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

With over 100,000 units produced, the Volvo Penta D4 and D6 marine propulsion packages get a comprehensive helm-to-prop update, delivering more power and reliability, while operating costs are cut by a third. The updates includes newly designed engines, a completely new aquamatic sterndrive, updated IPS drive and an upgraded Electronic Vessel Control System.
 
Volvo Penta has given its next generation D4 & D6 propulsion packages a comprehensive overhaul. They are available in three different variants: Volvo Penta IPS, Inboard and Aquamatic sterndrive.
 
The benefits touch on almost every aspect that boat owners consider important – including performance, reliability, durability, running costs and maintenance. The improvements also deliver a more enjoyable experience, with a more comfortable ride and greater maneuverability.
 
Significant helm-to-prop improvements
From the outside the changes might not be that obvious, but almost every aspect of the fully integrated system has been upgraded, from helm-to-prop.
 
The enhancements include re-engineering of the engines, delivering more power and torque and ensuring the highest levels of reliability. They are perfectly matched with an upgraded IPS pod and the new DPI Aquamatic sterndrive, which bring increased comfort and maneuverability, as well as more straightforward servicing and maintenance.
 
Engine overhaul
 
The D4/D6 is the company’s most technically advanced package. Designed exclusively for marine applications, the 3.7 liter D4 and 5.5 liter D6 deliver Volvo Penta’s unique marine torque, ensuring maximum power is transferred to the propellers and into the water, across the whole speed range. The changes are more than a facelift, with the majority of components reengineered. The D4 and D6 deliver performance outputs of between 150 to 480 hp. In top specification the D4 now has a maximum output of 320 hp, while the D6 in top spec boasts 480 hp. Not only 10% more power across the range, these engines are more fuel efficient – between 0.5% to 7.0% (in E5 cycle).
 
The list of upgrades is long, including 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 also now stronger to handle the bigger loads.
 
These engines will also cost less to maintain, with longer service intervals and fewer service items. All this adds up to annual savings in fuel, parts and servicing.
 
Dramatic dynamic drivelines
 
While the IPS driveline has had improvements in durability and reliability, it is the DPI drive that comes in for the biggest changes. The new hydraulic clutch ensures a silent and smooth shifting, as well as slipping at low engine speeds, resulting in added maneuverability and higher comfort at low boat speeds. 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 Dynamic Positioning System, which automatically maintains a boat’s heading and position, even during strong currents or windy conditions – ideal when preparing for docking. The Inboard version is also available for shaft and water-jet transmissions.
 
Electronic vessel control
 
One important aspect of this wide-ranging series of improvements to the D4/D6 marine systems is a new generation of Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control – EVC2. The first major upgrade since the system was launched in 2003, the EVC2 connects and manages the internal communications between the engine and levers and display screens, etc. With an all-new operating system, the EVC2 is now more independent of the engine than before and will act as the primary enabler for the future of boat building, including remote diagnostics and connectivity.
 
Now using a modern electrical architecture, the EVC2 is able to connect more things into the ecosystem of the boat, giving boat users greater functionality and offering builders more flexibility in the boat design process.  This includes one connection point – for software downloads and diagnostics, and an On-Board Service Assistant feature gives real time maintenance information. The control levers and joystick also get a more modern satin grey makeover.
 
While the EVC2.0 gives substantial benefits immediately, the future possibilities it offers are just as exciting. It will form the foundation for connecting all future features in a boat and allow new services to be uploaded anywhere in the world – when automated connected and electric features become available.
 

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