The project is based on the initiative of the UNCL, the national association of ocean sailors in France, in co-operation with the RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) in England and the Storm Trysail Club in America. All three organisations have contributed to the development of the Class 30, a new one-design regatta class. The design competition for the development was won by the VPLP office in France. The initial plan was for the high-tech specialists at Multiplast in Vannes to build the boat. It has now been announced: The high-volume manufacturer Jeanneau will now produce the small racer in series and integrate the model into its sporty Sun Fast programme.
The Sun Fast 30 One Design is built on the production line at Groupe Beneteau in Cheviré, near Nantes. The boats for the Beneteau Figaro 3 class are also manufactured there. The project can benefit from the industrial capacities of the large-scale production on the one hand, and from the worldwide distribution network of the Jeanneau brand on the other. The Multiplast shipyard, on the other hand, will remain in charge of construction and will continue to contribute its extensive experience in the design and development of sophisticated projects for ocean racing to the project.
The first recyclable series boat
In addition to purely sporting interests, the co-operation also focuses on ecologically sustainable construction. All composite parts of the new Sun Fast 30 are to be laminated using eco-resin (Arkema Elium®). This resin consists largely of recycled material and enables all composite parts to be dismantled and recycled by strictly separating the fibres from the matrix. The Sun Fast 30 will therefore be the first mass-produced and largely recyclable sailing boat in the world. In addition, two drive systems are offered, a conventional combustion engine and an electric pod drive with the same weight.
Jeanneau has not yet announced the technical data and specifications. It will also be interesting to see at what price and in what version the Sun Fast 30 One Design will be launched on the market. When the project was announced, a price target of 80,000 euros was originally set for the ready-to-sail boat in a very simple design - a very confident announcement. Most recently, in June 2022, a price of 94,500 euros (net plus VAT) was communicated in the course of the general inflation in the industry.
More information on the topic of Class 30
In the 11/2022 issue of YACHT, we presented the Class 30 as a new one-design project and also illustrated the current competition. The article is available for direct download under the following link.
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
