IRONBARQUE was designed within The Challenge 72′ Class of yachts for The Challenge Business by an appointed design team, specifically to race around the world “the wrong way”. The design brief called for exceptionally strong, seaworthy, fast, attractive, modern, steel yachts that were able to sail to windward across the Southern Ocean in relative comfort.

Safety was paramount both in terms of structural strength safety for 18 crew. Because of the One Design nature of the race, the design was not influenced or distorted by any rating rule and a sensible displacement was specified. Other important design considerations include, ease of access to the structure, equipment, systems, wiring and fittings for maintenance and inspections both at sea and in harbour. Every piece of equipment had to be robust enough to survive a race around the world with minimum maintenance.

Many of the design principles were based on Sir Chay Blyth’s experience of sailing around the world single handed against the prevailing winds and currents and the Challenge 67 Class. Devonport Yachts (DML) were chosen to build the fleet to Bureau Veritas highest notation. The construction method allows relatively simple and cost effective alterations to the interior layout. For further information see below: History of Challenge 72 Yachts.

IRONBARQUE was sold to her current owners by the Challenge Business and has been sailed extensively privately. The vessel underwent refit to make her more easily sailed by a family crew and great attention was paid to maintaining and building upon her safety equipment.

IRONBARQUE was sailed privately with six aboard (two adults and four children). The use of crew might lift that number to eight. Three new Solas A six man life rafts were purchased in 2015 (per MCA this sets the maximum crew aboard to 12 for offshore voyaging); along with a new ship’s EPIRB and eight personal EPIRBS. Life jackets for eight, tested serviceable at the end of 2015, and tethers are aboard. A full suite of MOB recovery equipment is aboard (slings, nets, rescue triangle). New thermal suits for eight were purchased in 2015.

Furler reefing on both her jib stays and hayracks on the boom have made sail changes easier. IRONBARQUE carries sails to permit either a blade jib and full mainsail; or a full mainsail with staysail and yankee jibs. All equipment, including the massive spinnaker and dual carbon fiber spinnaker poles, are aboard for running downwind though short-handed crews will find poling out the blade jib wing to wing with the main is more manageable. For foul weather, a storm staysail and storm triangle main on a separate mast track are aboard. Powered winches have been added to support the halyards (centre line forward) and the blade jib sheets (port and starboard aft).

The main engine, a Perkins M130C was totally rebuilt in 2015 as was the gear box. The throttle/gear cable to the wheel control was replaced in 2016. The Northern lights generator received a new exhaust knee and injectors in 2015. Both diesels are in excellent condition. The engine room has been fitted with an inert gas fire suppression system. In 2020 the engine was re-painted, and both the engine and gearbox serviced.