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 Summer now drawing to a close and the darker nights setting in, the team at JD Yachts have enjoyed looking back at some of the visits made during the course of the Summer.
 
From the serene seascapes of Spain to the flawless foreshores of France, our team have visited some beautiful marinas and ports in the last couple of months.
 
Our first visit of the Summer was to Antibes, France where the team visited our client’s Fairline Targa 40. The Targa’s sea trial saw a gorgeous backdrop of the French coastline and skies as clear and blue as the glistening waters below. What a glorious view!
 
 
 
Our next visit of the Summer was to Lanzarote, where our team visited both Playa Blanca Marina and Puerto Calero Marina.
 
With breath-taking volcanic mountains in the background and lush palm trees surrounding the marinas, they both seemed like the ideal location to keep any flybridge or sport cruiser.
 
 
 
 
Our final visit of the summer was to Port Vell in Barcelona and wow - what a selection of beautiful yachts it had to offer.  From small sailing boats to 110 metre motor yachts, it really was the port to offer it all! Surrounded by cobbled streets and open-air markets, Port Vell made for the perfect last visit of the Summer for the team.
 
 
 
 
If you have a vessel and are considering selling, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will do all we can to help and as you have seen from this blog, we love to visit our clients across the continent!
 
Authors – Jessica & Isabelle
 
 

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