Another Manufacture Bits the Dust...maybe

Navigator Yachts Sold, Production to Stay in Perris

posted: 2/27/2013

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By: Ambrosia Brody
PERRIS -- The builder of Navigator and Californian Yachts has been sold to an unnamed private equity investment group, and the company is now known as Navigator Yachts and Products Inc., general manager Alberto Cogliati told The Log Newspaper.

Navigator Yachts, which was previously owned by founder Jule Marshall and his family, will continue to build 45- to 68-foot semi-custom long-range cruising yachts at its plant in Perris. However, the Marshall family is no longer involved in the company, Cogliati said.

“The previous owner did sell the company at the end of 2012 to an investment group who owns different businesses, some in the U.S. and some in Canada,” Cogliati said. “They are now the new owners of Navigator Yachts Inc.”

Navigator Yachts Inc. is now operating under the new owners.

Cogliati, who has been with the company for 12 years, explained that with the new ownership comes fresh ideas.

“We are financially stronger than before, and with their ideas combined with our experience, we are hoping to be a little bit more successful in the future,” he said. “Not only that, but we are hoping to expand our market outside the country -- not only in the U.S., but we would also like to expand to South America and Canada. That’s the general plan.”

Cogliati said that his experienced staff has been building boats for anywhere from 10 to 25 years.

According to Cogliati, Navigator and Californian models will continue to be sold through the existing dealer network in the U.S., and international sales may eventually be expanded.

“We built a lot of boats with the Marshalls,” he said. “We did very well, but now we hope to do a little better.”

Upcoming changes are expected to include introduction of a new model and advanced material and production techniques to improve the products and decrease costs.

Sorry to hear as the Navigator is a good coastal cruiser made in America. The Marshall family run company was always very responses to any owner questions and provided good customer service with parts. Here is hoping that the new ownership will improve on the boats and maintain the excellent service. It sounds like they are starting off right with keeping Alberto in charge.

The wife wants to downsize and was lookin' at a 33' Navigator/Californian with no fly-bridge, no brightwork and twin diesels. Hard to find though.

ancora said:

The wife wants to downsize and was lookin' at a 33' Navigator/Californian with no fly-bridge, no brightwork and twin diesels. Hard to find though.

Click to expand...

Ralph:

Assuming you could find one, what impact would that have on your predicted log racing?

All negative. Our previous boat was a 30' Tolly with a modifed "V" hull with a small keel, ergo tracking was a problem at low speed. Off-shore, at low speed, a really bad ride.

That's really sad to hear. I found Gil (and Jule) Marshall helpful and pleasant to talk with. A couple of years ago, Gil recalled via phone being a 15 year old kid in his Dad's boat building yard. Since he was the smallest, he was elected the bilge rat...the little guy who would crawl into tight spaces running wires, hoses and drains.

I wish the new management great success.

Another "running shoe," in all white, of course. GAM!

Another way to view this is that a manufacturer narrowly AVOIDED biting the dust. Rather than folding up shop, they dodged the bullet and get another run at it. Current owners still have the manufacturer to consult, and boats keep getting built. It sounds to me like an excellent outcome from an otherwise dire situation.