Mills 41

Tenacity is a Mills 41, a performance monohull racing yacht designed by Bruce Mills Yacht Design — one of Australia’s foremost offshore naval architects — and built to deliver strong all‑around performance in coastal and offshore racing conditions.

The Mills 41 hull form is known for its combination of speed, seaworthiness, and balance. At around 12.5 m (41 ft) in length, the design sits comfortably in the performance cruiser‑racer category, with a keen focus on efficient hull shape, proper ballast distribution and a responsive rig that rewards careful sail trim and tactical boat handling. The deep fin keel and well‑engineered rudder system contribute to solid upwind capability and predictable behaviour when the seas are confused or the breeze shifts.

The rig is typically a fractional sloop, enabling a powerful yet manageable sail plan. Boats of this class often carry a range of headsails and downwind sails — from working jibs to larger reaching or spinnaker kites — allowing competitive speed across diverse points of sail. The deck layout is designed to optimise crew movement and sail control under pressure, making the Mills 41 a favourite for serious club and offshore racing programs.

Tenacity campaigns out of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT), regularly participating in events including the Australian Yachting Championships (IRC) and other Tasmanian ocean and passage races. Under the stewardship of owner John Lawrie and skipper Vaughan Lynch, she exemplifies the qualities that Mills 41 designs are prized for: a blend of robust offshore performance, responsive handling, and versatility across both inshore and offshore race courses.

The Mills 41’s reputation is built on its ability to handle everything from brisk coastal breezes to longer ocean legs, where trim, timing and tactical awareness are amplified by the boat’s performance potential. This makes Tenacity a rewarding and capable yacht for crews competing at club and championship level alike.