ANNUAL SAILING INDUSTRY STUDY PRESENTED AT MIAMI

The Sailing Company reported the 2009 results of its annual survey of the North American market at the “State of the Sailing Industry” breakfast during the Miami show.

More than 100 sailing industry leaders were in attendance to hear the study results in context, presented by independent market researcher Rick Walter. As expected, the numbers for the sailing industry in 2009 were a harsh reflection of the reality Sail America members all lived through. Sailboat production in North America was down 38%, to 7076 units. All size ranges were impacted dramatically, with sailboats over 20’ particularly hard hit.

Sally Helme, publisher at The Sailing Company as well as Sail America president, said, “The good news is that we did survive the “Darwinian Gale,” which Rick Walter talked about. However, 2009 is now history, and we have to look forward. As we look ahead, we should remember that we have been to the bottom before and rebounded to incredible heights. Sailboat production in units dropped to around 8000 in 1991, and then skyrocketed up to over 22,000 units in 2000. We can get there again -- with all that sailing has to offer as a wonderfully green and family oriented lifestyle, we have a lot of opportunity to regain this lost ground.”

To review the complete report provided as a courtesy of The Sailing Company, click here.

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