1. It is claimed that the 11.3 will perform exceptionally well and will be able to beat existing 40ft one-designs boat for boat. Can this possibly be true?

The true test of performance is on the water. (SEE 'RACE RESULTS, 2001') The Ker designed IRM 10.7, Roaring Meg, surprised everybody with its incredible performance in the first five races of the Commodores Cup in a variety of conditions, before its rig misfortune. Despite being five foot shorter she was consistently finishing amongst the 40ft one-designs, sometimes beating most of the Farr 40s and both Sydney 40s boat for boat. The 11.3s numbers show that it will be over 2% faster than the 10.7 on average across all wind conditions. There is no doubting the scaling effect of the 11.3 over the 10.7. The numbers speak for themselves!

2. What makes the 11.3 so fast?

The IRM rule has been developed to encourage fast boats and this is proving successful when compared with previous generation designs. The 11.3 is already a third generation IRM design from Jason Ker which puts it at the absolute forefront of design expertise under this rule. The 11.3 will also be highly competitive under IRC, whereas it is often the case that boats that are designed with IRC in mind will not be so competitive under IRM.

3. Can this performance be achieved with a production boat rather than a custom one-off?

Yes it can. The quality of the laminate and the processes used will be identical to a custom one-off. All major laminates will be vacuum bagged and postcured. There will be no flange bonding at the deck to hull join. Using female tooling there is in fact a weight saving over a custom one-off built with male tooling because no filling and fairing is needed. This weight saving will complement the low weight, high tech interior. The boats will also be painted like a custom one-off, which is far lighter than using gelcoat.

4. Roaring Megs mast fell down during the Commodores Cup. What is being done to prevent this happening with the 11.3?

Roaring Meg had a revolutionary X-frame rig, with a relatively complicated set-up that required careful tuning. There simply had not been enough time, nor the right conditions, to perfect the tune of the rig for tougher conditions. The 11.3 will have a runner-less 15/16th non-overlapping twin spreader rig on a carbon mast. This type of rig is easy to set up, forgiving and well proven on many existing One-Designs. Following the rig failures this year we understand the Rating Office is planning to favour the runner-less non-overlapping type of rig in future.

5. Will the 11.3 be a strict one-design?

Yes. The 11.3 will be a strict one-design with a class organisation made up of the owners and assisted by Race1 that will seek ISAF recognition. Sails, rig and deck gear will be open to any manufacturer but controlled by the class measurement rules. There will be a choice between wheel and tiller steering, with compensating weight adjustments to equalise the performance. To see how well this concept works, watch the first Race1 Ker 11.3 IRM One-Design National Championships being held at the Royal Southern Y.C. 29-30 September 2001.

6. What will the interior be like?

The 11.3 will have a contemporary, high-tech, functional racing interior, though it will incorporate carbon fibre and some unconventional features to make the most of the layout and minimise weight. It will be made as dry as possible and it is designed to encourage offshore as well as inshore racing.

7. Will there be an Owner Driver or Amateur Driver rule?

At present, we wish the answer to be No and we intend that the 11.3 will be open as far as the make-up of the crew is concerned, except for a crew weight limit. The initial group of owners will however have a large say as to whether and how we keep to this line. Our reasoning is as follows:
It will give Owners and Amateurs the chance to develop their sailing skills against the best competition. It will also prevent the problem of having special rules and committees to decide who is able to drive the boat, and the subsequent protests and arguments that may result. However, at important one design regattas there should be a special classification for the leading Amateur Drivers.
As Peter Isler says: First of all, it's no secret that the categories are unfair and very inefficient at categorizing sailing talent (which is the ultimate goal - right?). But one of the coolest things about the sport of sailing is that you can get on the same racecourse and sail against the likes of Buddy Melges and Russell Coutts. To stifle that opportunity is downright unhealthy for all of us. We should all be in this game to learn, to push ourselves to be the best we can be. Opening up every class and every race would serve that purpose. - Peter Isler for Quokka Sports

8. What are the benefits and costs of owning a boat through the Race1 ownership and management scheme?

Race1 manages a number of privately owned boats as well as owning and running 5 Sydney 40s. There are a number of ways by which an owner can save money through the Race1 scheme. Through volume purchasing, Race1 is able to offer lower costs for many items, such as berthing and launching, as well as discounted prices for sails, equipment, parts and materials needed. By having Race 1 commercialise the boat, the owner can also make substantial savings with VAT and through capital allowances. Race1 can also look after the care and maintenance of an owners boat with its own people, thereby saving an owner much of the cost of a professional person.
There is normally a charge for setting up the commercialisation scheme of £950 + VAT, but this will be offered free of charge to the first group of 11.3 owners.

9. What is the programme of events planned for the Race1 Ker11.3 Class?

2001 will see a four regatta series under IRM including one in Le Havre, as well as the annual IRC events under which the boat will be highly competitive. Furthermore Race1 will organise One-Design and training regattas in the Solent Summer and the Mediterranean Winter with the ARC beckoning some to Key West and Antigua (PHRF favours fast boats). A very full programme will be helped by the ease of removing the keel to permit road transport within the 3m width limit by rotating the Yacht on her trailer.

10. How will the price of the Race1 Ker11.3 One-Design compare with the other Grand Prix One-Designs?

Being so fast for her size the 11.3 will always represent great value (and fun) for money. The Race1 purchase plan offers VAT recovery and 80% funding on an all up (ready to race) price of £154,500 (ex VAT) including commissioning, sails, instruments, etc. as against the typical Grand Prix 40s delivered price of around £250,000 inc. VAT or more.

Sounds tremendous! How can I learn more?

.....contact Race1 Ltd.
phone Jonny Falkner or Philip Crebbin on 07005 388599
or Fax to 01243 574265
or email: u2canRace1@aol.com

.....or contact Ker Associates Ltd.
phone Jason Ker on 02380 668 662
or email: jason@kerdesign.com