Performance Sailcraft's Magic enters next phase of growth with international rollout and an invitation to other manufacturers
As Magic launches in Australia and prepares for further European expansion, discussions with other dinghy and marine equipment manufacturers and Class Associations to use the Magic platform commence
Press Release / 5th November 2026
Magic is the asset-intelligence fintech platform created to make sailing and other watersports more accessible. The Magic interest-free rental programme lets a sailor buy a new dinghy at the end of the rental period. Magic makes dinghy ownership easier and more cash-efficient, reducing the upfront cost by 70%.
Launched in the UK earlier this year by renowned dinghy manufacturer Performance Sailcraft, Magic was developed to address one of the biggest financial barriers to participation in sailing – the high upfront cost of a new dinghy.
Magic allows sailors and sailing clubs to access a new dinghy with an initial rental payment followed by 24 interest-free rental payments. At the end of the rental term, customers can choose to buy the dinghy at the original recommended retail price, trade it in for a new model, or return it.
For example, a Pico complete with trolley, part of Performance Sailcraft's Ocean Play range and priced at £4,352.63 including VAT, can now be accessed through Magic with an initial rental payment of £1,305.79, followed by 24 monthly payments of £116.07. Customers pay £4,091.47 over the 24-month rental period, with the option to purchase the boat at the end of the term for a further £261.16. For sailors buying a Performance Sailcraft ILCA, this is now the easiest and most cost-effective way to acquire a dinghy.
Nick Ogden, Chairman of Performance Marine Group and the driving force behind the creation of the Magic Ai Company, said:
"Magic was created because we believed there had to be a better way for people to access new sailing equipment without facing a substantial capital outlay on day one.
"What we are seeing in the UK gives us real confidence in that model. Sailors and families are using Magic to access the right boat for them now, while retaining the flexibility to buy, upgrade or return it further down the line.
"If we can continue to reduce the financial barriers around accessing good equipment, we can help more people participate in sailing and give existing sailors greater freedom to progress within the sport. As we are now expanding Magic to other manufacturers, our aim is that this program will continue to help the sport and encourage new participation"
Early customer experience is also demonstrating how Magic can influence purchasing decisions.
Nigel Evans recently used Magic to access a new ILCA 4 for his son as he progressed from the Optimist class. Having initially considered buying a second-hand boat, Evans said the flexibility offered through Magic enabled the family to choose a new boat instead.
He said:
"Moving from an Optimist into an ILCA 4 is a big step for any young sailor, and as parents, we wanted to make sure our son had the right equipment to continue progressing. "I was initially looking at buying a second-hand boat, but they hold their value well, and there's often additional money to be spent getting them exactly how you want them. Magic offered a much better solution. Being able to spread the cost of a brand-new boat, rather than making a large upfront payment, meant we could get exactly what we needed from the start and give our son the best possible start in a competitive fleet.
"It's a great concept for families like ours who want to support their children's sailing ambitions without the financial pressure of buying a new boat outright."
For sailing clubs, schools and resorts, Magic provides an opportunity to modernise or expand fleets without the significant upfront capital traditionally required to purchase multiple new boats. Costs can instead be spread over time, while the programme provides structured asset management and defined end-of-life pathways. In effect, a club can get three new boats for less than the upfront price of one and spread the balance over two years.
The extension to other manufacturers comes as Magic scales internationally. The programme has now launched in Australia, one of Performance Sailcraft's most important international markets, with launches in additional European markets expected shortly.
Magic is also in discussions with other marine equipment manufacturers about making their products available through the platform, effectively creating an Amazon for the marine industry.
Ogden added:
"From the outset, the ambition for Magic has been broader than any one class, range or manufacturer. The challenge we are trying to solve – making quality sailing and marine equipment easier to access and creating a more structured lifecycle for those assets – exists right across the sport.
"The response we have seen in the UK, the response already to the launch in Australia and the conversations we are now having with other manufacturers all demonstrate the potential for Magic to go much further. "Ultimately, this is about helping more people get onto the water and stay in the sport, while giving sailors, families and clubs a more flexible and sustainable way to access the equipment they need."
For more information about Magic, please visit: www.magic.je