The boatbuilding industry in Cape Town reflects global trends, undergoing significant consolidation over the past 15 years. Despite a reduction in the number of boatyards, the output of yachts has seen an uptick. However, challenges such as ageing infrastructure and a scarcity of skilled labor persist. Phoenix Marine Manufacturing and Xquisite Yachts collaborate are shining examples of success within these constraints and continue to innovate with award-winning designs like the Xquisite X5 Plus and the forthcoming Sixty Solar Sail catamaran, both of which are testaments to the industry’s resilience and ingenuity.
Xquisite Yachts’ adaptation to market demands, particularly in the power catamaran segment, demonstrates a keen understanding of its clientele’s evolving preferences. The introduction of a Sixty Solar Power catamaran equipped with a kite for enhanced fuel efficiency underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation. Additionally, the strategic shift to manufacture closer to its primary market in Aveiro, Portugal, speaks volumes about its agility and customer-centric approach.
Xquisite Yachts – in a dedicated base in the Bahamas – sets a benchmark in customer service, mirroring practices from the automobile industry to ensure unparalleled after-sales support, giving a two-year warranty to the client with a paid service plan available following that term.
This, coupled with in-house training initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation of boatbuilders, underscores the industry’s commitment to excellence and sustainability.
South Africa’s legacy in the multihull segment continues to thrive, with catamarans serving as the cornerstone of its boatbuilding industry. The collaborative efforts of Phoenix Marine Manufacturing and Xquisite Yachts, among others, are pivotal in advancing this legacy, ensuring that South Africa remains at the forefront of the global multihull market.
