SA takes high honours in Miami

The luxury 23m Silhouette 760 catamaran built by Matrix Yachts of Killarney Gardens, Cape Town, was named Star of the Show at last month's Strictly Sail international boat show held in Miami, Florida. It was sold for $3.95 million. This was the first time that South Africa had its own pavilion, and it received the Best of Show Award for its design. The South African pavilion showcased eight South African boat builders displaying catamarans. Woodstock-based Robertson and Caine won an innovation award for its 4000 class catamarans. South African builders made sales estimated at $13 million, with equipment makers taking in another $770,000. The firms received 3 500 inquiries and sales leads. Since 1997, a South African boat has earned or been nominated for Boat of the Year awards in the US.