Cape Racing Yachts is a South African yard based in the Parow industrial zone, Cape Town. Founded around 2018 by Andrew Thomson, it specializes in epoxy-infused Class 40 construction for the European market.
Foundation and trajectory
Cape Racing Yachts employs around fifteen people. As of March 2024, the yard had delivered four Class 40s and was negotiating a fifth hull, leveraging lower construction costs than in Europe and a local pool of composite specialists. Thomson has indicated plans to expand beyond Class 40 into other high-end cruiser-racer segments.
Two partner naval architects
The yard builds to designs by two firms: Owen Clarke Design (UK) for the Cape 40 5G with a classic bow, and Etienne Bertrand for the newer scow version. Owen Clarke has publicly stated it did not design #179, after the association of Cape Racing with its earlier designs caused confusion following the keel loss of that hull in 2022.
Skysat on board
Skysat worked on the preparation of the Jeanne Class 40 #179.
