Devoti Sailing launches production of the SB20
by Anna Zyk / SB20 Class 2 Dec 2024 05:26 PST
SB20 Belgian Nationals © Anna Zyk
Devoti Sailing launches the production the SB20s ahead of a busy winter season for the SB20 Class with five new Devoti boats heading to Singapore for the SB20 Worlds 2025 in January.
Devoti's high performance reputation and commitment to build fast boats stands to re-invigorate the Class, delivering continuous and reliable supply of boats and spare parts to owners around the world. The SB20 World Council welcomes the start of a new era for the SB20 community.
The SB20 Class association is excited to work together with Devoti Sailing to ensure the new boats are compliant with the SB20 building specifications and World Sailing requirements. Since the signature of the license agreement, the SB20 World Council have been working closely with Devoti Sailing to provide a smooth and certified transition.
"We're thrilled by the enthusiasm surrounding the SB20 Class and the strong demand for new, high-quality boats. Our goal is to offer a seamless, turn-key One Design experience for sailors worldwide, supported by our dedicated global network and the SB20 dealers. With the huge interest to the SB20 in Asia and growing fleets across Europe and even America, we're excited about the future of the class. The upcoming championships in Ostend [Europeans 2025] and Hyères [Worlds 2026] create a high demand for new boats and we are ready to deliver with the build schedule including three boats a month. The SB20 continues to deliver exceptional value as the fastest 20ft One Design keelboat, accessible to all sailors regardless of size or gender." - says Chris Caldecoat, CEO Devoti Sailing.
During a visit to Devoti Sailing's facilities earlier last month the SB20 Class International Measurer confirmed that the new Devoti-built boats are SB20 One-Design Class compliant. For the SB20, as a recognised World Sailing Class, it is important to monitor the production transition, ensuring that each new SB20 meets the building specifications while responding to the demands of SB20 sailors.
The SB20 Class Association is excited about joining the catalogue of sportsboats and dinghies that Devoti Sailing are producing. Working together with Devoti will bring the best in boat manufacturing to the Class members, while ensuring that the building standards remain a strict one-design.
"The Class will work closely with Devoti over the next 12 months testing a couple new concepts to ensure the performance remains the same, but the boat evolves toward a more modern production process and remains appealing to new owners," - says Scott Glanville, the SB20 Class Association president.
Behind Devoti's success formula lies an innovative design-thinking that is brought "from sailors to sailors". Devoti's boats are handmade, which makes their quality stand out and turn the boats into perfection. With a network of worldwide dealers the distribution of new boats and spare parts is easy and centrally organized.
"Building boats is our passion; helping the sport is our mission. Our dealers share the same passion, and we thrive for perfection," - says Luca Devoti, President of Devoti Sailing.
"The Class has seen a huge support from our existing dealer network throughout this transition to the new builder. We thank all the SB20 dealers for their cooperation and look forward to strengthening our future together with Devoti onboard," - Scott Glanville added.
The Class is excited to discover new destinations thanks to Devoti's extended network and build a strong presence in new countries. Following on the success of the 2024 Dubai Duty Free World Championships, the upcoming 2025 SB20 Worlds in Singapore will have the first new Devoti boats on the starting line.
"The SB20 Class would like to use this opportunity to sincerely thank White Formula (Rob and Thom White) for the many years of service to the SB20 Class - from the original 60 SB20 boats that were built in 2002-2003 and finally to the last 91 boats built since 2012 when White Formula became the builder again after Laser Performance ended building in 2011. Thank you Rob and Thom!" - concluded Ed Russo, Chair of the SB20 Class Technical Committee.