Fitzroy Closing

I was thinking today it is just too bad we are losing Fitzroy Yachts of New Zealand. It was sad to here and on the water today was thinking about it. Maybe losing a motor boat builder is sad to here but a sailboat builder of the caliber of Fitzroy is heartbreaking.

They are essentially closing shop the middle end of February when the latest 37.5m Dubois is finished. The work force has been reduced to from around 180 when Zefira was built to a little over 100. And, all will be essentially out of work when this last new build is finished. A yacht like Zefira or Ohana takes several hundred thousands of highly skilled man hours to built... the engineering support is very significant.

It has been said Fitzroy was the place to go if you wanted to have it your way in the sailboat world. That is important for any owner building his or her dream... as that what boats are. So WHY?

I wonder really what it is... strong NZ currency... so far to go... just so little demand for sailboat. Not even a bulletin here on Yacht Forums. They have built some really wonderful yachts... not many... less than 10 if I remember right but all wonderful. I know the distance is a big factor. The build quality of the NZ builders has in my mind had a special place and ranks up there with the best if the Kiwis are really not the best builders of sailing yachts.

Well back after one long day but really enjoyed my day away daysail. Cut it off early so everybody can get ready for their weekend. I suppose because I cut it off early and on the way back decided to visit an old friend now long gone that this came up. By chance got to the cemetery just about sunset... got to thinking on everything... and today's sail... and how rare it all is!

KIWI's rocks when it comes to boats... and particularly sail boats!

The Yachts

The Yachts... all of them aluminum mostly Dubois Sloops... 1997- present
Mostly sophisticated European Owners
Fitzroy Yachts :: New Zealand's Premier Super Yacht Builders


Top Secret Build... 37.5m Dubois Sloop... due out end of February

Ohana... 50m Dubois Sloop... Interior by the stylish young French owners, very light modern... hull beautiful dark grey breen

Zefira... 49.7m Dubois Sloop... Remi Tessier modern light jewel like interior... striking medium grey hull

Salperton IV... 45m Dubois Sloop... Sophisticated Adam Lay modern Asian inspired interior... creamy vey light grey hull

Inmocean... 41m Dubois Sloop... Adam Lay modern interrupted traditional interior... creamy light hull

Artemis... 44m Dubois Sloop... Sophisticated Adam Lay modern Asian inspired interior... creamy very light grey hull... might sound like Salperton... it was Salperton!

Genesha... 38.9m Dubois Sloop... Modern walnut brown paneled Redman Whiteley Dixon interior.... Black Hull

Ludynosa G... 37.5m Dubois Sloop... Redman Whiteley Dixon very glossy dark paneling with grey accents and sumptuous medium grey seating.... creamy red hull

Neptune... 26.7m Jugel Vrolijk Sloop... Dick Young Interior... Black Hull

Moonbird... 37m Dubois Sloop... Dick Young Interior... Black Hull

Spirit of Fitzroy... 24.7m Alan Warwick Sloop... Alan Warwick Interior... Black Hull

One motor boat conversion/refit of a commercial boat for the Managing Director of Fitzroy

The Last - Escapade

Launch photos of the last Fitzroy.... today.

Lots of nice photos on the Fitzroy workers Facebook Page...

Beautiful... will miss you guys and the boats...

https://www.facebook.com/supportingfitzroyyachtsworkers?ref=stream&hc_location=stream