Boating Business | ‘The Trad’ boat show breaks records

‘THE TRAD’ BOAT SHOW BREAKS RECORDS

HOME NEWSINLAND WATERWAYS ‘THE TRAD’ BOAT SHOW BREAKS RECORDS

29 Jul 2019

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More than 13,000 visitors attended this year’s ‘Trad’ boat show on the Thames Photo: Henley Herald

A record-breaking number of boat enthusiasts visited the Thames Traditional Boat Show at Henley, a celebration of older craft that are disappearing from rivers and inland waters.

More than 13,000 people, an increase of 35% on the previous year, attended the festival, known affectionately as ‘The Trad’, where they enjoyed steam boats, Dunkirk Little Ships, skiffs, amphibious cars and the Royal Barge Gloriana.

Sadly, one of the main attractions, the WWI CMB9 torpedo boat, was unable to make the festival owing to an accident suffered by its owner. Chair of the Trad, Lady Judy McAlpine said, “When I was asked to save the Trad, I had a vision of how it ought to be… and this year I saw that vision fulfilled. We had some last-minute fall-outs, like the MTB but it looked good, it felt good and to judge by the crowd, it was good!  Next year will be even better.”

Dunkirk Little Ships

The 30 – 40ft Dunkirk Little Ships carried up to 80 soldiers each, travelling back and forth two or three times during Operation Dynamo in 1940. L’Orage boat led the 15 boat parade, originally owned by TV presenter, Raymond Baxter who formed the Dunkirk Little Ship Association in 1966.

The oldest Victorian steamer, Alaska, offered visitors a ride up the Regatta Course and Henley Reach while the Royal Barge, Gloriana, also returned this year with each of the 18 rowers pulling half a tonne. The 92ft barge was commissioned for the Jubilee River Pageant of 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and was built by 60 craftsmen in just 19 weeks.

Amphibious bathchair

Also on show were an amphibious 1930s electric bathchair, an aluminium speedboat with two speeds, stop or fast, and a motorised sofa.

Steam launch, Elfin, was judged Best in the Show with judge Adam Toop saying, “Elfin is a truly stunning steam launch built in 1895 by Constable of Hampton. She was built to order for Mr J.W. Restler, the chief engineer at the Metropolitan Water Board, whose works built the original steam engine that she retains to this day.”

via Boating Business | ‘The Trad’ boat show breaks records.

Boating Business | RYA Dinghy Show returns to London

RYA DINGHY SHOW RETURNS TO LONDON

HOME NEWSPROMOTIONSBOAT SHOWS RYA DINGHY SHOW RETURNS TO LONDON

29 Jul 2019

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The RYA Dinghy Show 2020 will be held at Alexandra Palace from 29 February to 1 March Photo: RYA

INDUSTRY DATABASE

ROYAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION

The only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailing is set to return to Alexandra Palace in London from 29 February – 1 March 2020.

Now in its 69th year, the Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Show in association with Yachts & Yachting, will welcome more than 180 exhibitors including boat builders, class associations, sailing clubs and retailers.

The 2020 show theme will be ‘A World of Opportunity – see where dinghy sailing can take you’.  “We’re delighted to announce the dates for the 2020 show and are looking forward to another fantastic weekend at Alexandra Palace,” said RYA director of sport development, Alistair Dickson.  “With some exciting new features and a brand new show layout, it promises to be one not to be missed.”

Meet the team

There will be a chance to meet members of the British Sailing Team at Sailor’s Corner, which will be making a comeback, along with the return of the Women’s Sailing Hub and the popular Beginners Trail. Visitors will also be able to enjoy show favourites such as the 360° ‘On the Water’ virtual reality sailing experience, sailing simulators, activity pool, trapeze rig and the RYA Dinghy Show Treasure Hunt.

Tickets to the 2020 RYA Dinghy Show will go on sale in October 2019 and more information can be found at the website.

via Boating Business | RYA Dinghy Show returns to London.

Boating Business | Ronstan co-founder dies

RONSTAN CO-FOUNDER DIES

HOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS RONSTAN CO-FOUNDER DIES

22 Jul 2019

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Ron Allett, Ronstan co-founder has died aged 89. Photo: Ronstan

INDUSTRY DATABASE

MARINE ADVERTISING AGENCY

Ronstan co-founder Ron Allatt has died peacefully aged 89 with his wife Jan at his side.

“Together with Stan LeNepveu, Ron was the ‘Ron’ in Ronstan,” explained Ronstan chairman Alistair Murray.

The two met in 1946 and raced sailing dinghies together, before teaming up to build boats and make stainless steel yacht fittings.

Ronstan was officially formed in 1953. The company was sold in 1977 with Ron continuining as general manager until his retirement in 1981.

“The legacy Ron and Stan left is a close knit, wonderful organisation with a name that is a household name in international sailing circles,” added Alistair. “Ronstan manufactures world class products, has offices around the world, has won endless awards for excellence and has provided challenging, rewarding and enjoyable employment for thousands of us in the Ronstan family over the past six and a half decades.

“Thank-you Ron (and Stan). The name lives proudly on.”

via Boating Business | Ronstan co-founder dies.

Boating Business | Walcon Marine appoints Scott Dawson

WALCON MARINE APPOINTS SCOTT DAWSON

HOME NEWSPEOPLE WALCON MARINE APPOINTS SCOTT DAWSON

12 Jul 2019

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Scott Dawson has joined Walcon Marine

INDUSTRY DATABASE

WALCON MARINE LTD

Walcon Marine has appointed Scott Dawson to the role of sales and business development.

His previous roles include a period at modular docking solutions provider Versadock and a stint at marine distributor Furneaux Riddall.

His interest in the leisure marine sector also extends to winning national titles in both dinghies and keel boats and he is has also swum, run and cycled non-stop around the Isle of Wight.

“We look forward to Scott bringing the same level of energy to business development here at Walcon,” said James Walters, Walcon Marine MD. “He has a wealth of knowledge to contribute to our already well-established team and we look forward to the new opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Scott will be applying his experience in technical sales, engineering solutions and customer service to develop new opportunities in the leisure, commercial and public sectors.

via Boating Business | Walcon Marine appoints Scott Dawson.

Boating Business | INEOS TEAM UK chooses Harken

INEOS TEAM UK CHOOSES HARKEN

HOME NEWSAFTERMARKETDECK HARDWARE INEOS TEAM UK CHOOSES HARKEN

15 Jul 2019

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Harken is to supply INEOS Team UK with deck hardware and winches

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HARKEN UK LTD

Harken has signed as a technical supplier to INEOS TEAM UK, supporting the team in its campaign for the 36th America’s Cup.

The sailing team has been working with Harken designing, testing and manufacturing componentry integral to the performance of the team’s test boat, coded named ‘T5’ together with two AC75 race boats.

Harken will also supply the team with deck hardware including winches and pedestals, gearboxes, blocks and hydraulic componentry produced in the company’s American and Italian factories.

INEOS TEAM UK team principal and skipper, Ben Ainslie and CEO, Grant Simmer, both have historic relationships with Harken; Harken supported Ben during his successful Olympic campaigns in the Finn dinghy and Grant has previously worked with the marine hardware company throughout his Cup career.

Never-before-imagined

“Each Cup cycle is unique. We well may look back on this one and remember it for these never-before-imagined AC75 foiling monohulls,” said Grant.

“With so much to learn and so much to create for the first time, we must limit risk wherever we can.

“Selecting Harken was the natural choice—as much for the confidence they’ll deliver, as for the quality of what they’ll build for our team.”

Harken chairman, Peter Harken added: “This work we’re doing with INEOS TEAM UK represents some of the toughest challenges we’ll ever confront. It’s not going too far to say we built our whole company to be ready for what we’re doing here.”

INEOS TEAM UK will launch its first AC75 race boat in the Solent this summer.

via Boating Business | INEOS TEAM UK chooses Harken.

Boating Business | Sailing’s F1 to visit Cowes

SAILING’S F1 TO VISIT COWESHOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS SAILING’S F1 TO VISIT COWES15 Jul 2019EmailShareFacebookLinkedInTwitterPrintSix F50 catamarans will race off Cowes next month as part of the SailGP eventSailGP will make its debut on European waters next month.On August 10 and 11, the event – dubbed the F1 of sailing – will serve as the opening feature of Cowes Week regatta on the Isle of Wight.Teams from Great Britain, Australia, China, France, Japan and the United States will compete in the penultimate event of the inaugural 2019 season.The event was established at the end of last year by Sir Russell Coutts and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, with teams competing in identical foiling 50ft catamarans – F50s – trying to break sailing’s elusive 50-knot speed barrier and also racing for a $1m winner takes all end of season prize.Athleticism“We are very excited to bring SailGP to the UK for the first time,” said Sir Russell. “Cowes is considered the home of UK sailing so where better to showcase the speed, technology and athleticism involved in SailGP.“There are a number of teams capable of winning races and events – and the pressure will be on for the Great Britain team”Races have already taken place in Sydney, San Francisco and New York. The final event will take place in Marseille in September.The GB boat will be helmed by Olympian Dylan Fletcher.The Cowes races will take place off Egypt Point. The Port of Southampton will host the teams during the event.

via Boating Business | Sailing’s F1 to visit Cowes.

Boating Business | Sailingfast and Ovington Boats partner

SAILINGFAST AND OVINGTON BOATS PARTNER

HOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS SAILINGFAST AND OVINGTON BOATS PARTNER

08 Jul 2019

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Ovington Boats and Sailingfast are to further develop their partnership

INDUSTRY DATABASE

OVINGTON BOATS

Sailingfast is to further develop its partnership with high performance dinghy boatbuilder, Ovington Boats.

The company will now take on responsibility for promoting key classes in Scotland, working with class associations and supporting sailors.

The news comes as building work continues on a new office for Sailingfast after the company secured funding £47,259 from Kelvin Valley & Falkirk LEADER for the work.

Sailingfast was established in 2002 and is owned and run by husband and wife team, Emma and Duncan Hepplewhite.

“For the last 17 years my wife and I have worked from a shed which has no central heating or electricity,” said Duncan.

“During the Scottish winters, it can be very challenging so this funding will make a huge difference to our working environment.

“It will also enable us to employ more people and to continue to grow our business.”

Sailingfast has worked with Ovington Boats since 2010 with the developing partnership aimed at growing the Optimist and 29er fleets in Scotland.

“Our partnership with Ovington Boats and its reputation for making the very best boats sits perfectly with our ambitions,” explained Duncan. “We are delighted to be working with Ovington Boats and have some very exciting plans for the future.”

via Boating Business | Sailingfast and Ovington Boats partner.

Boating Business | Sunsail invests in new Jeanneau fleet

SUNSAIL INVESTS IN NEW JEANNEAU FLEET

HOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS SUNSAIL INVESTS IN NEW JEANNEAU FLEET

08 Jul 2019

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Sunsial is to buy a fleet of 25 new Sun Odyssey 410 yachts. Pic credit: Jerome Kelagopian

INDUSTRY DATABASE

SUNSAIL LTD

Sunsail is to invest £3.75m into its UK fleet with the addition of a fleet of new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 yachts.

The yachts – 15 new Sunsail 41.0 yachts in 2020 with a further ten in 2021 – will be based at Port Solent in Hampshire.

“At Sunsail we are continuously looking at ways to improve the experience for our customers and we are proud to announce the most significant investment by a charter company in the UK for the last decade,” said Simon Cross, Sunsail president.

“The acquisition of these top-quality new yachts will provide a fantastic matched fleet sailing opportunity that is fun, exciting, safe and combines comfort and luxury, unrivalled by any other charter fleet in the UK.”

Features of the Sun Odyssey 410 include a full-length chine, twin rudders, a reverse bow and a more efficient engine design than previous models.

Sunsail has so far signed four sponsors for the first four yachts – Breathe Oceanic, TheYachtMarket.Com, Opihr Gin and Raymarine.

via Boating Business | Sunsail invests in new Jeanneau fleet.

Boating Business | Partnership aids Olympic desires

PARTNERSHIP AIDS OLYMPIC DESIRES

HOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS PARTNERSHIP AIDS OLYMPIC DESIRES

25 Jun 2019

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Hannah Diamond and Henry Bomby will campaign one of the new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300s

INDUSTRY DATABASE

JEANNEAU

UK Jeanneau dealer Sea Ventures and Cowes based Offshore Academy have formed a partnership designed to aid Britain’s quest for medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The boat broker has supplied an initial four Sun Fast 3300 boats, one of the contenders for the double-handed offshore category.

Hannah Diamond and Henry Bomby will campaign one of the boats, working alongside Jeanneau to finalise the detailing and optimisation prior to full production starting in the autumn.

“The new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 is designed by Daniel Andrieu and Guillaume Verdier and is a balanced and versatile boat optimized for IRC,” commented Nigel Colley, Sea Ventures MD.

“We are delighted to be supporting The Offshore Academy and such talented British sailors as Hannah and Henry – the Sun Fast 3300 was designed with the intent to be raced double handed and so it will provide a good test bed for their campaign.”

Significant development

He added: “This is the first time we have had a UK based Jeanneau professional ‘works’ team’.

“The knowledge and development the campaign will undergo will significantly benefit current and future Sun Fast customers in terms of training, development and performance.”

Charles Darbyshire, Offshore Academy director, said: “Having a manufacturer works team allows The Offshore Academy to bring together current partners and leading industry suppliers to support Henry and Hannah in this exciting campaign, whether testing new products and ideas or simply long-term testing of existing equipment.

“The link with the factory is a significant development in the sport.”

via Boating Business | Partnership aids Olympic desires.

Boating Business | Lignia aims for ambitious growth

LIGNIA AIMS FOR AMBITIOUS GROWTH

HOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS LIGNIA AIMS FOR AMBITIOUS GROWTH

26 Jun 2019

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Lignia has ambitious plans for growth Photo: Lignia

South Wales-based modified timber manufacturer, Lignia Wood Company, has unveiled ambitious growth plans, having secured up to £5m development capital funding from its institutional investors.

Production is now up and running at the manufacturing plant in Barry, South Wales and the business is selling in the UK and exporting to the US.  The equity investment, which brings Lignia’s total fundraising to £17m over the past three years, will support the planned expansion by funding the capital expenditure needed to increase production capacity.

Hans Ng, Lignia’s chief executive, said that company had transitioned from R&D into commercial production. “This new investment from our institutional investors will support the expansion needed to meet the growing demand for Lignia products and is a great expression of confidence in the Lignia team. There is a recognition among our investors that our efforts are helping to contribute to the efforts to save the planet’s precious resources,” he said.

The company has developed significantly since establishing its Barry site three years ago, recently making three high-profile appointments to its leadership team, and will now look to commercialise Lignia in the UK, USA and Europe.

Lignia uses FSC certified softwood harvested from sustainably-managed forests to create its Lignia, Lignia Fire and Lignia Yacht products which have performance characteristics and aesthetic properties similar to those of popular hardwoods.

via Boating Business | Lignia aims for ambitious growth.