With the higher volume hardware being delivered to locations in the Far East and the higher cost, and sometimes custom designs, being used on more local projects, a pattern emerges. These trends confirm the conclusions, made by the majority of those asked that many, (but not all), of the volume producers of, in particular, sailing boats, are now building outside the UK.

This is certainly the view of many of those we spoke to including the MD of Bamar UK, John Channon. The company is an importer of equipment designed to "make sail handling easier". As well as Bamar, Channon also provides what he calls "an above deck consultancy" which puts to good use his experience to advise clients on the best methods and products for new builds and refurbishments.

When asked how business was doing he felt it was "moving" but feels that the 2004 Schroders LIBS was not quite as successful for them as it could have been. But, he added, this was no reflection on the event or venue. And he says the current run of better weather is bringing the punters out.

As for competition he feels, along with most small companies, that "the big guys go in so cheap" making things tight for smaller outfits.

However, not to be outdone development of new products is helping to keep them ahead and the recently launched Roller Reef for spinnakers is going very well despite little publicity. He says Roll Gen is also selling widely.

Channon feels that with boat sizes growing, a married couple can now happily sail boats of 50ft + which, in the past, would have been crewed.

This trend has ensured that more equipment is needed to help with the handling of sails.

Capture winches are also becoming more popular and sails are becoming lighter.

Ellen MacArthur is a case in point in helping to show how a physically small person able to competitively sail a 60ft boat.

Mirabella V Along with many other companies, Bamar was involved in the Mirabella V project and supplied three custom made furlers, each capable of handling 3.5 tonne sails.

The Ron Holland designed Mirabella has been a project that required considerable work on the design aspects of the vessel's systems and components, none more so than the deck equipment.

With a sail area creating tremendous loads, many of the winches have needed to undergo major rethinks to enable them to cope successfully with the demands made upon them.

Harken was heavily involved in the project and outfitted the boat with its deck hardware and winches. The company's Battcar system was also used to allow the mainsail sliders to switch onto two tracks as it's lowered, allowing the entire sail to drop into the boom without leaving a few feet above the gooseneck.

Most of the Harken products came either from the company's offices located in Pewaukee, USA, or Lurago Marinone, Italy.

At the time of going to the press the Harken UK office has been relocated to new premises in Lymington, a factor that, according to MD Andy Ashe-Vie, underlines the company's optimism for the future. However he was equally quick to point out that with the general reduction in the numbers of volume boats being produced, the market for all ancillary equipment has been reducing.

Ashe-Vie equates the current levels of UK volume boat production with the way the UK automotive industry went some years ago with the move to predominately Japanese production of both motorbikes and cars.

As with the automotive situation he feels the UK will become the location for mainly specialist builders, although some volume car production has moved back to the UK in more recent times.

To help develop business growth Harken has broadened its portfolio of products into allied areas, thus reducing its reliance on any one area of operation.

High spec race boats But what about specifying equipment for low volume, high spec boats ? Mike Eaton, MD of Seaquest Yachts in Falmouth builds a range of race boats and likes to pic-nmix his deck hardware.

Although the prices have to be competitive he likes to mix and match the equipment the company fits. Due to the potential use of many of Seaquest's boats in competition they "go for the best for use".

There is no compromise on quality and, being a small company, they have little or no time to fix on warranty, so this reinforces the aim of fitting the best possible and the best from each particular manufacturer.

As a result they have managed to keep warranty claims very low over the last few years despite the boats being used, sometimes aggressively, in highly competitive environments.

Ashe-Vie's comparisons with the automotive industry were also voiced by Lewmar's Robert Hill, who has noticed a trend toward the recruitment of senior staff from the car and truck industries into marine companies.

Many of these staff members are now working within the purchasing and logistics areas of major boat manufacturers building in the UK and are bringing new working practices with them, he says. These include strictly defined delivery slots with some as tight as three hours in which products will be accepted within the factory.

Lewmar, with its sales split 70% sail to 30% power, has found there is an increasing reliance on innovation, with all the big players feeling that "product differentiation" as well as the usual considerations - ease of use and maintenance - continuing to be all important.

They have found that an increasing number of OEM's are asking for more work to be carried out by product manufacturers with a result that companies like Lewmar are having to provide "total solutions".

Problems recruiting While this is something the company is happy to do, Hill feels this reflects a trend brought about, to some extent, by the problems experienced by boatbuilders in recruiting and retaining skilled staff.

If the need for highly skilled staff is reduced by more products being supplied requiring simple, and low-tech installation, it's a major advantage for boatbuilders, he says. New developments include winches that require very little maintenance and do not need a screwdriver when they do require attention: an ideal situation for charter companies. Also the simple upgrade of a winch to electrical operation aimed at the refurbishment market.

The knock on effect of these changes could see an increased reliance on the work of manufacturers like Lewmar which is having an ever increasing level of involvement in the build process.

The development of products requiring fewer man hours, and tools to both fit and maintain, together with the development of "total solutions" is seen by many as the way forward. One thing that did come from all the deck hardware manufacturers and users was that the market was moving forward and the signs were encouraging.