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Over the years boats had been carrying more beam (width) towards the transom to create more power – at the expense of outright light weather, upwind and VMG running performance.Ĭomanche took this line of thought to the extreme with what seemed an impossibly wide stern, which led to the boat being nicknamed the aircraft carrier.Īlthough Skorpios is technically beamier than Comanche (8.75m vs 7.85m) the ClubSwan’s hull shape has a more modest beam-to-length ratio, and far greater internal volume and higher freeboard, all products of the project starting out with some focus on cruising in addition to outright performance.īut despite a slightly less powerful hull shape compared to Comanche, when you look at the rig, you see that this will likely be overcome by sheer grunt in terms of sail area. “The design office were told specifically by me that if this boat wasn’t the worst rated boat in history they have failed,” stated the owner Jim Clark on Maxi, Comanche’s launch, reaffirming the aim of the boat to break records and win line honours without any consideration for handicap wins.Ĭomanche was something of a revelation when she was first launched. Comanche showing off her considerable beam.