Fairline opens new commercial marine facility in Hythe

Fairline Yachts has announced the opening of its new commercial shipyard facility in Hythe, Southampton as part of a wider £30m investment being made by the firm.

In addition, the new manufacturing facility enables Fairline to build larger yachts, which has not been possible at the firm’s existing Oundle, Northamptonshire location. The boat yard’s manufacturing base in Oundle continues to operate and builds boats up to 60ft. Boats over 60ft are built at the new site in Hythe with testing, commissioning and customer handover also taking place there.

Fairline Yachts has opened of its new commercial shipyard facility in Hythe / Picture: Fairline

Originally designed and built by the US Navy back in the 1950’s, the heavy slipway at Hythe was used to launch landing craft that were manufactured at the site. Fast forward half a century and this impressive piece of mechanical engineering has been given new purpose as the only slipway of its kind on Southampton Water.

Hythe Shipyard facilities accommodate vessels of up to 950 tonnes and 11.5 metres in beam, which can be removed from the water via the heavy slipway and stored undercover. The shipyard features more than 10,000 square metres of covered working halls with ample workspace for crew or contractors to carry out required works.

Fairline Yachts Commercial Manager, Robert Hammond, said, “Opening this new facility is an exciting step for Fairline Yachts. We have thoroughly tried and tested Hythe Shipyard through the manufacturing of our 60ft+ luxury motor yacht range, and we’re proud to offer a fair price for this highly professional operation, in a safe and well-maintained environment in a prime location on Southampton Water.”