US orders new Protector for America’s Cup

by Mike Rose on 15 May 2013
A new Rayglass Protector 11.5-metre Cabin SL is on its way to San Francisco after being ordered especially for watching the Louis Vuitton and America’s Cup regattas later this year.

The new model features a custom interior, including a cockpit lounge suite for entertaining, and a teak cockpit sole, and will be powered by two 300hp-plus outboards.

Rayglass CEO Dave Larsen says the new model was ordered by Protector USA to showcase the iconic Kiwi brand during the America’s Cup regattas.

'Like all our Protectors, it is a true high-speed-capable, blue water machine, specially designed to run at speed in rough conditions; including in the blustery, choppy waters of San Francisco Bay,' he says.

'Even there, the new 11.5-metre Cabin SL will be capable of travelling at more than 50 knots and be able to keep up with the new super-fast AC72s.'

Larsen says the new 11.5-metre Cabin SL will not be the only Protector on the water in San Francisco for the regattas.

'We have been experiencing exceptional high demand from the US for our Rayglass Protectors,' he says. 'All have to be delivered to San Francisco and they all have to be there before the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup.'

The new 11.5-metre Cabin SL and the other US-bound Protectors will be continuing the strong relationship between the New Zealand designed and built RIBs and the world’s oldest sporting trophy.

First employed in Team New Zealand’s defence of the America’s Cup in Auckland in 2000, Rayglass Protectors have played an integral part in the regattas ever since. They have been used as mark boats, for marshalling the crowds, as ambulance boats, as support craft for the various syndicates (including, of course, Team New Zealand), as spectator boats and even as tenders for some of the world’s most luxurious superyachts.

In the last 'proper' America’s Cup regatta, in Valencia in 2007, there were more than 100 Rayglass Protectors on the waters off the Spanish coast.

About Rayglass Boats:

Rayglass Boats is New Zealand’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of quality cabin boats and RIBs. In addition to the multi-award winning Legend series of 6-12 metre GRP powerboats, the company also manufactures the internationally-respected Protector range of patrol, work and pleasure RIBs, and the highly innovative Pro-Jet (the world’s first commercially-manufactured PWC-powered RIB).

Based on the water’s edge in the Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington, Rayglass today employs over 60 people in three state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and is one of the country’s most successful marine businesses, both at home and internationally.