Kuka Light: World’s coolest yachts

Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times, and four-time Olympian Mitch Booth nominated Kuka Light. Here’s the report:

“Kuka Light is the most extreme keelboat I have ever sailed,” explains Booth. “At 42 feet and built in an autoclave, she is very light and stiff. But when you look at the spec she’s special. Around 3,200kg with a beam of 4.6m and draft of 3.5m makes Comanche look very conservative by comparison!”

Booth was involved with the design from the outset, recalling that the brief from the owner was to build the fastest 40 foot monohull in the world that could take part in the premier ocean and coastal races.

It was designed by Schickler/Tagliapietra Yacht Design and drew on Booth and the owner’s own performance multihull backgrounds. The full carbon custom build frequently raced against 50-60-footers in events like the Rolex Giraglia and Middle Sea Race. With a carbon-finned canting keel, twin retractable daggerboards and a rotating mast, it was sailed by a crew of just six.

Kuka Light Stats rating:
Top speed: 34 knots
LOA: 13m/42ft
Launched: 2012
Berths: 6
Price: c.€1million
Adrenaline Factor: 90%

For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.