Malaysian boatbuilder targets region for one-class keelboat racing
By IBI Magazine
JG Boats, based on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia, has started work on a five-boat order of "Miri Magic's" for Troy Yaw in Sarawak. According to a company statement, the boat is an 8m (26ft) long performance racing sailboat designed by Perth-based naval Architect, Malcolm Runnalls. It is also known as the Runnalls 8 in Australia. The statement noted that the company intends to build a fleet of one-class racing keelboats to give Malaysia "access to this popular sport and an opportunity to train local sailors to become valuable crew members or form racing teams to contest future match and fleet racing events in SE Asian waters." Australian Paul Scholten is overseeing the project with 25 employees. AG boats has built a number of high-tech composite yachts in Malaysia over the last 7 years. The company has manufactured over 50 yachts from 8 to 30 meters in length. The Miri Magic's composite construction consists of a vacuum bagged DIAB foam core, with E glass laminate bonded together using Vinyl Ester resin that produces high strength and light weight construction ratios. Each vessel will be identical since Yaw intends to use these boats for match racing events planned later this year. That includes the Borneo Challenge in September. The statement noted that the first boats will be reserved for yacht clubs and state sporting associations that would like to join in with a planned AY keelboat training program. "Priority will be given to purchasers who form future Racing Teams that can successfully compete on a homemade SE Asian Match Racing Championship being planned," noted the statement.
(12 April 2007)
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