The Code Yachts shipyard has already attracted attention with exciting, super-light carbon fibre racers, such as the Code 8 or the Canting-Kieler Code 10. Now comes the shipyard's next project under the name Cayman 28. Originally planned as a one-off, the exciting racer is now to go into series production after all.
Marc Mills' design is built entirely from carbon fibre at Code Yachts, as a sandwich construction with epoxy resin. The complex engineering for this comes from SDK Structures in the USA. The fin of the deep T-keel and the rudder blade are also made of carbon fibre, as is of course the entire rig. The mast from Axxon Spars with two strongly pitched spreaders has no backstay and no runners. Instead, a fully battened mainsail with a wide square top can be set.
The construction on deck is also exciting. As with a modern skiff dinghy, the deck of the Cayman 28 is designed as a lowered hull from bow to stern. There is no cabin superstructure. This also has advantages for guiding the genoa upwind, which lies as low as possible at the neck and clew, even below the edge of the deck. This reduces turbulence above deck and ensures an efficient airflow.
An innovative detail are the flexible outriggers (racks), which are extended by around 70 centimetres on both sides in regatta mode and thus provide additional righting moment. In harbour and for transport, the racks remain retracted as an integral part of the deck edge. The width is then still a roadworthy 2.53 metres.
However, the keel with a draught of over 1.90 metres remains permanently attached. A lifting keel is also not yet planned as an option. With a total weight of 1,100 kilograms ready to sail, the proportion of ballast is around 50 per cent. On the other hand, the sail area downwind (main and jib) is an impressive 47 square metres. This results in a sail carrying capacity of 6.6, which represents an extremely high performance potential. Accordingly, the Cayman 28 is also penalised according to the ORC handicap: according to ORC measurement letter For construction number one, which goes by the name of "Rooster", the boat has a GPH rating of 545.1 with a crew weight of 300 kilograms.
The polar data of the Cayman 28 according to the measurement letter
The shipyard in Hungary offers several engine options for the Cayman 28, all of which are only available as an extra and at a corresponding surcharge. The simplest option is the outboard engine with 6 or 8 hp, which is mounted on a bracket at the stern and stored in a storage compartment below the cockpit floor when not in use. However, the smallest built-in engines from Lombardini or Yanmar with shaft drive and folding propeller are also possible. And: Code Yachts can also install an electric pod motor from Oceanvolt with an output of 6 kW on request (surcharge approx. 23,000 euros).
The first, provisional price announcement for the Cayman 28 from Code Yachts is somewhat sobering: the high-performance racer from Hungary is expected to cost 198,730 euros, including 19 per cent VAT, but still without sails and without an engine.
Technical data Cayman 28
- Designer: Marc Mills Design
- Hull length: 8.52 m
- Length waterline: 8.37 m
- Width (retracted racks): 2,53 m
- Width (extended racks): 3,90 m
- Weight ready to sail: 1,100 kg
- Draught: 1.92 m (Std.) / 1.67 m (short keel)
- Mainsail: 27.0 m²
- Jib: 19.46 m²
- Gennaker: 84,0 m²
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
