About Corsair

Corsair Marine has been building the world's best trailerable sailing trimarans since 1985 and now has over 1,700 sailing waters all over the world. Large fleets can be found in most states of the US with big numbers of boats all over Europe, Australia and Asia. They are, without doubt, the most popular trailerable trimarans that exist today.

Seawind Catamarans acquires Corsair Marine

In October 2010, Corsair Marine was acquired by Seawind Catamarans, Australia’s premiere designer and builder of performance cruising sail catamarans, Seawind produces some of the world’s best designs that are sold all over the globe.

At the time, Seawind catamarans' Managing Director, Richard Ward commented that, “This is a marriage made in heaven. The two companies have products and manufacturing processes that strongly complement each other. For both Seawind and Corsair, it will signal new growth opportunities in both the manufacturing and sales areas.”

Mr Ward added that Seawind plans to continue and strengthen the Corsair brand world-wide and that both Seawind and Corsair customers would benefit from the combined company.

“Our loyal Seawind customers will see benefit in technology transfers as well as the cost benefits of a larger overall manufacturing base and the integration of some common componentry, Corsair customers will gain these benefits as well as strong Seawind management and greater financial strength. It’s an incredibly good fit for both companies, allowing us to expand and compete in a global market. Both will benefit from each other’s special expertise with significant transfer of ideas, systems and personnel.

“It offers great opportunities to grow in all areas and ensure that Seawind’s high standards of quality are maintained and improved upon. Ultimately, we are improving profitability in our company so that we can remain strong and competitive in a global market to ensure we will be around for another 25 years or more.”

Background - Corsair Marine is founded in 1984

Corsair Marine was founded in 1984 by John Walton who was the son of Sam Walton - the founder of the retail giant, Wal Mart. Corsair Marine was based in San Diego (Chula Vista), California.

In 1994, John Walton sold Corsair Marine to Paul Koch who was the then Australian Dealer for Corsair Marine. In addition to the Corsair dealership, Koch owned a boat building company called OSTAC.

Koch moved across to California and recruited the trimaran designer, Ian Farrier who had worked previously for Corsair Marine under John Walton. Farrier left the company in 2000 to pursue his own business interests. Corsair Marine purchased all rights to his trimaran designs and subsequently, the branding was changed from the "F-" series to the "C" series. By way of example, the "F-31" trimaran became the "C31" or "Corsair 31" trimaran. In March 2001, Farrier wrote in his F-boat News that:

"I have now fully separated from Corsair Marine and all rights to the F-24, F-28 and F-31 production designs have been sold to Corsair. Thus, from now on, all aspects of these designs such as specifications, quality standards and customer service will be Corsair's sole responsibility, while they will be free to change these particular designs as they wish but under the Corsair name only.

... I wish Corsair every success in the future..."

Corsair Marine relocates to HCMC, Vietnam

In 2006 Corsair Marine took the strategic decision to relocate its Head Office and production facility from San Diego to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. In the USA, margins had been under increasing pressure due to escalating costs and a market that was unwilling to pay higher prices.

Moving off-shore created an opportunity to avoid charging higher prices. Ultimately, Vietnam was chosen for a number of reasons including its political stability, attractive FDI (foreign direct investment) provisions, booming economy and its young, talented, skilled, energetic, and resourceful labour pool.

A number of key staff from California relocated to Vietnam to facilitate the successful migration of the business and the setting up and running of the factory.

Now, the combined entity of Corsair Marine and Seawind Catamarans employs more than 200 skilled and dedicated Vietnamese staff.

Since 1984, Corsair Marine has sold more than 1,700 trimarans through its global dealership network. Dealers represent and service Corsair Marine's trimarans in over 8 regions of the USA and 17 other locations around the world.

Products:

Currently, Corsair Marine builds the DASH 750 (24'), SPRINT 750 MK II (24'), C24, C28, C31 and C37 trimarans in a number of different configurations.

About Seawind Catamarans

Seawind Catamarans is Australia’s premiere designer and builder of performance cruising sail catamarans, producing some of the world’s best designs that are sold all over the globe. With over 30 years experience manufacturing and designing multihulls, the company has grown from strength to strength since the company’s inception in 1982 when owner and Managing Director, Richard Ward, started building off the beach catamarans. As an experienced yachtsman who has competed in the Sydney to Harbour yacht race and cruised the world, Richard Ward has built the company up from grass roots but always with a philosophy of building safe and well performing sailing boats.

For further information, click onto www.seawindcats.com