Award recipients will be acknowledged during the 2010 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), taking place September 28th in Louisville, Ky.

The Marine Industry CSI Awards program honors participating manufacturers that actively measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better serve the customer. Award recipients achieved and maintained an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year, based on information provided by customers purchasing a new boat or engine during the period between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.  Participating manufacturers are required to survey all new boat buyers during this period.

“It’s important to be able to recognize boat and engine manufacturers that have maintained a focus on customer satisfaction as it’s the cornerstone of our industry’s future,” notes Terry Leitz, NMMA’s director of CSI programs. “CSI Award recipients make a commitment to improve the customer experience thereby reinforcing not only their own reputation for quality but for the industry as a whole.”

“Consistently surveying our customers to measure their satisfaction levels has been a strategic commitment of ours for years.   The objective of participating in the NMMA program has always been to use this valuable information to drive ourselves towards ever higher levels of quality while exceeding the expectations of the owners of the beautiful floating dreams our Beneteau team in Marion creates.” said Wayne Burdick, President.  “We are so proud to learn that Beneteau USA is the only sailboat manufacturer in the world to receive the NMMA 2010 Marine Industry CSI Award.”

Beneteau USA, the American division of the world’s largest sailboat manufacturer, builds hundreds of 31-50 foot production sailboats in Marion, SC and imports sailing and power yachts up to 58 feet in length from its parent company in France.

Internationally-recognized Catalina Yachts of Largo, Florida just announced the launch of the Catalina 355. The qualities admired in Catalina’s award-winning 445—a versatile performer that is fast, comfortable spacious and safe—formed the basis of Catalina’s newest 35′5″ vessel. The design of the Catalina 355 has a handsome, low-profile cabin structure with a long waterline and moderate beam and freeboard.

“The new style and design features we presented with the 445 were so well received, that we decided to carry those design elements forward while fulfilling the demand for a mid-30’s performer,” said Gerry Douglas, vice-president and chief engineer for Catalina.

A five-foot long traveler creates precise mainsail control. Six inboard shrouds are secured to Catalina’s signature “ball and socket” chain plates and tie rods for critical load resolution and to create watertight integrity. Long inboard genoa tracks accommodate headsails from a powerful 155% genoa to a storm jib, allowing the sail plan to be balanced in all wind conditions. The inboard shrouds and hardware facilitates tighter sheeting angles for upwind performance and wide, unobstructed weather decks for safety. Another added safety feature is a watertight “collision” bulkhead aft of the anchor locker.

Contoured helm seating port and starboard is elevated for comfort and visibility forward, with conveniently positioned primary winches and instruments.

Below, the interior is constructed of teak and teak veneers, hand-finished with clear varnishes. A navigation desk with a recessed laptop computer compartment has dedicated power ports. An available quad-leaf folding table seats a group, and the port side dinette easily converts to a single berth or settee. The owner’s cabin has a custom, articulating innerspring mattress; an electric lifter is available for comfortable reading or viewing TV.

The Catalina 355 conforms to the recommendations and standards of the ABYC and IMCI Category A requirements. The base price of a Catalina 355 is $165,450 FOB, Largo, Florida. The boat will debut at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD on October 7-11, 2010.

Catalina’s philosophy is straightforward:  Design boats that stand up to real world conditions and sail well. They must be comfortable above and below, easy to maintain and hold their value. A commitment to owner satisfaction has enhanced customer confidence and loyalty, so that Catalina has become the most prominent builder of sailboats in the United States with an extensive national and international dealer network.

For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com.

A 50 foot SENSE will be make it’s American Premiere at the United States Sailboat show in Annapolis October 7th.

Life on board SENSE is organized around three main living areas, from stern to stem:

1. Exterior living with ample bathing platform, isolated helm position and a cockpit width never seenbefore.
2. Daytime life in perfect harmony with the exterior: saloon and galley.
3. Life after dark at the forward end of the boat: bedrooms and bathrooms.

An innovative cockpit design:

BENETEAU has designed a lowered secure cockpit which positively alters life on board. Thanks to this innovation, SENSE combines stretched and flowing lines with ease of access to the sea and the salon.

The ultra wide and spacious cockpit is designed to accommodate sailors and guests in novel and distinctive spaces, free from the constraints normally generated by aft cabins.

Under the cockpit there is a technical area with tremendous storage.; plus all the systems, machinery and deck equipment are brought together under the cockpit to ensure that noise is separated from the living area.

A well protected living space having perfect communication with the cockpit and outdoors:

The companionway is extremely convenient, with access to the salon by just 3 steps with a 45° angle to provide safe and easy movement, while everywhere the generously wide hand rails ensure safety for movement on board.

A wide glass area and openings on both sides of the companionway promote a sense of harmony allowing life below and above deck to blend seamlessly together.

Layouts:

2 cabins, 2 heads with a choice of a 3rd sleeping cabin or an office are available according to each owner’s preference.

Life after dark at the forward end of the boat: bed and bathrooms

The owner’s bedroom and that of his VIP guests have ensuite bathrooms with a separate shower.

This means that the cabins are better ventilated and privacy is emphasized with the bedrooms insulated from cockpit and dock noise.

These choices confirm the commitment of SENSE to provide increased levels of comfort to the owners and their guests.

A boat that simplifies life on board

On board SENSE, priority is given to the pleasure of being on the water.including an innovative deck plan with the controls (winches, halyards, genoa sheets, etc.) located aft of the ″relaxing″ cockpit area. The mainsheet is led back to a fixed arch which allows the companionway to be unrestricted.

More freedom!
SENSE is designed for sailing with complete freedom.

• The fresh water capacity can be increased to 193 gallons.
• The fuel tanks hold up to 219 gallons.
• The boat is ready for renewable energies (solar, wind power)

SENSE for the self-sufficient travellers.

SENSE is also adapted for tomorrow’s technologies:

• Hybrid engines
• Boat-handling assistance

Additionally, SENSE has the option of a motorized companionway door, electric tables electric blinds, 32″ LCD LED pop-up TV, recharging station and many other optional equipment items.

SENSE: seaworthy boats designed for sailing on a more even keel
Comfortable cruising does not have to mean restricting comfort and therefore pleasure to time at anchor or at a marina slip.The hull design has been created in collaboration with Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, to deliver maximum performance at 15° heeling angle instead of the normal 20°. The advantage of this is clear – movement around the boat while sailing is safer and easier.
The trio of BENETEAU, Nauta Design and Berret/Racoupeau together form a team of proven and complementary talents, who already have to their credit the complete renewal of the 9 models of the OCEANIS range.

Interior beauty
Insight into the latest design trends
The quality of the design being fundamental to the well-being of the crew, SENSE extends an invitation to view interiors that are elegant and contemporary in style.
Alpi fruitwood finish with defined pleasing grain, bleached oak laminated cabin sole, ″homestyle″ upholstery, synthetic resin work surfaces with built in sinks and high-tech equipment have been selected with care in collaboration with the Nauta design studio. As a nod to multifuncitonalism; certain items fold away when not in use such as the stovetop, TV, seats, etc.

SENSE: seaworthy boats which provide owners and their guests an exceptional quality of life on board.

Specifications:
Yacht Design: Berret – Racoupeau
Interior Design: Nauta Design
Hull length: 49’
Max beam: 15’ 11”
Light displacement: 31,195 lbs
Deep draft: 6’ 11”
Shallow draft: 5’ 10”
Engine: 75HP
Fuel capacity: 110 gal
Fresh water capacity: 140 gal

For more information visit sense.beneteau.com

The SENSE 50 will make its North American debut at the United States Sailboat Show taking place October 7th-11th in Annapolis, MD.

Beneteau USA, the American division of the world’s largest sailboat manufacturer, builds hundreds of 31-50 foot production sailboats in Marion, SC and imports sailing and power yachts up to 58 feet in length from its parent company in France.