Coutts RC44s being built in the Middle East

by AME Info on 22 Apr 2007 Designed by Olympic Gold Medallist Russell Coutts and renowned naval architect Andrej Justin, the RC44 is a high performance racer constructed from advanced composite materials and carbon fibre.

'The boats are built entirely at V1's high-tech facility in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone, and we are the only official builder of the RC 44 in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific,' said Martin Bender, Managing Director of V1.

'The UAE's progressive vision and dynamic business environment lends itself to the creation of world class state-of-the-art facilities for both the manufacture and racing of yachts, and has allowed us to achieve an important milestone in our operations and in the advanced composite boat building industry in general.'

The iconic vessel has been created for top level racing in international regattas under strictly controlled Class Rules. The objective of the Class is to develop boats that adhere to the one design rule ensuring all boats are as identical as possible in terms of construction, shape of hull and appendages, weight and weight distribution, deck layout and equipment, sail plan and performance.

Russell Coutts - the most successful helmsman in the America’s Cup, and the only skipper to have won the cup three times consecutively - and Andrej Justin - a leading racing boat designer with a career spanning nearly two decades - have worked together to produce one of the most exciting racing boats available.

'Our goal was to create a boat that had the complexity and sophistication of a fully fledged racer, delivering the complete racing experience to the owner, whilst also making sure that it is easy to own,' added Russell Coutts.

'We have achieved this by reducing the keel area so that it can be sailed short handed with a crew of six for professional match racing situations whilst achieving good upwind performance and manoeuvrability, and incorporating many non-standard adjustments, such as the carbon fibre manufacture of the hull, rig, boom and retractable bow sprit. The boat is extremely easy to transport and store due to its detachable stern scoop design and double segment mast.'

Coutts says the RC44's creation realises the concept of a high-performance racer that is exciting to sail downwind and powerful in light winds as most harbour and lake sailing competitions are staged in lighter wind venues.

Established in Dubai-UAE in direct response to the contemporary evolution of the boating industry, performance standards, and the use of advanced composite materials and processing technologies, V1 considers the production of ultra-modern yachts from advanced composite materials as the backbone of its enterprise.

'We have been involved with several high-profile yachting events in the UAE. V1 was the main sponsor of the 2006 Dubai Match Race Challenge, in which the world's top two skippers, Russell Coutts and Jes Gram-Hansen, went head-to-head in a special event at the Dubai International Marine Club. We also supplied 'V1-30' boats for the Dubai Junior Regatta as well as the ISAF Nation's Cup, which was a resounding success,' explained Bender.

'The UAE's strategic geographical position provides a perfect gateway to the world and to a market that spans the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Also, the opportunity to work with Russell Coutts on an iconic racing boat made and raced in the UAE could not be overlooked'.

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