New MC31 coming soon

Excitement is building around the imminent launch of the first of McConoughy MC31. The MC 31 is designed by Naval Architects Dunning & Associates as a "high-performance, grand prix racer that is true to its design brief: fun, fast, and rewarding to sail".

The MC31 will feature a stiff hull with a deep-draft carbon fin and a heavy bulb combining to provide a low centre of gravity and stability that is unmatched in this size range, we're told. The new boat’s sibling, the MC38 has demonstrated that with good design of a powerful hull and a powerful sail plan, high performance sailing can be exciting in all wind ranges without being taxing on crew and skippers.

McConaghy says the MC31 will do the same, it will sail like a much larger yacht upwind in a breeze and light up down wind like a skiff, but be stable enough to stay upright and safe.

But the big news is that the MC31 will be inexpensive to buy and campaign. A new boat will cost you around $225K plus sails and electronics.

The idea is to race in either one-design fleets or be highly competitive in club racing. For one-design racing there will be an owner/driver rule so that paid gun skippers will not be allowed, the crew weight will be restricted so that crew numbers will be kept to a minimum and the emphasis will be on fun, fast affordable racing.

According to agents 38 South Boat Sales in Melbourne, there are already two boats on order heading for Sandringham Yacht Club with more negotiations on the table.

The brief from McConaghy and Dunning to the engineers was to meet or exceed the Yachting Australia and ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Cat 2 requirements, and to engineer the stiffest and lightest structure for the best performance per dollar spent.

Exceeding the requirements of the regulations has meant that the MC31 is stiffer and stronger than required by the rules, making it a safe and capable offshore platform with specific consideration given to local rules which are often not considered on imported yachts.

McConaghy says that entering into to the world of one-design racing is more than just fun on the water, it’s about being part of something special. With the MC38 Class Association and Rules already established, the MC31 enjoys the benefits of the experience and development of the MC38, along with the class structure and support in Australia.

The class will have a president who will be one of the owners, and to mange the strict One Design Rules. An independent rule authority consists of Richard Slater (America’s Cup Rules Advisor and author of the MC38 and MC31 Class Rules) and Richard Hudson (experience yachtsman and Yachting New South Wales Director).

Careful consideration was put into the MC38 and MC31 Rule, many respected one design sailors were consulted during the development process, analysing other one design classes the Class Rules embraced what was successful in the past and eliminated the fundamental flaws.

From conception, the driving force of the MC38 and now the MC31 class have always been the following objectives:
>> Value: TP52 performance and excitement with small-boat campaign costs, now available to everyone.
>> Simplicity: eliminating complexity in class rules, boat design and boat handling and excessive crew numbers.
>> Fun: exhilaration but not exhaustion, maximising time on the water racing. Minimising time in transport, set up, maintenance, eliminating the need for rating optimising
>> No arms race: control all aspects of the boat design and class rule to ensure a level playing field for all owners regardless of available budget.
>> Owner driven: Owners drive the MC31 class, not only helming their own boats, but every aspect of the class. Owners have driven the brief of the boat from day one, the specifics of the class rules, and the racing on the water.

Sails:
Spinnaker Area: 122sqm
Main Area: 37.2sqm
Jib Area: 27.0sqm

Price:
$AU225,000, including carbon mast/boom, 15hp Yanmar engine, sea freight, duty, GST, and commissioning.