The English yacht dealer Vortec Marine in Gosport near Portsmouth is behind the project. He has developed the concept for the Rapide 41 in collaboration with designer Mark Mills in Ireland. The first boat is currently being built in the Slovenian high-tech forge of Ocean Tec in the finalisation phase. The first test shots are planned for late summer.
The Rapide 41 is manufactured by Ocean Tec to the latest standards as a GRP construction with epoxy and foam core as well as with high carbon fibre content for reinforcement and stiffening. The laminates are constructed using the weight-saving vacuum infusion process. The high and sporty two-sailing rig with its high-performance sail plan is also made entirely of carbon fibre. The short overlapping genoa with 106% overlap and hole point rails on the side of the deck is standard. The carbon fibre bowsprit can be extended for the efficient use of a large gennaker.
This is how much the new Rapide 41 will cost
The Rapide is optionally equipped with a deep stainless steel T-keel and lead bomb (2.4 tonnes of ballast) or with a lifting keel. The flexible hull appendage allows a draught variation between 2.10 metres (fully raised) and a maximum of 3.20 metres.
At the same time, the Rapide 41 is bright and very cosy below deck. The design was created by the designers at One Studio in Slovenia. A very spacious owner's cabin is planned in the foredeck with a large central double bed and plenty of storage space. Further guests sleep aft in open cabins, which can also be used as storage spaces. A separate wet room with shower area and a small, forward-mounted galley module with cooker, sink and refrigerator complete the upscale touring requirements for owners.
The Vortec Marine shipyard in England quotes a basic price of around 1.35 million euros, gross including 19% VAT, for the very high-quality and comprehensively equipped standard version of the Rapide 41.
Technical data Rapide 41
- Designer: Marc Mills Design
- Hull length: 12.55 m
- Waterline length: 11.45 m
- Width: 3.73 m
- Draught: 2.60 m
- Draught with lifting keel: 2.10-3.20 m
- Weight: 6.5 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion: 2.4 t/37 %
- Mainsail: 62,60 m²
- Genoa (106 %): 42,0 m²
- Gennaker: 180 m²
- Sail carrying capacity: 5.5
- Motorisation: Built-in diesel Yanmar, 30 HP/Saildrive
The Rapide 41 now marks the start of a whole series of new projects under the Rapide Yachts brand name. The Rapide 55, Rapide 70 and Rapide 100 are planned, all designed by the studio of Mark Mills Design. Here is an overview of the upcoming Rapide Yachts projects in the gallery.
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
