Our Story
Towards the end of the 1990s John and Caroline Charnley started looking for the perfect short-handed cruising yacht to indulge their passion for sailing, while allowing them to enjoy a level of comfort that few performance sailboats can deliver. Having failed to find a solution to meet their needs, they commissioned renowned designer Ron Holland and the Discovery 55 was born.
Discovery Yachts was founded in 1998 and set out to create the world’s most perfect blue-water cruising yachts designed to take two people around the world on the ultimate journey of discovery.
More than a decade on Discovery Yachts is a thriving business with a team of over 100 working from its base in Southampton, including in-house naval architects, designers and expert craftsmen. We currently produce ten exceptional yachts per year with high levels of customisation specific to each owner.
We have a growing family of over 50 owners who share with us their stories of adventure and sailing from around the world. Everyone who works for Discovery shares in the dream that is bluewater sailing. Our management team are dedicated to providing a service that is defined by the quality of our design, build and customer care. Owning a Discovery should be the ultimate experience of a lifetime.
Harbour Yard – the home of Discovery
Harbour Yard on Southampton Water is our modern, purpose-built design and manufacturing facility. Find out more…
Our Company History
Chart our progress from the early days as we've established a worldwide reputation.
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Owner Care
Find out about how we help our customers through every stage of the selection, specification and commissioning process.
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Experience first hand the design and quality of a Discovery yacht with a tour at our Harbour Yard production facility.
You can also experience the performance for yourself with a test sail on a Discovery yacht in the Solent.
