All boats used by the referees and security staff at the 2005 49er world championship held in Moscow at the end of August and into September were powered by Mercury Four-Stroke Outboards.

Around 40 craft, comprising Spanish-built Narwhal RIBs and fibreglass boats from St Petersburg, will have Mercury engines, supplied by local distributor AquaDrive.

Nearly 200 competitors from over 30 countries are competing in this world championship, organised this year by the Moscow Sailing School under the patronage of Moscow's mayor.  Among the entrants are sailboat medal winners from the Athens Olympics.

Class 49er is a development of the Sydney (Australia) 18-foot competitive skiff.