Crescent Yachts announces new ownership, restarted production

Crescent Custom Yachts announces new ownership and the restart of new-build production with two sold projects and more in design stage with clients.

First to launch in late 2015 is a Crescent 145’ designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett of Seattle. The Lloyd-classed custom fiberglass yacht has been sold to an American client. A Crescent 110’ with an exterior designed by Luiz Debasto of Miami is underway. It is also owned by an American client. A Crescent 155’ is in early design phase with clients. On site and ready for customization is a 115’ hull with a Jonathan Quinn Barnett adventure yacht design.

The Crescent brand was recently acquired by Tim Charles, the grandson of Crescent’s founder Jack Charles, with a goal to restore the brand to its former glory with a focus on elite custom vessels with exceptional craftsmanship. Although no longer a family business, Crescent Custom Yachts will continue to hold onto the legacy of the family name.

Crescent Beach Boatbuilders was started in the late 1980s by Jack Charles. A busy order book facilitated a move to a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and a name change to Crescent Custom Yachts. The new name reflected the string of custom luxury yachts produced until the company’s brand name was sold in the early 2000s to an investment group. After that time the company languished and no vessels were launched under the Crescent brand.

After Crescent was sold to investors, Tim Charles started his own company, Platinum Marine, and took over the former Crescent shipbuilding facility. Platinum specializes in yacht refits and transformational overhauls with a workforce of over 100 employees. Platinum retains a core of the original craftspeople who worked at Crescent Custom Yachts before it was sold.

“I saw an opportunity to bring Crescent Custom Yachts back to life by utilizing the capabilities of our exceptional craftsmen,” said Charles, “Crescent is a collaboration of the talents of these people and others who have worked at some of BC’s best shipbuilders such as Rayburn Yachts, McQueen Yachts, Richmond Yachts, Queenship, and West Bay Yachts. We are fortunate to have the best craftsmen available in the Pacific Northwest and it will show in our projects.”

“Our management team boasts international yacht building experience from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, and England,” said Scott Hay, Crescent’s general manager. “We are well positioned to build outstanding custom yachts that will have global recognition. The timing to re-launch the brand is good as the low Canadian dollar adds additional value to our US and international clients. “

Crescent Custom Yachts is a private company with sole ownership by Tim Charles.  It is located at 11581 Mitchell Road, Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver, BC Canada.  Charles also operates Platinum Marine at the same location.  Sister companies include CCY Marine, a boat house construction company, and Milltown Marine Services, a full service boat repair company located at Milltown Marina in Vancouver.