MAT1220

The MAT 1220 is our latest design for a new generation of IRC racers from MAT, emphasising versatility both in performance profile and configuration.  The premise for the boat is to produce a modern light design that is equally at home offshore as inshore, taking the rating-friendly features of the successful ‘French’ IRC design type combined with slightly lighter displacement.

The French style of IRC design combines features such as medium displacement, greater emphasis on bow overhang, fin keel of moderate draft, and a number of sail plan tweaks to arrive at a very competitive corrected time solution inshore over 12knots true, and offshore in most conditions.  Because of this combination of these features it is inherently competitive reaching, and we have been working on improving the inshore character of the boat in sub-12 for better light airs windward leeward performance without giving up the ability to get on the step downwind at a reasonable wind speed.  The base rating for the fin keel version with pinhead main is around 1.155, while with the fin keel and a squaretop it could go up to 1.190.

Building on the deck and styling of MAT’s 1070 design, the large cockpit offers an optimal platform for high level racing as well as open space for fun family sailing.  The interior can be completed to a range of fitouts from stripped racing to offshore racing to family racer/cruiser.  Working with engineer Steve Koopman of SDK Structures we have configured the boat to be as versatile as possible, with the socketed fin attachment allowing easy changes between the standard fin keel and a deeper bulb keel.  The sail plan is built around the lower rated pinhead main, but for lighter air venues the squaretop main offers a useful increase in sail area.  A twin rudder option is available for more offshore oriented campaigns, and multiple winch choices range from the base layout to a pedestal driven solution and a powered winch option.  Because it is not an extreme typeform with a medium sized sail plan and reasonable displacement, stability and draft, we are also working on ORC optimised configurations.