McConaghy MC38
Australian carbon rocketship- Functional and easy to sail design
- Affordable for OD campaigns
- Limited electrics and engine power
Farr 400 -- Another carbon one-design but with some offshore capability and accommodation, plus possibilities under IRC handicapping.
Ker 40 -- GRP/epoxy-built inshore and true offshore boat with early successes in the Fastnet race and locally the new AFR Midnight Rambler won the recent Lion Island Race.
The Australian MC38 from McConaghy Boats in Sydney is a worthy contender to replace the ageing Farr 40 fleet. Aimed squarely at the competitive sailor but beyond simple one design racing, the MC 38 is intended primarily as a Category 4 boat but the yard says that it can go higher, so could be an ideal rocketship for something like Hamilton Island. Originally the MC 38 concept was created for an American who wanted a replacement for his Farr 40 but the build languished until McConaghy took over the project and the result is a stylish and functional race boat.
With order books full and nine boats already sold worldwide, the next logical stage is to raise local numbers beyond two for the creation of an exciting one-design fleet. Class rules have been established by experienced coordinator Richard Slater, rules advisor for Oracle and the AC72 catamaran.
However, as joint MD Jono Morris explained to Boatpoint, the boat is proving a popular weapon for mixed race fleets as well. Designed as an inshore racer by America’s Cup designer Harry Dunning, the boat epitomises the modern race ethos, yet at a competitive price. Dunning was the principal designer for America’s Cup Mascalina Latina and also worked at Reichel Pugh and Farr.
Given McConaghy’s reputation for building top-flight race boats, the level of equipment is understandably high with Harken deck gear, Spinlock jammers, Navtec PBO rigging on the McConaghy two-piece carbon mast, and even the deck stanchions are custom carbon moulded. The high modulus mast was designed by Kirst Feddersen, spar designer for the Alinghi America’s Cup team. Electrics on the review boat came from Tackticks, with Maxi wireless jumbos on the mast.
The cockpit dominates about half of the entire deck with tiller steering as standard (but the review boat opted for twin McConaghy carbon wheels). A central hatch gives access to the engine and storage but apart from that, the area is a dedicated race cockpit with three sets of Harken winches -- primaries forward, then mainsheet set midships. Two winches just behind the helm control the twin Dyneema running backstays. Also behind the helms is the mainsheet track with twin sheets and blocks lead forward to the Harkens just ahead of the helms. Presumably, this would also be the spot for a 10 man liferaft, beside the open transom.
The streamlined and uncluttered cockpit features foot bars for the mainsheet trimmer and open, round hatches for sheet storage. Halyards and running rigging are neatly slotted beneath the deck in a series of apertures at the cuddy bulkhead.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) in conjunction with CNC milling ensures digital reproduction of components and allows quick up-scaling of production, something McConaghy’s are already planning. The carbon-coated and lead-bulbed T-keel is partly retracted into a keel box for easier transportation while behind it sits the long and narrow rudder, made of solid carbon.
Owner and experienced offshore sailor James Neill chose North Sails 3Di carbons for this boat with a big-topped mainsail and non-overlapping jib as specified in the MC 38 OD Class Rule. The asymmetric flies from a three-metre retractable McConaghy carbon bowsprit and has a large sail area of 180 square metres, which combined with the tall mainsail, gives a very powerful sailplan. Other running rigging includes an Antal halyard lock for the mainsail and fully adjustable cross-deck Harken jib tracks. A soft Dyneema vang holds down the high modulus carbon boom.
The light feel and balanced motion of the boat made it easy for a steerer to concentrate on the instruments to squeeze the maximum speed out of the situation. Perched on the flat topsides with steering wheel easily to hand proved a pleasant spot, with clear views forward, ahead of the trimmers and hiking crew. As the breeze increased the heeling angle, my feet sought some footholds but none were found. However the highly-abrasive cockpit sole certainly gripped. Ideally, some sort of carbon foot block or even lifting footplate, like on the company’s Ker 40 would be good.
A very sharp tacking angle gave the MC38 an agile feel while the flat-bottomed hull profile readily accelerated on every puff, ideal for quick start lines.
For the record, the numbers were impressive -- in the fickle eight-knot breeze the MC 38 reached 6.1 knots on the wind, increasing to 7.7 knots speed as the pressure tipped 10 knots on the calm Pittwater, with apparent wind angle of 036 degrees. Conditions were ideal for hoisting the asymmetric kite but alas none was available (however the company reported that speeds of 18 knots were seen when running between Sydney and Pittwater).
The lightweight hull benefitted from the expert trimming of North Sails' David O’Connor as we speed up Pittwater with the jib nicely closing the slot while keen hiking helped the boat’s pointing greatly, lowering the apparent wind angle to around 25 degrees. Impressive and very intuitive while easily as much fun as the beloved Far 40.
Overall the MC38 is a functional and relatively simple boat to sail which are the essential ingredients of successful one-design racers.
Mechanicals/Equipment/Rig, etc: 4.5/5.0
Packaging and Practicality:4.0 /5.0
On the water performance: 4.5/5.0
Value for money: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0
LOA : 11.35m
LWL: 10.55m
Beam: 3.50m
Draft: 2.80m
Mainsail: 68sqm
Genoa: 33sqm
Spinnaker: 180sqm
Disp. (light): 3,200kg
Keel Bulb: 1600kg
Approved Crew Weight 600kg
Engine: Yanmar 15hp saildrive
Designer: Dunning and Associates
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