Sail GP orders three more Protectors: We look back on our partnership

 

Since Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison of Oracle started Sail GP in October 2018 it has become the world’s leading global sailing grand prix. And since day one Protectors have been Sail GP’s vessel of choice, for team chase boats, media, course marshals and support.

 

We recently delivered a further three Protector 330 Chases, so we sat down with Lyndsay Turner, Protector International Sales and Marketing Director, to look back on Protector’s proud association with Sail GP. 

 

The biggest Protector we could fit in a 40 foot container

 

The guys who started Sail GP were also involved in America’s Cup, which has used Protectors for nearly 25 years. When they were coming up with the Sail GP concept they were based at Core Developments in Warkworth, so Protectors were an obvious choice for them. 

 

While they were developing the hulls for the race yachts, they realised they needed six chase boats:

 

“So one of the guys came down and we sat around and worked out the biggest Protector we could fit in a 40 foot container to keep shipping costs down. The chosen boat needed plenty of horsepower, because the yachts are so fast, and because they needed to be able to tow them back in an emergency,” Lyndsay said. 

 

“In the end we opted for twin 300s. And it’s clear we made the right choice because as time went on these boats proved themselves again and again.”

 

Eventually Sail GP moved production and management of the fleet to Southampton in the UK, and Core Development was quickly purchased by Rocket Lab (which shows you the caliber of their team). 

 

When Sail GP recently expanded to 12 teams and they needed to purchase three more Protectors they got in touch with Ancasta, our Protector dealer in Europe (and the continent’s largest boat brokerage). 

 

Why Protector?

 

When Sail GP were discussing their selection of chase boats it’s easy to see why they settled on Protector. These vessels have everything they needed, Lyndsay says:

 

“The boat fits in a 40 foot container, it’s easy to get them in the water straight from the container. They have plenty of speed and they’re capable enough to safely pull sail GP boats up and carry paramedics, thanks to their advanced hull design .”

 

“These are tough boats built for all water performance.”

 

A dream partnership

 

It’s true that Protectors provide everything that Sail GP needed for a chase and support boat. But on the flipside, Sail GP has been a dream collaborator for Rayglass and Protector:

 

“The boys in the company are very proud to supply the product to Sail GP. When the competition is on, the level of interest is very high at Rayglass & Protector HQ - some of us are watching at home, others are out there with our families when it’s in New Zealand,” Lyndsay says. 

 

“We have to be thankful the event was brought to Auckland. It had a huge knock on effect for us all, the city was absolutely buzzing more than we’ve seen since the America’s Cup. It put food on plates for so many local businesses owners.”

“From a tourism perspective it was a huge advertisement for New Zealand. And it’s still a great ad for Protector.”