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

New French company Platypus Craft has developed a 40ft concept that combines a planing dayboat with a semi-submersible passenger pod.
 
Designed by company founder François-Alexandre Bertrand and L2 Concepts, the Platypus Swordfish can house up to eight passengers in its submersible glass pod.
 
Both petrol-hybrid and all-electric versions are proposed with a claimed maximum speed of up to 50 knots in surface mode but no more than 12 knots with the pod submerged.
 
When in planing mode, the pod acts as an additional planing surface creating a stable trimaran design with a 12ft beam, but when in submerged mode the mother vessel effectively becomes a displacement catamaran. Deploying the pod is said to take just a few seconds.
 
The company claims it is close to signing deals with several clients from the USA and the Gulf states and hopes to start construction of the first Swordfish in early 2021.
 
The composite construction relies on aluminium framing and FRP and carbonfibre laminates. The pod itself is water-ballasted and air-sealed.
 
The build partner is a subsidiary of L2 Concepts with a factory in Antibes that builds concept cars and crucially has already worked on a couple of successful submersible projects, most notably the Aurora for American firm Seamagine.
 
The quoted price for turning the Swordfish concept into a fully functioning customer boat is €3.8m – steep for a 40ft sportscruiser, but priceless in terms of novelty value.
 
 

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