Gunboats fleet for St Maarten Heineken regatta

by Bea Hootsmans on 20 Dec 2007 Forget foreign navies, the St Maarten Heineken regatta is to get its own fleet of high performance Gunboats and other than high–tech construction there won’t be a weapon in sight.

As many as six Gunboat catamarans will inject a shot of adrenaline into the multihull division of the 2008 Heineken regatta. The boats, built in Cape Town, South Africa, and sailed to the Caribbean on their own keel, are gaining worldwide popularity as an alternative to a performance monohull

Gunboat company founder Peter Johnstone had no doubt when he chose the Heineken Regatta to showcase his spectacular boats. 'Gunboat is developing a premier owner based class and we have selected the best venues and events in the world because our owner's demand that. The Heineken Regatta has clearly established itself as one of the best all round regattas in the world. A magical, tropical island hosting fabulous breezes, wonderful people, great racing, and parties. All of which are ideal elements for a Gunboat class event,' he said.

According to race rules, if enough Gunboats take part in the Heineken Regatta they will be given their own division or even class, bringing another dimension to the already thrilling event.

Performance is what counts and Gunboats, designed by Morrelli and Melvin have it to excess. Something you would expect from the company who designed Steve Fossett’s Playstation, the 125-foot record-breaking catamaran that took the 2003 Heineken Regatta by storm.

With hulls made of composite racing materials, Swedish built carbon fiber mast and spars, and Kevlar rigging, the boats are light and fast but what sets these boats apart is that most of their owners bought them to cruise with the family as well as to race. Adding a generator and other live aboard comforts may marginally affect their performance, but the designers claim that when sailing light a Gunboat 48 can tack through 80 degrees, and one owner is said to have touched 29-knots while on a broad reach.

According to Marketing and events Manager Chandler Collins the Heineken Regatta can expect a mix of Gunboat 48s and 62s, but the company expects to have their bigger boats, the 66s and even a 90, at future events.

Why the name Gunboat? 'They were named by the company founder', says Chandler. 'The first boat that crosses the line gets the gun. That’s the Gunboat.'

Look for spectacular multihull competition at the 28th St. Marten Heineken Regatta March 6-9 2008.