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_D4.jpg
 
After producing more than 100,000 D4 and D6 marine diesel engines since the unit was first introduced in 2003, Volvo Penta has now given the unit a complete update, cutting operating costs by a third.
 
Updates include newly designed engines, a completely new aquamatic sterndrive, updated IPS drive and an upgraded electronic vessel control system, all of which not only cut costs but also give more power and reliability.
 
The engines have undergone 300.000 engineering hours, explained Ingela Nordström, D4/D6 product manager, with 50 people working full time for more than three years on the new products.
 
Investments have been made in product line technology and 40,000 hours of testing have been carried out including field tests equivalent to a distance of eight times around the world.
 
Footprint
 
The new engines are available in three different variants: Volvo Penta IPS, inboard and Aquamatic sterndrive and fit on the same footprint as existing units.
 
Other improvements include a new engine management system, new fuel injection system, new turbo charger and a new supercharger.
 
The cylinder head, pistons and valves are new to cope with the increased performance and the crankshaft is stronger to handle the bigger loads.
 
The engines have been designed to cost less to maintain, with longer service intervals and fewer service items.
 
The DPI drive has seen big changes with a new hydraulic clutch for silent and smooth shifting, as well as slipping at low engine speeds for added manoeuvrability and higher comfort at low boat speeds.
 
New generation
 
The hydraulic clutch, together with steer-by-wire – which is now standard for DPI – gives an improved joystick docking function. The DPI driveline now also comes with Volvo Penta’s Dynamic Positioning System that automatically maintains a boat’s heading and position. The Inboard version is also available for shaft and water-jet transmissions.
 
A new generation of Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control – EVC2 – has been developed, the first major upgrade since the system was launched in 2003.
 
With an all-new operating system, the EVC2 is now more independent of the engine than before and will enable better remote diagnostics and connectivity.
 
The 3.7 litre D4 and 5.5 litre D6 have power outputs of between 150 to 480hp and use between 0.5% to 7.0% less fuel than their predecessors.
 

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