Launched in September 2014 for owner Jim Clark, Comanche’s design derives from studies of the IMOCA monohulls Macif and Banque Populaire, first and second in the 2012 Vendée Globe respectively. She differs from her closest 100’ rivals by her considerable beam, her mast stepped well aft and her boom ending directly above the transom. This configuration allows her to have a sail plan with a high aspect ratio.
The cockpit is set up for manual rather than hydraulic line controls, thus saving on weight. The hull features very powerful lines, while her draught is at the extreme limit of what most docks are able to accommodate (6.80 m). Low freeboard and lateral ballast tanks also contribute to lowering considerably her centre of gravity, thus increasing power. Comanche was designed for speed and breaking records, prioritizing line honours victories over handicap wins.
She more than achieved this goal with three victories in the Sydney–Hobart (2015 with Ken Read at the helm, 2017 and 2019), as well as setting the 24 hour distance record in 2015 (620 nautical miles) and the fastest North Atlantic crossing with a crew in 2017 (5 days, 14 hours).
