McConaghy's MC2 is redefining speed and luxury

by McConaghy News on 6 Apr 2011 McConaghy, the custom yacht building specialist behind some of the world’s fastest and most successful racing yachts - including the record breaking Alfa Romeo, Wild Oats, and ICAP Leopard, has teamed up with racing multihull specialist Banuls Design to launch a new range of semi-custom high-performance catamarans, that will set new standards of build quality, precision and performance.

Named MC² - McConaghy Catamarans, with reference to the two hulls - the range will start with the MC²60, which represents the next generation of composite, high-performance luxury catamarans.

The designer, Renaud Banuls, gained his experience in multihulls design during his 10 years career at VPLP where he was instrumental in the design of the America’s Cup winner BMW Oracle and the Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V.

The construction of hull number one of this speed catamaran will start in June 2011 for a delivery in September 2012, redefining speed as the real luxury on a sailing catamaran.

Raphaël Blot, Manager of the new luxury catamaran range comments: 'The term 'high-performance catamaran' is frequently overused. Many supposedly fast sailing catamarans are in reality too heavy to sail fast, as weight is the enemy onboard a multihull. They reach double-digit speed in quite specific conditions - such as 20 knots of wind on the beam - but beyond this are otherwise quite slow. At just nine tons displacement the MC²60 is substantially lighter than existing 55-60 ft cruising catamarans, which means the MC²60 will be a fast catamaran even in light wind conditions and upwind.'

The MC²60 is not a stripped out racer. Displaying an open space minimalist design without sacrificing comfort, the MC²60 is a luxury cat that offers four cabins in its standard design, and to accommodate individual needs this innovative fast cruising catamaran is offered on a semi-custom basis.

This fast cat has been designed to be easily sailed shorthanded and maintained without a full time crew, yet is large enough for comfortable day sailing and extended cruising.

By applying the most innovative race-inspired design, engineering and building techniques to high-tech composites, McConaghy delivers a top-end boat that embodies the cutting edge of performance. The MC²60 sets new standards in construction, speed, luxury and design. With its sleek shape and race-inspired reverse bows, this ultimate catamaran oozes elegance.

The MC² will be presented at The Présent au Salon du Multicoque à La Grande Motte and au Salon Nautique International de Shanghai 14-17 Avril.

Specs

LOA	18.28m (60ft)	Mainsail	118m2
LWL	18.28m	Solent	56m2
Beam	8.60m	Staysail	35m2
Draft	1.40/ 3.20m	Code 0	120 m2
Displacement	9.00t (light)	Genaker	165 m2
Displacement	11.5t (max load)	Asym Spin	235m2
Bridgedeck clearance	1.00m	Wing Mast	10m2
		Mast Height	24.80m

For more than 40 years McConaghy has been at the cutting edge of race yacht construction, leading the way in the research and application of new materials and technologies to build some of the strongest, lightest – and most successful – racing yachts ever launched.

The McConaghy reputation for building the world’s most technologically advanced yachts has been consolidated, with a steady stream of famous, record-breaking yachts going out their doors.

Alfa Romeo 3, Alfa Romeo 2, Alfa Romeo , Wild Oats XI, Wild Oats X, Morning Glory, ICAP Leopard, Volvo 70 Green Dragon, America’s Cup China Team.

McConaghy website