Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – US Sailing, the national governing body of the sport, and Ribcraft, a professional grade rigid inflatable boat manufacturer, have formed a partnership naming Ribcraft an official sponsor of US Sailing and the US Sailing Team, and official coach boat of US Sailing, the two said in a statement Tuesday. The three-year agreement runs through 2009 and includes creating a US Sailing Ribcraft RIB available to US Sailing members and member sailing organizations.
“This partnership recognizes that every day thousands of support boats at hundreds of sailing organizations carry precious cargo – coaches, instructors and students,” said Dan Cooney, US Sailing’s marketing director. “Ribcraft’s superb quality, product knowledge and commitment to sailing will not only contribute to our organization and our members but will also contribute to the sport in general. We’re thrilled to have them on-board.”
The partnership includes developing a 15-foot US Sailing Ribcraft RIB that comes equipped with a 40hp engine, configured to meet the requirements of sailing organizations and their on-the-water activities. In addition, Ribcraft will provide the US Sailing Team with professional-grade RIBs to use in training and competition at home and abroad. RIBCRAFT will also provide financial support to US Sailing.
“Having been dedicated to supplying the sailing community with high-quality, professional-grade RIBs for many years, it seems only natural that we’ve partnered with the national governing body for the sport,” said Brian Gray, Ribcraft president.