The IMOCA Open 60

The Barcelona World Race is raced in IMOCA Open 60 yachts. These boats are part of an ‘open’ class. That means that the designers enjoy a level of freedom when designing, as long as the boats fit within the measurements of 60 feet (18.29 metres) in length, 4.5 metres of draught and a mast that must be no higher than 28 metres above the water (2010 rule). The design must also comply with a series of safety requirements that can be divided into two main groups:

Structural design regulations. These include watertight compartments and safety hatches etc.

Stability regulations. These are a series of requirements and tests performed on each boat to guarantee stability and self-righting action if the boat were to capsize.

The IMOCA Open 60s are specially designed for solo and double-handed ocean sailing. The shape of the hull and the rigging features respond to the average wind direction and swell experienced in a west-east circumnavigation of the globe. Favouring fair winds, the IMOCA Open 60s have smooth, straight hulls to plane across waves, and can reach speeds of up to 25 knots.

Core features of an IMOCA Open 60

Length: Maximum of 18.28 m (60 feet)
Beam: ≈ 5.5 m
Draught: Maximum of 4.5 m
Mast height: Maximum of 29 m
Displacement: Between 8,000 and 9,000 kg
Sail area upwind: Between 240 and 330 m2
Sail area downwind: Between 460 and 620 m2
Type of keel: Canting (pendulum)

» Click here for a virtual visit of a typical IMOCA Open 60

» Click here to visit the official website of the IMOCA Class