After the exciting performances, particularly in the Commodores Cup, of the Jason Ker designed 10.7m and 9.0m IRM yachts, Roaring Meg, Shakermaker II and Quokka V, there has been much interest shown in a larger Ker design. Ker Associates have teamed up with Race1, the yacht management and race charter company, to launch a new 11.3m IRM grand prix racing one design.

The 11.3 is an exciting, third generation 38ft IRM yacht that will also be highly competitive under IRC. It's also aimed at becoming a successful international one design with a full racing circuit that will be a serious challenger for the future Admirals’s Cup selection.

Roaring Meg at 10.7m was fast enough to finish on the water consistently amongst the 40ft yachts in the Commodores Cup. The speed polar predictions for the 11.3 show that it will be over 2% faster than the 10.7m on average across the wind range and will exceed the performance of all existing 40ft one design racing boats. The 11.3 will have a twin spreader carbon mast with a 15/16th rig, no runners, non-overlapping headsails and masthead spinnakers.

Although Race1 and Ker Associates have specified the 11.3 to be as close to a custom grand prix boat as possible, it will still be competitive in price to a 38ft production yacht. Race1 will offer the first owners, free of charge, to set up individual schemes to manage and commercialise their yachts which will greatly reduce their costs. Financing for up to 80% of the purchase price will be available.

Features of the yacht include an easily removable keel with a maintenance free hull to keel joint, choice of wheel or tiller steering and an unconventional interior, utilising hi-tech materials, optimised for offshore as well as inshore racing.