The MAÏCA sailing boat is a high-performance racing yacht designed by the French naval architect Philippe Briand. It was built by the French shipyard JMV Industries and launched in 2009. The boat was commissioned by the French sailor Michel Desjoyeaux, who is known for his achievements in solo offshore racing.
The MAÏCA sailing boat is a 60-foot monohull yacht constructed using advanced composite materials, including carbon fiber and Kevlar. It features a sleek and streamlined design, optimized for speed and performance. The boat's hull shape and appendages, such as the keel and rudder, are carefully engineered to minimize drag and maximize stability.
One of the notable features of the MAÏCA sailing boat is its innovative canting keel system. The keel can be tilted to one side, allowing the boat to counterbalance the force of the wind and maintain an upright position, even in strong winds. This feature enhances the boat's stability and enables it to sail at high speeds.
The MAÏCA sailing boat has been successfully used in various offshore racing events, including the prestigious Vendée Globe. In the 2008-2009 edition of the Vendée Globe, Michel Desjoyeaux sailed the MAÏCA to victory, completing the race in a record-breaking time of 84 days, 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 8 seconds.
Overall, the MAÏCA sailing boat is renowned for its exceptional performance, cutting-edge design, and technological advancements. It represents the pinnacle of offshore racing yachts and has proven its capabilities in some of the most challenging sailing competitions in the world.
