Hot on the heels of prototype Firefly's launch, the second 35 metre one-design, F-class racing yacht has been ordered and work has started on her hull at the Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw in the Netherlands.
Also from the boards of Hoek Design, the new yacht will be identical to her sistership - a light, phenomenally fast classic racer with a limited interior, which are the hallmarks of the new F-class concept that came about out of a desire to bring back a sense of perspective and fun to racing.
Designed in the spirit of tradition with classic J Class lines and high performance technology, the F-class racer is a design that has been subject to extensive optimisation, including Velocity Prediction Program analysis.
'The new F-Class Association has been established so that the boats can be built as a one design class,' says Hoek. 'We are currently in serious negotiations for hull numbers three and four, and the expectation is that interest in the F-class will increase exponentially as people see what these amazing designs are capable of on the water.'
Bloemsma was selected for its hull building expertise as well as experience in building numerous Truly Classics and three of the new generation of Js, and Claasen Shipyards, also renowned for its sailing yacht pedigree, will finish the yacht.
The new boat will be racing in the Spirit of Tradition class races and will be committed to a match racing circuit with her one-design F-class sister vessel.