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Q.
How do you see this developing over the years?
A.
It is important that the Class controls the one design rules and in coordination with the owners, selects an exciting regatta schedule. I would like to see the class race at some new venues and on some nice lakes in Europe.
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Q.
What are the special features / attributes which make the boat stand out?
A.
The boat is built in carbon infusion which has many advantages in terms of creating a tightly controlled One Design Class. Boats 4 and 5 have been produced within a 1 kilogram weight tolerance! The design makes extensive use of carbon fiber, including carbon chain plates, steering wheels, rudder, keel, trim tab, mast and boom. The mast has composite rigging and the engine has a hydraulically controlled retractable propeller.
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Q.
How much testing have you done & how did it go?
A.
We have had the benefit of testing the prototype boat (boat 1) and boat 4 in two sessions on Lake Garda and two sessions in Portorose (Slovenia). In total we have sailed the boat more than ten days in a wide variety of conditions. This has enabled us to fine tune the boat, together with the mast and the sails and to make any adjustments before commencing serious production. The good news was that right from boat 1, the boat balanced perfectly - which is not a trivial fact given that the yacht has a trim tab.
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Q.
Russell, what inspired you to produce the RC 44 design?
A.
I believe there is a move towards more high performance sailing boats, even for cruising applications. So Andrej Justin and I (Russell Coutts) had an idea to create a one design boat that incorporated much of the technology seen and used at the top end of the sport.
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Q.
What are the RC 44’s main features?
A.
- The Russell Coutts 44 is a light displacement, one design racer
- With a powerful sail plan, the 44-footer is designed to be fast downwind and powerful upwind
- The boat has twin steering wheels, a high aspect ratio keel (with a weed cutter fitted in its leading edge) and an adjustable trim tab on the keel
- It is built using carbon infusion in female moulds, ensuring a light weight, accurate structure and protecting the one-design integrity of the class
- The boat also features a carbon mast with PBO rigging and a carbon boom and retractable gennaker strut and carbon rudder and keel fin
- The LOA is 43.8' (13.35m), Bmax 9' (2.75m), main 753sq.ft. (70m˛) and displacement is 7850 lbs (3560kg)
- It has a specially designed canting trailer, easily detachable stern scoop and simple keel-to-hull attachment making the boat very easy to transport and store
- The mast is built in two structural parts also adding to ease of transport on the road (with no oversize restrictions)
- A large racing cockpit allows sailing with eight crew
- For fleet racing it will be an owner/driver class with strict limitations on the number of professional crew
- The rudder and steering system have been designed to produce a well balanced boat that handles with two fingers even when sailing at surfing speeds
- When not sailing, the Russell Coutts 44 is powered by a 20 HP Volvo diesel engine with a specially developed hydraulically controlled retractable prop for drag reduction, light weight and ease of use.
- Tightly controlled rules and well managed Class Association
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Q.
What is the regatta program?
A.
The first 5 boat fleet has starting racing in October 2006 (see "regattas"). The Class is working on a 2007 circuit including 6-8 regattas in Southern Europe and a Championship in the end of the year.
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Q.
What does this price cover?
A.
Complete boat fully equiped and ready to sail including electronics. This price does not include sails and trailer.
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Q.
How much does an RC 44 cost?
A.
The RC 44 is available for purchase for 395,000 Euros. This prize is ex-factory, excluding sails and VAT.
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Q.
What are the objectives of the RC 44 Class?
A.
The objective of the Class is to promote and develop RC 44 racing under uniform rules. By keeping the one design aspect of the RC 44 and by ensuring that all owners compete with identical boats in attractive regattas, the Class intends to increase the sailors interest for RC 44 racing.
The Class is run by the owners (the Executive Committee, in charge of the coordination and management of the RC 44 affairs). The Executive Committee’s first goal is to develop an attractive regatta program and to create a forum amongst owners to exchange information and enjoy these yachts.
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Q.
What is the RC 44?
A.
The RC 44 is a high performance one design racer created for top level racing in international regattas and under controlled Class Rules. The RC 44 was designed by Coutts Justin Design as a light displacement high performance racer.
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