Wessex Marine

Seen by Wessex way back in 1994 at Dusseldorf Boat Show, Targa boats had an immediate affinity with us. We saw the potential of this weirdly different craft. The problem was how could we convert our belief into UK sales. The builder had already experienced an aborted start in the UK but the owner, Johan Carpelan, made a very generous gesture of loaning a new craft to us for up to a year to enter this niche corner of the market. We will be forever grateful for this demonstrati...on of blind faith in our abilities! It did take us a whole 12 months to find our first sale. Yes, the boat really was a deep-vee performance boat and did have an overnighting cabin! And key to that great performance was not only build and design quality but new ranges of performance diesels developed by Volvo. The first year was a real slog conveying our belief to prospective purchasers – most of whom thought this was simply a fishing boat with a rattly old diesel at 8 knots. Fair to say our faith in the product was justified as since our first sale of a T25 in early 1995, we’ve gone on to supply 287 Targas into the UK (and counting!). These photos are of that actual first Targa we sold. Rather different to the boat we see today but also very similar in so many ways – a true testament to Targa’s enduring appeal.🙂
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In the first of our memorable stories of Wessex Marine we go back to where it all began. After a lifetime interest and adoration for Scandinavian craft it was only logical that we kicked off with an all-time ground-breaking range of craft from Norway. Skibsplast ticked our boxes perfectly as a like-minded family concern and uniquely they had developed innovative performance inboard diesel craft. Our first sale in 1994 was of their flagship 700D model which sold for around £25...k as a two berth 25 knot cruiser. Nothing came close in terms of economy and style – a true legend in its lifetime. While the Skibsrud family ceased production some years ago there are still many afloat here in the UK proudly showing the Wessex name. See how both brands developed successfully in future stories to come. And can anyone recognise the person behind the wheel in this early photo of a 700D?! 🕵️‍♀️
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In these exceptional circumstances we will now be operating remotely but our message to all our owners and customers is that we’re still very much here to help and pleased to provide any support we can during these difficult times whilst we wait to look forward to a return to boating as soon as possible. We’ll be available anytime on our usual email and mobile numbers. Do look out on our Facebook page over the upcoming days & weeks as we’ll be using this opportunity to recount some of our interesting stories and milestones from nearly 30 years of Wessex Marine including digging out some old photos from our boating library which we hope will raise a much needed smile or two! 🙂 Best wishes from David, Guy, Caroline and Paul.

With the start of the season now approaching fast we’ve been busy preparing our Levi Boats & Ribs Corsairs in time for launch.👌 #AsGoodAsNew #ReadyToGo

Our third new Targa boats arrival of 2020 is this top spec T27.2. Expect to see it buzzing around the Solent very soon! 👍

Hot on the heels of last week's arrival here we have another new Targa boats 32 - this time in classic Targa colours and CFC cabin.👍

Our first new Targa boats delivery of 2020 and it's a smart one! Grey and bright white with full BlackLine and D4/320's. 👌

A big thank you to Motor Boat & Yachting for a great evening at the Motorboat Awards last night. Proud to have two finalist nominations for Targa boats and Marex Boats with the Marex 360 being awarded Highly Commended in it's category of Sportscruisers up to 40ft.

Always one of the busiest at any boat show so here it is before the queues on the Marex Boats stand here at boot Düsseldorf in the new Hall 1. M310, M320, M360 & M375 on display.

The 320 and new 385 on display at the Saga Boats As stand here at boot Düsseldorf.

Busy first day here at boot Düsseldorf and here is the impressive Targa boats stand with T27.2, T32, T37 & T46 on display - all with super smart specs!

Best wishes to all our followers for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎅 See you all in 2020 for what will be our 27th year!

Here’s both our Levi Boats & Ribs Corsairs nicely tucked up for the winter after 3 days TLC. Teak decks re-treated, cockpits cleaned and a full coat of our best wax so just antifoul left to do ready for the spring. Roll on April! ☀️

Every new Marex Boats model since 2010 has been nominated a Finalist or Winner in Motor Boat & Yachting’s Motor Boat Awards so we’re proud to keep that record running in 2020 with the brilliant 360 CC. Winner to be announced during boot Düsseldorf. #KingoftheSea

Delighted to announce that the Targa boats 25 GT has been nominated as a Finalist in Motor Boat & Yachting's Motor Boat Awards 2020. Since the inception of the awards in 2007 Targa has been either a Winner or a Finalist in the Wheelhouse category a record 8 times! #TheOriginal4x4oftheSea

Yet another award for Marex Boats this time for the brilliant 360 CC. #KINGOFTHESEA #KINGOFAWARDS #NeedABiggerTrophyCabinet 🏆🏆🏆

Here’s the first of new 2020 arrivals – this smart Targa boats 27.2. Our first boat with Volvo Penta‘s new D6 440hp DPI so looking forward to giving this a test run! 💪

Check out this brilliant new video from Nick Burnham - Professional Marine Media of the Marex Boats 360. Great work Nick! 👍