Information
Concept
The Carter 42 was a 2-tonner and was built under the new IOR rules for a consortium represented by Frank Piku to defend the Canada Cup for America. The first ship was the "Aggressive", completely designed as a flush deck.
Analogous to the America's Cup, two ships competed in direct match races. In the elimination races, the "Aggressive" of Grosse Point Y.C. sailed against the "Dynamite" of Bayview Y.C.. Although the "Aggressive" led for a long period, she got into a lull shortly before the finish and was beaten by the "Dynamite", which then competed for America for the Canada Cup.
In 1974 "Aggressive" then managed to win the Two Ton Championship under her owners F. Piku and D. Gamble.
The second ship was designed more for fast cruising and was given a small deckhouse. She was given the name "Airmail", under which she sailed at least until 2015.
The third ship was again built as a flush deck version and christened "Tiderace III". The "Tiderace III" came second in the R.O.R.C. Championship in Class II in 1976.
Miscellaneous
As the ships were not built in series, the hulls were built directly on positive moulds. The moulds were covered with sandwich panels and laminated.
Parts of the information given here are taken from the book "Dick Carter Yacht Designer - In the golden age of offshore racing". If you want to read more about this time, you can order the book with the ISBN 9781912621316 online or in bookshops. A book worth reading full of personal memories.
2025-04-24
