Boaters attached to "their yard
Subjected to regular cycles, the boating and yachting industry regularly experiences crises. If the one linked to the Covid-19 has little affected our industry, strengthened on the contrary by the desire for travel and outdoor activities of yachtsmen and the whole population, some shipyards have experienced difficulties. In the face of this, the link between boat owners and builders remains strong. The testimony of Franck Roy in our columns on the revival of his shipyard, even several hundred kilometers from his historical stronghold, testifies to this. Longer ago, we can recall the mobilization of the support of the Chantier Naval des Ileaux in Noirmoutier after its fire. These examples, and there are many more, underline the special relationship between the clients of small shipyards and the shipbuilder.
A community of boat enthusiasts
The link of the boaters to the name of the brands and to their image is also strong. For boat builders who have experienced headwinds, such as Alubat, the famous builder of OVNI aluminum sailboats, this is a key point for rebounding and developing their boats. They find their "DNA", according to the term used by the marketing teams. This goes beyond individuals and ensures continuity, beyond the management teams.
It is up to each of us, yachting professionals, to learn from this lesson of humility...
