Mike Perkins and I will be leaving in early January for a trip into summer…Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The occasion? Primarily, we are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed negotiations with Oceanfast, for their new build, Project “N”, Greg Norman’s latest seagoing venture. The new “Aussie Rules” will feature Quantum ride control, in addition to our Hydraulic Power Units. We have numerous projects in New Zealand, in conjunction with Max Hall of SoPac, our NZ distributor, and we will be making the rounds. I have a commitment to keep Quantum a world class company, providing first class service anywhere on the planet, and Mike and I are looking forward to visiting our valued clients and customers in that part of the world.

     Back at home base, we finished 2000 with some tremendous accomplishments, such as “Sarita,” which was truly a Quantum Stabilizers and Quantum Marine Engineering cooperative project. Peter Florence completed their Vosper stabilizer system repair and recondition with an upgrade to the amazing FAL-124 AVA control, and Frank Bergheimer and Dave Reeve finished installing a brand new fully articulated boom crane, the most versatile yacht crane in the world. In addition, the end of 2000 brought orders from Trinity for Hull 192, including a Quantum Integrated System, stabilizers, and a QT Thruster. Intermarine also ordered our Integrated System, the first of four such installations for their new 123’ builds. Burger Boat Company has selected our Integrated System including a QT Thruster for their Hull 493, and Destiny #003 will feature our Advanced Ride Control, in addition to the QT Thruster and Integrated System. What a way to begin 2001!

     “Sovereign” also is the beneficiary of a new FAL-124 AVA control, the better to run her set of Blake retractable stabilizers. These units are not only operating again, after a fairly long hiatus of approximately ten years, but now operate at the level of performance only available from Quantum. “Mi Gaea” added a QR-9000 crane to her deck inventory at the end of the year.

     Some outstanding developments and reports on the On Anchor™ front also bring good news as we begin 2001. Quantum Stabilizers has begun work on two new On Anchor™ installations on Feadships. On Anchor™ is a cooperative effort, where Quantum Stabilizers reworks the fins, and provides the mechanical and hydraulic modifications, in conjunction with a QME Hydraulic Power Unit and control package, to finally provide reliable roll control while at anchor. “Silver Cloud” reported from the Baths, at Virgin Gorda, that he was the only yacht riding comfortably at anchor, in the midst of vessels rolling “rail to rail.”

     I’m thankful for the successes of 2000, and look forward to the New Year. Stand by for some exciting developments, and let me take this opportunity to renew our commitment to producing the highest quality hydraulic equipment for the modern yacht, and backing it up with the best service in the world.

Thank you. John Allen