RC44

RC44: The champions boat

THE CLASS
Although the RC44 class was born only some years ago, it gained a great success and interest from many world famous yachtsmen. The class however still wants to improve itself making changes in its regulations and organization.
At present most of the fleet is international, five teams are mostly Italian, the rest come from Croatia, Japan, Arab Emirates, Portugal, Slovenia, Ireland etc.
The class regulation foresees a limited number of professionals on board, high-level yachtsmen are always present respecting this rule. This formula might seem restrictive, though it allows a good mix of amateur yachtsmen and yachtsmen with experiences such as the America’s Cup and the Olympic Games.

THE BOAT
It was designed by Russell Coutts together with the Slovenian yacht designer Andrej Justin to achieve high performances and to control sizes and therefore also costs. Expressly thought for regattas and to make a spectacle, it is 13,35m long and 2,75m wide, it weighs 3,5t, it is made in carbon and has a 130sqm close hauled sail area (mainsail and jib), which run can increase up to 240sqm (big gennaker). The tonnage regulation is very rigorous and it foresees restrictions of modifications, in order to keep an equality that makes these boats one design.