Dr. John Myhre
Custom all carbon Farr 43. Designed by Farr International (may be viewed on their website as design #329) the total weight is 13,996 lbs with an astonishing 8,800 lbs in the keel. The builder is the highlly regarded Cookson Yachts in New Zealand.
The mast is by Southern Spars and modified by Jim Donovan. The top 11-feet of the mast was removed and replaced by a new mast tip manufactured here in Hawaii by the naval architect Jim Donovan. The benefit is the boat now has huge 1500+ sq ft masthead spinnakers on a 7/8 fractional rig.
The former name of this boat was Flash Gordon II. It was designed to compete under IMS in the ILC 40 class (which it ruled supreme in it's day). It has been since modified in 2005 and again in 2007 to race under the ORR rule and to build-in a full interior to allow for comfortable long-distance sailing without giving up performance. Kai Mana now has a watermaker, pressure water, holding tanks, an enclosed fresh water shower, an enclosed head, a queen berth naugahide settee, navigator's chair and berths to sleep a total of 10, four on the weather rail while racing. Kai Mana has a built-in 12 volt refrigerator freezer system, built in cooler storage, 10 storage cabinets, a built-in microwave, a 4-burner propane stove and oven.
Electronics include a fully integrated Ockam racing instrument system with 5 jumbo mast displays and 6 repeaters above and below decks. Two GPS system one with a full chart capability and the other integrated directly into the Ockam system to compare measured boat speed to speed over ground. There is a VHF radio and a single sideband radio with weather fax capabilities. The entire instrument system is integrated into a laptop to provide weather and tactical information for offshore racing.
It is not all business, as we have a great stereo system and opted to go with hardwood floors, oak cabinet doors and ceramic tile in the wet locker, shower, and wet sheet areas areas below deck.