Elan Etap Moody Oyster and Shipman lead in Awards

by Sail World on 17 Dec 2005 The Solvenian built Impression 434 by Elan, ‘Unsinkable’ Etap46DS from the Netherlands, the British Moody 49 and Oyster 72 are the sailing boats over 40ft short-listed to take out the ‘Oscars’ for the marine sporting industry.

At a Gala Event in London on 6th January to be attended by the Princess Royal, the inaugural IPC Media Marina Awards will celebrate and recognise individual achievement as well as excellence in boat manufacture and product design.

As well as sailing boats over 40 feet, awards will be given in the categories of Sailing boats under 40 feet, Marine Product of the Year – Electronics, Marine Product of the Year – Engine and Propulsion Systems, and Marine Product of the Year – Gear.

In the meantime, in a 477 page report released this month by market research company E-Composites it is predicted that global sales of recreational boats will grow at 7 per cent annually over the next five years and reach US$33 billion by 2010. The report estimates that 2005 sales will reach US$23.7 billion.

The 'Global Recreational Boating Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2005-2010,' said that Europe saw the highest growth rates in the last five years, but North America remains the largest region for boat sales.
It said the annual growth rates of leading European boatbuilders are in double digits, whereas North American leaders saw single-digit growth from 1999-2005.

The report ranked Brunswick as the global leader, followed by Genmar, Groupe Bénéteau, Ferretti, and Azimut. 'European leaders are growing aggressively and increased their market shares significantly as compared to 1999,' said a statement.

The balance of the short listed products:

Sailboat of the Year under 40ft
Broadblue 385
Comet 36
Dufour 365
Finngulf 37
Najad 380

Marine Product of the Year - Electronics
B&G RemoteVision
Garmin 276C
Garmin Foretrex 201
Navionics Platinum
Raymarine C-Series plotters
Tacktick Micronet instruments

Marine Product of the Year - Engines and Propulsion systems
Evinrude ETEC outboard range
Mercury Verado outboard range
Volvo Penta IPS Drive
Volvo Penta D3, D4, D6 diesels and new DP/DPR outdrive range
Yamaha F200-F250 four-stroke outboard range

Marine Product of the Year - Gear
3M Thinsulate insulation material
Gill Pro sailing gloves
Helly Hansen Lifa Versa Trailblazer top
Lopolight LED navigation light range
Musto HPX FSO400 boots
Spinlock/Petzl harness
Volvo Penta QL boat trim system