LATE BREAKING UPDATES AND SHOW REPORTS:

ANNAPOLIS: Leading manufacturers report encouraging sales results from the U.S. Sailboat Show this month.

As previously reported in the marine trades, the U.S. Sailboat Show, held October 8 – 12 in Annapolis, posted a healthy attendance, along with a marked increase in consumer optimism and sales.

Sailing industry leaders shared the positive results of the show with Sail America News.

“Annapolis was excellent – lots of good conversation and double the leads,” said J Boat’s Jeff Johnstone. “More activity now than in a long time – keeping the fingers crossed.”

“Added Jeff Earl, northeast business development manager of Henri Lloyd America, “Annapolis was a good show with steady sales overall.”

And several of the industry’s leading boat manufacturers also reported brisk activity.

Paul Fenn, president of Jeanneau, noted that consumer confidence was high at the show, and the company confirmed upward of 10 boat sales, ranging from 36’ to 57’ in the first three days of the show.

Hunter Marine reported 20+ retail ordered boats from its participating dealers in the show, according to company Vice President John Peterson. He also noted that the debut of the new Hunter 50cc and Hunter 39 helped boost activity and generated “record levels of customer test sails and detailed appointments over the coming weeks.”

Beneteau USA President Wayne Burdick also reported that over a dozen contracts were written at the show, with an additional 12 or more in various stages of negotiations, including orders on the company’s new Oceanis 58 which debuted at the Cannes Boat Show.

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