Big Pimpin'

B-Day

You know we love our advertisers, and not just for the most obvious reason that they generate revenue for us. What brings us satisfaction is when we can offer a partnership that helps get them some recognition and sell their products and services. We are equal opportunity Pimps. With very few exceptions, those who have joined with us have stayed and we think that is just bitchin'. Sails-Online is one such company and this is their one year anniversary and we wanted them to at least tell you something about them, so here ya go. - Ed.

Twelve months ago Sails-Online went into the market place with a website that sells sails over the Internet by mail order.
US sailors have warmed to this form of buying sails, benefiting from lower prices and speedy delivery.
Backed by prominent sailors and sail designers, this company has been overwhelmed by the response from the US market place and from around the world. Although Sails-Online is based in New Zealand, the location has not inhibited sales - in fact our low overheads have seen Sails-Online remain competitive through the fluctuating currency over the past twelve months.
Customers have also acknowledged New Zealand's worldwide reputation in the marine industry.

Mainstream lines are now available as stock items. First set up as a custom sail making company, Sails-Online has expanded to provide stock, off the shelf sails for the Catalina, Beneteau, Jeanneau and Hunter range of sails. These sails are now ready to deliver to you. A big benefit from sails-online is the Freight Free policy adopted earlier this year. FedEx have come to the party and we have a grand arrangement with them.

Various forms of advertising have been tried but the most effective without a doubt as been Sailing Anarchy. It was going to be hard to imagine one site giving us in excess of 500 hits per day, however that has happen and Sailing Anarchy continues to be the best value for money advertising.

Mainstream accounts for sails-online have come from unlikely sources. Kiteships have been a main source of sales, so much so, that this product has been allocated its own sailmakers and section of the sail loft. Kiteships are becoming the future of downwind performance sailing and sales have far exceeded original budgets. Sports Boats sails have also been commonly seen on the sail loft floor at Sails-Online, a product line which has been in addition to the wide range and volume of charter boat sails, production boat sails and custom one-off sails.

The Racing Flag ship coming this year has to be Ocean Surfer, a Ron Given Racing catamaran under going a refit in Opua New Zealand. This boat is being primed for the Coastal Classic race later this year before heading offshore. A complete new set of sails is under away at Sails-Online for this magnificent boat.

What will the year bring for sails-online? "Growth" Says Roger Hall. Several major sailmakers have expressed interest in sails -online and perhaps buying us out." At the moment we want to continue as we are. We are meeting our deadlines and our prices are competitive, above all, the team is having a great time"

Regards

Roger Hall
Sails-Online