Construction numbers 1 and 2 will be completed this summer and will then sail against each other. M.A.T. Sailing Yachts has also already laid the keel for two other boats of the new type. The shipyard in Izmir has been in existence since 1993 and specialises in sporty, high-performance lightweight constructions made of glass and carbon fibre. After a series of individual constructions, the company has now ventured into series production of fast regatta yachts for the first time with the M.A.T. 1010. The boat was presented in detail in a test in YACHT, issue 6/2014.
In the meantime, the shipyard has added more and new projects. The latest model, the M.A.T. 1220, is a design by Irishman Mark Mills, who is known for his successful designs, especially for the IRC and ORC handicap. The concept for the new regatta boat from M.A.T. is also very targeted and focussed on achieving the most favourable rating possible. The boat is available either with a very deep T-keel and ballast bomb (draught 2.90 metres) for ORC compensation or with a slightly shorter fin keel (draught 2.50 metres) with advantages for IRC measurement.
As standard, the M.A.T. 1220 is equipped with a carbon fibre mast from Axxon Composites with rod shrouds. An extremely long bowsprit with water stay is also fitted to the boat. The trunk is made of prepreg carbon fibre and comes from the autoclave. The hull, deck and bulkheads of the new M.A.T. are made as a glass fibre sandwich construction using the vacuum infusion process. In addition, the highly stressed areas of the keel, rudder shaft and shrouds are reinforced with additional carbon fibre inserts. The rudder blade is also made entirely of carbon fibre.
Below deck, the living space is limited to the functionality of an ocean-going racing yacht. Four simple berths are available inside, as well as reduced cooking facilities and a small, separate toilet area. The foredeck is a large, open storage space exclusively for storing sails.
The M.A.T. 1220 is expected to cost around 350,000 euros, including the 30 hp Yanmar built-in engine with saildrive and including 19 per cent VAT. However, as is usual with racing yachts, the sail inventory is not yet included in the scope of delivery.
