United Kingdom

Scorpion RIBs

The award-winning 34.97-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fast Cruising Ltd (Company)">Fast Cruising</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> sold in an in-house deal with Alistair Shove of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4630" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Carrswood Yachts (Company)">Carrswood Yachts</a> representing both the buyer and the seller. The British-built ketch was delivered in 2003 and is a fast all carbon cruiser racer with wins at many superyacht regattas.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195235/image/large-cbfd9df8cf9b87b95e607a647d47f6ee.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195235">The sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> was designed in-house by leading race boat designers <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/152" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Farr Yacht Design (Company)">Farr Yacht Design</a> who were looking to create a fast and reliable yacht with a sleek and elegant design. She features a robust and timeless hull shape by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Green Marine (Company)">Green Marine</a>, and a rig capable of long-range ocean cruising.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195234/image/large-16038a266740384bbf4e9de30dbf32e8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195234"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> completed a full refurbishment including all her fixtures &amp; fittings, interior furnishings, mechanical equipment, rigging and sails in 2015. Her sumptuous classically inspired interior uses Sipo mahogany, intricate pommele detailing, accents of marble and gold plated fittings throughout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195233/image/large-f3120ac0c3cc2c46935abaa89089e8b4.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195233">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fast Cruising Ltd (Company)">Fast Cruising</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> is able to sleep up to six guests across three staterooms including a master stateroom, VIP stateroom and a twin stateroom. All of her guest staterooms include ensuite bathrooms with a regal cream and gold colour palette.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/195238/image/large-3133aec61e5e55b058016262fb78efee.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/195238">The yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> was previously owned by the late Sir Peter Harrison who saw her sail to victory and win trophies at the Antigua Megayacht Challenge in 2005 during the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge and the 2018 St Barths Bucket Regatta. As well as this, she holds the Round Antigua record at the 2017 Antigua Sailing Week.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/121233/image/large-4d3d17ca7bcafeaa549d7784ca43cb78.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/121233">Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48474" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="In pictures: Antigua Sailing Week comes to an end (2018-05-07 11:00:00 +0200)">In pictures: Antigua Sailing Week comes to an end</a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> is also equipped with plenty of water toys to keep her guests entertained, including; an 8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1914" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scorpion RIBs (Company)">Scorpion</a> Rib, wakeboards, paddle boards, fishing and snorkelling equipment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/29166/image/large-6a0ea5ee3f85a8ebaac2ac93d37d1bd2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29166">Performance-wise, the 124GT yacht is powered by 1 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1633" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lugger (Company)">Lugger</a> engine that gives her a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots. The yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1293" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sojana34.97m (114'9&quot;)Fast Cruising Ltd2003">Sojana</a> had a last known asking price of €4,450,000.

Award winning 35m Fast Cruising sailing yacht Sojana sold

The award-winning 35m Fast Cruising sailing yacht Sojana sold in an in-house deal. She had a last known asking price of €4,450,000.

Award-winning 35m Fast Cruising sailing yacht Sojana sold

After 17 years at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/124" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Edmiston (Company)">Edmiston</a>, Chris Cecil-Wright took a leap of faith and left to run his own brokerage house to look after a small number of special boats and select clients. As the show season gets underway, Chris and his team are hoping to continue their trend of selling a boat at every Monaco Yacht Show. With three berths booked in preparation, along with his positive attitude and wealth of knowledge, he may well get lucky. In the meantime, over a cup of coffee on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/186" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire62.0m (203'5&quot;)Feadship2005">New Hampshire</a>, Chris gives a fascinating insight into the business from the eyes and mind of one of the superyacht industry's most influential and successful yacht brokers.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/81639/image/large-098bdd10f3c1fd030f7d764b3946560d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/81639">Having branched out on your own and founding&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cecil Wright & Partners (Company)">Cecil Wright</a>&nbsp;in 2013, has your method of working changed? Do you have any particular tactics when it comes to dealing with clients?The way I do business is that I meet the client and I take the time to build a relationship with them as that is the driver for good business. When you have a good bond with someone you can have frank discussions and, most importantly, you get to know their idea of value, size and quality. That’s my tactic: to know my clients well! It is also why I don’t have very many clients as I like to keep them to a minimum and look after them properly. How do you think&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cecil Wright & Partners (Company)">Cecil Wright</a>&nbsp;stands out?I don’t think we do stand out, I just think we do what we do well! There’s a whole big market out there with thousands of boats to choose from so you can’t know everything. The way I add value to a relationship is knowing the history of the boats, which is why I focus on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadships</a> because I like the product and about their boats. When I deliver this information to a new owner it is good value to them. <img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/55860/image/large-989e1df86770e8c8e5284175607495fa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/55860">What would your best advice be to a new owner wanting to get into the industry?Personally, if I was a new owner coming into the industry I would try to find the support of someone who spoke my language and understood who I was. Someone who bothered to make a relationship with me and didn’t just send me a list of big white boats and ask me to choose. I would be having coffee at various brokerage companies and look the broker in the eye and ask myself: “Do I like this person? Because I am going to be spending the next year or two with them!”&nbsp; Refit is often the best option for first-time buyers as it is likely that they have already chartered and explored the second-hand <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht market</a>. There’s no point in building your own boat until you’ve spent some time on one because you won’t know what you really want. That said, however, I have sold quite a few 80m+ new-builds to first-time buyers. I think the 60-metre market is very adaptable to suit any taste: For example, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/280" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ambition56.5m (185'4&quot;)Feadship2001">Hampshire I</a> (renamed Ambition) had dark blue carpets, dark wood and gold accents, but now she is looking very contemporary. A nostalgic boat doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of modern amenities onboard! There is definitely part of the market that like this style, but that’s what I love about our industry so much: every owner is different with different ideas and wants something different out of yachting. It’s a passion!<img src="/uploads/store/photo/88485/image/large-8c98f2142739cfc249b9dabb2f0a6626.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/88485">The refit work on&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/186" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire62.0m (203'5&quot;)Feadship2005">New Hampshire</a>&nbsp;came to around €8,000,000 over the course of 18 months, what is your opinion on the current refit market?The refit market is a big question because boats are always being refitted and the scope is so huge. I think brokers are able to add value to a transaction by knowing the history of the boat leading up to its acquisition and can guide an owner through what needs to be done on the boat to make it how they want it with sensible expenditure. Some people are just after the biggest boat for the best price so they don’t mind if it is a bit rough and ready; other people want absolute precision, perfection. But boats are never perfect - even when they come out of the shipyard: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/186" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire62.0m (203'5&quot;)Feadship2005">New Hampshire</a> is a classic example.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/81643/image/large-b0958ec8ab66f7e993bc0154f631e53e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/81643">You are very open about your passion for&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>. What is it about&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>&nbsp;you like so much?I have worked on so many boats there now and have built strong relationships. If you went to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> to buy a boat it would be different than if you came to me and we both went to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> needs to make a profit, whereas my job is to get the best possible deal, contract, terms, price and specification that I possibly can. For me, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> DNA has always been in the ultimate finish and in the quality that is put into the details. Just as one example, you have the teak on a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>: if you run your toe over the deck there is a very small camber around the edge so water doesn't collect - no other boat has that! There are just a million things like that on a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> that just make them special.&nbsp; Having been in the industry for nearly 25 years, have you seen a shift in the clientele?&nbsp;In the last year, no. But in the last 10 or 20 years, I have noticed an increase in female owners! Also, America took a bit of a back seat when the Russians were in town but that market is back in force now. Unsurprisingly, Asia is becoming more prominent. I couldn't comment on anybody's style or taste because when you think what sort of money these people have, they are so unique on this planet. It’s an extraordinary business!&nbsp; What if you don’t agree with your clients’ ideas?These days I don’t disagree. In the old days, I used to sell whatever anybody wanted, now I find my reputation is more important than just doing any deal. I can and have said I am happy to point people in the right direction but I won’t be involved - I have the experience to know that it will come back to bite you and one disgruntled client is not worth it!<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/81642/image/large-072d1bd4b0e03fdabe26b6a3abe0781d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/81642">What are your expectations or predictions for the future, both in the industry and for&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cecil Wright & Partners (Company)">Cecil Wright &amp; Partners</a>?I predict we will find a buyer, a new buyer, for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/186" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire62.0m (203'5&quot;)Feadship2005">New Hampshire</a> or <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/280" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ambition56.5m (185'4&quot;)Feadship2001">Hampshire I</a>. I really want to find a buyer in-house to keep them in my fleet and release them out to the charter market which is somewhere they haven’t been for a long time. They’re both immaculate, ready to go and we’ve had a lot of interest from realistic sellers. I sold a 66-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> to the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/280" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ambition56.5m (185'4&quot;)Feadship2001">Hampshire I</a>, and the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/186" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire62.0m (203'5&quot;)Feadship2005">New Hampshire</a> bought an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking</a> 81-metre, so they have both got their new boats already!&nbsp;I’d like to see the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cecil Wright & Partners (Company)">Cecil-Wright</a> charter department grow, especially as we will add the recently sold <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2616" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arience60.0m (196'10&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2012">Arience</a> to the charter market very soon. I see a lot of charter businesses just going through the motions and I think we can provide more of a personal service.&nbsp;<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/75429/image/large-07a1a22511861764b32d7988360c680a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/75429"> Do you have a particular career highlight, and a challenge?I enjoyed doing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Gu99.0m (324'10&quot;)Feadship2013">Madame Gu</a> as I introduced the designer, put the build contract together, went all the way through the build and delivered it. It was fun! We are still very good friends with the captain and the team. I delivered <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6297" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sherpa73.6m (241'6&quot;)Feadship2018">Sherpa</a>&nbsp;which was a big highlight and an extraordinary process. We started off building a shadow boat and ended up with an explorer!<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/64444/image/large-1ff95c34fa00d23a1c5b03b4df032578.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/64444"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/53636/image/large-49be41c11c6a2a083f7bbaeafa16162d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/53636">Leaving <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/124" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Edmiston (Company)">Edmiston</a> was an emotional challenge. Despite the industry not having changed much in the last 25 years, every day is still a challenge! The reasons people have boats are the same, but there are a lot more shipyards and brokers even though what we are all trying to do is the same. The volume of the industry has gotten bigger, which means there are more careers for people. &nbsp;What would be your money-no-object project?That’s like saying what’s your favourite pair of shoes! Your favourite shoes may not be practical for playing tennis or going to the farm. So if I wanted to go to St Tropez, the last thing I’d want is a 110-metre motor yacht, but if I want to explore Antarctica, I wouldn’t have a 35-metre 100-year-old classic sailing yacht. There are 100 boats I would love to own and I have around 10 boats as it is! They all have different jobs: I have a 12ft Scow that I race on a Monday with my daughter, a J80 I race on Thursday with four other lads, a Nicholson 55 sailing yacht I take to holiday with my family, a 16ft Pram that I picnic on with my family along the coast and an 8.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1914" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scorpion RIBs (Company)">Scorpion Rib</a> I take on the Solent as a means of transport. My perfect boat in the Med right now is probably a 45-metre classic restored <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> - something like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/267" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heavenly Daze32.22m (105'9&quot;)Feadship1972">Heavenly Daze</a> - lovely! I think one day I will buy it! She’s the same age as me and people are calling it a classic!<img src="/uploads/store/photo/75100/image/large-1f21776d27b0521af85a2efa2e1d39a7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/75100"> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/55401/image/large-6524e9c9dfc37e22bf131ecc39bea57e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/55401"></a>This article is featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper. <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription">Subscribe now&nbsp;</a>to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.

Quick Q&A with Chris Cecil-Wright

A quick Q&A with broker Chris Cecil-Wright on Cecil Wright & Partners and his outlook on the yachting industry.

Broker Q&A: Chris from Cecil-Wright & Partners

Kevin Hunt has joined the Lymington-based prestige RIB builders Scorpion RIBs Ltd as General Manager. He brings 18 years of practical hands-on as well as managerial experience within the marine industry to this important role with particularly relevant experience gained building Ribeye and Ribtec RIBs as Production Manager at Rampart Yachts, and working with Cougar and Pascoe International. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/129103/image/large-2e97b4756bc84f27aa6d0e96042d4640.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/129103">Kevin is relishing the challenge ahead commenting, “I knew from the very first time that I looked around the Scorpion factory that I needed to be part of Patrick Byrne’s, the new owner’s, exciting plans and help to move the company forward. During this recession most companies are looking behind them and all chasing what work they can find, whereas here we are expanding the current range and also taking very influential orders from around the world. “The team at Scorpion encompasses skills in all areas of the business from in-house tube manufacturing to design and marketing. It is without doubt the best working environment I have worked in since I was first employed way back in 1990. The attention to detail and the pride that our workforce puts in to each boat is second to none and I can see why our clients old and new keep purchasing our boats.” Scorpion RIBs Ltd Stewart Thornley +44 (0) 1590 677080 <a href="mailto:shornley@scorpionribs.com?subject=Scorpion%20RIBS%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">shornley@scorpionribs.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.scorpionribs.com">www.scorpionribs.com</a>

Scorpion RIBs appoints new General Manager

Scorpion RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats), based in Lymington, Hampshire, is a fine example of a British company producing a first class product using British design, British craftsmen and British manufacturing skills. The brand is already recognised for setting all the industry standards producing high-end, bespoke luxury cruising and performance RIBs. However, a Scorpion RIB was, until now, out of reach of most RIB enthusiasts.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/128120/image/large-85dfe5f5cccd9917d7cfef43cfc7dced.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/128120">That’s all changing now as a result of the commitment and business acumen being invested by its new owner into the company’s long term growth. This new confidence combined with a subtle marketing and brand building exercise is helping to shift perception and also starting to attract more overseas buyers whilst also having a positive effect on home market sales.The company’s order book is full through to October, with a mix of models being built to order ranging from the £200,000 Sting, the exquisite 10 metre cabin RIB, to a brand new and more widely affordable 6.5 metre sporty open RIB starting at £35,000. Orders for new boats are coming in from as far afield as the Philippines and the Caribbean.One of the reasons for this increased level of interest at a time when many firms are being forced to close their doors forever or reducing staff levels is that the company’s new owner and hands-on M.D., Patrick Byrne, is a huge supporter and devotee of RIBs and their immense capabilities.“I knew and trusted the calibre of these boats long before I got involved with the business, having cruised extensively and also done some racing in Scorpions over a number of years. It’s all about making the very best product you can and we’re focusing everything on building and delivering the very best there is. One of my roles is to expand on the excellent brand loyalty that Scorpion already enjoys by introducing our credentials and our boats to a wider public,” states Patrick.The 6.5m has primarily been launched as Scorpion’s first production model to entice a whole new audience into Scorpion’s embrace. As Patrick Byrne says, “By bringing a 6.5m at £35k into the arena, owning a Scorpion suddenly becomes more affordable and easier to justify.”Scorpion is producing two versions of the 6.5m; the Classic model package at £35,325 inc. VAT and a Deluxe model priced at £38,750 inc. VAT.It doesn’t stop there though. The high-end luxury market is another obvious arena for Scorpion to further expand its business. This brand is a natural fit for superyacht captains who are ‘shopping’ for the best-looking and best-performing tenders and runabouts, and of course there’s the ‘toys for the boys’ angle as well.The Scorpion range delivers on all fronts and its boats will be making an impact in all the right places this summer. Partnerships are already in place for providing the official press boats supporting the Dubois Cup (6-8 June) <a href="http://www.theduboiscup.com" target="_blank">www.theduboiscup.com</a> and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta (9-13 June), hosted by the exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com and Scorpion is also likely to be putting in an appearance at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.To support the more immediate expansion plans as well as gearing itself up for longer-term growth, Scorpion has expanded into Palma, Mallorca offering a sales, service and storage facility for Scorpion RIBs in the Western Mediterranean covering Spain, France, Portugal and Monaco.Back in the UK, Scorpion has recently increased its workforce by 10% and has moved its tube shop to a much larger but still local industrial unit.As part of the Government’s Apprenticeship Expansion Programme, Scorpion RIBs has also joined a consortium led by Lymington-based company Berthon to provide an apprenticeship scheme. Patrick Byrne is totally committed to ensuring that the Scorpion brand stands for all the best things about British produced boats. “It’s a change in philosophy for the company to look at the longer term and a commitment to training and we are looking forward to taking on our first local apprentice next month, training him in RIB construction,” he commented.If you’re in the market for a RIB, Scorpion is exhibiting the new 6.5m and an 8.5m RIB at this year’s Southampton Boat Show from 11-20 September.Scorpion RIBS Limited +44 (0) 1590 677 080 <a href="mailto:sthornley@scorpionribs.com?subject=Scorpion%20RIBS%20Limited%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">sthornley@scorpionribs.com</a> <a href="http://www.scorpion-ribs.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.scorpion-ribs.co.uk</a>