FAIRLINE YACHTS EXPANSION

Fairline Yachts have unveiled plans to develop their larger yachts at a newly renovated site in Hythe, Hampshire. With plans to invest £30m over the next four years, the British builders are due to start production at the new site in the summer of 2018.

Previously named Fairline Boats went into administration in 2015, with a loss of 374 jobs at the factory in Oundle, Northamptonshire – Investors Alexander Volov and Igor Glyanenko acquired the firm’s assets for £4.5m, before closing a factory operated by Fairline in Corby.

Expansion plans were initially announced at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival, with full details only emerging on Fairline.com last week. The shipyard in Oundle will continue to operate, and will build boats up to 60ft. Yachts over 60ft will be built at the newly renovated site in Hythe, with sea trials, commissioning and client handover taking place at the new Southampton Water facility.  With Deepwater berths, and over 18,000 square metres of undercover manufacturing space, the new facility is expected to create up to 200 jobs in the area.

Managing Director Russel Currie commented; “As the global yachting market evolves, clients from across the world are increasingly demanding larger yachts than we’ve been able to create. Our new site, to be named Fairline Marine Park, will boast state-of-the-art facilities, giving us room to expand and create bigger boats, whilst making the most of the existing boat building skills in the location. By increasing our manufacturing capabilities across both Northampton and Southampton, we are future-proofing Fairline Yachts and retaining our commitment of investing in British boat building.”

Currently, Fairline Yachts build the Targa; a modern, sleek cruiser available in a wide range of different configurations between 43ft and 63ft, or the larger more volumous Squadron: equipped with a fly bridge and available between 48 and 68ft. With the expansive new facility in Southampton, Fairline promise to build larger yachts, broadening their reach into the ever growing Super-Yacht market.

Three new Fairline’s are in the shortlist for the prestigious Motor Boat of the Year Award, with the winners due to be announced at the London Boat Show on January 10^th. The Targa 53 and Targa 63 GTO – The latter of which was designed in collaboration with world renowned designer Alberto Mancini; responsible in part for the iconic Overmarine Mangusta and Maltese Falcon!

The British boat building industry had a hugely successful presence at the Metsrade Boat Builder Awards 2017; with Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker winning four of the nine awards presented. British Marines’ Chief Executive, Howard Pridding commented on the recent success:

“These richly deserved awards show how strong British boatbuilding is. We are proud of our leading British boat builders and pleased to see that the achievements of Fairline and Sunseeker have been recognized at these prestigious awards.’’

With Fairline’s extensive new facility in Southampton a mere 40 minute journey from the Sunseeker International Shipyard in Poole, and a short flight in a helicopter from Princess Yachts in Plymouth.. The south coast of the UK is fast becoming a convenient and accessible option for any prospective yacht buyer.

Bristow-Holmes has over 20 years combined experience in the Yachting Industry, we pride ourselves on providing a bespoke service to our clients, with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding – dealing with Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker yachts, no other brokerage shares our passion and experience for the UK yachting industry.