Description
Akilaria RC2 Class40 #81 Zed4, designed by Marc Lombard and built by MC-Tec in 2009. A proven offshore racing platform with extensive upgrades and refit work carried out in recent years.
Zed4 represents an interesting opportunity for a skipper looking for a well-equipped and proven Class40 for offshore racing, including a potential Global Solo Challenge project. The boat has benefited from continuous upgrades since 2020, with particular attention paid to reliability, redundancy, energy production and offshore systems.
The boat is currently configured to Category 1 offshore standards and, according to the current listing, can be upgraded to Category 0 with relatively limited additional work.
Principal details
Model: Akilaria RC2 Class40
Class40 number: #81
Boat name: Zed4
Designer: Marc Lombard
Builder: MC-Tec
Year: 2009
Length: 40 ft / 12.19 m
Location: Thunderbolt, Georgia, USA
Rig
- Axxon carbon mast
- Standing rigging refitted in 2019
- Three furling drums
Engine and mechanical
- Nanni Kubota 29 hp diesel engine installed in 2023
- Approximately 212 engine hours
- Saildrive lower unit replaced in 2023
- Saildrive clutches rebuilt in 2024
- Engine control panel upgraded in 2023
- Ballast system rebuilt in 2021
- Rudders re-skinned in 2025
- New port and starboard rudder bearings in 2025
- Fresh antifouling/bottom paint July 2025
Electronics and autopilots
- Two independent autopilot systems
- Two autopilot actuators, switchable between Raymarine and B&G systems
- Two autopilot remote controls
- B&G H3000 computer remanufactured with warranty in 2025
- Two B&G masthead units
- Spare Raymarine wind speed and direction unit
- Two AIS systems
- Raymarine radar installed in 2023
- Two VHF radios, each with an independent antenna
- Extensive spare electronic equipment
- Iridium, satellite and Starlink long-distance communications
Energy and onboard systems
- Balmar 200A and 100A alternators, updated in 2022
- EFOY methanol fuel-cell generator
- Three 100W solar panels installed in 2023
- Hydrogeneration system installed in 2020
- Two 110Ah AGM batteries
- Independent AGM engine-start battery
- 2kW inverter installed in 2023
- Watermaker
- Fresh-water pump and sink installed in 2021
Safety
- Viking four-person liferaft, new in 2021 and recertified in July 2025
- Currently equipped to Category 1 offshore standards
- Seller states that Category 0 conversion can be achieved with the addition of forward bulkhead hatches
Sail inventory
The boat is offered with nine sails:
- Carbon mainsail
- Carbon Solent
- Staysail
- Storm jib
- Furling gennaker
- Furling Code 0
- Light spinnaker with ATN sock
- Medium spinnaker with ATN sock
- Heavy spinnaker with ATN sock
GSC suitability
As a second-generation Class40, Zed4 offers a considerably lower entry cost than more recent boats while retaining the fundamental characteristics that make Class40s attractive for a solo ocean-racing project. Particularly noteworthy for a long-distance solo programme are the extensive autopilot redundancy, multiple charging systems, communications equipment, watermaker and the substantial programme of mechanical and structural upgrades completed in recent years.
For a prospective Global Solo Challenge entrant, the boat would nevertheless need to be assessed against the applicable GSC rules and Category 0 requirements, and any remaining compliance work established as part of the preparation programme.
