Seattle Yachts has formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Marine Manufacturing Group (MMG), to purchase the assets of Tartan Legacy Yachts, the Ohio-based builder of Tartan sailboats, Legacy powerboats, and AMP brand carbon fiber masts and spars.
In addition to yacht brokerage, Seattle Yachts is also an authorized dealer for a wide range of brands, including Tartan, Legacy, Nimbus, Dehler, Hanse, Moody and many more. The company had many boats in the Tartan Legacy production pipeline when it became evident the manufacturer was experiencing financial difficulties.
“It’s no secret that Tartan Legacy had fallen onto some hard times and was struggling despite having a healthy order book and some 19 boats in process on the production floor,” says Peter Whiting, managing partner of Seattle Yachts. “We could see that, with some needed recapitalization and the infusion of some heavy-duty boatbuilding management talent, we could restore the brands to their historically strong positions in the market.”
Whiting retained marine industry consultant and former president and CEO of Palmer Johnson Yachts, Phil Friedman, to help evaluate and later consult in the acquisition. In addition to marine business management experience, Friedman has an extensive background in the construction of both sail and motor yachts.
Whiting and Friedman are joined on the MMG management team by longtime yacht production pro Bill Macnab, who spent a couple of decades building boats and yachts in Asia at firms like McConaghy, Prout, Tri-Con and Allegro. Before that, he worked for many years at Westbay Sonship in British Columbia, Canada.
“Our main goal at Tartan Legacy in the short term is to improve processes while maintaining the high quality of construction, fit, and finish for which these brands have been known,” Mcnab says. “We will also deliver these rugged, seaworthy, comfortable, and good-looking cruising yachts at compelling prices.”
Tim Jackett, Tartan Legacy’s in-house designer and product development manager, will also round out the team going forward. The Tartan Legacy manufacturing operation is being moved to a new 52,000-square-foot facility in Painesville, Ohio. The new plant is nearby the current location and will provide a better layout for boatbuilding, the new owners said.
