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

FLIR Systems has announced Raymarine DockSense™ Alert, a new addition to Raymarine’s intelligent docking technology line designed for a broader range of vessels. Raymarine DockSense, unveiled in early 2019, is the recreational marine industry’s first intelligent object recognition and motion-sensing assisted docking solution. Based on this patent pending technology, DockSense Alert can be installed on any boat to help captains safely monitor their surroundings and dock their boats with confidence. Similar to the driver-assist capabilities of today’s modern automobiles, DockSense Alert detects, displays, and alerts the captain to obstacles around the boat using FLIR machine vision camera technology and video analytics. Live video feeds from each DockSense camera make it simple to see into blind spots using a Raymarine Axiom® display and DockSense intelligent object recognition helps prevent scrapes, crashes, and close calls that can be both expensive and embarrassing.
 
DockSense Alert systems consist of an array of one to five DockSense stereo vision cameras and a central processor connected to a Raymarine Axiom display or network. DockSense Alert accurately measures distances to the dock, pilings, and other moored vessels, and provides real-time visual indicators along with a live camera view on Raymarine Axiom multifunction displays. The system also provides audible and visual alarms to alert the captain in real-time to the effects of wind, current, and propeller thrust.
 
“Docking a boat can be a stressful experience, even for the most experienced captains,” said Travis Merrill, President of FLIR’s Commercial Business Unit. “Our DockSense Alert system, with its intelligent alerts and live camera views, helps reduces the stress of docking and improves a captain’s boat handling skills.”
 

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