The Discovery yachts brand has been acquired by Ocean Discovery Yachts, with production moved to Plymouth which will be the global manufacturing HQ.
The acquisition includes the Discovery brand, IP, design portfolio and production tooling.
Three new models are currently available, the D55, D60 and D68 each drawn by superyacht designer Rob Doyle.
In addition to the new models, the company has announced the launch of its new upcycled yacht brand.
reDISCOVERY offers an ‘upcycled’ Discovery 55 yacht that has undergone the company’s refit service to ‘as new’ standard with a minimum specification of installed upgrades and technology from propulsion, rig, electronics, and safety equipment.
There is a huge opportunity to set new standards and fulfil the dreams of today’s new customers.
Co-founder and CEO Dan Couchman
“It is an honour to be leading the next stage of Discovery,” said co-founder and CEO Dan Couchman. “There is a huge opportunity to set new standards and fulfil the dreams of today’s new customers – increasingly people whose start point is to experience adventure rather than purely to go sailing.
“The reDISCOVERY proposition breaks new ground in an industry that has never paid proper attention to optimising the life, value and environmental impact of yachts in the 50-70ft market and depending on final specification, the reDISCOVERY offers a serious saving on the cost of a new build yacht.”
Discovery was founded in 1998 by John Charnley with the Ron Holland-designed Discovery 55 known for its suitability for short-handed bluewater voyaging.
The 55 was followed by a 58 and the flagship 67 and later, a Discovery 54 designed by Ed Dubois. More than 75 yachts were built between 1995 and 2020.
The company entered voluntary liquidation in 2022 with the Covid pandemic, declining orders and supply chain issues blamed.
The assets were taken over by British sailboat builder Ocean Shipyard which later applied for voluntary liquidation in 2023.
The new Discovery team includes Ron Holland’s original Discovery design director Rob Doyle who takes the lead on design and a handpicked manufacturing team.
Expedition skipper Louie Hubbard will lead development of Discovery Adventures, part of the brand’s promise to focus as much on the experience as the vessels themselves.
Discovery is building its base in Plymouth with support and investment from regional bodies including the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and Plymouth City Council.
The Discovery team has already established partnerships with some of the leading names in marine technology and academia.
These include Plymouth University Composites and Engineering Centre, Exeter University’s Centre for Future Clean Mobility, and DAME Award winners for electric hybrid propulsion, OceanVolt.
Ocean Discovery Yachts is owned by the Couchman family.
