BRUCE FARR AND ASSOCIATES DESIGNED THE ‘PLATU,’ A RACING KEELBOAT WITH THE VISION OF MAKING IT THE WORLD’S BEST RACING KEELBOAT FOR RACING IN THE GULF OF THAILAND
(For Thai, press here)
‘Platu’ might immediately evoke thoughts of a mackerel-type fish well known in Thailand, but in the world of marine sports, it refers to a remarkable racing keelboat.
Designed by world-renowned yacht designer Bruce Farr and Associates, the Platu is not just any boat but a cutting-edge vessel crafted specifically for Thai waters. With a price tag of 1,550,000 baht for a 25-foot-long Platu, this racing keelboat symbolizes innovation and performance.
The story behind the Platu’s creation begins with the growing interest in marine sports in Thailand. Phatra Marine Product Company, eager to host international keelboat races in the country, sought the expertise of Bruce Farr. They wanted a boat that would thrive in the unique conditions of the Gulf of Thailand. Farr’s team responded by designing the Farr Platu 25, a small but incredibly fast racing keelboat built for optimal performance in local waters.
According to Cheerut Suthat Na Ayudhaya, the company’s vision was clear: to create the best racing keelboats in the world. Their marina, located in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, where the Platu mackerel fish is abundant, provided the perfect backdrop for this venture. In crafting the Platu, Farr’s team meticulously studied the region’s tides, wind directions, and storm patterns, ensuring the boat would be virtually unbeatable on the water.
Platu is a vessel for racing and a testament to the growing popularity of marine sports in Thailand. As the demand for these high-performance boats rises, Phatra Marine Product Company’s decision to bring international racing events to Thailand is paving the way for a new era in the country’s maritime history.
Originally published in art4d No.8, October 1995
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TEXT: KHAISRI PAKSUKCHAROEN
PHOTO: SOMKID PAIMPIYACHART