October 02, 2009

Chicago Match Race Center Successfully Completes First Season

Marblehead, MA, October 2, 2009 - RIBCRAFT, a leading builder of professional grade rigid inflatable boats (RIB), announced that the Chicago Match Race Center has successfully completed their first race season with their fleet of RIBCRAFT 5.85s.

These four RIBCRAFT 5.85s were delivered to the newly formed Chicago Match Race Center on Lake Michigan at the beginning of the season for use as umpire and support boats. Equipped with a 90HP Evinrude E-TEC engine, the 19’ RIBs feature a center console with front bench seat, RIBCRAFT’s signature pod seats and a large open aft deck, making these boats perfectly suited for the Match Race Center’s busy racing program.

“The RIBCRAFT boats have been perfect as the match racing umpire platform”, said Director of the Chicago Match Race Center, Bill Hardesty. “The side by side straddle seating, extreme maneuverability and the extra cockpit space is exactly what we were looking for in an umpire boat.”

The fleet is scheduled to travel extensively throughout the country in the off season in support of other regattas and events, a testament to a RIBCRAFT’s versatility and ease of use in any type of waters.

RIBCRAFT is one of the leading suppliers for yacht clubs, sailing programs and race committees. RIBCRAFT specializes in personalizing their line of professional grade RIBs to meet the specific needs of the organization.

About RIBCRAFT RIBCRAFT designs and builds safe, durable, performance oriented rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that fulfill the most demanding professional and recreational applications. A leading manufacturer of professional grade RIBs and inflatables for safety professionals, military agencies, yacht clubs, and recreational boaters throughout the world, RIBCRAFT offers vessels starting at 14’ capable of fulfilling most any mission. www.ribcraftusa.com

About Chicago Match Race Center The Chicago Match Race Center (CMRC) was founded by active match racer Donald Wilson, sailor of a Farr 40, J-105, and Melges 24. The CMRC’s eight new Tom28 match race boats act as the foundation of the 2009 season. The fleet races out of Chicago’s Belmont Harbor. http://www.chicagomatchrace.com/