I just returned from the Annapolis boat show and it is comforting to find that so many people were talking to me about getting back into sailing. Some because of the cost of fuel, some because the kids had left and some just because they had discovered how much fun it is though a friend.
I worked on the Beneteau stand where we had an impressive line up of the entire fleet from the Beneteau 31 through the new Beneteau 54. The walkway was quite packed and the party on friday night was certainly elbow to elbow. And despite the economy, there were lots of purchasing of new boats going on. Not quite as many as last year but of similar magnitude.
I worked the Beneteau Fractional Ownership section and I have to say wow! People were really interested in fractional ownership of a sailboat. Fractional sailing has gotten to a point in the industry that people realize it is here to stay and there are some good options. With Beneteau stamping their name on their plan we know that it is not only reputable but has been designed well.
For every new sailor or those who hadn't sailed in a while I introduced them to NauticEd - online sailing courses. It was well received.
Two friends of mine came to the show this year from Austin. we sail together on our fractional ownership Beneteau 373 on Lake Travis. It was their first time to come to a show of such magnitude. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I'd recommend every one to attend the Annapolis sailboat show if you can every October.
2 comments:
I'm pleased to hear that there is interest in fractional ownership of yachts and that Beneteau are promoting this.
You may be interested to see the current list of shares in sailboats available on yours2share shares in sailing boats. There are many in Europe, and around the world, Boat sharing is relatively common in the UK, but appears rare in the USA. Once people work out how well it works, I think the number will increase fairly rapidly.
Yes agreed - I'm from New Zealand and sailboats and power boats are shared there almost always. It is catching on reasonably well int he USA but it is certainly an education process. But there are a few of us committed to it. I speak to hundreds of people at USA boat shows and the reaction is always positive.
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