Dear Members,
ASSA has been working hard over the past 12 months to secure the supply of additional 16ft skiffs to meet demand and bolster fleet sizes.
In mid/late 2019 and with significant financial support from Manly 16s and Belmont 16s, ASSA agreed to the build of 15 hulls with the first tranche boat 3 boats planned to be available for sale in February 2022.
The challenges with Covid 19, particularly in relation to procuring internationally, has significantly impacted the sourcing of raw material as well as the build and shipping timeframes for boats.
ASSA and it’s contracted boat builder are hopeful of delivering 3 new hulls for the start of the 2022-23 sailing season and an additional 12 hulls for the start of the 2023-24 sailing season. While we believe this outcome is achievable we are not yet in a position to provide an assurance in relation to exact delivery timeframes. We will provide a further update in this regard in mid/late April 2022.
On the basis that three boats will be available for the 2022-23 season, and having regarding for the need to allocate boats equitably, ASSA proposes to conduct an expression of interest period which will open for two weeks, hopefully in late April or early May 2022. During the expression of interest period potential purchasers can commit to having their name placed in a ballot and if drawn will be allocated a boat. Delivery will be based on draw priority and subject to payment of a deposit within 7 days of their name being drawn from the ballot.
ASSA appreciates there is significant interest in new boats and rest assured we as a volunteer committee have been doing our best to keep the project moving, notwithstanding a number of significant hurdles that have been beyond the control of ASSA and its boat builder during the past 6 months.
Belmont 16s and Manly 16s have reconfirmed their full support regarding the approach ASSA has adopted regarding the procurement of boats with a collective single aim of building 16ft skiffs fleets in a cost effective manner.
We will provide a further update in due course. In the meantime, if you are interested in being included in the proposed ballot for the first three boats or subsequently purchasing a boat in preparation for the 2023-24 season please indicate the same on an email to secretary@skiffs.org.au.
Regards,
ASSA Executive
