Local firm eyes market for powerboats in Cebu

With Cebu’s flourishing tourism industry, a local firm eyes a market for powerboats that is seen to offer a different product for both local and foreign tourists and even a diversion against stress for local hobbyists.

Rapid Marine88 Resources Incorporated, a Cebu-based firm is bullish that there is a market for powerboats here in Cebu.

The company acquired the exclusive rights to market the world famous MacGregor 26M (millennium) yachts in the Philippines with a price 75 percent cheaper than its competitors both imported and locally-made.

Boler L. Binamira, Jr., the company’s sales and marketing for Visayas & Mindanao said in an interview that the business was inspired after they realized that the hobby of boating is not only confined to the rich and famous.

He said that today’s fast-paced modern lifestyle made relaxing a necessity and the better way to do it is through activities closer to nature such as boating.

“Now a days, the best way to relax is to commune with nature so we have came up with a medium wherein people can enjoy nature while doing something fun,” he added.

Binamira also said that our country has been blessed with huge number of paradise islands worth exploring so there is a big market for their products, one of the reasons they decided to venture into the boat business.

“We saw that this is a line of business with huge potential that is still not tapped by local businessmen so we decide to venture into this industry,” he said.

Binamira stressed that a MacGregor yacht is considered as a branded product because its manufacturer is known to be the best in the field.

MacGregor 26M powerboats were created by a renowned yacht manufacturer based in California, United States of America.

He said that majority of boat manufacturers produce either a sailboat or a powerboat only but MacGregor 26M yachts are hybrid powerboats and have both of these in one.

The unit became the best selling product of MacGregor, which is now into mass production.

And because of this move, the units are relatively more affordable than usual hybrid boats in the market with a price worth P2.3 million and an additional P500, 000 for outboard motor.

The boat can sail 17 knots and as far as 25 knots with 80 horsepower and it can travel without engine or by just using only sail.

He said that hybrid boats such as these are good for island hopping, cruising and other boating related tourism activities such as sailing, swimming, fishing, diving, and water skiing.

“This is a very cost efficient investment and this can be purchased under financing schemes making it more affordable. Our dream is to see each Filipino own a yacht and enjoy the pleasures that nature can offer,” he said.

In terms of market, Binamira said that they are confident to gain positive sales considering that the country’s tourism industry especially Cebu is booming these days.

“As more islands are being explored, we are projecting a rise in the number of resorts in the country and with this is the rise of the boating industry and the demand of fuel efficient boats and yachts,” he said.

After the company was launched last August, they will already schedule a demo of MacGregor 26M powerboats this coming December.

Right now, Rapid Marine88 had already generated interested buyers mostly composed of existing yacht owners based in Cebu.

“Later on we will target the middle and working segments and the way to do this is to first arouse their interests through organizing boating events,” he said.