Zim Sailing has announced that its product line of Optimist, C420 and CFJ will expand to include the Byte CII dinghy.

“This is a very exciting time for Zim Sailing,” said company president Steve Perry, who recently acquired the Byte CII from Canada’s PS2000 and will serve as the exclusive builder and distributor for the CII. “The CII is a perfect fit to the Zim line. It provides a great transition from the Optimist into a great single-handed boat.”

Zim will be distributing the boat throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

“Zim would like to extend a very special thanks to [creator] Ian [Bruce] for his immense support while transitioning the build operation from Canada to Rhode Island. Ian has done a tremendous job with the Byte CII and has laid a great foundation for growth,” Perry added.

Boating Industry Canada contacted Ian Bruce for his comments on the sale of the Byte, a boat he developed; “There comes a time….! At 79 I really think I have built all the sailboats that were needed of me and the time has come to let someone else at it.  Steve Perry at Zim Sailing will do a great job with the Byte CII and certainly more for the Class than I was ever able to do and particularly if the boat is again picked for the Youth Olympic Games. I will continue to pursue my interest in the antique and classic motor boat market where we have developed a reproduction of a 1940’s runabout but now running with 100% electric propulsion”.

Ian Bruce’s new company is Montreal Classic Boatworks: http://www.mtlcb.ca/

Photo Caption: Ian Bruce stands in the new vacuum infusion process-built Bruce 22 classic runabout that his new venture, Montreal Classic Boatworks is building and selling in exclusive quantities.