Six decades in recreational boating
Eric Martin is retiring from the UK leisure-boating industry after a career spanning more than 60 years. The announcement follows the acquisition of Clyde Marina and Sunbird International Yacht Sales by Aquavista Watersides.
Martin built and developed businesses across boatyards, marinas and yacht sales in Scotland and beyond. His career began with Marine Services on the Clyde before expanding into a much broader recreational marine operation.
Marinas and new-boat sales
He was involved in establishing Rhu Marina and later developed Clyde Marina into one of Scotland's largest marina and boatyard operations. Those businesses supported both local boat owners and the wider growth of cruising on Scotland's west coast.
Martin also built Sunbird yacht sales and spent more than 45 years as a Beneteau dealer. That long relationship placed him at the centre of major changes in how production sailing yachts were marketed and supported in Britain.
Following customers to the Mediterranean
As British owners increasingly kept boats in warmer climates, Martin expanded brokerage activity into the Mediterranean. Sunbird became the first non-Spanish brokerage in Palma before the model extended eastward into Turkey.
The move followed customers rather than treating UK boat ownership as an isolated market. It reflected the growing popularity of family cruising and second-base boating across southern Europe.
A wider marine contribution
Martin also co-founded Sail Scotland to promote Scottish cruising grounds and marine businesses. His career therefore combined commercial activity with destination promotion and support for the broader boating economy.
The transition of Clyde Marina and Sunbird marks the end of an unusually long active career in recreational boating. It also passes two established Scottish marine businesses into new ownership for their next phase of development.