The 30 or 32 footers on the market have equipment and fittings that are not necessary for sailing clubs. It is above all an economic problem. The objective is a club model at 80,000 euros ex VAT, ready to sail with dacron sails. We have already discussed with shipyards on existing models. We need to make very simple versions. I don't think this will be a problem with the brands and prices of existing models. We can take the example of Dacia, which is one of the reasons for Renault's success "explains Yves Ginoux, vice-president of UNCL, who is very involved in the Class 30 project.
Owner's boats also available
The Class 30 OD version also has an ambitious economic objective. The estimated budget for the yacht is 120,000 euros excluding VAT, excluding sails. The extra 40,000 euros (excluding VAT) compared to the Class 30 Club includes the added value of a carbon mast, ballast equipment, a kitchen unit and electronic equipment. " With ballasts, the Class 30 OD will also allow double-handed racing. I think that we can have an offer 30 to 35% below what exists on the market and broaden the perhaps somewhat narrow vision that the shipyards have of this market "says Yves Ginoux.
A large production of sailboats in France and abroad
Aiming at a regatta circuit in Europe, but also internationally, the initiators of the Class 30 envisage a large-scale production of boats, with regional licenses. " Building locally, under license, as was done for the Mumm and then the Farr 30, is essential for the development of the class because the cost of transporting a boat of this size can explode the prices. It also allows us to master the one design with the UNCL and the RORC. Without counting the United Kingdom and North America also very interested, we can estimate the number of boats at about a hundred in 5 years for clubs in France, to which we add some Class 30 OD for individuals, whose number will depend on the regatta circuit. There is also the renewal of event fleets such as Teamwinds which has 50 boats. This seems reasonable when you consider that there were 300 Grand Surprise "says the UNCL vice-president.
1st Class 30 in the water in 2022
The project schedule is tight. Shipyards or naval architects wishing to participate have until May 6 to contact UNCL. The jury composed of 4 UNCL members and 3 RORC members will select 5 to 10 candidates. They will then have 4 weeks to submit a sketch. The jury will then select 1 or 2 submissions, for which it will fund a preliminary design level study. " Our goal is to sign a contract in September 2021 for a delivery of the first boats in April 2022. We already have individuals interested in Class 30 ODs. This will allow us to validate and test the boats by grafting them onto existing events in the second half of 2022 and to launch the Class 30 circuit in 2023 "concludes Yves Ginoux.
