A Mini 6.50 - too small. The Figaro 3 - too selective. A new Class 40 - far too expensive. If you seriously want to sail ocean racing single-handed or double-handed in one of the most popular classes, you either have to be rich or willing to compromise, preferably both. At least until now. Faced with this dilemma, Antoine Manfray has designed a powerful nine-metre space-sheet racer: the highly entertaining Ace 30.
To call her interesting would be the understatement of the year. The Ace 30 is an outstanding boat in every respect: polarising in design, unconventional in construction, as reduced and utility-oriented on and below deck as a hammer and a grenade under sail - at least when the wind is blowing at more than ten or twelve accounts.
Visually, she appears somewhat rough-hewn, especially thanks to the large windows in the cabin superstructure and the angularity of her hull shape. But there are few yachts that are so consistently designed to make miles. This quickly becomes clear when you click through our photo gallery.
The hull is built over a moulded framework of plywood panels, which are then laminated over - similar to the yachts from RM. Hence the Chinese and the striking edges and bevelled edges, especially in the scow-bow-like hull.
At 2.7 tonnes, the Ace 30 is slightly lighter than the GRP Dehler 30 od, which has a similar purpose but is designed for a wider range of uses. The Ace is more optimised for reaching courses; the flat bow does slow you down noticeably in the waves. On the other hand, the offshore pocket racer planes easily and impresses with its very high rigidity. The quick and easy adjustment of the rudder position via counter-rotating threaded rods is ingenious, and the interior, which is similar to the early Class 40s, is cool.
The Ace 30 is undoubtedly a boat that will either completely thrill or quite disturb sailors. With its practical straightforwardness, it has cast a spell over us. A great boat.
