KISS RONDAR TO MAKE ITS DEBUT AT SEA-LAND 505 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS; BOAT IS PRODUCT OF HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RONDAR RACEBOATS AND TOP U.S. COMPETITORS

HYANNIS, MASS. - The 505 is the ultimate sailing machine. But prospective 505 sailors often complain: "This boat has too many strings; it's too complicated for me to sail." Now there's a solution. It's called the KISS Rondar. Recently imported into the United States, the KISS (as in Keep it Simple Stupid) Rondar is set to make its racing debut at the 1998 505 Sea Land World Championship set to get under way Sept. 19 at the Hyannis Yacht Club. The Kiss Rondar, built by UK-based Rondar Raceboats, is one of 101 boats registered to compete in the seven-day series, which is expected to be the biggest high performance dinghy regatta in North America.

"The 505 class has always attracted the top competitors in the world as well as club level racers," said 505 International Vice President Ali Meller. "Now we have found a great way to keep broadening the appeal of the boat. The 505 is a thrilling boat to sail and thanks to the KISS Rondar more people can catch the wave."

The KISS Rondar, priced thousands of dollars below other new boats but just as competitive, is a vinylester resin layup, fully PVC foam cored hull built from the same molds as the Rondars that have won at least four of the last five 505 World Championships. The "KISS" specification was developed in consultation with top U.S sailors Peter Alarie, Nick Trotman, Ali Meller and Rondar's Paul Young. The boat sells for $11,590 including sails, ready to race, plus shipping.

It is rigged to US tuning numbers, comes with a fixed rudder and a gorgeous Milanes and White gybing centerboard. Rake and rig tension - as well as all other key rig controls - are adjustable while sailing/racing, but the control layout is simpler than either a typical Rondar or a typical North American 505 (vang is lead to the seat tanks, most other controls are on the centerboard cap. The KISS Rondar does not have a mast ram strut, but uses mast blocks to control mast bend (as many European 505ers do). A mast ram strut and control systems can easily be added.

Guck Inc., a Rhode Island custom boat shop run by Lars Guck and Alarie, is the official importer of Rondar Raceboats, and the KISS Rondar. Look for the KISS Rondar (8698) at the worlds. It is being raced by veteran Florida-based sailor Paul Muus, who has been racing dinghy and keelboats for some three decades.

"We have fueled US 505 class growth over the past three years by selling well over 200 used 505s. The demand for good used 505s now greatly exceeds the supply. The significant cost advantage, and simple US-spec rig of the KISS Rondar make it an ideal alternative for people getting into the 505 class in the US and Canada," said Alarie. "We believe these boats are quite capable of winning an NA or World championship; they won't hold you back in any way and they are easier to sail especially for newcomers."

Complete specifications for the KISS Rondar are available on the web at URL: http://www.sailing.org/int505/gckcb98.htm

The Sea-Land 43^rdInternational 505 World Championship Web Site is at URL: http://standard31.infoboard.net/ft/505worlds.html

Extensive information about the International 505 Dinghy is available at URL http://www.sailing.org/int505/