Landmark 43: you cruise on it, but you also win the World Cup with it!

In 2014 he had amazed everyone by closing the offshore world championships as runner-up, this year he even won the world title in Denmark in ORC B class. We are talking about the Landmark 43 Santa of the shipyard owner of the same name Claus Landmark (For the record, the title in Class A went to Vadim Yakimenko’s TP52 Freccia Rossa and in Class C to Jascha Bach’s Italia 9.98 Bachyachting Racing Team, with Matteo Polli and Roberto Spata aboard). A standard boat that, perfectly equipped and ready to race, can be found on the second-hand market for about 250,000 euros. And that in addition to providing exhilarating performance in both IRC and ORC, it is also configured to fully meet cruise requirements.

MILLS’ APPROACH
The design is by a studio on the crest of a wave, Mills Design, which designed the 72-foot Mini Maxi Alegre and the V62 Supernikka built in Italy by Vismara. Devising a winning production boat that also serves for cruising use is a far cry from a one-off boat built only for racing. “The shape of the hull,” – Mark Mills tells us – “takes its cue from a previous project of ours, the Mariners Cove, a 2006 racer/cruiser. We have racked our brains to be able to minimize the loss of performance when there is extra weight on board (as, moreover, is the case when cruising), especially in the aft area, which drags more water when the boat is not in the optimal waterlines.” “In order to meet the weight goals we had set for ourselves,” Mills continues, “and to keep costs down while maintaining the necessary lightness and rigidity, we opted for a hull and deck construction of epoxy/E-glass laminate with foam, and the interior, structural, is also made of a single composite molding. The loads generated by the deep keel and generous “T” bulb (the draft measures 2.80 m and the ballast weighs three tons) are well counteracted by an anodized alloy grid structure, which provides rigidity and better force distribution for unusual dynamic loads, such as when hauling.” The total weight is 7,750 kg (8,585 with IRC tonnage), for an overall length of 13.10 m.

A SIGNIFICANT WATERLINE LENGTH
In the Landmark 43, the significant waterline length (11.26 meters) achieved through almost nonexistent slips and reduced waterline width (in fact, the maximum beam is 3.83 m) jumps out at you. Objective, to decrease the frontal section as much as possible so as to offer less hydrodynamic drag. The stern sections are also full to provide good support when sailing in stern swells, but slightly raised to reduce water resistance in light winds. The deck features a very large cockpit with the two helm wheels shifted rather far forward to provide a perfect view for the helmsman and shift the weights toward the middle of the boat. At the bow, the winder and cleats are recessed. The enlarged deckhouse design, on the other hand, allows for rosy interior volumes.

REAL CRUISE INTERIOR
Indeed, what is surprising are the spaces below deck, which are very different from those of racing boats. The layout includes three double cabins (one forward, adjacent to a large bathroom equipped with a shower compartment, and two aft), large galley and stowage spaces, and an important square where the practical L-shaped kitchen is housed. Light and ventilation are provided by two extended walk-throughs (one in the bow and one in the saloon) and a series of portholes in each cabin.

STANDARD CARBON MAST
In terms of standard equipment, the Landmark 43 includes all-carbon mast (mast, boom and bowsprit) as standard equipment, manufactured by Formula Spars (carbon pays little in both IRC and ORC when it comes to boats over 40 feet), but the deck plan denotes great attention to small-crewed cruising use: rollable jib, deferred rigging to be handled even by those at the helm, and a German-style mainsail sheet system that allows for effortless caulking. Upwind, with white sails, the Landmark 43 counts on a sail area of 109.5 square meters (66 mainsail, 43.5 genoa), and at the carriers it reaches 271 square meters thanks to 161.5 of gennaker. www.landmarkyachts.com

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.
Overall length 13,10 m
Length at waterline 11,26 m
Max Beam 3,83 m
Ballast 2,950 kg
I 17,35 m
ISP 19,00 m
J 4,80 m
P 17,35 m
E 6,15 m
Displacement 4,360 kg
Sail surface upwind 109.5 square meters
Sail area in the stern 271.5 square meters
Engine Volvo 40 HP
Fuel 170 l
Water 340 l