New Snipe Builder in China

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY – THIS IS A JOKE

Dragon Marine, already Optimist builder, will start building Snipes

Despite the economic crisis, yachting and sailing is quickly growing in China. The Chinese boatyard has decided to invest, as well as on Snipe, even on small cruising boats.

Dragon Marine, whose main office is located in Shanghai, has decided to invest in the Snipe class based on its rich history.

The company is already well known in Europe for building Optimists, imported into the continent by a Dutch company. The Optimist of the Dragon Marine had a rapid spread in the West thanks to highly competitive prices (about half what an Optimist built in Europe costs). The Chinese bulders also produce kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, and rafts, and has additional offices in India, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Dragon Snipe will be built in Shanghai and built in FRP (Fiberglass reinforced polyester). For the “launch” in the western world Dragon Marine announced it would offer at “no charge” to the organizers of the next Snipe World Championships the entire fleet. These boats, fully rigged but without mast and boom, will then be offered for sale at $ 2,500. In exchange for the exclusive World Championship, the Chinese company is committed to spreading the Snipe in the Far East.

SCIRA, which is currently following up with the Chinese company on details, will decide whether to accept this offer in the coming weeks. It is a difficult decision, because for the first time, the Snipe class would become a builder’s class.