New Wave Yachts

10/05/2026

GOOD SAILING NEWS

Only one more race left this year. It was a very good year. Lots of races and lots of participation.
In Salem Sound, we had racing Wed night BYC, Thursday night Jubilee and Friday night EYC. Of course, weekend racing with all the clubs.
PHRFNE issued 750 certificates. This is pretty steady for the last 3 years and close to what we saw in the 2016 thru 2019 years. So with all this talk of sailboats going away, these numbers don’t say that.
Most of the races I did this summer were well attended. I believe that the people running the races have finally realized they have to promote the races.
In the late 1970’s and into the 1980s, the golden years, we waited for the Mass Bay Sailing book to come out so we could see the race schedule. Almost every race was in Marblehead, shared by the 3 big clubs.
Now everyone talks about how well those races were attended.
This year’s BYC Wednesday night series averaged about 25 boats, but Bump remember the 50 boats we used to get in 1982??
Yes but BYC Wednesday evening race was the only evening race from Plymouth MA, to Portland Maine. Now there are at least 8 evening races in that area with an average of 160 boats racing in evening races that week.
E mail blasts, social media, and blogs all promote races. Many races have a theme to promote a worthy charity. Like Sail Salem, a great program to promote.
I have already gotten emails promoting next years, Figawi, Block Island, and Edgartown around the Island Race.
Some of these races have paid staff promoting the event.
The PHRFNE Championship regatta group is working now on next summers race. Ideas for bands and liquor sponsors to make a great event.
People are showing up for sailing events. Yachts clubs and race promoters are doing better all the time. There is a great future for sailing.
Start planning now for great racing next summer.

09/28/2026

09/26/2026

09/22/2026

SEPTEMBER 2026
STATE OF THE MARINE INDUSTRY

I just returned from the Newport Boat Show. The show was pretty good with lots of boats and boat stuff. Once again this year showed a noticeable reduction in sailboats. Including my booth with only one boat.
Hanse Yachts is the second largest sailboat builder in the world and yes only one boat.
Beneteau and Jeanneau were there of course with some boats but still trending down. 90% of all sailboats in the world are built by Beneteau, Jeanneau and Hanse. Every other builder is fighting for the last 10%. This is simple. These 3 builders build on an assembly line, where every other builder still builds boats one at a time.
2026 is the first year no sailboats over 25 feet were being built in America. Our 10% tariff is protecting an industry that does not exist. As I write several people are talking about building sailboats in America, but with labor costs being what they are here, I’m sure pricing will be a huge issue.
Using Sabre as an example, my 2005 Sabre 386 had about 7000 mans hours in it. A new Hanse 388 has about 1600 man hours. The Sabre 386 sold for over 400K in 2005 and the Hanse sold for under 200K. So tariffs are not going to help American builders who have to sell at twice the price.
The other problem for US builders is OSHA. OSHA does not allow open air fiberglass construction. Therefore fiberglass construction must be done in an enclosed bag like resin infusion. This is very costly.
Some states like Florida and S Carolina chose to ignore OSHA to support boat building. In Europa which has higher standards then our OSHA, they laminate in 3rd world countries. At Hanse in Germany we laminate in Poland.
We only assemble the boats in Germany.
I did my first Newport Show in 1979. This show was 100% sail. In 1979 sailboats represented about 40% of the total boat business. Today it is about 3%. Pontoon boats today are 25%.
2 questions? Where did all the sailboat buyers go and is it just sailboats or is it the whole marine industry.
OK where did all the sailboat buyers go. The majority of spendable wealth in America is with baby boomers. Their kids are thru college and their houses are paid off. Their houses are probably worth well over 1 Million. Many are millionaires.
But they are over 70. They might love boating but they can not pull sails up and down and in and out. If they want to be on the water they need a power boat. As much as the builders try to make the sailboats easier to use, they still require some strength.
2nd question. Since many of the boomers can not sail they go to power. That has helped that industry. Also more and more Americans feel limited time and power boats are quick to use and get back.
Years ago the powerboat industry marketed, “If you can drive a car, you can drive a boat”. No real boating skills required. This is not true, but it works.
Overall, the powerboat industry numbers are down. This also is because the price of powerboats is thru the roof. The booth next to me has a 25 foot center consul for 250K. I see outboard engines for 35 to 40K for one engine. That engine was built to go in a Toyota or Handa car. You can get the whole car for that price???
On the powerboat side there is also way too much production for the market. During COVID there was a brief shortage of boats. The builders saw a shortage and ramped up their production. The shortage is long gone but the production is there.
I know there will always be people like me who love sailing. They have been here for thousands of years. Sailing is not going away.
I sit in my office and talk sailing to anyone who will listen.

09/07/2026

08/26/2026

2007 Sabre Spirit - $219K

2007 Sabre Spirit

This beautifully maintained Sabre is finished in a classic navy blue hull giving a timeless New England look. Designed to combine responsive sailing characteristics with a refined, comfortable cockpit and understated craftsmanship, the Spirit is equally well suited to an afternoon sail, club racing, or a relaxed coastal outing.

This particular boat has been meticulously maintained and thoughtfully upgraded for maximum sailing enjoyment. The result is a clean, well-sorted boat that presents exceptionally well for her age with no deferred-maintenance projects.

08/25/2026

Just listed - 2000 Pursuit 3000 - $50K
NEW ENGINES 7/2025 - Debonair!
Nimble handling, economical operation, and outstanding performance in a large fishing and cruising boat. Ruggedly built, this boat delivers a smooth, dry ride and great rough-weather performance. The 3000 Express prioritizes fishability, but it also emphasizes cruising comfort. There's a large double berth forward, and the dinette converts to a 6-foot, 6-inch berth. Up top, the 3000 Express has a wide-open cockpit with aft seating for entertaining and fishing. https://www.newwaveyachts.com/page/brokerage_details/?bID=10291382

08/25/2026

Just listed - 2000 Pursuit 3000 - $50K
NEW ENGINES 7/2025 - Debonair!

Nimble handling, economical operation, and outstanding performance in a large fishing and cruising boat. Ruggedly built, this boat delivers a smooth, dry ride and great rough-weather performance. The 3000 Express prioritizes fishability, but it also emphasizes cruising comfort. There's a large double berth forward, and the dinette converts to a 6-foot, 6-inch berth. Up top, the 3000 Express has a wide-open cockpit with aft seating for entertaining and fishing. https://www.newwaveyachts.com/page/brokerage_details/?bID=10291382