ABOUT | Archipelago Expedition Yachts

When Design, Performance, and Purpose Align

Our Story

Building and offering yachts that are understated, look and feel unlike anything else on the market, yet perform in any condition was a lifelong ambition for the creator of Archipelago Expedition Yachts.

Dr Stephen Weatherley, the son of a British engineer, has spent his life around sailing boats, fishing vessels and pleasure craft. He inspired the birth of a company steeped in British engineering excellence, focusing on every single detail of the yacht's performance and design, interior outfit and overall look.

Stephen wanted more from boating: more adventure, more space, more exciting design, more sustainability, and more accessibility for those who are less able to access the traditional yachting market. He wanted to share all this with other adventurers, and so Archipelago was born.

Safety

Our vessels are constructed from aluminium and designed to the highest standards using techniques employed for the toughest Workboats

Sustainability

All our vessels are hybrid by design, offering silent, solar propulsion alongside diesel engines for higher power operation

Space

As a catamaran we offer significantly more living space than a monohull of the same size

Shallow Draft

Our vessels are lightweight catamarans drawing <1m, all our vessels can be beached / dried out.

Speed

Unlike a traditional ocean-capable monohull we offer high-speeds, with all our vessels capable of 25+ knots.

Simplicity

Simplicity is paramount: we need no gyros, no stabilisers; we believe in ultimate simplicity, improving safety, and maintainability

Our DNA: Expect More

Ultimately, Stephen wanted to cross oceans with ease and economy; however the idea of a traditional heavy displacement cruiser didn’t allow the freedom or speed, to take a day trip to the Isle of Wight, or enjoy a few days fishing with his children. So we developed the A-47.

Archipelago teamed up with Chartwell Marine: a dynamic, extremely experienced and passionate naval architecture team, based on the south coast of England near Southampton. The collaboration has ensured a build unlike any motor-catamaran you have come across. Build expertise is central in the manufacturing process too, with arguably one of the most experienced fabricators in the UK, on the Isle of Wight, taking ownership of the entire process.