Yanmar acquires West Coast distributor Boatswain’s Locker

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Leisure Marine

Team stands outside a building holding flags

Yanmar is taking a more direct role in its US West Coast business with the acquisition of Boatswain’s Locker, its long-standing distributor across the region.

Yanmar says it’ll be able to work more closely with its customers in the region in close cooperation with Mastry Engine Center. The new organisation will be able to deliver faster support, deeper technical knowledge, and a more connected customer experience as well as growing dealer and service capabilities on the West Coast of the USA.

Boatswain’s Locker is also a distributor for Vetus, part of the Yanmar Marine Recreational Business Unit which also includes Vetus Maxwell, Flexofold and Smartgyro. (More information about the company’s marine capabilities is available on the company’s website.)

Boatswain’s Locker president to remain

Robert Apted will remain as president of Boatswain’s Locker to ensure smooth integration of the acquisition.

“By becoming an even closer part of the Yanmar organisation, we can combine our local knowledge, trusted dealer relationships, and service expertise with the strength of the wider Yanmar Marine Recreational Business Unit,” he says. “For customers, this means even faster support, closer access to product specialists, and a more seamless experience throughout the ownership journey. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Yanmar, and this next step will help us deliver even greater value.”

Boatswain’s Locker, established in 1939, has been the exclusive servicing distributor for Yanmar Marine International on the Western Coast of the United States, including California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii. Yanmar’s global service and dealer network, now covers more than 2000 authorised dealers in over 130 countries.

“We see this as a valuable opportunity and an important milestone for both Yanmar’s Recreational Marine Business and the Boatswain’s Locker team,” says Wouter-Jan van der Wurff, president and CEO Yanmar’s Marine Recreational Business Unit. “It builds on our strong partnership, aligns with our strategic direction, and supports our shared ambitions for future growth.”