Sunsail announces new Racing fleet of Beneteau First 40s

Sunsail chose the opening day of Cowes Week 2010 to announce that they are replacing their entire fleet of SunFast 37s with 42 new First 40s for the 2011 season. To accompany this they have also launched a new product line called ‘Sunsail Racing’, aimed at making yacht racing accessible to everyone, with a worldwide charter racing calendar (and accompanied by the suggestive slogan ‘Have your way with us!’). While Port Solent in the UK will be the home of Sunsail Racing involving 22 regatta packages next year, it’s open to experienced and novice sailors alike, covering events from Antigua to the Whitsundays.

The First 40 (pictured) was chosen as a “proven winner after winning ‘Crossover boat of 2009′ and getting a 1,2 in the Sydney Hobart,” said Sunsail’s Global Brand Manager, Simon Conder. “It has a spacious cockpit, large wheel and can be sailed by 12, meaning Sunsail will be able to hold an event for over 500 people!”

Sunsail have long used Groupe Beneteau for their charter fleets worldwide. The Sun Fast 37 fleet in the Solent is now six to seven years old, so the new First 40′s make a timely natural progression. “Our racing clients aren’t so interested in interior volume,” says Marketing Director Andrew Bromilow, “but the performance of the First 40′s is very exciting. The first boat will be at the Southampton Boatshow, and we will have all 42 by the start of the 2011 season.”

Expect the entry list for the Sunsail fleet at Cowes Week 2011 to fill up quickly then, as crews relish the thought of getting their hands on a new boat in a bumper one-design fleet.