HILVERSUM – The 12.19m Kong 40 is a dual-purpose cruiser/racer sailboat with a comfortable cockpit and interior for relaxed family sailing. The one that Fast Cruising Yacht Design is working on “will definitely be a cruising yacht, but with up to 80% of the performance of a racing yacht. A modern yacht, as it should be,” says Ben Korner.
FCY Design team drew a modern cruiser with a wide planing hull and a sleek deckhouse. It can accommodate six to eight crew members. The flared bow generates fewer spray flows across the deck on a downwind course. High speeds can be achieved on wide courses. A lifting keel with lead bulb, gives the yacht access to shallow waters. The fully retractable bowsprit reduces overall length, making maneuvering easier and reducing berthing fees.
Depending on the sailing area, the Kong 40 can accommodate six to eight crew members.
Who will build Kong 40 has yet to be discovered. Nor is the completion date, says Korner. “These are strange times right now,” he adds. “Everything takes a lot of time.”
The sail plan includes a mainsail that will be a square head. “Spinnaker sailing is for the older generation of boats,” says Korner. “In modern competitive sailing, no one sails with a spinnaker anymore.” It has not yet been decided who will be the sailmaker.
“Our goal is to transfer the knowledge we gained from racing to tour sailing,” says Korner. “Starting in the 1990s, there have been very innovative designs in France and elsewhere, Foiling, for instance. We want to get that to the touring public.”
Korner has sailed in the French class 40. According Korner, whether you sail four or seven knots makes a considerable difference in the size of your sailing area. In a three-week vacation, you can accomplish much more. For example, sailing to England, when otherwise you might barely make it.”
Length: 12.19 m. (40ft)
Beam: 4.50 m. (14.7ft)
Draft: 3m (10ft)
Draft (keel up) 1.35 m (4.4ft).
Standard sail area: 101 sq. m (1087 sq. ft)
Broad reach sail area: 243 sq. m (2616 sq. ft)
CE category: A
