Sonar class gets new builder

The International Sonar Class has announced that Shumway Marine, with the cooperation of designer Bruce Kirby, has made arrangements to have the Sonar built by Rondar Race Boats in the U.K.

Shumway Marine in Rochester had owned the builders’ rights for 18 years and marketed the boat throughout the world, with its chief building facility at Ontario Yachts in Oakville, Ont.

Rondar’s first demonstrator boat out of the mould is expected to be launched by April 2015 in the UK.

“I am looking forward to working with the Class Association to support existing yachts and expand future sales of this great yacht. Backed by ISAF and with its Paralympic status, the Sonar keelboat has a bright future,” stated Paul Young, Managing Director of Rondar Boats Ltd.

“We are delighted that Rondar Raceboats have taken on the ongoing production of Sonars,” said Bruce Kirby, designer of the Laser and SONAR. “Rondar’s experience in this field is well known and it ensures continuity of quality construction and further Class growth.”

Bruce McArthur from the SONAR Class Association was pleased to have a committed builder in place and was looking forward to seeing the new boats on the water.

The roomy 23-foot sloop is raced by a crew of three or four, carries a generous symmetrical spinnaker and will plane under brisk conditions. The Sonar is also the three-man boat of choice for disabled sailors in the Paralympics and other major events for sailors with special needs.

With more than 800 boats in commission, the Sonar has been used extensively for both fleet and team racing. In the U.K. the boat is raced in Cowes, Isle of Wight and on the Clyde in Scotland.

New York Yacht Club has ordered eight new boats for summer delivery to add to its 13-boat fleet at Harbour Court in Newport, RI. Other North American fleets are in Darien, CT; Marblehead, MA; Boston; Oyster Bay, N.Y.; Nyack, NY; Falmouth, MA; Houston, TX; Lunenburg, NS; Vancouver, BC; Vineyard Haven, Ma; St. Petersburg, Fl; Lake Geneva, WI and Wayzata, MN.

The 2015 World Championship will be held at Falmouth, MA (USA) in September.

Rondar Raceboats: www.rondarboats.com
Class information: www.sonar.org