Robertson and Caine Strike China Deal - Variety and novelty are the spices that flavour the leisure yachting market.  Whilst many sailors return year after year to their favourite waters in the BVI or the Grenadines, others are eager to try out new cruising grounds.  Cuba has been a popular stop for those whose governments allow such risky practices, and Croatia is almost overrun with sailors.  If present trends continue, however, one of the newest sailing destinations could well be China.

With perhaps 10 marinas in all of China providing a total of 1,000 moorings, the yachting economy is poised for explosive growth.  Much of that growth is fuelled by the legions of newly wealthy Chinese who want to add luxury vessels to their list of acquisitions.  Yet, in a nation of 1.3 billion, there are only 400 private boats registered. That’s all about to change, as imports of private yachts are running at around $100 million a year and growing at 100% annually.

Numbers like these are one reason behind South African builder Robertson and Caine’s January announcement of an agreement to manufacture their sail and power catamarans in Fuyang City, in partnership with China’s Flying Eagle Boat Co., a builder of high-tech rowing shells. Principally known in the BVI as the builder of First Choice Marine brands Moorings and Sunsail, Leopard catamaran charter fleet, Robertson and Caine will sell their yachts into the Chinese market as well as worldwide.

Most of the China-bound yachts will be Power Cats and will be fitted out to a greater level of luxury than models sold elsewhere. Robertson and Caine anticipate building a total of 700-800 of their yachts per year within five years between their Cape Town and China facilities.