Dealer Newsletter - April 2025
Apr 28th 2025
Zim and RS Dealers,
Spring has sprung and we are standing by with many parts & boats in stock, happy to answer questions, and provide everything needed to succeed this upcoming season.
Boat Inventory Notes
- ILCA: We are shipping US Built ILCAs (tariff free). Our boats will soon hit the charter circuit after great early feedback.
- ISCA: We have a ton of boats pre-sold and are increasing production.The order book is filling up fast for summer. Reach out now to get yours on order.
- C420: Zim C420s have started the year off strong. Winning races all over the country. Supplies are getting low for summer. Reserve yours now!
- Opti: We have plenty of Club/Race Optis in stock and ready to ship.
- Prams: Great stock of Prams as well. Lots of colors are still available.
- RS Sailboats are selling quickly. Quests, Touras, Cat 16’s, Cat 14’s, Teras, Fevas, Aeros and Zests are in stock and ready to go.
- Demo Boats: We have some ‘Boat Show Demo’ units available as well.
ISCA Update
We’ve released our ISCA deck pattern for 2025. Boats will be white hull, grey deck with classic dark blue Zim “tiger stripes”. Check out pictures from our test sail with some detailed shots of the color scheme → ISCA Test Sail Images
Here are some “early access” photos → ISCA Photoshoot Early Images
|
|
We put test boat one through its paces and it held up really well. The boat was sailed on a 20+ knot day by two large sailors who put the boat through the ringer. We tested both our Race and Club setup. Main takeaways are: very strong seat, stiff hull, and incredibly solid mast post. We also stress tested other key points of failure: traveler eye-straps, mainsheet block, halyard fairlead, deck cleat, splash guard, etc. (All of our hardware is secured into aluminum backing plates). Everything performed as expected and we are very confident in long-term durability.
We now have “Club” spec ISCAs available with wood rudder and centerboard priced at $5,700 (retail) This is in addition to our existing “Club” spec with fiberglass blades for $6,100 retail.
Harken blocks are being used on our “Race” spec boom. The classic Racelite blocks are included on the “Rec” spec. We also have a nifty new traveler block setup → ISCA Test Sail Images. The block is removable from the bridle without having to undo any screws. Simply remove the pin/ring.
Lots of parts have landed at Zim HQ and are ready to ship out. We could not be more excited to support the class with much-needed stock.
Zim is the exclusive distributor of class legal sails as well as parts. Every part sold with an ISCA sticker helps support the class and makes events like ISCA Worlds possible.
Fast Canvas Stocking Promo
Fast Canvas on ZimSailing.com (link)
We’ve launched our own line of Premium and Economy covers. Fast Canvas covers are made in America, feature Top Gun fabric (premium covers), a 5 year warranty, and great margin. Dealers are starting to load up for summer.
Covers are in stock and ready to ship.
We're offering a promotion to help get these in your hands.
- Order 5 covers and get 5% off your dealer price.
- Order 10 covers and get 10% off your dealer price.
ILCA Update
Check out some amazing images of our US built Zim ILCA → ILCA Action Photos
Feel free to use these on your website and in promotional material.
We have had great feedback in the first few months of making ILCAs here in Bristol, RI. Key dealers are already involved and boats are leaving. We are moving through our Founders’ series so if you have customers that would like a boat with the limited edition plaque get your orders in as soon as possible.
US built boats will replace our charter fleet starting at ILCA ACCs. We couldn’t be more excited to get the new boat into sailors hands and on the ILCA circuit driving sales at the highest level.
We will continue to charter the Zou boat at High School/College nationals. We plan to keep selling these as a “value” ex-charter boat.
We learned a ton from the ILCA approval process and it is apparent in boats produced. Boats are right at class minimum weight with a mast rake within a 5mm tolerance.
New Logo
We recently rolled out an updated logo.
The art, along with a brand guide is here in your dealer asset folder → New Zim Logos.
Here is some background on the changes:
Our goal was to modernize the Zim Sailing logo, without making drastic branding changes. Working with an outside designer, we landed on a way to honor the elements of the original logo while aligning with the continued evolution of our business.
The logo mark itself is a nod to the tiger stripes that Zim Sailing has become famous for, referencing back to the previous ‘Z Force’ branding as well.
The logo is simple and modern while connecting back to Zim Sailing’s legacy.
WHY ZIM?
- The highest dealer margin in the game
- Dedicated Dealer Team standing by and ready to help
- Quality products that will last for years to come
- Huge small boat parts inventory
- Utilize our low freight rates or ship on your UPS account
- Free drop shipping for orders placed through our website
 |