Orkney boats gone bust ????

Member Joined: Apr 12, 2009 Posts: 96

Hi all, I've heard a roomer down here in Gosport that the boat company Orkney have gone bust. I've also been told that they took no orders from the boat show. Does anyone know or have anymore inf on this. If its true it's a real shame, they have built very good boats for a very, very long time.

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:03 am

It would be a shame if they have as they were renown for the stability they built into their craft.

I have heard similar things with the makers of Seahog craft. I do know that they were cutting back even before the squeeze.

I can see this happening throughout the Leisure industry.

Why the government don't subsidise british companies beats me, after all the French do it for the farmers to the tune of millions. angry

By the way do they still have a butter mountain? angry

Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:26 pm

It's not a rumour that I have heard other than here.
As an Orkney owner I hope that it is just rumour. The company has proudly boasted they made fishing boats, not just boats you could fish from.
Against the direction the industry in general was moving, Orkney continued to produce boats rated for a much smaller power unit compared to others. It seems odd that British anglers thirst for power and speed may have killed an industry stallwart at the very time fuel costs were soaring and the demand for lower powered, fuel efficient vessels should be greatest.
Orkney never compromised on the quality of their vessels and the initial purchase price proved to be relatively high against the competition. I hope their downfall proves not to be at the expense of their quality and determination to produce lower powered vessels.

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:51 pm

Their website is still operational today. I agree with tomcat, a 16ft Orkney with say a 15 horse 4 stroke engine on would be my ideal inshore angling boat and I wouldn't bother to waste space by having one of those silly little cuddies on the front. I know I am about right because some of our local long liners use a very similar vessel probably more like 20 ft with an inboard diesel on though.

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:19 pm

A bit of research on't net reveals this report dated 14th October 2011.
http://www.business-sale.com/news/article/administrators-consider-future-of-orkney-boats-limited-35421.html

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:24 pm

Oh dear what a dreadful shame, some of the most solid and reliable small boats made in the UK. Can't some of you order a few?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:02 pm

I've fished on many an Orkney and they are tough little boats - that may be their downfall in a way as they tend to last forever so don't need replacing like less sturdy makes.

Its a shame as they have been around a long time and when a firm goes to the wall a lot of people suffer.

Member Joined: Apr 12, 2009 Posts: 96

So it's true.....what a shame, they are indeed a strong and true boats with outstanding quility. Lets just hope the administrators can do something for them. Fingers crossed for them.

Joined: Oct 31, 2011 Posts: 1

Planning for the future

The market for boat builders has been an extremely tough one for the last two to three years and reluctantly after 37 years of trading we decided we would have to lay off much of our workforce and restructure the business into a size and form better suited to the prevailing demand.

The process of restructure is nearly completed and happily we have been able to retain some of the very skilled workforce. We will be working from the same site (albeit in smaller workshops) that we have occupied since the company started. In the immediate future Orkney Boats (HOLDINGS) LTD. will assume the production and marketing role and the product range will be available for this winter and the next season.

Orkney Boats has been building glass reinforced boats for 37 years at our factory near Littlehampton. In that time we have built almost 15,000 boats most of which are still going strong to this day.

Times however, change and the new Nelson designed series 2 model on offer even more rugged construction and improved performance. These boats feature top grade fittings throughout, mainly in stainless steel, most of which are purpose made for Orkney boats.

We have found that the current demand is for long lasting quality rather than quantity and are reorganising our factory production with this in mind.

If you are after a seaworthy craft that will maintain its value and with a proven pedigree then look no further.

ORKNEY BOATS BUILT TO LAST…

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:47 pm

Now that was a post I was happy to read.
Best of luck for the future, my particular Orkney is 24 years old and still often thought to be nearly new by viewers.

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:20 pm

Its good to see that a well renowned boat company is still in buisness all beit with a smaller workforce, good luck for the future it would be a real shame to see an end to orkney boats

Dave big grin