Upcycling yachts just became a ‘thing’, thanks to Discovery Yachts
Discovery Yachts is grasping environmental responsibilities by the horns and has launched what it is billing as the world’s first upcycled yacht brand. Although doing up old yachts has long been a pastime of many, and talking about it the pastime of even more, reDiscovery believes it’s offering a unique proposition. And that is an ‘upcycled’ Discovery 55 yacht that has undergone the company’s proprietary comprehensive refit service to ‘as new’ standard with a minimum specification of installed upgrades and technology from propulsion, rig, electronics, safety equipment and more.
“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,” says co-founder and CEO Dan Couchman. “Depending on final specification, the reDiscovery offers a serious saving on the cost of a new build yacht.”
Couchman says it’s an honour to be leading the next stage the company’s future. “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.”
Couchman’s name will be familiar to MIN readers. In Nov 2022, MIN reported that Couchman was restoring a 46-year-old sailing ketch, ex-Ocean Youth Club sailing vessel Francis Drake. Couchman was running the build management restoration under the banner of H2Eau Projects, an arm of H2Eau Sports Ltd.
Perhaps reDiscovery is the first ‘brand’ to position itself as an overall upcycler as the company suggests, but other companies are actively engaged in bringing beautiful vessels back to life. Earlier this year, a Sunseeker – which was bought for a pound – made headlines as its restoration proved delighful. That project, by Hypro Marine (a designer and manufacturer of power-assisted steering systems, and a sister company to Avon Marina), built on the company’s pedigree of a previously renovated Monza (currently for sale).
“We’d love to see more brands exploring upcycling initiatives,” says Couchman.
“While we’re proud of our engineered hulls’ durability, we recognise that every manufacturer faces unique challenges in extending the lifespan of their products. We believe that progress in sustainability is a collective effort.
“Given the significant sustainability challenges in the marine sector and beyond, we believe collaboration is crucial. That’s why we’ve established a ‘Sustainability in Marine’ network, aimed at fostering collective initiatives and driving positive change.
“As part of this effort, we’re hosting an open debate on sustainability in yacht design today (Thursday 12 September 2024) at 5:30 PM at the Cannes Yachting Festival. We invite industry professionals and enthusiasts to join us in this important conversation.”
Discovery was founded in 1998 by John Charnley. The Ron Holland-designed 55 set the benchmark for short-handed bluewater voyaging, enabling a crew of two to sail the world. That was followed by a 58 and the flagship 67 and later, a Discover 54 designed by Ed Dubois. Over 75 yachts were built between 1995 and 2020.
Discovery, whose brand, IP, design portfolio and production tooling have been acquired by Ocean Discovery Yachts, owned by the Couchman family, is building its base in Plymouth, UK, with support and investment from regional bodies including the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and Plymouth City Council.
The new team includes Ron Holland’s original design director, Rob Doyle, who takes the lead on design. There’s also a handpicked manufacturing team built from extensive experience in new build and refit work on world-leading brands. 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.
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