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 Welcome to our Newsletter page. Here you can view our past newsletters for new sailboat and powerboat reviews, maintenance tips, cool destinations, rendezvous events, trips to the manufacturer and more. Directly below you can read our most current newsletter also. Have a good topic for our newsletter? Contact us with your idea H&S Yacht Sales February 2007 Newsletter In this issue: • Maintenance Tip - Waterproof your boat • New IPS Drive System from Volvo Penta • Get a new Hunter 36 for only $685/month* • Summer Owner Rendezvous dates announced!
Erik Stromberg is the perfect person to guide us during our intensive two-day visit, having recently transferred to Jeanneau's Les Herbiers facility after a seven-year tour as the customer service manager for Jeanneau America in Annapolis. Last summer he was promoted to his current position as Director of Sailboat Marketing, a move that should prove to be a huge plus for American customers as Erik's long experience in the States has given him a strong feel for what U.S. sailors want in their boats. We began our visit at Jeanneau's primary manufacturing facility in Les Herbiers, the largest boat factory in the world, covering 145 acres with 1,425,700 square feet of building space and employing 1,900 people. Annual production is approximately 4,700 boats per year, which are distributed through 200+ dealers and importers, including five H&S Yacht Sales locations throughout California. We were also most privileged to be allowed to visit Jeanneau's brand new facility in Cholet, which is generally off limits, due to its new manufacturing processes, the details of which Jeanneau prefers to keep secret. Someday, the methods employed in Cholet will likely be used worldwide in boat building due to environmental pressures, not to mention competitive pressures. To date, Jeanneau's investment in this plant is over 14,000,000 euros, or about $17,000,000. In this factory, Jeanneau's proprietary closed, injection molding process is employed, which results in boats with improved quality, better finish, lighter weight, lower cost, and a huge plus for the environment no VOC emissions. Walking into this plant is incredibly different from every other boat factory we've visited worldwide there's no styrene smell! In 2006 the Cholet factory will produce 250 of Jeanneau's three newest models, the Sun Odyssey 42DS, Sun Odyssey 39i and 39DS. Ultimately the Cholet plant has a production capacity of 1,000 boats per year from 35 to 50 feet in size. As you may know, Jeanneau is one of the boat-building members of the Beneteau Group. The group includes a number of sail and power boat builders, each with different emphasis. Here's a thumbnail sketch of the companies which distribute in the USA: · Beneteau: mission is to be the low cost producer of sailboats. Recently added "fast trawlers" to its US product offering. Is currently #1 in worldwide sailboat sales and #2 in America. According to market surveys, Beneteaus appeal to buyers most interested in the interior aesthetics and volume of their boats. · Jeanneau: mission is to be the highest quality mass-produced sailboat through its huge investment in cutting edge technology. Recently introduced deluxe flybridge and express powerboats to its US product offering. Is currently #2 worldwide in sailboat sales and the #1 imported boat in America (#4 in US sailboat sales). Surveys tell us Jeanneau buyers are experienced, performance oriented sailors, more traditionally minded, and passionate about the sea and their boats. Simply put, they are connoisseurs who want the best. · Wauquiez: has an evolving identity and is struggling to find a successful marketing strategy in a market which rewards volume and efficiency. Like most small volume builders in the market, Wauquiez faces overwhelming odds as the large players increase quality, lower costs and gobble market share. · Lagoon: at one time a Jeanneau brand, but now stands on its own. Builds large catamarans, which are quite popular with charter fleets worldwide. · CNB: builds custom boats, usually of aluminum, from 70 to 150 feet. Jeanneau has concentrated its production in France, although it has a factory in Poland building small powerboats, and overcome freight costs by focusing its resources for maximum efficiency. The strategy seems to be working, as 72% of its production is exported, with 12% going to the USA. The company is currently experiencing tremendous growth in volume and market share by refining its design process, production process, investing in production technology, and upgrading quality. Jeanneau designs boats for sailors that sail and perform well in a variety of conditions, are aesthetically pleasing, strong and safe, simple to build and operate, traditional yet innovative, and reasonably priced in order to reach a wide share of the market. The company collaborates with outside architects for all of its hull designs, which allows for a variety of styles and brings fresh thinking to the process. All other design and engineering is done in house by a team of fifty professional engineers, technicians and architects. Each new boat has a project manager who coordinates with marketing, production, purchasing, and other elements of the design team. Full in house engineering allows Jeanneau to respond to changes in the market and correct any problems quickly. This team brings 4-6 new sailboats and 6-8 new powerboats to the market each year. Jeanneau specializes in four areas of the manufacturing process: fiberglass, woodworking, assembly, and technology: · Fiberglass the hulls are solid glass with no coring whatsoever. Vinylester resin is used in the outer lay-up to resist osmotic blistering. New models coming on line have injection molded decks, which are lighter and stronger. Older models have decks with counter molds. Jeanneau's manufacturing facilities are modern, climate-controlled facilities which are purpose-built for their molding process. · Woodwork the soul of a boat. Teak is the traditional wood for boat building and Jeanneau continues to use it in its sailboats. To offset the dramatically increasing cost of teak the company has invested heavily in proprietary teak products, triple axis digital command machines, and a robotic UV varnishing line which eliminates VOC emissions and allows two men to sand and apply three coasts of varnish to both sides of a sheet of teak plywood every three minutes! · Assembly Jeanneau's factories are the most advance in the boat building world, employing moving assembly lines for efficient work flow and automation. Sub assemblies arrive just-in-time. Specialists are employed at every level to perform work specific to their speciality. Modern technology, such as CAD 3D and other types of software, permit improved operational processes, data reliability, superior quality and precise cost management. · Technology New product design is 3D digital modeling. The latest generation of CAD, called CATIA allows for integration of the entire new product development process, from marketing to design. CATIA was developed by the French aerospace industry and is used by Boeing, aerospace, and automobile sectors. It's so good, even prototype pieces fit perfectly the first time. The sophisticated software links all members of the development team to digital command machines, 5-axis mold making machines and production tooling. · Technology Prisma Process injection molding was developed in-house and is not available from any other builder. Two closed surfaces allow for a perfect finish on both sides without a counter mold. Weight is reduced above the waterline, which improves stability and performance. Strength and rigidity are improved because of the higher quality lay-up. VOC emissions are reduced by 90% and there's almost no waste, which lowers costs and preserves resources. The deck of the Jeanneau 42DS is the largest injection molded fiberglass part in the world. · Technology Robotic machinery is allowing Jeanneau to continuously improve its products. For example, a $5 million 5-axis machine makes all the cuts and drills to a Jeanneau deck in 1.5 hours (versus 14 hours by hand) while improving the quality and consistency of deck fittings. · Technology Jeanneau's 3rd Generation Hull Structure incorporates the best of new and traditional methodologies to reinforce the hull and support the interior and exterior loads. The all-fiberglass monocoque grid is bonded to the hull with Plexus® adhesive and relaminated with traditional fiberglass secondary bonds. Jeanneau and Hunter are the only two builders we are aware of that do this additional step. Keel bolts are located near vertical members and connected through both the hull and grid. Limber holes are at hull level to ensure no water is trapped in the grid's box sections. And finally, the grid is below the cabin sole, which provides improved aesthetics and allows major bulkheads to be structurally bonded to the hull itself, increasing torsional rigidity and ensuring the bulkheads will not move out of place in heavy seas, causing the hull to deform. · Technology ISO 9001 certification since 1995 means Jeanneau tracks quality at every level of design, purchasing, construction, shipping and delivery. Audits are performed at every level. All warranty claims, com under the ISO 9001 system. To our knowledge, Jeanneau is the only sailboat builder with this quality assurance certification. Recently Jeanneau has embarked on an ISO 14001 certification process to make production more environmentally friendly. From its inception the Cholet factory was created with this in mind. This step, taken together with the ISO 9001 certification, demonstrates a solid commitment to linking growth with efforts to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In this article, we've focused less on the overall manufacturing process than we have in our features on other manufacturers. The basics of production boat building are quite similar amongst the leading builders around the world. What separates Jeanneau from the rest is its size and manufacturing sophistication. While Jeanneau is absolutely driven to lower its costs and offer more value than its competitors, cost is not the final deciding factor. As we said above, these boats are built for customers who are passionate about sailing and Jeanneau has remained true to its customer following by continuing to include construction methodology, which ensures the integrity of its hulls under extreme conditions. Teak or Fine Teak® is used in all models, because Jeanneau is committed to retaining the classic warmth its customers appreciate. Jeanneau offers the elegance and cache of boats from small, boutique builders without the additional cost of inefficient manufacturing methods. The Jeanneau customer can customize his new yacht in ways which make it truly a possession which turns heads and moves the soul for little more than the price of an ordinary plastic sailboat. It's a strategy which has earned the company great success and it appears to us that the best is yet to come! Don must have been very impressed by his Jeanneau tour as he ordered a Jeanneau 49DS for himself upon his return! Ed.
With our rainy season approaching, here are a
few things to do to prevent annoying leaks on your boat. Sometimes boats develop leaks
through hairline cracks or from under bedded fittings. A wonderful
product that we have found incredibly useful for sealing these small
hard to get-to leaks with-out major effort is.... wait for it!!......."Captain
Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure". I'm not making this up!. It
is a very thin, water-based, single part epoxy, that wicks into
the tiniest cracks by capilary action and then sets-up hard into
a waterproof seal FROM THE INSIDE. This is the key to it's success
is that it goes into the same places water would go and then seals
from the inside-out, so it's not just a cosmetic fix. You can find
it at most good marine hardware stores or read more about it here. New IPS System from Volvo Penta is here!
With its forward-facing propellers and steerable drive units, Volvo Penta IPS represents something totally new in the boat world. Compared with conventional inboard shaft installations, boats equipped with Volvo Penta IPS are superior in all respects: comfort, performance, environmental features and driving characteristics. Since its introduction last year, Volvo Penta IPS has received prizes and awards throughout the world. The most recent distinction is the IPC Marine Award, which is traditionally presented at the opening of the international boat show in London, in the presence of dignitaries such as Princess Anne, the Princess Royal. Volvo Penta IPS won the prize for “Marine Product of the Year” in the category for engines and drive systems. The London Boat Show is also the occasion for the world premiere of a new function that makes Volvo Penta IPS even more attractive: a joystick that makes it simple and safe for anyone to dock boats and to manoeuvre in congested harbours. The product attracted considerable attention and is now in demand among increasing numbers of consumers who choose boats equipped with Volvo Penta IPS. The advantages provided by Volvo Penta’s ingenious new joystick are obvious. With a few simple hand movements, the boat driver can safely place the boat at the quayside even in difficult wind conditions. Just move the joystick in the direction you want the boat to go and Volvo Penta IPS, the new drive system with forward-facing propellers, does the rest. “Production of the joystick is now fully under way in order to satisfy the considerable demand. The fact that it is easy to install for those customers who have already purchased the IPS system is attracting more customers than expected. All they have to do is to install the joystick, connect a cable and install the software,” says Anders Thorin, Technical Project Manager at Volvo Penta. Although the joystick may look simple, this innovation is the result of extensive development work, including exhaustive safety and reliability tests. “The hardware for the joystick is relatively uncomplicated: integrated with EVC and the new CAN bus technology, drawing of the cables is easy and integration is complete. The main engineering work focused on developing the unique and comprehensive software, which took several years,” says Anders Thorin. The Joystick is available as an accessory for those customers who purchase, or have purchased, the IPS400, IPS500 or the two new engine alternatives, the IPS600 and IPS350. Facts about Volvo Penta IPS Joystick Accessory for boats equipped
with Volvo Penta IPS. Can be installed on all boats equipped with
IPS; retrofit is also possible. We have a few boats that just sold with the new IPS joystick/system including a new Silverton 43 SB. Call us to check availability and to come test one today! ONLY
$685/MONTH!*
Hunter and H&S Yacht Sales have come up with a super deal for first-time buyers. You can sail away in a new 2007 Hunter 36 loaded with equipment for a super low payment of only $685 a month and this is no stripped down base boat! Take a look at some of the equipment that's included: · Deluxe fabric upholstery
Similar packages available on other Hunter models. Call H&S Yacht Sales for complete details. *O.A.C. 0% financing for 36 months, 6.4% thereafter. (4.4% A.P.R) This offer not valid with trade-in boat. Expires 3/16/2007. Dates set for Summer Rendezvous at Catalina!
The H&S Rendezvous series at Two Harbors Catalina Island was bigger and better than ever, with huge increases in attendance. Over 600 people and 260 boats attended. “The rendezvous series allows our customers to participate in a long weekend series of events that will hone in their boating skills via seminars on anchoring, sailing techniques, fishing and, navigation. All the while, softening the trepidation some new boaters may have about longer distance travels by organizing a flotilla that enables each boater to stay in contact with the rendezvous group,” said Tom Nuxoll, VP of Powerboats. Other activities while at the rendezvous include Hummer tours of the Two Harbors area, kayak tours, free service calls, catered meals, spirits, slide shows and DJ entertainment. Dates for this years rendezvous series are listed below, so be sure to mark your calendars so you’re not left out! Sign up forms will be on the website shortly! Hunter Rendezvous,
Two Harbors - Isthmus Cove, Catalina Powerboat Rendezvous, Two
Harbors - Isthmus Cove, Catalina Jeanneau Rendezvous, Two
Harbors - Isthmus Cove, Catalina
The 5100 Navigator was introduced
in September of 2006 and since has become Navigator Yachts most
popular model. Part of the reason is that it will fit in a 50' slip
or on a 50' mooring. However, the main reasons driving sales is
the styling and performance of this new model. Navigator has since
developed a 5400 and 5800 version.
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By
The
new drive system for boats, Volvo Penta IPS, won the IPC Marine
Award at the opening of this year’s London Boat Show.
If
you haven't been to one of our owner's rendezvous events at Catalina,
you are missing out on alot of fun! 
By
Tom Nuxoll, VP Powerboats
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