NEWSProduction site acquired24/06/2022Save articleSILENT-YACHTS has acquired its Italian based production site.SHOW FULLSCREENSILENT-YACHTS Series 80 under construction in Fano. Photo credit Alessandro GuerrieriThe facility is in Fano on Italy’s Adriatic coast and consists of several modern, well-equipped hangars which will be used for the building and outfitting of the Silent 60 series and Silent 80 series models.The site includes five construction sheds with 22,000m2 of covered space and a similar exterior surface area.The new range of electric SILENT-TENDERS will also be produced at the site, which includes an Innovation Centre for researching and developing new models, technologies and solutions.“Our acquisition of the facility in Fano is a great opportunity for the city and for thenautical sector in the area,” says Michael Köhler, CEO of SILENT-YACHTS who explained that he would like to make the area a point of reference for Italian boatbuilding.The company says it will employ around 250 people, both directly and indirectly, and has expansion plans already under discussion to increase the production capacity of its sites and also acquire new ones.SILENT-YACHTS, builds electric solar-powered catamarans from 60 to 120ft.The acquisition follows the restructuring of the brand as SILENT GROUP.

Source: Production site acquired | News | Boating Business

NEWSInterest in boating soarsBy Rebecca Strong24/06/2022Save articleThe number of people participating in watersports has almost doubled since 2020, according to new research.The annual Watersports Participation Survey 2021 shows that around 11.7 million people took part in one or more boating activities more than once in 2021. The activities which showed the biggest growth included personal watercraft, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing.The number of people enjoying watersports has soared since the pandemic Photo: RYAThe survey covers the period from October 2020 to September 2021 when the UK was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and interest in socially-distanced activities soared.“During 2021, more than ever leisure time was being spent outdoors and with the severe restrictions on international travel, lots of people headed to the coast to make the most of the good weather,” said RYA director of sport development, Rob Clark.“Although the report tells us that the number of regular participants has remained almost static, we’ve seen boating organisations, marinas and retailers remaining busy during the pandemic as they accommodate newcomers to the sport.”The survey followed participants in core boating activities of small sail boat racing, other small sail boat activities, yacht racing, yacht cruising, power boating, general motor boating/cruising, canal boating, canoeing, rowing/sculling, windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding and using personal watercraft.Keeping the interest goingThe challenge now is in sustaining the interest piqued by the pandemic. “The survey highlights an opportunity for us to capitalise on the fact that people have been trying new activities afloat,” said Rob.“Hopefully by supporting our clubs and centres we’ll be able to create opportunities for newcomers to get back on the water and hopefully become regular participants.”

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INDUSTRY NEWSGibbs brings Schaefer to the UK15/06/2022Save articleDorset-based Gibbs Quay Boat Sales has become the UK’s sole distributor of Brazil’s Schaefer Yachts.SHOW FULLSCREENSource: Gibbs Quay Boat SalesThe V33 measures just under 34ft with a passenger capacity for ten and sleeping accommodation for twozoom inzoom outSchaefer Yachts is the largest luxury yacht manufacturer in South America, with a range of boats from 30ft to 85ft.Don Bissessar, owner of Gibbs, said he had scoured the world looking for a new yacht brand to sell alongside the others the firm imports and sells.“Schaefer Yachts really fit in well with us not only because they meet our high standards but because they are an established manufacturer with an impeccable reputation and are distinct from the other brands in the market place,” he said.Top brand“Having visited the factory and seeing the build and design process I am totally confident in the brand and the people behind it. Schaefer will bring a touch of carnival and a dash of the Copacabana to the UK boating scene.”Gibbs will be attending the Southampton Boat Show in September, where several Schaefer yachts will be on display, including the latest model, the V33.Schaefer’s V33 measures just under 34ft with a passenger capacity for ten and sleeping accommodation for two. Alongside the V33, the Schaefer 303 will also be on display. The 32ft sports cruiser is a family boat with well-planned accommodation for a family of four.The Gibbs business is over a century old. It was originally based on the banks of the River Thames near Shepperton in Middlesex before moving to its current Poole site in 2012.

Source: Gibbs brings Schaefer to the UK | News | Boating Business

An agreement for the sale of the shareholding in the French subsidiary could soon be approved.SHOW FULLSCREENMarket successSource: Privilège MarineThe Privilège Signature 580 is nominated for the coveted Multihull of the Year Award 2022zoom inzoom outIf approved by the French authorities, HanseYachts is looking at selling the shareholding of the French catamaran manufacturer based in Port Olona, to a consortium including long-time Privilège CEO, Gilles Wagner.“HanseYachts is sincerely pleased that Privilège Marine is sailing back to independence. Both companies have learned a lot from each other. However, as the expected synergy effects could not be realised to the extent hoped for, this strategic step is now the best solution for both sides,” said Hanjo Runde, CEO of HanseYachts AG.Strategic movePrivilège is one of the oldest catamaran brands in the world and builds ocean-going luxury catamarans with sales prices ranging from €1.5 to 7 million.The company was acquired by HanseYachts AG in June 2019, but remained operationally independent.Since the takeover, the entire product range has been completely renewed with corresponding success in the market. In addition to the successful facelift of the Privilège Signature 510, this was followed by a complete new build of the Privilège Signature 580, which is nominated for the coveted Multihull of the Year Award 2022.The Signature 650 and Signature 750, also new models, are already physically under construction. As a result, Privilège’s order book has grown to its current historic high of €57.4 million. “We would like to express our sincere thanks to all employees and the owners of HanseYachts for making it possible to realise new growth for Privilège Marine and thus providing us with this good starting position for a hopeful future in the global catamaran market. The new partners are merchants with experience and also own Privilège catamarans. Their extensive experience in the market and with the product will help to further develop the Privilège brand and its product range,” said Gilles Wagner, CEO Privilège Marine.A decision on the corresponding share purchase agreement fo the sale is expected to be concluded in July 2022, HanseYachts then expects the transaction to be executed by October 2022 at the latest.Meanwhile, the remaining three HanseYachts locations in Germany and Poland are being continuously expanded.Even without Privilège, HanseYachts AG said it currently has the highest order book in the company’s history with €272.9 million. It’s already planning a new Hanse, a Dehler and a large new Fjord model each for the summer, with a new Moody model to follow in the winter.

Source: HanseYachts agrees Privilège sale | News | Boating Business

NEWSSouthampton Uni in SuMoth ChallengeBy Rebecca Strong16/06/2022Save articleA team from Southampton University is taking part in a challenge to design, build and race a sustainable International Moth.The SuMoth Challenge takes place at Foiling Week on Lake Garda, Italy from 26 June to 3 July and will feature ten teams of students representing five countries competing for a share of a prize pot worth €7,500.(l-r) Pin-Hong (Malaysia), Sebastian (Poland/Japan), Louis (France), Finlay (UK), president & skipper Hattie (UK), Edward (UK) Photo: Southampton SuMoth TeamOne such team is headed up by 21-year-old Hattie Rogers who is in her fourth and final year studying Ship Science Engineering at the University of Southampton. The aim is to build a high-performance sailboat based on the Foiling Week’s three pillars of accessibility, sustainability and safety.The International Moth is currently the fastest single-handed sailing dinghy on the planet and can reach speeds of 30 knots by the means of the two foils which help the boat ‘fly’ over the water.Three-part challengeThe SuMoth Challenge is a three-stage competition assessing boat design, manufacturing and racing. The boats’ designs need to comply with a strict budget and should be low-carbon and use bio-based and recycled materials as far as possible. Teams are also challenged to reflect on the social impact of their manufacturing process and supply chain as well as tackle sailing’s reputation as a niche, inaccessible sport.The Southampton SuMoth team of six engineering students aims to create the design using natural fibres, recycled cores, recyclable resins and second-hand parts and has brought on board a number of local companies including Maguire Boats, Marlow Ropes, Sanders Sails, Harken UK, Jeremy Rogers and Shock Sailing.The International Moth has two hydrofoils enabling it to ‘fly’ over the water Photo: Sail WorldTopicsEnvironment & Sustainability

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NEWSNew recyclable Optimist dinghy16/06/2022Save articleThe first recyclable Optimist sailing dinghy has been launched – a collaboration between Northern Light Composites (nl comp) and not-for-profit organisation Clean Sailors.SHOW FULLSCREENThe ecoOptimist has been developed by Northern Lights Composites and Clean Sailorsnl comp is an Italian company that researches and develops recyclable composites to help solve problems related to the end of life of fiberglass composites.“Much of the current, global Optimist class are imported plastic hulls which enter landfill at end of life,” said Holly Manvell, Clean Sailors founder. “It’s therefore super important to consider and develop how we produce this boat, and how we introduce our future sailors to a better way of sailing, at comparable cost – something that Northern Light Composites have managed to achieve.”The ecoOptimist dinghy is built from sustainable materials and more than 90% of the hull is currently recyclable with developments underway to make it 100% reliable.It is constructed from ampliTex natural fibre reinforcements with Atlas HPE core and resin which can then be reused to produce new components.Compared to conventional glass fibres, the organisations say flax fibres reduce the CO2 footprint of the composite and don’t rely on fossil resources for the production of the raw material.Instead, they take CO2 from the atmosphere during their growth and act as a natural CO2 sink during their lifetime.“Our advanced ampliTex flax fabrics are used throughout the hull laminates, matching the performance and weight of traditional glass laminates, but with much more attractive end-of-life options and environmental properties,” explained Paolo Dassi, marine and industry manager at Bcomp.“It is great to see that sustainability and our planet’s health are starting to become major priorities in the selection of boatbuilding materials.”Each ecoOptimist also features a sail by from OneSails, that has developed an ISO certified sustainable and recyclable sail fabric.

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NEWSNew partnership arrangement13/06/2022Save articleMusto has signed a new partnership arrangement with the Royal Dutch Watersports Association as its official clothing supplier. SHOW FULLSCREENMusto has partnered with the Royal Dutch Watersports AssociationThe performance clothing brand will kit out the national sailing team, TeamAllianz, the youth academy, officials and members for the next three years which includes the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.“In February this year we confirmed our continued support of the British Sailing Team following their incredible success at Tokyo 2020,” said Nick Houchin, Musto’s head of marketing. “Now we are partnering with the third most successful national team at Tokyo 2020 with the Royal Dutch Watersports Association.“These two partnerships, along with our global association with World Sailing, sees us engaging with the sailing community around the world, from grassroots to Olympic level.”The national sailing team members will be wearing high-performance Musto sailing apparel at all the major World, European and National championships in the build-up to Paris 2024, as well as the youth-focused Optimist On Tour event and the annual Allianz Regatta, The Netherlands’ largest international sailing regatta, held in Almere.

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Demand up for extreme rigging28/06/2021Save articleKingfisher Yacht Ropes is seeing a big increase in demand for its lines, halyards and rigging ropes.Racing Dyneema 99 Pro Halyard Photo: Kingfisher Yacht RopesSales have increased of associated products for rigging, including products the company distributes in the UK from Tylaska such as premium shackles, LOOP Products, D Splicer and Selma splicing equipment.Since the beginning of 2021, all Dyneema products distributed by Kingfisher Yacht Ropes have been changed to bio-based fibre as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability. For every one tonne of bio-based Dyneema purchased, five tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided when compared to standard Dyneema fibres.Extreme productsThe company has seen an upturn in sales of more extreme products with Dyneema cores and technical covers made from Technora, Dyneema or Kevlar with the launch of last year’s Racing Dyneema 99 Pro Halyard proving particularly successful. With diameters of 8, 10 and 12mm and breaking strengths ranging from 3,570 to 7,650kg, the halyard has been designed to provide the best possible holding ability in clutches and jammers.Also proving popular is Kingfisher’s range of Gottifredi Maffioli GP custom products, designed with professional racing teams.Kingfisher Yacht Ropes will be showcasing its range of products at this year’s Cowes Week, from its base in Cowes Yacht Haven where the company will be providing technical information and regatta support.TopicsAftermarketMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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Wichard has unveiled a range of new products at METSTRADE, showcasing its new chain grips, soft blocks, pad-eye, rescue knife and fairlead.Designed to secure an anchorage, the new collection of chain grips comes in three models suitable for mooring from 8 to 12mm. Made from corrosion-resistant Duplex stainless steel grade, the design has changed considerably since the earlier models appeared and now comes in a new single-block with L-shaped stud to prevent the chain coming loose.Rounded pad-eye Photo: WichardThe new four-model range of soft snatch blocks is suitable for flying sail furling, furler terminals, rigging deviation and barber-haulers. Made from anodised aluminium, they feature Dyneema loops and Velcro strips for easy installation and use.Wichard has added a new fixed rounded pad-eye to its range of diamond-shaped pad-eyes. Made from Duplex stainless steel, it is suitable for reefing blocks, fastening points on bowsprits and on blocks.The company has also unveiled a new stainless-steel deck fairlead. Made from Duplex stainless steel and designed to deviate various types of rigging (furling lines), this fairlead can be mounted with just two screws.Finally, Wichard has added a new fixed-blade knife to its Offshore Rescue range, primarily designed for non-nautical applications, such as military or tactical, and for collectors.Three of Wichard’s new soft snatch blocks Photo: WichardTopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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Ronstan has introduced a new range of Triggersnap snap shackles.SHOW FULLSCREENRonstan Triggersnap snap shackleRonstan’s Triggersnap snap shackle is available in three sizeszoom inzoom outThe Triggersnap latch mechanism has been designed for one-handed operation for attachment and release of the snap shackle.Release under load is accomplished by using a spike to actuate the trigger.The shackle is manufactured from heat treated, investment cast 15-5PH stainless steel components for high strength, corrosion resistance and durability.Each shackle is individually proof load tested and stamped with a production code for traceability.The range is available in three sizes for maximum working loads 1000 – 2400kg, and with large or small swivel bail options to suit individual requirements.Spinnaker pole endsRonstan has also developed its keelboat spinnaker pole ends which are now available to suit tube sizes from 50mm to 100mm.The new outboard spinnaker pole ends RF1664 and RF1665 feature anodised aluminium bodies with grade 316 stainless steel hardware.They are opened with an internal trip line and automatically close when the integrated trigger is depressed.Holes are provided to suit shackle or rope loop for topping lift and foreguy attachment.The outboard ends suit standard 50mm and 70mm spinnaker poles. Pole sizes up to 100mm are accommodated by adding one of the acetal sleeves offered in the range, or a custom sleeve.TopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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