The history of Richmond Yachts is short but turbulent, filled with broken promises, the 
death and rebirth of a company, and the determination of a lifelong yachtsman to build the vessel of his dreams. Texas entrepreneur Don Davis did not set out to found a top yacht company; in the beginning, all he wanted was a 138′ yacht he could take to Spanish Cay, his private Bahamian island. When the company that began work on his vessel failed, he stepped in to complete his dream, and ended up creating a successful company that is forging a reputation for building exceptional fiberglass megayachts.
Don Davis contracted Sovereign Yachts of British Columbia to build Cloud Nine, a Ward Setzer-designed tri-deck that went into construction towards the end of 2001. As the promised launch date of mid 2003 came and went, it became obvious that the company was in over its head financially. By the end of 2003, Sovereign was on the verge of bankruptcy and it appeared that the yacht would never be built. Where others might have accepted the loss, Davis responded by buying the boatyard.
Having observed the assiduous labor of the artisans working on his vessel, Davis retained about 70 percent of Sovereign’s workforce and resumed construction of his craft. He invested in new woodworking equipment and fiberglass tooling for the shipyard, and in 2004 Davis changed the company’s name to Richmond Yachts and opened his doors for business. Davis’ completed yacht, now renamed Status Quo and boasting luxurious details, debuted at the 2004 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show to serve as an impressive introduction for the fledgling company.
From his personal experience with Sovereign and insight gleaned from studying other builders, Davis decided that custom-building yachts was too expensive and time-consuming for builders. Concluding that owners want the boating experience, not the construction process, Davis elected to concentrate on producing semi-custom fiberglass vessels built on spec. As Richmond’s vice president of operations, Keith Kiselback explains, “building for inventory allows us to build a better product with a more uniform result for less money.” By avoiding the frequent changes in design that often accompany custom designed vessels, Richmond Yachts is able to be more time-effective as well as more cost-effective, producing a finished boat in around a year.
Richmond Yacht’s six-acre yard in Richmond, B.C., contains a 70,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility under cover and has the capacity to simultaneously build four composite yachts from 120-feet to 155-feet in length. Situated on the Fraser River in Vancouver, the yard has in excess of 500 feet of deepwater dockage, with a separate laminating facility containing all of the tooling as well as fiberglass operations. Having successfully built nine luxurious vessels to date, including Canada’s largest mega-yacht, Richmond Yachts is poised to have a very successful future!
Are you ready for a Richmond Yacht of your very own? Atlantic Yacht has the gorgeous 150′ Richmond Hull #6 waiting for you! This 2010 Tri-Deck yacht of the Status Quo line is as elegant as she is stylish; you will revel in the lavish interior and exterior features. Perfect for entertaining, she sleeps 12 in 6 staterooms, with a full-beam his-and-hers ensuite master bedroom forward on the main deck, a VIP/Captain stateroom and large private office on the Sky Lounge deck, and four large guest staterooms with ensuite baths. Featuring a jaw dropping aft deck, elegant salon and dining room, this yacht is a must-see.
Atlantic Yacht and Ship‘s knowledgeable South Florida yacht brokers are waiting to help get you out on the water in the vessel of your dreams. Whether you are seeking yachts for sale, or are a boat or yacht owner looking to sell or trade, Atlantic Yacht & Ship has the experience and connections to help you realize your goals. Browse our extensive listings of new and preowned motor yachts, or call us directly at 1-888-230-0439 and we will help you locate your ideal vessel.