Former Oyster yacht builder hopes to make a splash with new ranges

Anthony Landamore, managing director of boat builder Landamores in Hoveton, aboard a new Mayfly launch at the company’s boatyard. Picture: Steven Sparkes/Perfect Pose Photography

A Broads boat builder, which made its name crafting yachts for Oyster, is charting a course for solo success.

Landamores in Hoveton had been building Oysters for 35 years before the company, which was rescued out of administration earlier this year, took its boat building in-house in 2012.

After a quiet interim at its Marsh Road facility, during which the family firm focused on the restoration of classic vessels, it is ready to launch back into building.

It will be making two new ranges – Edwardian-style day boats and Jersey 36s, built to order at its boatyard.

Director Anthony Landamore, who runs the 95-year-old business with sister Anna Brooke, said the involvement of younger family members had kick-started the company’s reinvention.

“The opportunity arose to build new boats, and a number of contractors working in the yard had built those classical boats before so it was a good fit,” he said. “We have the skill set from doing the Oyster work so we are well suited to doing high quality work and relatively low volume.

“These won’t be for your average motor boater – it is for someone who prefers that traditional style.”

The new ranges were launched with a 16ft Mayfly, one of the smaller boats in its Edwardian launch range.

The company is also in the process of building its first Jersey 36 at the request of a customer, and has received interest in the range from agents in Taiwan, Norway, the USA and the south of France and stock the boats.

Landamores currently employs 10 people at its yard, including four former Oyster employees, and Mr Landamore said this number is likely to double to meet its production target of 10 boats a year.

There are also plans to restart the production of Broads cruisers, which have not been made by Landamores for more than a decade. The craft will be powered by both diesel and electric motors, reflecting the growing popularity of hybrid systems among boaters.

Only one of its four sheds is currently being used for production, but there are plans to bring them all back into use. The company will continue to offer repair and restoration services, and will keep operating its moorings at Bridge Broad in Wroxham.

A new Mayfly launch from boat builder Landamores in Hoveton. Picture: Steven Sparkes/Perfect Pose Photography

Story by Bethany Whymark for the Eastern Daily Press.