Kraken 40

Description

The Kraken 40 is a high-performance racing trimaran designed by Australian naval architect Lock Crowther (1940–1993), introduced around 1969–1970 as part of his successful Kraken series of multihulls (following earlier successes like the Bunyip and Kraken 33/55). Crowther, who began designing in his teens, created the Kraken line to maximize speed through ultralight construction, optimized hydrodynamics, aerodynamic cleanliness, and proportionately wide beam for stability—making it a standout in the early days of offshore multihull racing and fast cruising. The Kraken 40 gained early fame when the example Ringo (with Crowther aboard) won the 1969 New York to Bermuda race, showcasing its speed and seaworthiness in offshore conditions. It was built by various amateur/professional builders worldwide (often cold-molded plywood or fiberglass for lightness), with no single factory mass-production—plans were sold or adapted, resulting in scattered custom hulls (likely dozens built over decades, though exact totals untracked). It's remembered as a beautiful, successful machine for racing or fast cruising (e.g., for four people), with a "flying insect"-like aesthetic prioritizing performance over heavy structures.