Cape Racing Yachts is a South African yard based in the Parow industrial zone in Cape Town. Founded around 2018 by Andrew Thomson, it specializes in building Class 40s using epoxy infusion for the European market.
Background 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 composites suppliers. Thomson stated his intention to expand beyond Class 40s into other high-end racing-cruising segments.
Two design partners
The yard builds to designs from two naval architects: Owen Clarke Design (UK) for the Cape 40 5G with a classic bow, and Etienne Bertrand for the newer scow version. Owen Clarke publicly clarified that it did not design hull #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.
