According to those who gathered the information it's really reliable too, with over 85% of those asked responding. As information provided is noncompany specific no "secrets" are given to the competition and the information is to everyone's benefit.

I asked a UK industry guru why we could not achieve the same results and was told that UK marine companies are more reticent in giving out information about production. The Americans are more prepared to shout about what they are up to and we tend to keep our cards closer to the chest.

UK business is doing pretty well in global terms so I guess it's difficult to argue that we haven't got it right but it doesn't stop me feeling we are missing out a bit here.

Out of interest imported sail boats into the US dropped by 14% last year at 331 with the strongest demand in the 46ft plus market with no improvement in that number envisaged for 2005. On the other side of the book 3195 sailboats were exported last year, a staggering 1,000 yachts up on the previous period.

Domestic product continues to be in robust form thanks to the weak dollar and they are expecting, in typical Americaneeze, "A kick ass year!"

Clive Bartlett is a director of Saltwater Communications