Maine Yacht Center completes Dragon refit

Maine Yacht Center, Portland Maine has completed the refit of Dragon, an Owen Clarke-designed Class 40 offshore racing yacht.

Dragon was refitted during the winter of 2013-14 in preparation for the Route du Rhum, a single-handed trans-Atlantic race from France to Guadeloupe which begins in November. The main focus of the refit was to make the boat more competitive and lighter.

Design and engineering services were provided by Owen Clarke design, U.K.

The refit included:

  • New articulating bowsprit to improve downwind VMGs.
  • Original carbon mast replaced with a new carbon mast to reduce weight and lower center of gravity.
  • As a result of global weight savings achieved during the refit, 140 kg of lead was cut off from the trailing edge of the keel bulb.
  • Water ballast plumbing was modified and a new, custom-built, high-volume pump was installed to increase tank fill and transfer times.
  • Custom, cored panel construction hatches were built to save weight.
  • New non-skid paint was applied to the deck, cabin and cockpit.
  • New self-aligning upper rudder bearings were installed.
  • New race finish anti-foul on her bottom.

Because of the significant weight savings achieved during the refit, a new stability test was required to empirically prove that the pull up force at the masthead was still within Class 40 rules.

Dragon will compete in the Atlantic Cup and the Newport-Bermuda race this summer before sailing to France for the Route du Rhum.

For more information, please visit Maine Yacht Center.

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