YO! One of a Kind

Everyone knows how quick down the line Yo! can be when handled correctly as it has been during this BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta, but what everyone doesn't know... including its owners...is where its builder has disappeared to. The two-time regatta champion, a 50 foot MDB-designed sloop, was one of two under construction at a small factory in Johor Bahru when the builder, a New Zealander, up and went walkabout and hasn't been heard from since.

But according to most of her baker's-dozen international crew members, she's a beautifully well-balanced craft and a delight to sail. "She handles all winds well and is especially quick on loose angles." said one red shirt. "We are not too worried about the handicap readjustments. It just adds to the challenge. The best sailed craft will win."

And win, she does! In the last year, the seven-year old yacht has won last year's Langkawi regatta and the Singapore Raffles Regatta. Later she placed second overall in the Phuket King's Cup in December.

Skipper Peter Ahern has had much to do with her success. As a well regarded task-master, he is described as calm, organized and a good trainer. And the crew, which is made up (in about equal parts) of Kuala Lumpur-based expats and Australians, seem to work well together despite the fact that many have not sailed the boat before. "The racing season is about half over now. We have had a few months to get well tuned up." said a crewmember to The Eagle.

Chameleon can’t be stopped!

The love of sailing and racing and 30 years of sailing experiences brought Bob to his favourite place, the Andaman Sea with its stunning natural beauty. He decided to live in South East Asia, but not in one particular country because he loves the different cultures, the people in Asia and the food.

As a man who spends most of his time on water, Bob knows exactly what specifications a boat should have, either in racing or in cruising. Beside this, he appreciates comfort and stability. Bob was searching for years to find this special combination, unfortunately there was no such boat on the market to fit into these parameters.

By luck he met Tim Mumby, an Aussi, who introduced Bob to his special design, an aluminium catamaran.

Bob was quite impressed, tested the cat and ordered one. Combined with Bob’s modifications, Chameleon was built and launched in Phuket just a week before the Langkawi Regatta 2004. A 14.4M design, she joined the Multihulls Division and was by far the largest cat in the fleet. She was skippered by Bob Mott for this race and got second in the CRC.

This year Chameleon is not running under full potential. It has only 3 experienced crew who know how to handle her nervous temper; but so far they are leading the pack!