Like many sailors in New Zealand, I started young with P-Class, Starling and Laser sailing on Aucklandโs Hauraki Gulf, pushing these boats to their limits until the drive to sail faster and faster proved irresistible, and I graduated to competitive sailing anywhere in the world there was a regatta on.
Itโs been a passion thatโs got me into lots of competitions, including the Americaโs Cup, and snagged me four Match Racing World Championships as a tactician. From those Lasers, through to Farr 40s and TP52s, Iโve been fortunate to experience a huge variety of boats, and I have to say that, in my opinion, Russell Coutts has succeeded brilliantly with the current Americaโs Cup class. These catamarans can put on a spectacular show practically anywhere, opening up the possibility of exciting regattas on European lakes, for instance; imagine a Geneva Americaโs Cup.
Itโs the commitment to innovation and excellence that the Americaโs Cup brings out in the teams that really impresses me; I recognise it from my own competitive experience: attention to detail, extensive testing and development, and of course, minimising breakdowns. These are the defining factors in competition, and theyโre also the reason why True Kit inflatables are the ones sold directly to the public. I want the customerโs feedback; itโs the knowledge of what they need from a boat thatโs led to the models I have now. True Kit inflatable design and construction quality have been driven by the demands of boaties, fishermen and even mobile home owners who wanted pack-down convenience without the compromises.
Like the innovations behind the stunning performance of current Americaโs Cup boats, it hasnโt happened overnight, but through the years of association with the best designers in the industry.
Try a True Kit inflatable for yourself, and that competition-bred performance is immediately recognisable; these boats are in a class of their own.
