The design is based on the Corsair 31, which was in turn based on the Farrier F-31. The designer, Ian Farrier, had sold the rights to the F-31 to Corsair in 2000.[1]
The boat has a draft of 6.89 ft (2.10 m) with the daggerboard extended and 1.48 ft (0.45 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water, beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1][2]
The design has a beam of 8.33 ft (2.54 m) with the outriggers folded for docking or trailering and 22.57 ft (6.88 m) with them unfolded for sailing.[1][2]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and an aft cabin with a double berth. The galley is located on the starboard side just forward of the companionway ladder. The galley is equipped with a two-burner stove and a sink. The head is located just aft of the bow cabin on both sides. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 40 U.S. gallons (150 L; 33 imp gal) and the holding tank has a capacity of 13 U.S. gallons (49 L; 11 imp gal).[1][2]
For sailing the design may be equipped with 448 sq ft (41.6 m2) screecher or a spinnaker of 992.43 sq ft (92.200 m2).[1][2]
The design has a hull speed of 7.56 kn (14.00 km/h).[2]
Operational history
Naval architectRobert Perry wrote in a 2013 for Sailing magazine, "I don't think you would spend much time under power in this tri. The SA/D is 36.47, and that's a lot of sail power per pound, easily enough to give you very good light air boat speed. The mast is a rotating wing. A carbon fiber bowsprit allows you to fly either a 448-square-foot screecher or an 893-square-foot chute. That is enough off-the-wind sail area to provide for some very exciting sailing. For some comparison, the 893-square-foot spinnaker is bigger than the entire rig of the Cal 40."[8]
In a 2014 review for Cruising World, Tim Murphy wrote that the "970 features much thinner, higher-aspect-ratio foils that are optimized for speeds in the teens and higher. (A note to those who haven't sailed Corsairs before: Those boat speeds are real. Try it!) ... We sailed the 970 in light air. With the screacher up in 8 to 10 knots of breeze, we posted 6.6 knots just above 60 degrees apparent, then cracked off and made 7.6 knots."[9]