Zim Sailing 420
Zim Sailing, the Bristol, Rhode Island-based marine equipment manufacturer, has been acquired by Starting Line Sailing, Inc. The purchase transaction also includes Dwyer Mast & Rigging, the longtime aluminum spar manufacturer. As part of this acquisition, Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging will join West Coast Sailing as subsidiaries of Starting Line Sailing, a newly formed holding company led by CEO George Yioulos.
Zim Sailing, founded by Steve Perry in 2008, provides one-design sailboats, parts, accessories, and services to the North American market. They manufacture popular dinghies such as the Club 420, Flying Junior,and Optimist, and engage in grassroots youth development of yacht club junior sailing programs, community sailing programs, and high school and collegiate sailing programs. Dwyer Aluminum Masts was founded in 1963 to more fully integrate the manufacturing of spars, rigging and hardware with sailboat production. The two companies share production facilities in Bristol, RI.
West Coast Sailing, founded in 2005 in Portland, OR by George Yioulos, is one of North America’s leading marine retailers, focusing on the dinghy racing and small keelboat market. Longtime Zim dealers, they also distribute for trusted brands such as RS, Hobie, Gill, Rooster, Dynamic Dollies, Harken, Ronstan, Ovington, Zhik, Marlow, and more.
Day to day operations at all the companies will continue independently. Steve Perry will stay as President of Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging. Chris Brown will continue his role as President of West Coast Sailing. All staff members carry on in their existing roles. Existing dealer, vendor, and class association relationships continue unchanged. For more information, visit startinglinesailing.com. ■
