ONE of the UK’s best known boatbuilders is handing the management of the business over to his son after a half century of building iconic Contessa yachts.

Jeremy Rogers will remain part of the team and continue to offer his advice as his son Kit takes the helm of the Lymington based business.

Having apprenticed as a boat builder under the watchful eye of Jack Chippendale, Jeremy set up the business in 1961, and within ten years had one of the most successful boat manufacturing companies in Britain.

By the late ’70s and early ’80s the company included five purpose-built factories in central Lymington and a workforce of nearly 200 employees.

Production included Contessas ranging from the traditional Contessa 26ft to the Doug Peterson designed grand prix 35s, 39s and 43s. Many were exported to a worldwide market eager for Jeremy’s innovative and beautifully finished yachts.

Jeremy has had an illustrious sailing career to match. He was named Yachtsman of the Year in 1974, won the Admiral’s Cup and One Ton Cup campaigns and, more recently, was three times winner of the Gold Roman Bowl in the Round The Island Race. Last year he was honoured with the Ocean Cruising Club’s Award of Merit.

He said: “I’m delighted that Kit is coming on board. He was a skipper himself for many years and can relate to the technical issues our customers have. He has great integrity and is also a pleasure to deal with. I know the customers will like him – he’ll do a great job.”

The Jer-emy Rogers’ boatyard is today based at the Lymington Yacht Haven, where the team carries out boat repairs and maintenance and bespoke refurbishments.

The company also builds new Contessa 32s to order and manufactures the award-winning Atlas- Carbon Davit.

Kit said: “It’s a really exciting time. I’m working on expanding the composites side of the business and want to take better advantage of our waterside location to offer all aspects of boat repair and maintenance to our customers. I want people to know that we are competitive and that we deal with all boats, not just Contessas – and not just sailing boats.”