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

Off Canvas

Delivering a marine electronics industry first, Raymarine Axiom users can now take to the skies with the latest LightHouse 3.6 OS update. The new Axiom UAV app brings together the power and simplicity of Raymarine navigation with advanced unmanned aerial imaging.
 
Compatible with the popular and highly capable DJI Mavic Pro drone, the Axiom UAV app automates many common tasks including launch, airborne imaging, in-flight navigation, and return-to boat. Fishing and cruising boats alike can greatly benefit from having this added aerial imaging platform integrated onboard.
 
Virtual Tuna Tower
 
Launch the Mavic Pro and use its camera system to scout for fish in the water ahead of the boat. When fitted with an optional polarized lens, the Mavic Pro’s 4K UHD camera system can see gamefish, baitfish, weed lines, sandbars, reefs and more. This technology allows smaller boats many of the fish-scouting advantages once limited to boats of a very specific size and cost.
 
Capture the Action
 
Capture the action of landing trophy fish. Use Axiom UAV’s Fish-On feature to instantly launch the UAV, start video recording, and automatically fly the camera in an orbit around the boat. Convenient on-screen controls let you fine-tune the UAV’s altitude, orbit radius, orbit speed and camera angle right from the screen of your Raymarine Axiom or Axiom Pro.
 
Birds-Eye Viewing on the Big Screen Axiom MFD
 
Free your drone from your tiny Smartphone screen and view imagery on your sizeable Raymarine Axiom or Axiom Pro MFD screen. Shoot video, take still images, and capture other imagery you can see from the air, all easily saved to Mavic’s onboard memory card.
 
 
Scout Ahead with UAV Goto
 
Fly to points of interest, waypoints, or chart locations. Use the UAV GOTO command on your Axiom or Axiom Pro chartplotter screen to send the UAV out on a mission. Using GPS navigation, the Mavic Pro will fly to the precise location you selected and hover on station. While airborne you can see the UAV on your navigation chart along with its course, speed, altitude and camera orientation.
 
Automated or Manual Flight Controls
 
The Axiom UAV app offers multiple options to control the Mavic Pro in flight, including an automatic “Return to Boat” feature. In addition to the automatic flight modes, Axiom UAV also offers virtual on-screen joysticks for manual flight. You can also take control at any time with the DJI Mavic Pro joystick controller.
 
Axiom UAV is a free update for Axiom, Axiom Pro and Axiom XL multifunction displays. The LightHouse 3.6 update is now available for Axiom owners to download directly to their Wi-Fi-enabled MFDs or users can download the software from the Raymarine.com website.
 
 
 

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