Now 25 companies in Western Cape Ray Smuts THE WESTERN Cape's R600 million a year yacht building industry has never had it so good. The Rand's rapid decline against other major currencies along with superior workmanship is obviously a factor accounting for full order books from abroad. The boom has been underway since the mid-1990s and there are now 25 companies in the Western Cape alone employing around 2 000 people. The success of boat building never really features in export talk but as as much as 85% of all boats built are exported. Latest example of South African craftmanship at its very best is Robertson and Caine's R14 million catamaran Big Dog, ordered by a Chicago buyer who intends chartering it in the Caribbean for seven months of the year. The 18,6-metre boat - last word in luxury - accommodates eight guests and three crew and has state-of-the-art technology including large flat-screen televisions, DVD and MP3 players and surround sound.
