Award-winning Fusion 15 sailing dinghy re-introduced

by David Weatherston on 9 Jan 2010 Jan 5, 2010, Toronto Ontario –– The Fusion 15, an award-winning dinghy designed and built in Canada, will be re-introduced at the Toronto International Boat Show, stand 1525, Main Hall, Jan 9-17, 2010 by its new builder Fusion Boats. The new company will build the boats to the strict one-design and quality standards that gave the class its strong initial start.

'This is a wonderful boat, with a superb pedigree,' said Rory McGuinness, president of the new company, Fusion Boats. 'Steve Killing designed this boat to fit right between the new no-holds-barred skiffs and the older boats many of us grew up with. It's fun to sail, even exciting to sail, yet you can dial it down to relaxing-to-sail, so the Fusion 15 serves a the full scope of a family's or individual's sailing styles. Race it hard or go out and take it easy for an afternoon – this is a modern boat that does both.'

Introduced in 2003, the Fusion 15 was designed by Steve Killing, an eclectic designer and author whose portfolio ranges from America's Cup yachts to canoes. The boat's design features include:

• A stiff and long-lived Corecell-cored hull that planes readily;
• Top-quality Harken hardware;
• Roller-furling jib trimmed via a single line and ball-bearing traveller;
• An innovative, easy-launch asymmetrical spinnaker;
• Visibility-friendly clear Mylar sails;
• A sculpted open transom that drains water away immediately, while allowing safe and easy re-boarding in the event of a capsize.

Beyond features, it was the boat's stellar sailing qualities that earned the boat the Boat of the Year Award, Performance Dinghy category, from Sailing World Magazine of Newport RI. Judges loved the way designer Killing had found a balance of performance qualities with predictable behaviour. One described it as, 'a truly enjoyable sailing dinghy appropriate for sailors from a wide range of age and skill levels to have fun in.'
Fusion Boats will build the boats in a Toronto-area facility.
For more information, please contact Rory McGuinness, 416-436-7474 or at rory@fusionboats.com, or see www.fusionboats.com.

Fusion 15 Specifications
Length........ 15' 8'
Beam.......... 5' 6'
Draft........... 5' c'board up / 4' 0' c'board up down
Sail Area..... 142 sq. ft. (Main + Jib) 79 sq. ft. (Spinn)
Weight.. 290 lbs. (rigged)
Crew.......... 1,2, or 3
Rating ....... 91.1 (US Portsmouth 2003)
Designer Steve Killing

Features:
• Anodized aluminum mast.
• Self-draining cockpit
• Self tacking jib
• Ball-bearing Harken fittings.
• Sculptured, comfortable side decks.
• Easy-to-hoist, easy-to-stow asymmetrical spinnaker.
• Pivoting centerboard and kick-up rudder for safety.
• Efficient planing hull.
• Rudder and centerboard patterns computer-routed.
• Strict one-design controls for those who race.
• Comfortable stability for those who relax.

Fusion Boats
Attn: Rory McGuinness
78 Charlottetown Blvd.
Toronto ON M1C 2C6
(416) 436-7474