GUNBOAT - JUNE BUGGING

A THAI LADY

GUNBOAT CEO Peter Johnstone just returned from a two week GUNBOAT 60 Series trip.  He concluded, "We had great project meetings with three of the GUNBOAT 60 owners. FLOW and FAULT TOLERANT are coming together beautifully for their owners. Thai based 60-04 is not yet named but is progressing nicely with all structures assembled. The Gunboat 60 Series' finish exceeds expectations and raises the bar further for GUNBOAT. Our world-class build team in Xiamen, led by Paul Hakes and William Jelbert, continues to set best practices in every area."  Learn more about the GUNBOAT 60 Series here:  www.gunboat.com 


A HIGH FIVE ENDING. - NOT THE HANGOVER PART III
Mid-May, the GUNBOAT Sales Team, led by Meg Minetree, announced the signing of GUNBOAT 60-05. The GUNBOAT 60 has come together very well and the interest in this series is gaining speed. High-fives all around between the GUNBOAT and HUDSON YACHT Teams. Everyone is excited to see the 60 take root after more than two years of hard work.  Learn more about the the GUNBOAT 60 Series here:  www.gunboat.com


IF THE WORLD IS HIS OYSTER...   HE KNOWS WHERE TO FIND HIS PEARL
Oyster Yachts founder Richard Matthews of the UK chose to build XXX, his new all carbon Judel Vrolik designed Hudson-Hakes 42 race boat, at the GUNBAOT 60 facility in Xiamen. The 5-axis machined tooling and immaculate construction has resulted in an example of precision yacht building that can only be described as exquisite. We are proud to refer to XXX as the kid sister to the GUNBOAT 60 Series and wish Mr. Matthews success with his UK and Caribbean racing plans.



CRUISING MOVES, 15,000 NM. ONE MONTH.

Making tracks on a fast, level, luxury yacht is fun. May racked up some serious miles on various GUNBOATs. GUNBOAT 66s LAGUZ, TIGER LILY, and COCO DE MER departed the Caribbean for their Trans-Atlantic passages to the Med and UK this month. LAGUZ is already celebrating in Horta after a storm-tossed crossing. GUNBOAT 66 SLIM and GUNBOAT 62s TRIBE and ELVIS have departed the Caribbean for the East Coast USA summer. TRIBE was spotted steaming up the East River past Manhattan. GUNBOAT 66 PHAEDO reports a successful transit of the Panama Canal and is enjoying her trip up to LA for the start of the Transpac Race in July. GUNBOAT 48 FALCOR is making her way through the Virgins, Turks & Caicos, and the Bahamas en route to the GUNBOAT yard in NC for some love. May was a 15,000+ mile month for GUNBOATs on the move!  www.gunboat.com 



GRAND PRIX RACING-CRUISING SAILS!

Doyle Sails founder Robbie Doyle and Doyle Sails' GUNBOAT Project Manager, Olympian Mark Mendelblatt, spent a day at GUNBOAT in Wanchese, North Carolina with one of their likely GUNBOAT customers. The Doyle Team made an impressive presentation showing their latest work with Stratis Membrane technology and various sail design innovations developed on the very successful SHOCKWAVE mini-maxi.

 Soon after, Ken Read, the President of North Sails Worldwide, spent a day at GUNBOAT to research all of our latest developments. Ken has announced that North Sails Design Services, led by JB Braun, will be applying all of North Sails' technical resources towards their GUNBOAT sail program. "For the first time in history, the fastest sails in the world are also the most durable. Our 3di sails on PUMA could have done a 2nd lap of the world," Ken enthused. He continued, "GUNBOAT is perfect for our North customers. After touring the factory, it is clear to me that GUNBOAT is leading in boat building technology as we lead in sail making technology. Sure seems like a natural fit to me." 



WEDNESDAY NIGHT BEER CAN RACING -GUNBOAT STYLE!

There was a time not long ago when anyone on the water would stop to stare at a Swan 65 sailing down Long Island Sound. It would have been an enormous yacht to behold. TRIBE's owner has announced that up to four GUNBOAT 62s and 66s may gather for a few Wednesday evening races this summer in the middle of Long Island Sound.
 


BON VOYAGE PHIL & LAURA

One of GUNBOAT's favorite couples will be on the move at the end of May. Phil and Laura Harvey built the first two GUNBOAT 62s at Harvey Yachts in 2001-2002 and helped Jaz Marine get started on the third. After eight years of cruising, this dynamic duo returned to get the GUNBOAT 60 production started in Xiamen. For the past 16 months Phil and Laura have played key roles in igniting the GUNBOAT 55 production in the USA. Full of energy, experience, and fun, they will always be a part of our GUNBOAT family and legacy. We are all wishing Phil and Laura warm winds at their back as they begin their cruising life again. We thank them for their dedication, hard work, and contributions to GUNBOAT. We will miss you. Y'all come back now!


KATHI'S GOTT IT!
 

Kathi Gott Beedy has joined GUNBOAT as a 15 year veteran of large yacht project management, administration, and marketing in the Boothbay area of Maine. Versed in large complex projects, she will also handle various aspects of GUNBOAT events and development. Kathi is enjoying her new home in NC and plans to see more of her daughter and grandchildren in nearby New Bern. Welcome aboard Kathi!


 BUSTLING WITH TALENT IN NC  PROMOTIONS WITHIN - CONGRATS!
 
Aaron Crosswait has been promoted from Infusion Team Leader to Lead Boat Builder of all composites. Aaron's father Bobby runs the small parts composite team. "Having 2nd and 3rd generation boat building skills is a real benefit of our Wanchese, NC facility," explains Operations Manager Dan Bottjen.

Well regarded TP52 project manager Patrick Edwards now runs the assembly and finish areas. "It is a real pleasure to lead such skilled craftsmen," remarked Edwards.  "The 55 series is coming together with precision and excellent attention to detail," he concluded.

Mike Reynolds has moved from stock room boss to become the purchasing manager. Mike brings over 25 years of purchasing experience to GUNBOAT from the heydays of Ablemarle and Buddy Davis Yachts. "We'd deliver a 60' every few weeks at Davis. I expect GUNBOAT to meet that soon. We're ready!" Amen Mike. Let's do this.