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Marblehead, MA: 603-867-3130
South Dartmouth, MA: 508-596-1495

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Bump's World - Fall 2016
November 9, 2016

FALL 2016

As we come to the end of 2016, the yachting industry continues to see a huge influence from the European builders. Over 90% of all sailboats over thirty feet are built by three builders. I am lucky to represent one of those builders. For the second year in a row, more European built boats are sold in the North American market than North American built boats. Even the 2 last bigger US builders, Catalina and Hunter are getting killed. I cannot believe they will last much longer.

France and Germany continue their battle to dominate sailboat building. The governments of these two countries see boat building as a source of employment and economic gains. In Germany, Hanse Group is located in Greifswald. Greifswald is located in the northeast corner of Germany very close to Poland and right on the Baltic Sea. This part of Germany was East Germany not that many years ago. Unlike West Germany this area has a very depressed economy with very high unemployment. The town is very quaint, looking like something right out of a World War II movie.

The Hanse Group is by far the largest employer in Greifswald, and has a huge modern facility. Hanse works hard, using modern building equipment, to build a better yacht at a lower price. This is the future of boat building.

The European market, which is about 80% sail and 20% power, continues to struggle. Most European countries still struggle to recover from the 2008 downturn. England has just made a huge move away from the Euro causing even more uncertainty. Uncertainty is the worst thing for yacht sales.

The three big builders, Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Hanse look to the US to grow their business. We think our economy is slow to recover, but compared to Europe we are doing great. When they look to the US they see a market where sailboats over 30 feet represent only 5% of the total boat business. The other 95% is the powerboat business.

Seeing the powerboat business as the huge part of the US market, Beneteau and Jeanneau have come out with many powerboat models aimed at the US boat buyer. Beneteau has also purchase several US powerboat builders who were in economic trouble. Sea Ray is the largest US powerboat builder and the 2 huge French boat builders are going right after them. Both French builders are claiming big gains in market share in power. There were more Beneteau powerboats in the Newport Boat Show than sailboats.

Hanse Group continues to focus on sailboats. They have introduced many new models every year. Hanse also focuses on ease of handling. Self-tacking jibs, all lines lead to helm positions, electric winches, bow and stern thrusters, furling systems, sail handling systems, autopilots, electronics, are all helping to make using your yacht easier. In the 1980s if you owned a 40-foot cruising sailboat, you needed 6 of your best friends who knew how to sail to go with you. You needed lots of help getting off the mooring or out of your slip. You dragged the sails up on deck and hoisted them. They were huge to pull in. God forbid you hoist the spinnaker which took 10 good sailors. This was a huge production.

Now I sell a Hanse 455. The thrusters make getting out of the slip a breeze.

The electric halyard winch pulls up the mainsail. The jib unfurls and is on a self-tacking traveler. Almost no sail adjustments are necessary. Turn on the autopilot and the boat steers itself. Put your finger on the chart plotter where you want to go and the boat goes there. You have a dodger and bimini which can be converted to a full enclosure if the weather gets bad. Down below you have heat and air conditioning, 2 heads with separate showers, refrigeration and freezer, stove & oven, even a microwave. With your inverter and/or generator you can power up all the features of home. Last, but not least is your 50” TV with satellite reception. You can also control everything with your cell phone or iPad.

Yachts are getting better and better. They sail easier and faster. Once we get beyond all this stuff, gliding over a deep blue sea will always be one of the great experiences in life.

Please mail comments to me at Bump@newwaveyachts.com
Bump Wilcox