Custom designs Tempting There is an unusual level of science behind a new IRC racer from Japan
The K36-Samurai2 represents a comprehensive evolution in high performance yacht design – a platform shaped not only by advanced simulation and analysis, but also by real-world experience and competitive insight. The successor to the original K36-Samurai, the new model integrates the cutting-edge CFD workflows in which our office specialises, further structural optimisation and refined on-deck ergonomics to deliver a race-ready IRC/ORC yacht that is competitive across a wide range of conditions. K36-Samurai2 is not an upgrade – it’s a transformation. Lighter,
faster and more powerful, she has been meticulously engineered. And while there are deliberate trade-offs for ultra-light conditions, across a regatta this is more than compensated for with performance gains in medium to heavy breezes. The original K36 has demonstrated its strong performance,
winning against bigger, more powerful IRC competitors with TCCs between 1.05 and 1.10. Over the past five years a fleet of five K36s has been racing competitively together, allowing us good insight into potential improvements. Meanwhile, the pitch has also been tilting to our advantage, with IRC rating trends making light displacement yachts of this size and type much more competitive. The yacht has been developed in collaboration with SDK, with
construction underway at Code Yachts in Hungary in partnership with Pauger, builder of the K36. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, the K36-Samurai2 design was driven by a rigorous CFD hull optimisation that evaluated more than 300 hull geometries. Our CFD process involved simulating hull behaviour in both upwind
and downwind configurations, across a matrix of wind speeds. However, we work far beyond the usual (simple) resistance or lift analyses – focusing too on yaw balance in relation to sail trim,
Custom builds BOAT
5.5 Metre AC40
Musa 40 Raison 40 Dibley 40 Lift40-V3
Mach40.5/6 MaX40 V2
Pogo 40S4 V2 Agité 40
X-Yachts XR Lift 45
LOA DESIGNER 10.1m Dave Hollom
12.12m Team New Zealand 12.18m Gianluca Guelfi 12.18m David Raison 12.18m Kevin Dibley
12.18m Guillaume Verdier 12.18m CT Mer Forte 12.74m X-Yachts Design
Lyman Morse 46 13.95m Kevin Dibley Vismara V48 Vintage 14.6m Vismara/Villani Dazcat 1495 SailGP F50 RP52
14.95m Dazcat Design 15.2m Sail GP
Wallyrocket 51 IRC 52
M&M 55 Mills 58
Imoca 60 Imoca 60 Imoca 60
Wallyrocket 71
SW100X Gitana 18
Ferrari V-100 Wally 110 Project 404
15.85m Reichel/Pugh 15.85m Botín Partners 15.85m Botín Partners 16.7m Morrelli & Melvin 17.6m Mills Design 18.28m Verdier 18.28m VPLP
18.28m Verdier, Koch, Finot, VPLP 21.4m Botín Partners
Extreme H20 PB72 21.8m Morrelli & Melvin IRC82
25m Judel-Vrolijk
30.53m Farr Yacht Design 30.53m Guillaume Verdier 30.6m Guillaume Verdier 34.2m Judel/Vrolijk/Wally 59.7m Malcolm McKeon
BUILDER Composite Craft
McConaghy, China
Sangiorgio Marine, Genoa Gepeto Composites
12.18m Marc Lombard Yacht Design Gepeto Composites 12.18m Sam Manuard 12.18m David Raison
JPS Productions
Structures Shipyard Mer Agitée X-Yachts
13.88m Marc Lombard Yacht Design SR Structure, UK Lyman Morse
Vismara Marine Concepts Dazcat
Sail GP Technologies Sail GP Technologies Wally Yachts
Sail GP Technologies
Schooner Creek Boat Works King Marine
Carrington Boats Duqueine Atlantique
Carbon Developments NZ JPS Productions
appendages and best LCG position at each wind speed, plus acceleration characteristics and dynamic performance in waves. To translate CFD results into predictive performance, a robust
VPP analysis was conducted, modelling aerodynamic interactions, matching hydrodynamic behaviour and hull stability across a spectrum of speeds, heel and leeway angles – evaluating not just peak speeds, but also controllability, yaw balance and sail trim dynamics, essential to delivering high real-world race performance consistently and over longer courses. Manufacturing is entrusted to Code Yachts, renowned for
precision composite construction and expertise in high-performance builds. Their craftsmanship ensures that SDK’s weight targets and structural specifications are faithfully realised – translating digital intent into a physical platform with minimal compromise. K36‑Samurai2 isn’t just an updated model. It blends solid
science, a true racing spirit and lessons learnt on the water. A yacht born from passion as much as technology – for crews who know that success lies not just in the numbers, but in the nuances. Akihiro Kanai, founder of AC Technology, MSc Stanford, California (aeronautics & astronautics), MSc University of Tokyo (naval architecture/ocean engineering), PhD Tokyo (naval architecture)q
LAUNCH COMMENTS 2024 onwards
2023 onwards 2023 onwards 2025 2025
2024 onwards 2024 onwards 2023 onwards 2023 onwards 2025 2025 2025
2022 onwards 2024 onwards 2023 onwards 2024 onwards! 2025
2024 onwards 2025 2025 2026 2026 2025
CDK (3), Multiplast (2), Persico 2025/26 Wally Yachts Persico
King Marine, Valencia Southern Wind Shipyard Gitana/Multiplast/CDK Persico/Soldini/Ferrari Wally Ferretti Group Royal Huisman
2025 2025 2025 2025 2025
2025/26 2025 2025
Faster in a breeze. Hollom’s latest 5.5 just took a second world title The ultimate one-design but demand looks limited to Cup groups (sad)
Still an all-round Class40 of choice. Still knocking them out (at over one million euros!) ‘Faster downwind’… New 40 for Jonas Gerckensi
New Zealand joins the Class40 with a sensible but pretty futuristic offering Solid performer (especially under Yoann Richomme!). Rarely out of the top five Earlier planing plus improved reaching pace compared with the V5. Seven sold The latest series-built option from JPS and David Raison
Still super-competitive and relatively affordable – but production will probably soon cease More robust Class40 from Michel Desjoyeaux with round-the-world ambitions X-Yachts return to the sharp end of the racing scene and with serious attitude Superb build. This high-performance cruiser-racer is nearing completion outside our office A sailor’s yacht. Cold-moulded Douglas fir/Western red cedar. Yacht design is back to art Very classically modern… retro styled with the rig (almost) hanging off the back Ultim-style A British yard with a lot to shout about. Fast exciting boats to push hard, roomy when not Up to no12 with maybe a couple more in the pipeline. Now based in Southampton All-carbon high-performance push-button racer-cruiser from the ex-Core Composites team All eyes on Wally’s first ever Admiral’s Cup racer. Lighter than a TP52. Including water ballast Full-on IRC racer. TP52 with the sharper edges knocked off
Fast powercat for 49 passengers for whale watching in Maui. Sounds punishing TP52-frightener. Very light at nine tonnes dry, IRC/ORC racer with water ballast With that breathtaking third place in the 2024 VG, on one foil, Sébastien Simon has earned it With help from Airbus… A (genuinely) fascinating green project is back on track Too many to list them all but new Imocas on order for VG 2028 break the magic 10 Wally Yachts’ first Maxi72-rival Django is racing now. Very light and again with water ballast Luxury high-performance full-foiling cat… with American Magic handling development Dangerously seductive-looking new maxi-sized racer-cruiser for European regattas Getting bigger and looking (even) better. And they make for the best pix too The new Gitana foiler is nearing completion – just a gazillion complex systems to go 100ft foiler, yadayada… and increasingly dubious. We hope this red beast does materialise The second example of this luscious fast cruiser will launch late 2025
Aluminium hull, carbon up top… and a sloop (because one is always cheaper than two)
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