The Sportsboats are the fastest growing fleet in Hong Kong with 34 eligible boats now and another 6 joining soon. The reason is simple: they are perfect for the typically light to medium winds here being light with a large sail plan, easily driven hulls and cockpits that put most 40 footers to shame. They also have outboard motors and so a day out to the islands is perfectly feasible with no chance of being marooned in no wind. 

Upwind sportsboats are very well balanced and have a very light helm. Generally they are sailed fairly flat as the crew hikes out or trapezes, so it is similar to sailing a dinghy. Controls are minimal so there are few ropes to tweak and it is up to the skill of the crew to find shifts and sail fast. 

The fleet consists of a range of designs, the smallest being the new Melges 20 up to the B32’s with 14 Magic 25’s a few Longtze’s and J80’s. The Longtze’s have an Asia Pacific Circuit and they attend regattas in Singapore Thailand and   Malaysia . In 2001 there was a Magic 25 Asia Pacific’s here attended by 17 boats with visitors fro Australia and   New Zealand .  In 2007 the Asia International Sportsboat championships here drew 19 entries including multiple World, European champions and Volvo skippers and were extremely competitive. Another similar event is planned for 2010. 

Visit http://www.sportsboats.hk/ for more details or contact the class secretary at sportsboats@rhkyc.org.hk