New base augurs well for award-winning Phoenix Marine
The US/SA joint venture that produces Xquisite catamarans has gone next level with the acquisition of its own marina in the Bahamas.
Xquisite’s range of top quality luxury catamarans are currently made by Phoenix Marine at their Cape Town facility, and at a new factory in Portugal. The new marina, The Xquisite Catamaran Centre (previously called Running Mon), will serve as the company’s North America base, complete with a range of services for Xquisite customers.
Xquisite chief executive Tamas Hamor told SABBEX the property would allow the company ‘to be able to keep offering the best after-sales service in the industry.’
In a press release issued earlier this month Hamor said the marina was conveniently close to Florida, allowing Xquisite the added value of a top sailing destination and facility for repairs, upgrades, servicing and maintenance. “Over the years of sailing around the world to more than 90 countries, my wife Sara and I spent many months in the Bahamas, and year after year, we came back, and seven years ago, we got married in Eleuthera,” Tamas said.
The new facility will ultimately offer a comprehensive range of services, including charters and a charter management programme.
Other services include:
– Marina with docks and boats serviced by Xquisite technicians
– Port of entry to the Bahamas
– Xquisite service yard for commissioning, warranty repairs, regular maintenance and upgrades
– Sailing and technical training school for Xquisite owners who are new to sailing, or wish to upgrade their technical knowledge
– Xquisite Yacht Brokerage office
– An all-year long permanent boat show with all Xquisite models available for viewing and test sails
– Bar and restaurant with heated pool
– Xquisite rendezvous and parties
– Chandlery service
Xquisite currently has four new models in development, among them the Sixty Solar Sail and Sixty Solar Power cat, and recently launched the X5 Plus. The growing production line means Phoenix Marine now employs around 150 people.
Xquisite’s Bahamas investment is a welcome development for the Bahamas, which was hard hit by recent hurricanes as well as Covid-19. The Running Mon resort and marina was built in 1988.
Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said: “Today represents a transformational day for Running Mon Marina and Resort. With the acquisition of this property by Xquisite Yachts and the planned upgrades, they will help to re-establish Running Mon as one of the premier marinas in the northern Bahamas.