SEALINE HISTORY

Pioneering a New Wave

3 Friends and £500 

British aircraft engineer Tom Murrant found himself yearning for the ideal family boat. He had a precise vision - something that combined the elegance of form with the pragmatism of function. Unable to find such a vessel that met his meticulous standards, he decided to build it himself. 

 

At a secluded airfield in Bobbington, Staffordshire, Tom Murrant, along with his friends Frank Fish and Ray Walker, brought his vision to life by constructing a 23-foot cabin cruiser. This pivotal moment ignited a spark in Murrant. With newfound determination, he took an audacious leap, withdrawing £500 from his life insurance to establish Fibrasonic Marine Ltd. 

Adapt and Overcome 

The young company faced financial turbulence in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. To weather the storm, it began manufacturing goods for a variety of sectors and taking on subcontracting roles for other boat builders. This period of adversity turned out to be a crucible, forging the resilience and adaptability that would become the bedrock of SEALINE. 

A New Home in Kidderminster 

To accommodate its growing ambitions, the company relocated to a more expansive facility in Kidderminster. Within a mere six weeks of settling into the new space, the team engineered their first C-LINE weekender - a significant milestone in maritime innovation and a visual sensation. The 22-foot cabin cruiser offered a personalised touch, with owners able to choose a distinctive stripe of colour in blue, yellow, or orange hues, adding unique character to each vessel. 

The Birth of SEALINE

Buoyed by previous successes, Tom Murrant set his sights on a loftier endeavour: crafting internationally renowned, elegant family motor yachts that encompassed a full range of building types. This evolution called for a new identity, shifting from C-LINE, which stood for cruiser and cabin, to the evocative name of SEALINE. 

 The 30 Fly and Ambassador 

SEALINE marked its transformation with groundbreaking models, like the 30 Fly - the brand's first flybridge cruiser - and the 285 Ambassador. Both models soon achieved best-seller status, solidifying the brand's reputation. 

SEALINE in the U.S. 

As the 1980s drew to a close, SEALINE took a bold step by entering the U.S. market. By the 1990s, this move had paid off handsomely, elevating SEALINE to the ranks of the "Big Four" British motorboat builders in the world.  

A New Era 

After a US$ 45 million acquisition by venture capitalists, SEALINE focused on improving build quality and design under the leadership of English industrialist Gerard Wainwright.  

Infusing Luxury 

 Only three years later, Gerard Wainwright sold SEALINE to the U.S.-based Brunswick Corporation for US$ 68 million. Under Brunswick's stewardship, the brand experienced a transformative shift. The introduction of advanced manufacturing processes and an elevated product portfolio firmly embedded luxury into SEALINE's identity. 

The T60: A Watershed Moment in Yacht Design 

The brand reached a milestone with the launch of the T60, SEALINE's longest model to date. It purely reflected the company's evolved identity - a modern yacht design with an unparalleled blend of expansive space for family, potent power, and unmatched comfort. 

Navigating Challenges 

The financial crisis of 2007/08 presented formidable obstacles, but SEALINE persevered. In 2011, the U.S.-based private equity firm Oxford Investment Group became the new steward of the brand. Although this period couldn't compare to SEALINE's pinnacle years, the solid foundation that SEALINE had established allowed it to weather these turbulent times until brighter days emerged. 

Rebirth and Evolution 

40 years into its journey, SEALINE experienced a revival under the wings of HanseYachts AG. This marked a harmonious marriage of British charm and German engineering, breathing new life into the brand's legacy and philosophy. While a quartet of yachts persisted in production at the Greifswald shipyard in Germany, the onset of a cutting-edge generation of models commenced under the expert guidance of newly appointed chief designer Bill Dixon. 

Sport Series: SEALINE S330 

This was the first German and English co-production between Bill Dixon and the shipyard in Greifswald. 

Fly Bridge: SEALINE F530  

SEALINE broke new ground by transforming the traditional FlyBridge into a 'FlyLounge' - an audacious move that perfectly aligns with the brand's enduring commitment to quality, comfort, and individualised space. The F530 model served as the canvas, crafted from the finest materials while offering expansive, versatile areas that cater to personal retreats. 

MODEL HISTORY

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