Performance Sailcraft launches Magic in Australia, reducing the upfront cost of a new dinghy by up to 70% – Including ILCAs.!
Magic in Australia
Buy a new ILCA with 30% initial Payment
24 interest free rental payments
Small residual “optional payment” to buy your boat at the end of the term
Magic ILCA Deals
Following its UK launch earlier this year, Magic gives Australian sailors and sailing clubs a new, flexible way to access, fund and upgrade their boats
Performance Sailcraft (PSA) has announced the Australian launch of Magic, a unique asset intelligence (AI) fintech platform designed to modernise how dinghy sailing is funded, managed and accessed.
Developed to address one of the biggest barriers to participation in sailing – the upfront cost of a new dinghy – Magic gives Australian sailors and sailing clubs a new way to access Performance Sailcraft boats while spreading the cost over time.
Magic allows customers to access a new Performance Sailcraft dinghy with a 30% initial payment followed by 24 interest-free rental payments. At the end of the term, customers can choose to buy the dinghy at a predetermined price, trade it in for a new model, or return it to PSA.
Performance Sailcraft is the manufacturer and programme operator, while Magic, a separate business, provides the asset intelligence and structuring platform that finances the programme.
The Australian launch follows the successful UK launch of Magic earlier in 2026 and represents the next stage in Performance Sailcraft’s international rollout of the programme.
With more than 70 years of heritage, Performance Sailcraft is best known as the builder of the Olympic-class Laser and is one of the most established names in competitive dinghy sailing. Its boats are used at every level of the sport, from first-time club sailors to Olympic medallists, and are trusted internationally for their durability, consistency and performance integrity.
Nick Ogden, Chairman of Performance Sailcraft’s parent company Performance Marine Group and the driving force behind the creation of Magic, said:
“Making Magic available in Australia is a significant step for Performance Sailcraft. Australia has an outstanding sailing culture, a strong club network and a long history of producing world-class sailors, making it a natural market for this programme.
“In the current global economic climate, we want sailing participation to continue to grow. In order for that to happen, we need to make it easier for more people to access the best equipment available without requiring a major capital commitment on day one.
“Magic changes the financial structure around the boat. It gives sailors and clubs greater flexibility, greater predictability and clearer options throughout the life cycle of their dinghy. If the same results appear in Australia as those that we are witnessing in the UK, we believe that Magic will make a meaningful difference to participation and help strengthen the sailing ecosystem in Australia.”
Magic has been developed for both individual sailors and sailing clubs and is available on the complete range of Performance Sailcraft Dinghies
For sailors, Magic provides a more accessible route to a new Performance Sailcraft dinghies, along with defined options to retain, upgrade, or return the boat at the end of the agreement.
One UK customer who has already benefited from Magic is Nigel Evans, who recently used the programme to purchase a new ILCA 4 for his son as he progressed from the Optimist class. Reflecting on his experience, 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, Magic offers an opportunity to modernise or expand fleets without the significant upfront capital required to purchase multiple new dinghies. Costs can instead be spread through interest-free payments, while the programme provides structured asset management and defined end-of-life pathways.
Performance Sailcraft’s dealer network will play a central role in delivering Magic in Australia, supporting customers throughout the programme and facilitating servicing, trade-in, resale and upgrade pathways.
Ogden added: “Australia is an extremely important market for Performance Sailcraft and we see substantial potential for Magic here. This is about creating a better lifecycle for sailing equipment and, ultimately, making it easier for sailors and clubs to keep accessing modern, competitive boats.
“After 71 years of supporting Australian sailors, we still want to encourage more people onto the water and grow stronger pathways from grassroots participation through to elite competition. Magic has been designed to help support those individuals’ ambitions.”
Magic is now available in Australia on all Performance Sailcraft dinghies, with dinghies from other manufacturers becoming available during 2027.
For more information about Magic, please visit: www.magic.je
Editor’s comment – this site has only just been launched here in Australia and more details will be added as it becomes available, but if you are in the market for a new ILCA, it’s definitely worth a look.
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