AC40 - Ownership

How do I campaign one?

Any new yacht, let alone a new class of yacht of course requires detailed thought and planning before committing.

The AC40 is no exception to that, but what on the outside looks like a very daunting and totally foreign type of sailing actually carries a huge number of similarities to the typical forms of racing that we know and love.

Here, Sam Pearson, Ancasta Race Boats Brand Manager, gives us the lowdown on what it is like to own and run an AC40.

What am I buying?

The goal of the builder - McConaghy Boats and the designers - Emirates Team New Zealand, was to provide a yacht that is comprehensively prepared at the point of sale as they realise that private owners do not have the same resources that we see in the America's Cup world.

Upon delivery, owners will receive an AC40 packed onto a 40ft flat rack shipping container that cleverly incorporates both a shipping cradle and shore cradle.

The AC40 is supplied with two foil arms and the T foil rudder, as well as hydraulic systems, electrical cables run, battery packs, charging accessories, all deck hardware installed, running rigging package and a full One Design suit of North Sails.

Each yacht is also shipped with a two piece, "D section" Southern Spars mast and composite standing EC3 rigging from Future Fibres.

Commissioning

The AC40 of course carries new technology that none of us are au fait with, however the basics are the same as other yachts and with the majority of the systems commissioned ahead of shipment, most experienced boat captains should not be daunted by this task.

Once an order for a new AC40 is placed, there will be a handover session at the McConaghy factory for teams to attend and learn everything there is to know about these boats, prior to them arriving at their new home port.

On top of that McConaghy Boats and ETNZ are providing an expert to attend the pre-sail commissioning once delivered that will ensure the teams are on the water in the minimal outlay of time.

We are currently also working on a cradle that will allow owners to lift and lower their yachts for foil installation, so teams can be fairly self-sustaining and not require large cranes. Remember these hulls weight less than 550kg!

Day to day

Like any top end race yacht, leaving the boat on a swing mooring for several weeks is certainly not a wise move, but with both foils down the yacht is very stable at rest and will easily fit alongside a suitable pontoon or stern to as we see mostly in the Med.

Without question the yachts require a support boat/ Rib to assist with docking on and off and allowing the easy hoisting of sails. A removable Harken deck winch is in place to assist with the twin mainsail skin hoist.

Support vessels are usually alongside for sail hoisting and the AC40 yacht has a strong towing point located on the bow for faster boat movements.

Each evening the boat's power supply will need to be recharged and all charging controllers are supplied as standard. These work off a simple 240v socket and plug into a port below decks.

Safety

With the speeds the AC40's are capable of, safety is, without question, one of the high priorities on everyone's minds.

Since foiling yachts became the norm at the top of our sport, a huge number of important lessons have been learnt and implemented into the new AC40.

These include communications, which are run using a Riedel system onboard the yacht integrating comms with helmet safety. Included with each boat is a $10,000 USD allocation to supply and install this system.

In addition, guidance is provided by ETNZ regarding the installation of a portable air tank, with easy access regulator in the event of capsize and provides safety in the most extreme of circumstances.

The AC40 is now available to buy from Ancasta. Contact us to join the foiling revolution. ancasta.com/AC40

This Iconic yacht with incredible sailing history has been in the hands of a truly passionate owner for many years. Stored under cover after a huge refit, the quality of workmanship is stunning.

‘NYUMBA’. A modern full carbon high-tech Cruiser/Racer built by Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai. The yacht is designed for two purposes; fast cruising with small crew in comfort, and Racing with Square-top Mainsail.

Built in 2017 by Premiere Composites the MAXI

World Champion is state of the art and ready to sail at the highest level of the sport. CANNONBALL has had absolutely no expenses spared, maintained to the highest standard, she is world renowned.

‘Camiranga’. A wonderful racing machine that combines performance with comfort. She has a spacious cockpit with a very comfortable interior, a full galley and two bathrooms. She comes fully loaded with everything needed to race and be competitive.

‘Wild Joe’. A real one-of-a-kind machine. Originally built as

‘VARUNA VI’. One of the most exciting IRC/ORC offshore boats ever built and now she is ready for her next thrillseeking owner! The brain child of Jason Ker, this boat is a custom design that was purely built to race offshore, at pace!

‘TP52 (Ex-Bribon)’. This J/V designed, offshore ready, TP52 is now for sale. Originally built as BRIBON for the King of Spain, before she became “Flying Jenny”, “Ice Fire”, “RKO” and now “ROCKALL”.

View all the live Race listings:

DNA F4 Foiling Cat US$ 1,390,000 Tax Not Paid

Port Hamble Call: +442380 016582

Year: 2016

Ref: 35143

‘Kuankun Too’. A full racer, built in pre-preg carbon and designed by Javier Soto-Acebal. Built by Mboat (Argentina) with the objective to race under ORC, the boat won several regattas over her active campaigns both Nationally and Internationally.

Cookson 50 € 375,000 Tax Not Paid

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 016 582

Year: 2007

Ref: 41297

‘FURIOSA’. A great example of the evergreen Cookson 50 design, that has been turning heads on the race course longer than just about any other design out there. Formerly known as “Camilla”, she has lived in Scandinavia for most of her years.

Carkeek 46 US$ 1,400,000

Port Hamble Call: +442380 016582

Year: 2022

Ref: 40337

‘LOKI’. A custom-built 46 footer from the drawing board of Carkeek. “LOKI” is a mid-sized, light displacement race boat, built in full carbon. She has been designed and built to thrive in the stand-out 600-mile Yacht Race.

‘Falcon’. Built in 2016 by HOLLAND COMPOSITES as a result of a design collaboration between DNA PERFORMANCE and America’s Cup winner Shannon Falcone. She is a unique and fast open water foiling carbon fiber catamaran.

INFINITI 46 € 599,950

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 016 582

AvailableNEWBOAT

Toorder

‘New Haven’. A well-maintained IRC racer/cruiser from the drawing board of Jason Ker. As Fair Do’s, she was campaigned successfully in the Atlantic by her original owner whose design brief was for a strong, all-around performer in IRC. Port

McConaghy Ker 46+

Port Hamble Call: +442380 016582

Year: 2016

Ref: 38876

‘Maverick’. A boat with high performance and technology in her DNA, most prevalently shown in her DSS foil system, which the boat was ultimately designed around.

‘Concept - MAT1340’. Introducing the new MAT 1340, designed by Mark Mills. This new 44 footer is hot off the drawing board and after an extensive R&D phase, the 1340 offers a modern IRC solution, capable of offshore and inshore racing.

Botin & Carkeek GP42 € 250,000

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 016 582

Year: 2022

Ref: 27779

‘McConaghy New Boats - Ker 46+’. The McConaghy Ker 46+ is a phenomenal evolution of the already successful Ker 46. A pure thoroughbred racing machine, she is designed for first-rate performance on the race track, whether inshore or offshore.

Year: 2007

Ref: 40983 benchmark. Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 016 582 McConaghy Ker 40+ US$ 450,000 Tax Not Paid Year: 2024 Ref: 28912 ‘Botin Fast 40’. see is going to be the new 40ft

‘Shining Sea’. This Botin and Carkeek-designed yacht should now be known as an IRC 42, as really she is unrecognisable from her original GP42 format. New mast in 2020, new foils and a hugely updated inventory of sails and electronics.

‘Anything’. A full carbon, pre-preg build that is based on the hugely successful Ker 40+ design and was launched in 2016. She benefits from the R&D work done within the new FAST 40 Class and so optimisation is at the highest level.

McConaghy Boats AC40 US$ 2,790,000 Year: 2023

Ref: 40355

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 450 000 € 342,243 Tax Not Paid Year: 2022 Ref: 38592

Introducing “ICY” the Melges IC37 from Mark Mills. This mid-sized, all-rounder is highly capable in class racing, IRC, ORCi and ORR and has an awful lot to offer the discerning racer.

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 450 000 Class 40 VPLP Clak 40 € 850,000 Tax Not Paid Year: 2021 Ref: 40751

‘Influence #171’. A fantastic example of a VPLP Clak 40. This high-performance and reliable boat has been campaigned in 2022 in Les 1000 milles des Sables and went on to achieve 1st in the Round Ireland Race.

‘Sunrise’. A VERY unique opportunity has just been presented to us here at Ancasta Race Boats, and we are happy to inform you that the 2018 JPK 1180 “Sunrise” is now for sale. A change in owner circumstance means that the boat is now on the market.

‘Aurora’. Now for sale exclusively with Ancasta Race Boats. One of the top boats in the IRC 2 class and still taking top places at major regattas, shows “Aurora” is still bang on the money. New sails in the quiver for 2019.

51

£ 99,950 Tax Paid

Year: 1982

Ref: 39786

‘Montauk Lights’. PRICE REDUCTION. OWNERS WANT HER SOLD THIS SEASON - 50 ft BLUE WATER CRUISER FOR UNDER £100K. Originally Commissioned by Patience Wales.

Sotogrande Call: +34 693 555 696

SHIPMAN 50

€ 390,000 Tax Paid

Year: 2006

Ref: 41363

‘Zephyr’. European Yacht of the Year and the Most Innovative Boat of the Year, she was designed as a short-handed highperformance yacht. Only 11 units of the Shipman 50 were built. Fast and strong, seaworthy and comfortable, easy to sail and handle.

Barcelona Call: +34 657 192 411

Beneteau First 44

£ 472,234 Tax Not Paid

Year: 2023

Ref: 40789

NEW BOAT ARRIVING IN THE UK 2023. The new Beneteau

First 44 is the latest model in a long line of First racer/ cruisers that began forty-five years ago. From the design boards of renowned Naval Architect, Roberto Biscontini, he has created a lovely sailing yacht.

Dartmouth Call: +44 (0)1803 752 498

EAGLE 44

£ 200,000 Tax Paid

Year: 2015

Ref: 39219

‘Halcyon’. A head-turning modern classic yacht in the spirit of tradition. Designed by the J class specialists Dykstra Navel Architects and built by Leonardo Yachts. Her stunning classic looks immediately speak of speed.

Mylor Call: +44 (0)1326 372 865

S&S Swan 44

£ 160,000 Tax Exempt

Year: 1973

Ref: 41127

‘Pomeroy Swan’. A beautifully presented S&S Swan 44, built and launched in 1973. Based in the UK with her last two owners, “Pomeroy” is a real gem and has been lucky to have had recent owners with such a passion for this yacht.

Port Hamble Call: +442380 016582

Arcona 410

£ 289,950 Tax Paid

Swan 38

Year: 2014

Ref: 40759

‘Arcturus’. There can be no mistaking the true performance credentials of the Arcona 410 with this example being no exception. Only in her second ownership, she has benefited from the addition of a fixed bowsprit.

Port Hamble Call: +44 (0)2380 450 000

Prima 38

£ 64,950 Tax Paid

Year: 2004

‘REVIVE’. Well-maintained Prima 38 launched in 2004 and is in her third ownership since new. Copper-coated in 2015 and hull cleaned in June

Prima 38

Year: 2005

£ 99,500 Tax Exempt Year: 1977

Ref: 27513

‘Skylark’. The 96th Swan to be built out of a total of 116. She has always been professionally maintained in her current ownership. ‘Skylark’ has a successful race history and comes with a comprehensive list of extras.

Alcudia Call: +34 871 000 210

£ 79,950 Tax Paid

‘Alfresco’. The last Prima 38 to be built in the UK in 2005 by Seaquest Yachts, and the only one with masthead spinnakers. IRC optimised rudder designed by Hugh Wellbourn. Mostly dry-sailed from new. New rod rigging in 2021. New Garmin nav equipment in 2022.

Ref: 36197 Plymouth Call: +44 (0)1752 255 740