Latest New Shaw 650 launches in Pattaya, Thailand

by Kip Beck on 23 Sep 2011 Just launched, this uniquely Asian Shaw 650 to be raced by an all girls crew in future, has been given the name 'Hello Kitty.'

New Thai owner Munchusa Hutasingh is herself relatively new to sailing, having started sailing in 2007. 'I love the feeling of being out on the water, and so that's why I am so happy to finally have a Shaw 650 of my own,' she said.

The eye catching pink colour and graphics pay homage to that famed Japanese cat which has a huge following in Thailand. Naturally the boat is set up with all the standard Shaw 650 kit including twin spreader full carbon C-Tech rig, square top main, masthead kite, EVA deck, carbon foils and performance Harken deckgear. Joining well travelled 'Pornstar' this Shaw is on a road trailer, to target the regattas outside of her home port at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

As one of 3 Shaw 650s which were originally built in Thailand prior to commencing production of Shaws in New Zealand, the end result has been coincidentally fortuitous; the new set of moulds in New Zealand is delivering boats to NZ, USA and Australia, while the option to produce boats in Asia means one design racing in a cost effective boat is finally possible. The Rob Shaw designed 650 is a road legal width 6.5m performance sailing boat that would arguably be the quickest of its size, partly due to weighing a mere 350kg, and easily driven hull form.

The four Shaw 650s based on Ocean Marina will provide a core group of one design performance boats for racing in 2012 at OMYC, and with the increase in interest for latest generation sportsboats across Asia as well as Shaw 650 sailors from abroad wishing to come and race in Thailand, www.shaw650.com are ready to deliver new race ready Shaws.

With plans to bring on board some of Thailand's talented female, dinghy sailors as they get older, the crew roster and speed of 'Hello Kitty' may challenge the boys...bring it on!!