A Farewell and Heartfelt Thank You from JD Yachts

After 25 extraordinary years, JD Yachts will be closing its doors.

This has not been an easy decision—but it’s one we’ve made with deep reflection and immense pride in all that we’ve achieved. We set out to build a company grounded in trust, transparency, and a passion for getting people on the water. We believe we’ve done just that.

To our clients—some of whom have been with us from the very beginning—we owe everything. Your unwavering support and trust shaped our journey. Many of you returned to us time and again for your boating needs, and that loyalty became the foundation of our business. We’re honoured to have helped so many families and individuals realise their dreams of yachting across the UK and the Mediterranean.

To our industry colleagues, tradespeople, and the marinas who welcomed and supported our work—you made this possible. The collaborative spirit and shared commitment to excellence within the marine sector gave JD Yachts its wings. We always sought to drive business back into local trades and infrastructures, and we’re proud to have played a part in sustaining that ecosystem.

To our dedicated team—Toby Hawkins and Isabella O’Leary—thank you for your incredible contribution, professionalism, and commitment to our shared mission. You’ve been integral to our journey and success.

A special thank you to our families for your constant support, patience, and belief in us—especially through the demanding times. JD Yachts has always been about more than just boats; it’s been about people, partnerships, and heart.

The current business climate, especially for SMEs in the marine sector, has become increasingly complex and challenging—particularly in relation to post-Brexit trade regulations and the double taxation of vessels between the UK and EU. These conditions have made it nearly impossible to scale sustainably or operate competitively abroad. We believe it’s important to acknowledge how much the industry has changed—and how vital it is to protect what was once a thriving cornerstone of Britain’s maritime heritage.

As we close this chapter, we do so with enormous gratitude for every client, colleague, and friend we’ve met along the way. The memories, the adventures, and the trust you placed in us will stay with us forever.

Thank you for letting JD Yachts be part of your story. We are proud of the legacy we leave behind.

With heartfelt thanks,

Darren & Justin

Volvo Penta’s new Active Ride Control function reduces a boat’s pitch and roll motion by up to 60 per cent, for enhanced stabilization and better onboard comfort.
 
 
Active Ride Control (ARC) is the result of years of development of improving safety and onboard comfort. By using the Volvo Penta Interceptor System, ARC effectively diminishes pitch and roll motion by up to 60% at cruising speeds.
 
“Onboard comfort is important to customers and it’s one of the aspects of boating that we wanted to satisfy in creating ARC,” says Björn Rönnvall, product manager for marine leisure at Volvo Penta. “The sensors and automatic deployment of the interceptor blades make this system much faster and more responsive than traditional manual trim and list functions. During acceleration when the bow rises, or if a boat is hit by waves from the side, it can be stabilized quicker for a smooth ride that will reduce the risk of seasickness.”
 
Smoother rides in almost any condition
 
ARC can be fitted to both planing and semi-planing Volvo Penta-powered boats of 35ft and over. When planing or semi-planing, it activates the interceptor blades that rapidly protrude at different lengths to reduce pitch and roll, and level out the boat. The system can be adjusted to increase or decrease the sensitivity of movement.
 
Active Ride Control consists of a control unit and is fully  integrated with Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, which makes it easy to use. The control unit works with Volvo Penta’s Glass Cockpit System to show trim and list angles in the display unit.
 
“The automatic nature of Active Ride is good for new or recent converts to boating, while the adjustable aspect of the sensitivity is good for experienced boaters who are used to handling their vessel in different sea states,” says Rönnvall.
 
He adds: “ARC is a fast, dynamic function. Everything is automatic so that boaters can focus on more important things, like navigating and enjoying the experience. And in introducing this new technology, we are continuing with our vision of making boating easy, safe and fun.”
 

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