Crane Creek Kayaks
I've designed an innovative stabilizing system for kayaks. Business Summary: Crane Creek Kayaks will develop and distribute premium quality and innovative kayak products specifically designed to make kayaks more stable while preserving their agility and ease of use. Product/Services: Crane Creek Kayaks was designed to make kayaking more stable for recreational use. The patent pe
nding kayak with stabilizing system will revolutionize pond and lake fishing with its adjustable outrigger and seating system to conveniently transition between positions and functionalities while in use. The stabilizing unit will reduce capsize and make the sport safer for the novice kayaker while their skills are developing. Customer problem: It was designed to make kayaking more stable for recreational use. In addition to the fishing market, the stabilizing unit will help reduce capsizing and make the sport safer for the novice kayaker while developing their skills. Target market: Our target market is the recreational and fishing kayakers. The total kayak market opportunity can be estimated similar to total US sales in 2010 of 228,000 units. Crane Creek Kayaks will focus on two very different segments, but with very similar products in the kayak market; the recreational kayak and the fishing kayak. Management: Crane Creek Kayaks is solely owned and operated by founder Brian Mauer. As the organization grows, additional resources will be added in Product Service area in order to address customer questions and service warranties. Crane Creek Kayaks intends to outsource the manufacturing process and focus its efforts on product design, attracting retailers, brand awareness and customer satisfaction. Customers: According to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA), the kayak market is approximately 200,000 to 250,000 units a year. Kayakers vary in their demographics, but they are generally Caucasian men over 25 with middle to high income who like outdoors and are largely independent. Recreational kayaking continues to be the largest niche of the kayaking industry. However, the largest growing segment of the kayak market is kayak fishing. Sales/Marketing strategy: We will be attending trade shows focusing on the recreational and water sports industry and calling on specialty kayak retailers across the country. We will be following the industry standard of offering a one year warranty to cover major malfunctions of our products and adding a service department with knowledgeable individuals to work with resellers on product questions and training. High customer satisfaction will increase market share. Business model: Crane Creek Kayaks will be selling a fishing kayak featuring an innovative outrigger system, (the Styrigger) and an adjustable seat that doubles as a camp chair with an 8" lift. For the person that is not ready to invest in the total package and already has a kayak they can enjoy the features of the Styrigger as an after-market feature. They can keep their favorite kayak and enjoy the benefits of feeling safer on the water. Competitors: The major players in the kayak market offer a variety of kayaks that compete for different shapes and sizes, and purposes, yet nobody has a hold on the fishing market or novice stability market yet. Johnson Outdoor and Confluence Holdings, both have a significant line of accessory products developed for niches of the kayak market, which would support the future sale of a standalone model of the Crane Creek Kayak as a product attachment. Competitive advantage: The kayak and stabilizing unit is currently patent pending. A patent will also be filed on the seating system. The Crane Creek Kayak can be a competitive alternative to whole spectrum of fishing kayaks due to the ease of conversion and maneuverability. There is also significant value to the general recreational user due to the additional safety features introduced with the stabilizing unit.
