Boatbuilding News 07.10.22 Feat. Highfield Boats, Pip Hare Ocean Racing Team, Borrow a Boat, Kellyboat & Sunseeker Gulf.

?? This week’s Boatbuilding News ???

?? Highfield Boats has announced a partnership with Pip Hare Ocean Racing to supply the team with a bespoke Patrol 760 RIB in support of Hare’s global sailing campaign.

The RIB will support the programme that includes preparation for Hare competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe single-handed, non-stop, round-the-world race on her new foiling IMOCA, Medallia.

Pip Hare is one of only eight women who have already completed a gruelling Vendée Globe. In preparation for the next, she will be competing in the forthcoming Route de Rhum, hich starts this November 2022.

“A support RIB with good power and manoeuvrability is essential for us. We’re pleased to have this partnership with Highfield Boats. Our team has already taken delivery of the RIB, and we have the reassurance of its integrity and design, to enable our support team to keep close to Medallia in what can be challenging offshore seas. It feels good, too, that the boat is made of recyclable materials.”

says Pip Hare.

The Highfield Patrol 760, powered by Honda UK Power is described as a perfect working platform for the Pip Hare Ocean racing team. The commercial-quality RIB has a deep V hull and is said to withstand the toughest of conditions while giving a soft dry ride making it the perfect pursuit boat to keep up with Medallia.

The partnership announcement continues the tradition for the aluminium RIB manufacturer of being a core partner of the Global IMOCA fleet.

“We are very proud to partner with Pip – we closely followed her progress and achievements through the Vendée Globe 2020, earning her place as one of the world’s top offshore sailors. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries fits with our brand ethos, that of daring to explore further.”

says Steve Harrison of Highfield Boats

The package includes a second RIB from Highfield to provide further technical support which will be supplied to Pip Hare Ocean Racing in the next few months.

???? UK boat hire and charter marketplace Borrow a Boat has bought US-based peer-to-peer charter platform KellyBoat, as it seeks to expand within the US market.

“The acquisition of KellyBoat will continue with our growth strategy in the US, which to date is the fastest growing market for the company. Boat hires will be focussed on New England and Palm Beach, and with exciting expansion plans in Q4 and beyond.”

says Borrow a Boat says in a media statement.

Kellyboat was founded by Kelly Lyden, who grew up in New England and has a lifelong passion for the sea, and a background in law and insurance.

Borrow a Boat says Lyden’s expertise will allow them to add more vessels in New York, Chesapeake Bay, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, plus the Great Lakes. Customers can currently choose from a variety of vessels, including sailboats, motorboats, riverboats, RIBs, catamarans, gulets, luxury yachts and superyachts.

Borrow a Boat will be attending both the United States Powerboat Show (6-9 October) and United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis (13-17 October), celebrating the US launch and accelerating revenues across the globe.

“Borrow a Boat has been recognised as a fast-moving, innovative leader in the global boat hire market. As its first US acquisition, we’re excited to bring their boundless energy and successful technology to the US market.”

says Kelly Lyden. ?

“The combination of Kelly’s local knowledge and our technology gives us a powerful platform to grow in the US, and we have aggressive growth targets as we see it as a key market for Borrow a Boat. Since launching in America last year, we’ve experienced unrivalled interest from the US boating audience who have well and truly got on board with the Borrow a Boat offering, enabling it to become one of our fastest growing markets worldwide. We’re proud to be celebrating this achievement at the Annapolis Boat Shows. We’re now looking toward the future of our US foothold, including further plans for expansion, and eyeing up additional acquisitions.”

says Matt Ovenden, founder & CEO of Borrow a Boat.

Borrow a Boat recently expanded into the French market, following its ‘busiest ever season’.

?? Sunseeker has appointed a new distributor in the Middle East, which will be led by John Bush and Brett Noble of Bush & Noble, Trading under the name Sunseeker Gulf, Bush & Noble will exclusively represent the British yacht builder in the region.

“We are incredibly proud to embark on a new venture with Sunseeker. Representing an iconic brand in a growing market will enable us to develop our business in the Middle East. We are very excited to present the incomparable quality found in Sunseeker’s yachts. As true leaders in yacht design and innovation, this is an exceptional new offering to the Middle East market which sees us represent one of the most prestigious yacht brands in the world today.”

says John Bush, Founder of Sunseeker Gulf.

“We are delighted to unveil Sunseeker Gulf as our new distributor in this critical market. Their strength and expertise will offer exceptional customer service and ample opportunity to develop our presence in the region.”

says Douglas Culverwell, Director of Distributor Development.

The appointment of Sunseeker Gulf will allow Sunseeker to develop its presence in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, with its head office based in Dubai. Sunseeker Gulf will further expand the roadmap laid out by Sunseeker over the past twenty years in the region, enhancing its global development strategy. This new appointment will also allow Sunseeker to participate in regional events and lead-generation activities

“Our new alliance with Sunseeker Gulf will offer the market direct and unprecedented access to the entire Sunseeker range. Yachts ranging from 55 to 160 feet will offer prospective customers a diverse portfolio of luxury motor yachts, from the all-new and incredibly exciting Superhawk 55 to the magnificent 100 Yacht and recently launched Ocean range.”

says Sean Robertson, Sales and Marketing Director at Sunseeker.

Sunseeker Gulf will debut at Dubai International Boat Show 2023.