Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

New Mills 41 in Japan carries Halls Spars and Rigging from NZ

by Sail-World on 2 Nov 2016
Mills 41 Karasu was launched in September in Japan and features spars from Hall Spars NZ Mills Design
One of Hall Spar's latest projects, IRC Mills 41 Karasu (Crow) has just been launched in Japan and is currently undergoing test sailing.

Built by McConaghy in Zhuhai, this all-carbon racer is targeted at an inshore racing schedule in primarily light/medium conditions. The result of a lengthy reserach and development programme, this boat is for repeat clients in Hong Kong and reflects their experience racing locally in their previous custom Mills 41, as well as their views about the best way to approach the fleet with a new design.

A second generation mast was custom-crafted by Hall Spars & Rigging NZ for this design using High Modulus material for the mast and boom. 



The use of Hall Spar's fluid- structure integration (FSI) software has resulted in improved stiffness and sail integration. Happ Spars new fluid-structure integration (FSI) software is an advanced tool that allows us to accurately model the interaction of different sail combinations on Hall Spars' rigs. 

Giving accurate loading and mast bend predictions, this new tool enables us to explore different rig options in order to find the best solution based on each client's unique brief while reducing man hours spent on-site tuning a rig.

'The ability to integrate sail shape and mast bend and various sail configurations is a major step forward in producing the highest performing spar package possible,' says Hall Spars NZ founder Gary Hassall. 'It also allows us to effectively tune the rigging remotely - positively impacting project delivery timeframes. Loads are now more definable including deck loads for all sheet attachments: a large help for boat builders and designers.'

Karasu features a carbon headstay and a mast constructed from 3D printed titanium parts, as well as internal halyard locks and an optimised windage package.  



For more on the Mills 41 click here

For the latest from Hall Spars NZ click here

North Sails Loft 57 PodcastX-Yachts X4.3Sydney International On-Water Boat Show 2025

Related Articles

Barco Brasil take the 'Sharps' lead
In the Globe40 at Reunion Island The Brazilian competitor BARCO BRASIL (Class40 151) crossed the finish line in Saint Paul Bay on Reunion Island yesterday at 05:47 UTC after 36 days, 14 hours, and 47 minutes of racing from Cape Verde in this second leg of the GLOBE40.
Posted today at 1:50 pm
18ft Skiff SIXT Spring Championship Race 5
World champion Yandoo team faultless in the 20-knot southerly winds 2025 JJ Giltinan world champion Yandoo team of Tom Needham, Fang Warren and Lewis Brake were faultless in the 20-knot southerly winds which swept across Sydney Harbour, as they powered their skiff to a brilliant near-all-the-way victory.
Posted today at 9:57 am
50% off Vaikobi VCOLD Base Layer Top!
Vaikobi's best-selling thermal top of all time! Vaikobi's best-selling thermal top of all time! Super light hollow yarn, moisture-wicking fleece, super soft cozy feeling, won't overheat, quick-drying, UV50+.
Posted today at 6:36 am
The Ultimate Cold-Weather System Has Arrived
The Zhik Performance Drysuit sets a new standard in waterproof protection Redesigned for elite performance in cold, wet conditions, the Zhik Performance Drysuit sets a new standard in waterproof protection.
Posted on 8 Nov
World Sailing elects two Vice Presidents
Dr Sophia Papamichalopoulos OLY and Corinne Migraine voted in At the 2025 World Sailing General Assembly, the final meeting of the 2025 Annual Conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, World Sailing Member National Authorities voted in the Vice Presidential elections.
Posted on 8 Nov
12ft Skiff Paramatta River Championship
Geotherm handles wild weather to claim the win Brett Hobson and Peter Nicholson made a return to 12ft sailing today and did it in style by pushing Geotherm (Sydney Flying Squadron) to a 54 second win over Sail Inc.'s Nick Press and Andrew Hay in wild weather at the Parramatta River Championship.
Posted on 8 Nov
Finn World Ranking November 2025
Marega now drops to second with the current European champion, Valerian Lebrun up to third. Laurent Hay, from France, has returned to the top of the 10th Finn World Ranking list after another successful season, including wining the International Finn Cup Malcesine and the Spanish championship in Ibiza.
Posted on 8 Nov
Upgrades to Palm Beach XI ahead of 2025 RSHR
Details of the race yacht's ambitious transformation revealed Just days after announcing its custodianship of the iconic Wild Oats XI, now reborn as Palm Beach XI, Palm Beach Motor Yachts today unveiled the details of the race yacht's ambitious transformation at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Posted on 8 Nov
Beyou and Lagravière complete a stunning victory
On Charal in the Transat Café L'OR The French sailors Jérémie Beyou and Morgan Lagravière on board Charal sailed to victory on Friday in the 17th edition of the Transat Café L'OR, to complete a convincing win in the IMOCA Class.
Posted on 8 Nov
Sailing's Community Champions
The Sport Promotion Award at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards Three events that positively promoted sailing in the community headline the Sport Promotion Award at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.
Posted on 8 Nov