From British Marine: Discovery Yachts Group, has announced the acquisition of the Southerly range of swing keel sailing yachts. The investment is seen as a logical move for the MBO team at the Discovery Group, who are aiming to become one of the UK’s leading sailboat builders with a versatile range of quality cruising yachts (monohull and catamaran) from 32 to 67ft.
The company’s designs and meticulous workmanship will be applied to the build of the Southerly range of variable draft cruising yachts. Plans are underway to enhance the Southerly offering by adding a mix of the Discovery bespoke customisation and handcrafted joinery.
New build programmes have already been entered into the 2017 Discovery production schedule and production of Southerly yachts will take place at Discovery’s Southampton based manufacturing facility. A new product launch for the Southerly brand is expected for the Southampton Boat Show in September.
Commenting on the announcement, Sean Langdon, Managing Director at Discovery Yachts Group, said: “The purchase of the Southerly Yachts brand is a vital element in the exciting growth and investment strategy we are planning for the Discovery Yachts Group. Following our recent management buyout and key appointments to the senior management team we have restructured the group and will be using the global appeal and popularity of the Southerly brand to enhance our overall offering and complement our existing very high quality Discovery range of British built luxury cruising yachts. This purchase enables us to offer our clients a much more extensive size range, as well as the versatility of the variable draft designs. We plan to capitalize on the global appeal of the dual brands to become one of the UK’s leading quality sailboat builders. We look forward to welcoming the Southerly owners and prospective purchasers into the Discovery Groups family.”
Northshore Yacht Services, located at their shipyard at Itchenor, Chichester Harbour will continue to be an approved specialist Southerly Refit & Repair Centre and Southerly Yacht Brokerage. It will continue its long history of looking after existing Southerly owners in this mutually beneficial arrangement with Discovery Yachts Group.