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First look

THE 28R FROM FAR EAST BOATS STRENGTHENS THE NEW

BRAND’S EMERGENCE N THE CLUB RACING SCENE

Far East 28R

one design

The Faster

Far East

F

ielding a fleet of over 100

entries from over 30 countries,

the China Cup International

Regatta is not only growing in size,

but with its timing at the end of

October and located in the waters of

Daya Bay, Shenzhen and Hong Kong

is also developing as a testing bed for

one design class racing. Joining the

solid domestic division fleets of IRC

and HKPN (Hong Kong Performance

Number), Beneteau was the first to

capitalize on China’s growing sailing

interest with a fleet of First 40.7s,

which latterly was joined by a second

one design class of Corum’s Soto 27

and in 2014 by a 16-strong fleet of the

newly released Far East 28R.

Following on from the international

success and acclamations of the

Fareast 18R and Fareast 26, the Far East

28R is targeted more as a one design

class racer, priced to allow clubs and

associations to quickly buildup a fleet

of low-maintenance racers.

With a profile that closely resembles

the VOR 65’s, the elegant Far East

28R is designed for fast, affordable

sailing, a simplified version of the

legendary Far East 31R carbon race

boat. This translates into upwind

speed performance close to seven

knots and downwind hull speed of

nine knots in only 10 knots of wind,

making the 28R a perfect racer for

the UAE’s predominant light air

conditions. However, as noted by Ms

Demolar Du, Far East Boats Chairman

at the 2014 China Cup, the 28R is not

lightwind restricted: “The FAR EAST

28R certainly turned heads on the

water with its speed. When the wind

reached around 15 knots, the 28R

really showed off its anticipated

exhilarating performance.”

From its outing at the China Cup,

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