49erFX: 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 Olympian Francesca Clapcich nominated the 49erFX dinghy. Here’s the report:

“I did my last Olympic campaign on the 49erFX in Rio, 2016. Actually, that was the first Olympic Games where the 49er was also a women’s class, so we were a bit the pioneers of that era,” recalls Clapcich, who finished fifth at Rio representing Italy with Giulia Conti.

The 49er was introduced as a women’s skiff class, with the FX rig giving lighter crews a shorter mast and reduced sail plan on the 49er platform.

“The boat is really amazing. It’s a double-handed boat with a double trapeze, and extremely physical. The physical preparation is a massive key to be able to sail the boat at the best of its performance.

“Overall, I really enjoyed that year sailing with Giulia in the 49erFX. I really enjoy pushing myself in the gym, and pushing the boat on the water, always trying to make perfect maneuvers around the course.

“It’s never easy. The level of the class was really high. It’s a really special boat.”

49er FX stats rating
Top speed: 25 knots
LOA: 4.99m/16ft 4½in
Launched: 2012
Berths: 0
Price: €30-35,000
Adrenalin factor: 85%

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