Open 60's
Open 60's are ocean racing yachts, 60ft long and 20ft long they are capable of covering 300-400 miles a day. Their saucer like shape, 4 tonnes of water ballast and canting keel give them enormous stability, still all yachts must be able to recover themselves from a 180 degree capsize, even when dismasted. Group 4 has an upwind sail area of 280sq m. and 500sq m downwind! Group 4 is designed to surf at 35+ knots, even when sailed single-handed. They are at the forefront of technological advances in the sailing world, the boats often have tilting masts, canting keels, carbon fibre etc. They are primarily designed for single handed sailing at the highest possible speed. At the moment all of the pictures are of Mike Goldings Open 60 Group 4, which he will be competing in the 1999 Around Alone in.
Power to weight Ratios;
Conventional 60ft crusing yacht=5
Whitbread 60=6.4
Open 60=8.4