IMOCA 60
The IMOCA ("Open 60"), is a 60ft development class monohull sailing yacht administered by the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA).[1] The class pinnacle event are single or two person ocean races, such as the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe and this has been intimately linked to design development within the class.
 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Various including Farr Yacht Design Finot-Conq Joubert-Nivelt Juan Kouyoumdjian Marc Lombard Owen-Clarke Verdier-VPLP |
| Year | 1991 Onwards |
| No. built | +100 |
| Design | Open |
| Builder(s) | Various including Cookson Boats CDK Technologies Green Marine JMV Industries Marc Pinta Multiplast Persico |
| Boat | |
| Crew | Typically 1 or 2 |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | Typically Carbon Fibre Composite |
| LOH | 18 m (60 ft) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | Canting |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Sloop |
Class description
This class is of "open" design, this means the boat is measurement controlled and therefore designers have freedom within the rules.[2]
Design restrictions include the length (between 59 and 60 feet (18 m)) and maximum draft (4.5 metres (15 ft)). There are no explicit restrictions on beam, mast height or sail area although these are all indirectly controlled by flotation and self-righting capability requirements. The rules also tackle safety and survival design and equipment.
This class is recognised by World Sailing.[3]
Events
These races are open to, but not necessarily limited to this class.
Round the world races:
- Vendée Globe (single handed, limited to IMOCA 60)
- Barcelona World Race[4] (double handed, limited to IMOCA 60)
- The Ocean Race from 2021.[5] (crewed)
Transatlantic races:
- Transat Jacques Vabre
- Transat Québec - Saint-Malo
- Route du Rhum
- The Transat CIC (formely Single-Handed Trans - Atlantic Race)
- Retour à la base
- New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne
Other races:
- Calais Round Britain Race
- Rolex Fastnet Race
- Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race
- Vendée Arctic
- Le Défi Azimut (limited to IMOCA 60)
- The Ocean Race Europe (crewed)
Evolution
Radical ideas
- Project Amazon - Twin "main" masted, no real headsails
- Canting rig (common on multihulls)
See also
References
- "Classes". sailing.org. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- "INTERNATIONAL MONOHULL OPEN CLASS ASSOCIATION I.M.O.C.A. : OPEN 60' ISAF INTERNATIONAL CLASS : Class Rules - 2008 : Version 1" (PDF). Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- "Open 60 Monohull Classes and Equipment..." Retrieved 2016-11-12.
- Barcelona World Race
- "Agreement will see IMOCA 60 boats in next race". Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.