Bump's World - December 2007
December 1, 2007
YEAR END 2007
With the end of year 2007 days away I can look back to see where I came from and look forward to where I am going.
In 2007 Sabre delivered the first Sabre Spirit. Hull #1 went to Tom Drechsler who enjoyed day sailing her and putting together an impressive winning race record. Things only get better with the Sabre Spirit as she was just voted Boat of the Year in the Daysailer category by Sailing World magazine. This is prestigious award with many well-known boats as competition. New Wave Yachts has sold 5 Sabre Spirits to date with 7 likely sold by spring. That is an exciting start.
Hanse Yachts entered the New Wave Yacht's scene in the spring of 2007. I sailed a 400 all summer, both racing and cruising, and thoroughly enjoyed her. Hanse has not only produced a great product for us, but lead by Don Walsh of Hanse USA, they could not be better to work with. Hanse definitely stands behind their product and is always looking for ways to improve. Right now we have a 320, 370, 400, and 430 here in Manchester, Massachusetts on display. Several have been sold so far for spring delivery.
In September, I had conversations with Hanse about their newly purchased power boat company, Fjord. New Wave is now the North American dealer for Fjord Boats and will have a Fjord 40 Open by the first of the year. The attention Fjord is getting with initial advertising and press is really making the phone ring.
2007 will be known as the year of the housing crash and sub prime mortgage crisis.
This has and will continue to have a big effect on the boat market, as it has on many other markets. Add to that a big increase in fuel prices and what you get is a major slow down in small powerboat sales.
This is the time to be green conscious and have the smallest carbon footprint. Powerboats have a big carbon foot print and sailboats have almost no carbon footprint. In response to this New Wave is reducing it's small power boat program and increasing our sailboat program. This is good for me since I am really a sailboat guy. Now I am more in fashion than ever.
What does the future hold for us in 2008? New Wave kicks off the year with the New England Boat Show, now a month earlier, running January 12th thru the 20th. There will be a Sabre 386, Sabre Spirit, Hanse 320, Hanse 370, and Hanse 430 in the New Wave booth. The Fjord 40 Open will be on display in its own booth manned by us.
New Wave Yachts will be waving the green environmental flag for 2008. If everyone had a sailboat the world would be a better place.
Please mail comments to me at Bump@newwaveyachts.com
Bump Wilcox
