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The Yachts
Clipper operates two fleets of ocean racing yachts. The classic fleet of Clipper 60s with their amazing history and the current race fleet of ten purpose built Clipper 68s, the largest fleet of identical ocean racing yachts in the world.
Clipper 68
Clipper 68 Specifications
- Hull Type:
- Monohull
- Designer:
- Dubois Naval Architects
- Builder:
- Shanghai Double Happiness Co Ltd
- Engine:
- Perkins Sabre M130C
- Length Overall:
- 20.8m (68ft 2.9ins)
- Length Water Line:
- 17.39m (57ft 0.6in)
- Beam:
- 5.76m (18ft 10.8in)
- Draft:
- 3.0m (9ft 10.1in)
- Displacement:
- 30 tonnes (30,000kg)
- Air Draft:
- 26.7m (87ft 7in)
- Height of Mast
- 24.5m (81ft)
The Current Racing Fleet
The Clipper Race fleet is tried and tested, each yacht having sailed more than 70,000 miles around the world in two Clipper Races. The ten masthead cutters, designed by renowned English yacht designer Ed Dubois, have a glass fibre composite sandwich construction that is made out of two layers of glass fibre with a layer of balsa wood in between. This makes the hulls strong yet lightweight and therefore really fast, too.
Despite being eight feet longer than the original fleet of Clipper 60s which completed the first four circumnavigations, the yachts are more than three tonnes lighter. The yachts are truly international. The hulls were built in Shanghai, China, while the rigging and sails come from South Africa. The yachts are built to the latest Maritime and Coastguard Agency construction and safety requirements.
The accommodation, as would be expected for a yacht that is designed for fast, competitive racing, is stripped out. However each crew member has their own bunk and personal storage space, while the communal spaces allow relaxation after a hard watch on deck.
Clipper 60 Intro
Clipper 68 Specifications
- Hull Type:
- Monohull
- Designer:
- David Pederick
- Builder:
- Colvic Craft
- Engine:
- 1 x diesel 130hp, Perkins M130c
- Length Over All:
- 18.3m (59ft 11in)
- Length Water Line:
- 15.9m (52ft 3in)
- Beam:
- 4.8m (15ft 7in)
- Draft Min:
- 0.0m (0ft 0in)
- Draft Max:
- 2.2m (7ft 3in)
- Displacement:
- 24,000kg
The Classic Fleet
The legendary fleet of Clipper 60s, designed originally for the first Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, had completed four circumnavigations before they were retired from racing at the end of the 2002 edition of the race.
Many of the Clipper 60s were sold on for private and commercial use but Clipper Ventures retained three of the original eight and they have proved ideal vessels for Clipper Training , team development and hospitality events.
Originally designed for ocean racing the accommodation is of a practical nature with one main cabin lined with individual bunks and storage space for the crew. There is also a communal area in which the crew can relax and eat when not on deck.
The Clipper 60s are perfectly suited to teach the basics of sailing and seamanship and also provide excellent preparation for the bigger and more powerful Clipper 68s which form the current Clipper Race fleet.
It’s scary when you wake up at 3am in your sleeping bag hanging in the middle of the air looking down on one of your crew members who, because of the angle of the boat, is lying three feet beneath you. You feel very much on the edge.
Clipper Round The World
The Challenge of a lifetime. The Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Recruiting Now.
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