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.

Whats New

Industry Series and City Challenge Launched by Sir Robin

Moet & Chandon and Henri Lloyd partner with the 2008 Clipper Industry Series

Find out more...

...better than golf, fishing, rope climbing and clay pigeon shooting. I was so focused on winches, sails and clambering up topside that I forgot about all the calls I had to make.

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