Honda Marine has entered into a strategic partnership with Guymarine, which will see a range of the French boatbuilder’s leisure fishing boats sold exclusively in the UK with Honda outboards.
The agreement marks the next phase in Honda’s boatbuilder alliance programme, which offers full boat packages in partnership with premium manufacturers, delivering the complete ‘turnkey’ solutions which many UK customers are increasingly looking for.
Initially Honda will sell two models – the Antioche 550 and Evada 540 – equipped with Honda BF50 engines. These models will be sold exclusively through selected Authorised Honda dealers which have the capability, capacity and expertise to sell and support the new boats.
Designed by Patrice Ocqueteau and his father Guy, Guymarine boats will be available in the UK for the first time as a result of the partnership. ‘Pilothouse’ rather than the more traditional ‘Cuddy’ style, they offer more superior accommodation, weather protection and comfort than many Cuddy boats, but at a similar cost.
Guymarine is regarded by Honda as an ideal partner due to its strong and long-established reputation for innovative design and exceptional build quality, delivering the high standards that Honda customers have come to expect. Handmade by craftsmen on the Isle d’Oleron, Guymarine boats are 100% French-built to the highest standards. A team of 30 currently manufacture around 120 boats each year.
The partnership with Guymarine, alongside its long-standing alliance with AMT, gives Honda strong one-stop boat packages in both the key fishing and sports/leisure markets. The strategy reflects Honda’s ongoing focus on its mid-range engine line-up, in which all models benefit from technologies including BLAST and ECOmo to deliver optimum power and performance whilst maximising fuel economy.
Phil Webb, Head of Power Equipment for Honda (UK), comments: “Our boatbuilder alliance programme aims to offer the complete boating solutions that customers are increasingly looking for, and we work with the best partners in the market to deliver the very best product. Guymarine is a perfect fit for us due to its strong and established reputation for innovation and exceptional build quality, which coupled with our broad outboard range, market-leading warranty and excellent environmental credentials promises to really deliver for customers. While the Pilothouse style is a slight departure from the traditional Cuddy, we see a gap in the market and increasing demand for it, particularly due to the superior protection from the elements that it offers”.
The new models will be available from selected Authorised Honda dealers from January 2013. Each will enjoy a hull warranty of ten years and an engine warranty of six years. Pricing for the Antioche 550 with a BF50 outboard engine will be £18,828.00* (including VAT) and the Evada 540 with a BF50 outboard engine will be £20,022.00* (including VAT).
*Excluding on-water charges
Antioche 550
Evada 540
