IMOCA 60

{{Short description|Sailing yacht class}} {{Infobox sailboat specifications | name = | insignia = | insignia size = | insignia alt = | insignia caption = | line drawing = | line size = | line alt = | line caption = | image boat = Malizia-Seaexplorer Wendemarke Kiel.jpg | image size = | image alt = | image caption = | designer = Various including Farr Yacht Design Finot-Conq Joubert-Nivelt Juan Kouyoumdjian Marc Lombard Owen-Clarke Verdier-VPLP | architect = | location = | year = 1991 Onwards | no built = +100 | design = Open | class = | brand = | builder = Various including Cookson Boats CDK Technologies Green Marine JMV Industries Marc Pinta Multiplast Persico | role = | boats = | crew = Typically 1 or 2 | trapeze = | draft = | air draft = | displacement = | hulls = | hull type = Monohull | construction = Typically Carbon Fibre Composite | loa = | loh = {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} | lwl = | beam = | hull draft = | hull weight = | engine = | appendages = | keel type = Canting | ballast = | rudder type = | rigs = | rig type = Sloop | I = | J = | P = | E = | mast length = | rig other = | sails = | sailplan = | sailarea main = | sailarea headsail = | lp = | sailarea spin = | sailarea gen = | sails other = | sailarea upwind = | sailarea downwind = | sailarea total = | rating = | d-pn = | rya-pn = | phrf = | status = International | previous = | successor = }} [[File:Sailing yacht - IMOCA 60 - Ystad-2017.jpg|thumb|''Ropeye'' IMOCA 60, in the port of Ystad 2017.]] The '''IMOCA''' ('''"Open 60"''') is a 60 ft (18.3 m) development class monohull sailing yacht governed by the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sailing.org/classes/ |title=Classes |publisher=sailing.org |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> The class pinnacle event are single or two person ocean races, such as the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe and this has been intimately linked to design development within the class. The class is recognised by World Sailing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Open 60 Monohull Classes and Equipment... |website=www.sailing.org |url=http://www.sailing.org/classesandequipment/60MO.php |access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref>

==Class description== The class is of "open" design: the boat is measurement controlled, and designers have freedom within the rules.<ref name=classrules>{{cite web|title=INTERNATIONAL MONOHULL OPEN CLASS ASSOCIATION I.M.O.C.A. : OPEN 60’ ISAF INTERNATIONAL CLASS : Class Rules - 2008 : Version 1| url=http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/IMOCA%20CR_2008-%5B5871%5D.pdf |website=www.sailing.org |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref> Several parts including the mast, boom and the canting keel ram and fin are one design for safety reasons.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=Decoding an IMOCA: the main design characteristics in 3 diagrams |url=https://www.boatsnews.com/story/39078/decoding-an-imoca-the-main-design-characteristics-in-3-diagrams |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=BoatsNews.com |language=en}}</ref>

After several severe incidents in the early years of the class a self righting capability was introduced. Each boat must be able to self-right itself at any time. Every boat must prove this capability in a 90 degree or 180 degree test.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Kristi |date=2021-09-08 |title=Mark Chisnell on IMOCA 60 11.2: The Design Solutions |url=https://www.11thhourracingteam.org/news/building-imoca-60-11-2-part-2-the-design-solutions/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=11th Hour Racing Team |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Malizia Passes The 90 Degree Self Righting Test |url=http://pressure-drop.us/forums/articles/new-boats-and-gear/66571-malizia-passes-the-90-degree-self-righting-test |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Pressure-Drop.us |language=en}}</ref> left|thumb

=== Dimensions === Design restrictions include the hull length to be between 59 and {{convert|60|ft|m}} and maximum draft of {{convert|4.5|m|ft}}. The length including the bowsprit may not exceed 20.12 m. The max beam is 5,85 m'''.''' A maximum of four ballast tanks is allowed. Each of them has a limit in size.<ref name=":0" />

=== Hull === The IMOCAs have typically a very wide hull compared to yachts designed for coastal races. This is supposed to give more stability in wilder sea states. The mid-2000s boats had mostly a very streamlined hull optimized to create very little turbulence, thus reducing resistance.

With the introduction of foils the stresses the hull is expected to sustain changed. For one on the points where the foils are attached, secondly the contact point between hull and waves moved further back. As a result, older boats retrofitted with foils often needed also a strengthened hull. To increase performance in heavy seas scow-bows were introduced in the class.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vela |first=Giornale della |date=2022-10-13 |title=Scow bows : the phenomenon explained by Sam Manuard |url=https://www.giornaledellavela.com/2022/10/13/scow-bows-sam-manuard/?lang=en |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Giornale della Vela |language=en-US}}</ref> First introduced on L'Occitane these are supposed to reduce nose diving, which reduces the average speed significantly.

=== Cockpit === The first IMOCAs had a fully open cockpit where winches and ship's wheel(s) were located. With progressing development the work area got more and more protected by a roof open to the back, sometimes also called cave. The ship's wheels were mostly replaced by different versions of tillers as autopilots took over more of the steering. In boats of the 2020 generation the first fully enclosed cockpits appeared, allowing the skippers to stay dry most of the time.

=== Rigging === The mast of IMOCA, which is held in place by several stays is able to turn with the main sail, typically of about 180 m2. The area of the main sail can be adjusted by lowering it towards the boom, its bottom attachment. It is fully battened.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2019-04-19 |title=Understanding the sails of an IMOCA in the Vendée Globe |url=https://www.boatsnews.com/story/24168/understanding-the-sails-of-an-imoca-in-the-vendee-globe |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=BoatsNews.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102162811/https://www.boatsnews.com/story/24168/understanding-the-sails-of-an-imoca-in-the-vendee-globe |url-status=dead }}</ref> To improve the performance of the mainsail the gap between boom and hull/cockpit might be closed. Charal 2 implemented this first.

Forward of the mast, most boats have at least four forestays which can carry headsails. Three of these are usually attached to the deck and, as well as bracing the mast, can carry jibs. The fourth stay runs from the mast to the tip of the bowsprit and is used for gennaker or spinnaker sails.<ref name=":6" /> The number of headsails that can be taken into a race is limited by most race regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eleven critical choices for each team |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/news/news/eleven-critical-choices-for-each-team |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> [[File:IMOCA foils and canting keel front sight.png|left|thumb|253x253px|1: main mast; 2: spreaders; 3: keel; 4: shrouds; 5: S-foil retracted; 6: S-foil extended; 7: C-foil (like Hugo Boss 7); 8: daggerboard; 9: C-foil (like Corum)]]

=== Appendages === Two rudders and one keel are mandatory. The keel is allowed to be tilted up to 38 degrees to either side.<ref name=":0" /> The rudders are not allowed to have any appendages that provide lift. Certain rudder designs such as the inverted V-shape on Charal 2 are able to provide some lift.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stronger and smarter |url=https://www.seahorsemagazine.com/article/september-2023/stronger-and-smarter |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.seahorsemagazine.com}}</ref>

Two other appendages are allowed, typically either hydrofoils or daggerboards. Both types of appendage are typically able to be (partially) retracted.<ref name=":1" /> The rake/angle of the foils can be changed up to 5 degrees.<ref name=":0" />

=== Autopilot === Each boat is equipped with an autopilot that keeps the boat going constantly to allow the skipper to turn to other tasks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actualités - Vendée Globe et haute technologie. Les pilotes automatiques - Vendée Globe |url=https://www.vendeeglobe.org/fr/actualites/19811/la-revolution-des-pilotes-automatiques |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.vendeeglobe.org |language=fr}}</ref> The autopilot uses sensors that allow it to take into account sudden variations in apparent wind, speed, load on the foils and sails. Automated obstacle avoidance, whether it is the other ships detected by radar, AIS, or obstacles detected by the OSCAR system, which detects unknown floating objects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actualités - Face aux 'Ofni', sécurité renforcée - Vendée Globe |url=https://www.vendeeglobe.org/fr/actualites/20364/face-aux-ofni-securite-renforcee |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.vendeeglobe.org |language=fr}}</ref> The data provided by the sensors allow the autopilot to steer the boat with the best wind angle and to avoid boat-breaking loads.

=== Rule changes under discussion === '''Evolution of autopilot''': Hydraulic control of the adjustment of the sails and the foils. For reasons of cost and maturity of technology, this track is still excluded from all the rules. However, on flying sailboats that are increasingly akin to aircraft in mechanical terms, it seems inevitable that the automated servo-controls already developed and generalized in aviation will be adapted to the world of foiling boats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=America's Cup. Les jeux sont-ils faits ? |url=https://voilesetvoiliers.ouest-france.fr/regate/coupe-de-l-america/america-s-cup-les-jeux-sont-ils-faits-81f3a0e6-4936-11eb-81d9-9c518aa339c6 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=voilesetvoiliers.ouest-france.fr}}</ref>

'''T-Rudders''': Elevators in the back of the boat have been discussed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Katy |date=2021-09-08 |title=Mark Chisnell on IMOCA 60 '11.2': The Design Challenge |url=https://www.11thhourracingteam.org/news/building-imoca-60-11-2-the-design-challenge/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=11th Hour Racing Team |language=en-US}}</ref> The IMOCA general assembly has voted against the introduction, most recently in October 2023.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=IMOCA Class votes against T-rudders and approves on-going work on reducing emissions |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/news/news/imoca-class-votes-against-t-rudders-and-approves-on-going-work-on-reducing-emissions |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref>

'''Mast''': Due to the increasing loads to the mast due to foiling, changes to the one design mast are under discussion.<ref name=":2" />

== History == The first major sailing competition in which the Open 60s appeared was the 1986 BOC Challenge.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=IMOCA Class rules |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/imoca/class-rules |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> The first boats were only limited by their length, up to 15 tons heavy and mostly constructed from aluminium.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2016-10-19 |title=The Evolution of the IMOCA 60 {{!}} Sailing World |url=https://www.sailingworld.com/racing/the-evolution-of-the-imoca-60/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.sailingworld.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Major milestones in the history of the IMOCA 60s:

* First Vendée Globe (1989–1990) * 1991: International Monohull Open Class Association founded<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=About the IMOCA Class |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/imoca/about |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> * 1998: Introduction of canting keel <ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> * 2007: first Barcelona World Race * 2013: one design mast and keel fin. Introduction of foils.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> * 2018: creation of IMOCA Globe series<ref name=":5" /> * 2023: First edition of The Ocean Race with IMOCA 60 participation.

== Events == {| class="wikitable" |+IMOCA 60 races !Name !Location !Sailing mode !Race mode !Length<ref group="*">The length can vary widely between editions of the races</ref> (nautical miles) !Limited to IMOCA 60 !Cycle !First<ref group="*">Not necessarily with IMOCA 60 participation from start</ref> !Last !Notes |- |'''Vendée Globe''' |around the world |single handed |non-stop |24 000 |yes |4 years |1989 |ongoing | |- |'''The Ocean Race''' |around the world |crewed |staged |varying |no |4 years |1973 |ongoing |'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Agreement will see IMOCA 60 boats in next race |url=https://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/12065_Agreement-will-see-IMOCA-60-boats-in-next-race.html |website=Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 |access-date=2018-07-04 |archive-date=2018-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704213933/https://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/12065_Agreement-will-see-IMOCA-60-boats-in-next-race.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>''' |- |'''Transat Jacques Vabre''' |transatlantic |double handed |non-stop |varying |no |2 years |1993 |ongoing | |- |'''Route du Rhum''' | |single handed |non-stop |3 542 |no |4 years |1978 |ongoing | |- |'''The Transat'''<ref group="*">Originally Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race</ref> |transatlantic |single handed |non-stop |3 750 |no |4 years |1960 |ongoing | |- |'''Retour à la base'''<ref group="*">Formerly Transat B to B</ref> |transatlantic |single handed |non-stop |3 500 |yes |irregular |2007 |ongoing | |- |'''Transat New York Vendée''' |transatlantic |single handed |non-stop |3 600 |yes |irregular |2016 |ongoing | |- |'''Rolex Fastnet Race''' |European offshore |various |non-stop |605 |no |2 years |1925 |ongoing | |- |'''Vendée Arctic''' |European offshore |single handed |non-stop |1 200 |yes |irregular |2020 |ongoing | |- |'''The Ocean Race Europe''' |European offshore |crewed |staged |varying |no |tbd |2021 |ongoing | |- |'''{{ill|Bermudes 1000 Race|fr|lt=Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race}}''' |European offshore |various |non-stop |1 200 |yes |irregular |2019 |ongoing |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race |url=https://www.guyaderbermudes1000race.com/en |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race |language=en}}</ref> |- |'''Le Défi Azimut''' |European offshore |various |non-stop |500 |yes |yearly |2011 |ongoing |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération 2022 |url=https://www.defi-azimut.net/en |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.defi-azimut.net |language=en}}</ref> |- |'''Trans-Tasman''' |Australia to New Zealand |crewed |non-stop |1,200 |no |annual |2026 |ongoing |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trans-Tasman Race 2026 |url=https://trans-tasman.cycaracing.com/news/2026/pre-race/anticipation-builds-for-cyca-s-inaugural-trans-tasman-yacht-race/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=trans-tasman.cycaracing.com}}</ref> |-<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trans-Tasman Race 2026 |url=https://trans-tasman.cycaracing.com/the-yachts/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=trans-tasman.cycaracing.com}}</ref> ! colspan="9" |Major former races ! |- |'''Barcelona World Race<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com/ |title=''Barcelona World Race'' |access-date=2015-11-03 |archive-date=2008-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218102028/http://www.barcelonaworldrace.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>''' |around the world |double handed |non-stop | |yes |4 years |2007 |2015 | |- |'''Velux 5 Oceans Race''' |around the world |single handed |staged |varying |no |4 years |1982 |2011 | |- |'''{{ill|Calais Round Britain Race|fr|vertical-align=sup}}''' |European offshore |various |non-stop | |yes |2 years |2003 |2007 | |- | colspan="10" | <references group="*" /> |} Other races with IMOCA 60 participation:

* Small races that where discontinued: ArMen Race,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ArMen Race |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/armen-race |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Grand Prix Guyader,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand Prix Guyader |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/grand-prix-guyader |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> * One-time races: Monaco Globe Series,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1st Monaco Globe Series - All to play for |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/news/news/1st-monaco-globe-series-all-to-play-for |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Drheam-Cup 700,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drheam-Cup 700 |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/drheam-cup-700 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Europa Warm’Up,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Europa Warm-Up Race - Final major event before Vendée Globe start |url=https://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Europa-Warm-Up-Race-Final-major-event-before-Vendee-Globe-start/-96554 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.sail-world.com}}</ref> Istanbul Europa Race,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Istanbul Europa Race - Estrella Damm Sailing Team tacitcs important |url=https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Istanbul-Europa-Race-Estrella-Damm-Sailing-Team-tacitcs-important/60756 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.sail-world.com}}</ref> Bermudes 1000 Race - Douarnenez / Cascais,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bermudes 1000 Race – Douarnenez / Cascais |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/bermudes-1000-race-douarnenez-cascais |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Record SNSM,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Record SNSM |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/record-snsm |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Transat St Barth - Port La Forêt<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transat St Barth - Port La Forêt |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/transat-st-barth-port-la-foret |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> * Races with little or occasional IMOCA 60 participation, mostly outside of the official IMOCA 60 race calendar: Round Britain & Ireland Race,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race - Triumph through guile and determination |url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/253326/Sevenstar-Round-Britain-and-Ireland-Race-overall |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.sail-world.com}}</ref> Giraglia Rolex Race,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Giraglia Rolex Race |url=https://www.imoca.org/en/races/imoca-globe-series/giraglia-rolex-race |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.imoca.org |language=en}}</ref> Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race,<ref>{{Cite web |title=News - Alex Thomson taking part in the Sydney-Hobart - Vendée Globe - En |url=https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/991/alex-thomson-taking-part-in-the-sydney-hobart |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.vendeeglobe.org |language=en}}</ref> Transat Québec - Saint-Malo,<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2007-06-27 |title=Transat Québec/Saint-Malo |url=https://grandquebec.com/sport-au-quebec/transat-quebec/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Voyage à travers le Québec |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=La Transat Québec/St Malo 2008 |url=http://www.bateaux-de-saint-malo.com/fr/quebec_saint_malo_2008.htm |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.bateaux-de-saint-malo.com}}</ref> Newport Bermuda Race<ref>{{Cite web |title=Results - Newport Bermuda Race |url=https://bermudarace.com/2022-race/results/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=bermudarace.com}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.imoca.org/}}

Category:IMOCA 60 Category:Classes of World Sailing Category:Single-handed sailing Category:Box rule sailing classes Category:Sailing (sport) Category:Sailboats defined by class