Trade-A-Boat - July 2018

tradeboats.com.au 11

Grand Banks Yachts has

acquired a new yard in

Florida to serve as its

official US headquarters,

consolidating its presence

in the bustling American

market.

Stuart Yacht Basin includes

seven berths and more than

1100m2 of waterfront offices,

shops and maintenance

facilities.

It also houses

commissioning and

repair equipment such as

a 50-tonne travel lift, an

enclosed floating workshop,

deep water docks and

concrete haul-out area.

The new premises will

serve as the company’s US

headquarters and will be

managed by Hank Compton,

COO of Grand Banks

America, who has previously

managed sales and sales

development in Australia and

the Asia Pacific region.

“The acquisition of Stuart

Yard continues to follow our

customer-first philosophy

that began with our factory

direct sales model,” said

Compton.

“We’ll organise new boat

commissioning out of the

yard for our new Grand

Banks, Palm Beach, and

Florida base

for Grand Banks

Eastbays, while also offering

a complete array of yacht

services for all of our owners

and for all yachts.”

Grand Banks CEO Mark

Richards said the opening of

the new US headquarters was

an important milestone for

the company’s global growth,

reinforcing its status as a

leading yacht brand.

In addition to offering

commissioning and

maintenance services, the

company will utilise the

facility to showcase new

products, and host private

events.

Fo r m e r Trade-a-Boat editor

David Lockwood passed

away aged 51 in early May,

following a short illness.

David was an integral

part of Trade-a-Boat

for over 15 years and

enjoyed nothing more

than championing the

recreational boating

lifestyle, where his

knowledge and industry

know-how covered every

spectrum of life afloat.

He was also a regular

contributor to the annual

Sydney International Boat

Show, where his presence

every year could be

assured, in combination

with his determination to

see everything evident

as he trawled through

the halls and marinas,

attempting to speak to

everyone in attendance.

David further assisted

the BIA regularly in many

ways, taking to the stage

at boat shows to extol

the virtues of the boating

lifestyle, sharing his

favourite boating locations

and of course, speaking

about boating with the

family.

He is survived by his

wife, Katherine, and

children, Summer and

Sandy.

Vale David Lockwood