Boatbuilder Sealine has been snapped up by a San Diego financial firm
Leading UK boatbuilder Sealine has been sold by Brunswick
to Oxford Investment Group Inc for an undisclosed sum.
MBM understands the deal was only concluded late last night,
with Oxford CEO Selwyn Isakow and fellow investor Conrad Perbis both involved.
Based in San Diego, but with offices across Europe and Asia,
Oxford apparently has big plans for its marine investments.
Speaking to MBM today, Sealine marketing director Nick
Powell confirmed that this is just the first step in Oxford’s ambitions.
“Sealine will be the start, a cornerstone, of a new marine empire,” said Powell. “In the short-term its business as usual. We’ve been very aggressive [with new design and
model development] and that will continue. Our eight new model launches are
going ahead as planned, but Oxford will also be looking to acquire other brands
in the future.”
As part of the buy-out a new MD has been appointed. Oxford Investment’s James Bursey will be taking the helm. A boatbuilding man, Bursey was previously
with American yard Neptunus Yachts before joining the investment group. Outgoing MD Chris O’Connor will remain with
Brunswick in another capacity.
Commenting on the sale, Dustan E. McCoy, Brunswick’s chairman and chief executive officer, said, “we are delighted to be selling to an investor who will continue to take the Sealine
story from strength to strength.”
Sealine will be exhibiting its new SC42 and C48 models at
the Southampton Boat Show.
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