Mills Design and MAT are proud to announce their latest collaboration, the MAT1340. This design has been developed to provide MAT with a flagship IRC design offering maximum competitiveness inshore and equally offshore.
Because 44' lies between smaller IRC yachts where a low rating typeform is predominant, and larger yachts like the TP52 where higher performance pays for the rating increase, it was necessary to understand at an early stage the tradeoffs between these two solutions. During an extensive R&D phase carried out with KND we developed models for both the low rating and high performance solutions. The low rating model most prominently seen from French designers in recent years combines a medium/light displacement with wide beam, fin keel, and moderate sail plan has been extremely successful, especially offshore, and is more amenable to racing offshore with reduced crew numbers.
The high performance model was drawn almost as a pure raceboat with minimal Racer/Cruiser input in order to deliver the light displacement required, with a deep bulb keel and large sail plan. Interestingly when initially run using panel code CFD the performance variations were not nearly as evident as they became after the RANS corrections for both hulls brought the elapsed time differences into sharp focus. When the rating spread of nearly 100 points was applied, the corrected time winner was clearcut. One of the neat features of the RANS work was the displaced sea state model we used for the renderings, matching an accurate wave pattern to the hull and making an effective image.
What emerged is a clean simple design of contemporary styling, combining the large cockpit desired for racing with a simple sufficient interior to meet the needs of a modern family. The faceted sheerline with raked upper stem profile removes weight from the deck edge and improves the aero flow over the front half of the boat. The difficult balance of transverse jib tracks on the coachroof conflicting with low mounted primaries has been resolved by primaries mounted on the aft end of the coachroof, perfectly positioned for the trimmer and opening up the pit options significantly. Below, three cabins can be fully fitted out for a family Racer/Cruiser or finished minimally to deliver an effective and easy to maintain racing layout.
The MAT1340 is offered with both single and twin rudder options, allowing the buyer to mode the boat towards their preferred event: inshore racing benefitting from a single rudder, but offshore racing with more reaching benefitting from two. The powerful hull and manageable sail plan combined with the full bow volume ensures strong offshore performance even with reduced crews, clearly reaching bow up even in the early CFD runs.
The MAT 1340 showcases modern IRC design, whilst affording owners a well thought out dual purpose interior, that is designed by sailors - for sailors. This is our fourth project with MAT Yachts over 14 very productive years working together, starting with the consistently successful MAT12 Cruiser/Racer in 2006. Since then MAT have become successful worldwide with their focus on high performance, cost-effective boat building. We are excited to be working together on our latest and most special collaboration.