In a Word / Boating life: Bavaria, Plastimo, Ferretti, Princess Yachts and wearing a vest in Japan

Plastimo life jacket

Things are happening in the boating industry! A look back at the latest news from yachting professionals. The news briefs of April 12, 2018.

2 new Bavaria dealers

After La Rochelle, Bavaria is continuing to rebuild and develop its network in the southwest of France. The company Basco Plaisances Voile, specialized for 20 years in the rental and distribution of new and second-hand boats in Hendaye, now distributes the Bavaria range of sailing boats on the Basque coast. In Arcachon and in the Gironde department, it is the company AC Yachting, with more than 25 years in the nautical industry, which will represent the German sailing boats.

Plastimo chooses Aquafax for UK distribution

For its 40 years of activity across the Channel, Plastimo, the Lorient specialist in safety equipment on board and mooring, has chosen a new distributor. Aquafax will focus on Plastimo's proprietary products, from life jackets to compasses to liferafts and inflatable tenders.

Record profits for superyacht manufacturers

The Italian group Ferretti, a specialist in luxury yachts through its Riva, Pershing, CRN and Custom Line brands, confirms its recovery. After a first profitable year in 2016 since the 2008 crisis, it announced an EBITDA of 59 million euros, up 11.3%, and net income of 24 million euros, up 71%. The value of production in 2017 reached 623 million euros.

The British manufacturer Princess Yachts, partly controlled by Bernard Arnault's group, also announced record results. His order book is over $1 billion. 2017 sales totalled £274.4 million, up 26.6%. Its EBITDA reached £7.9m.

Japan makes life jackets compulsory

Since a law of February 1, 2018, in Japan, the captain of a boat must make all passengers wear life jackets. He incurs a loss of points or a withdrawal of his licence, which is compulsory for everyone in the land of the rising sun. The government intends to combat drowning, which kills about 80 boaters each year.

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