Boatbuilding News 01.11.24 Feat. Sunseeker, Lionheart, Orienta Capital Partners, Mustang Survival, KenCraft & Deo Juvante

📰 This weeks Boatbuilding News 📰

 🛥️ Sunseeker sold

Miami-based investment firm Lionheart Capital and Milan’s Orienta Capital Partners have acquired Sunseeker International, the renowned Poole Quay-based yacht manufacturer, in a strategic purchase made for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, finalized on October 31, marks a significant shift in ownership as the company transitions from previous owners, the Chinese real estate giant Wanda Group, to a team deeply rooted in the luxury yachting industry.

“We are confident that under the new leadership, Sunseeker will thrive and reach new heights.”

says Andrea Frabetti, Sunseeker’s chief executive

Last year, Sunseeker reported aggregate sales of approximately £320 million, with the bulk of its revenue stemming from its popular yacht models in the 15 to 50-meter range. Despite the change in ownership, company officials have reassured that Sunseeker will retain its British identity, maintaining its headquarters, primary production, workforce, and infrastructure in Poole. With over 2,000 employees across Poole and Portland, the company remains a significant employer, particularly active in recruiting apprentices to support its growing workforce.

The sale comes after months of speculation, following reports in April that discussions with Lionheart Capital were underway.

“We are thrilled to start this new journey alongside Sunseeker. Our strong expertise in the yachting industry combined with our long-standing relationship with its CEO will allow us to further enhance the British identity and craftsmanship, driving the brand toward ambitious goals.”

says Giancarlo Galeone, Sunseeker’s chairman

“We are excited to welcome Sunseeker Yachts into the Lionheart Capital family. This acquisition represents a strategic investment in a brand with a storied history, including as James Bond’s yacht maker, and a bright future. Lionheart understands the unique dynamics of the luxury yacht industry, and I am confident in Sunseeker's potential for growth and innovation.”

says Ophir Sternberg, founder and CEO of Lionheart Capital.

With Lionheart and Orienta Capital at the helm, Sunseeker’s future appears promising, with plans for innovation, growth, and a reinvigorated focus on its British heritage and craftsmanship.

🏆 Life jacket earns spot in Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024

The Atlas 190 DLX Pro Sensor Life Jacket by Mustang Survival has earned a spot on Time magazine's list of the best inventions of 2024. Known for its innovative approach to maritime safety, Mustang Survival, an American-owned company headquartered in Canada, specializes in creating advanced safety equipment and technical apparel for marine activities.

Designed for offshore sailing, cruising, and boating, the Atlas 190 DLX Pro Sensor is an inflatable life jacket featuring a re-engineered bladder that enhances turning performance and airway protection. The model includes Mustang’s Hydrostatic Inflation Technology, which allows the jacket to automatically inflate when submerged, ensuring timely buoyancy for the wearer. ISO-approved, the life jacket delivers 190N of buoyancy and offers a combination of safety and comfort for extended wear, focusing on reducing neck strain—a common complaint among frequent wearers.

The Atlas 190 DLX Pro Sensor is currently available in the UK and will launch in North America in spring 2025. Mustang Survival first gained industry attention for this model at the 2023 DAME Awards, where the life jacket received a special mention for its innovation in design and functionality.

The life jacket incorporates Mustang’s ADAPT Technology (Advanced Airway Protection & Turning), featuring specialized bladder lobes that orient the wearer face-up, baffle barriers to shield against oncoming waves, and a built-in pillow for added head support. Together, these features reduce the risk of water entering the wearer’s airways, enhancing the jacket’s life-saving capabilities.

By blending ergonomic design with advanced safety technology, Mustang Survival’s Atlas 190 DLX Pro Sensor Life Jacket is helping set new standards in maritime safety and comfort.

 “It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised among 199 other groundbreaking innovations that enhance our world in meaningful ways. We believe that the best life jacket is the one you wear, and by prioritising comfort with safety, we have more opportunity to protect everyone on the water.”

says Anja Mueller, global head of marketing for Mustang Survival

 🇺🇸 KenCraft rebrands under Bay Rider Boats name

KenCraft Boats, a North Carolina-based boatbuilder with a 50-year history of manufacturing inshore and offshore centre consoles, bay boats, and skiffs, will now produce its entire line under the Bay Rider Boats brand name.

“We’ve been building quality boats with the latest materials and skilled craftsmanship for 50 years now, and while we’ve been known for model lines over the years such as KenCraft, Challenger and Bay Rider, the name we’ve chosen to put on the side of our product will be Bay Rider. Bay Rider has been our most popular and most recognised model of any we’ve built, so it makes sense to move forward under this established brand.”

says Bay Rider owner Bob Brunson.

 The firm says, to maintain brand recognition and reduce confusion among dealers and customers, Bay Rider Boats will retain the “Bay Rider by KenCraft” logo in select marketing materials and online platforms.

“Our team has worked for KenCraft and is very proud of our heritage. When my dad and I purchased KenCraft from Ken Vick ten years ago, it was important for us to carry on the tradition of a premium-made product as well as have plans for future business expansion. Our name change to Bay Rider, one of our most popular model lines, is what people know us best for. And we’re excited about this positive shift toward the future for our company.”

 says Bay Rider vice president Robert Brunson.

Ken Vick originally founded KenCraft Boats in 1975 before selling the company to the Brunson family in 2014.

Bay Rider Boats manufactures nine models, including centre consoles, bay boats and skiffs, ranging from 21 to 26 feet in length. The firm operates from a 52,000-square-foot facility in Wilson, North Carolina.

 🇧🇪 Belgian entrepreneur and sailor Thierry Verstraete has unveiled Deo Juvante, a new yacht brand designed for world explorers

 Deo Juvante has been launched with two yacht concepts in its portfolio, a 24-metre catamaran and a 24-metre monohull yacht, which will be unveiled soon.

Aimed at seasoned and adventurous owners, the Deo Juvante range is based on the brand’s extensive experience of cruising the world.

“Our yachts are both unique and reliable, providing the opportunity to confidently live life on the water. Our yachts are built for ocean crossings and extended stays at anchor, with everything you need for a comfortable life onboard without losing touch with the outside world”

says Thierry Verstraete, the Deo Juvante founder.

Thierry Verstraete, a seasoned yachtsman with extensive experience across a range of vessels, combined his love for the sea and entrepreneurial drive to create the Deo Juvante line.

The flagship of the line, a 24-meter catamaran, offers over 200 GT of internal volume, with a hull design optimized for superior performance in rough seas. Additionally, the yacht can be outfitted with kite propulsion, harnessing wind power to reduce RPMs and decrease fuel consumption.

Known as the Deo Juvante C24.00 or Deo Juvante 410 Cruiser, this yacht features unique design elements such as a sky window and floor-to-ceiling windows, which flood the interior with natural light.

The 24-meter catamaran boasts a spacious master stateroom and a private-access VIP suite, providing guests with direct access to the swim platform from their quarters. A concealed A-frame system also enables the easy launch of tenders, adding to the yacht’s convenience and luxury.

“The features of Deo Juvante ensure that each yacht is both unique and reliable, providing the opportunity to confidently live life on the water. As well as the 24-metre catamaran project, Deo Juvante will also be announcing a 24-metre monohull model in the near future. “Soon we will launch a 24-metre aluminum monohull. Once again it is going to be an innovative design with large volumes, lots of light and other quality features,”

says Thierry Verstraete.

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