Sales of recreational power boats in the U.S. may decline by more than 20% this year, as consumers continue to avoid purchases of luxury items in a weak economy, Brunswick Corp. (BC) Chief Executive Dustan McCoy said Tuesday.
McCoy said power boat sales volume may fall below 150,000 units from 196,000 boats in 2008. Brunswick, the world’s largest producer of recreational boats, has been aggressively paring back its production in response to the falling demand.
The Lake Forest, Ill.-based company has eliminated seven boat brands…Â DetailsÂ
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Crossing the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne at 12h43min19sec GMT, Rich Wilson completed the 28 590.2, miles Vendée Globe solo non stop round the world race in ninth place, completing a highly creditable result which is testament to his excellent seamanship skills, deep determination, careful planning and prudent execution, staying the distance to finish this incredible edition of the race which has claimed the highest attrition rate yet.
While nineteen of the 30 skippers who started from the Vendée start line on November 9th had to retire from the race, the most gruelling challenge in solo ocean racing, Wilson, the race’s senior skipper at 58 years old, has stuck rigidly to his watchwords of safety and conservatism, showing … Details
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John Bertrand and his crew of Ben Ainslie and Andrew Palfrey (AUS) led the 85-strong 2009 Audi Etchells Worlds fleet from go to whoa in the three-lap windward/leeward Race 3 today, sailed off Royal Brighton Yacht Club, the host for the series.
Bertrand increased his lead marginally at each rounding to defeat Chris Busch/Chad Hough/Chuck Sinks/David Hughes (USA) by around one minute and Stuart Childerley/Robert Elliott/Sam Richmond (UK) and Jud Smith/Mark Johnson/Nik Burfoot (AUS) followed.
The three threw everything they could at crew Bertrand in breezes that averaged 8.2 knots and peaked at 11 knots on Port Phillip today, but to no avail…Â DetailsÂ
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Hanuman, the replica new build of Endeavour II, was launched over the weekend at the Royal Huisman yard in The Netherlands.
Designed by Dykstra and Partners, and with an interior by Pieter Beeldsnijder; she made a dramatic appearance as she was lowered into the water yesterday. …Â Details