Opportunity to acquire Scotland’s premier yacht charter company, Alba Sailing back on the market

Providing quality service for over 40 years, Alba Sailing is renowned as the only significant yacht charter company on the West Coast of Scotland, which also offers rigging services and a well-stocked chandlery. The shop has a great reputation for customer service, free advice and competitive prices.

The business is based at Dunstaffnage Marina, the entrance to a popular cruising ground offering routes across the Sound of Mull and Inner Hebrides including the Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. It’s perhaps unsurprising that the business is well supported by sailing enthusiasts, sailmakers, electronics engineers, and mechanical engineers.

The marina is easily accessible from the centre of Oban, where regular train and bus services run to Glasgow and Edinburgh and the nearest airports. The business also has an arrangement with a luxury transport company for airport transfers. 

Alba Sailing offers a wide choice of quality yachts from 31-46 feet for bareboat or skippered charter and unlike many charter companies, the business owns the majority of the yachts in their fleet. There are currently eleven boats, six of which are owned outright by Alba Sailing and five of which are managed.

Current owner, David Banks, comments, "Prior to 2007 I taught the RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster theory courses and at the end of each course I asked the groups of students if they would like to go sailing off the West Coast of Scotland.  The uptake was virtually 100%!  I chartered over 30 weeks, all from Alba Sailing, to facilitate these groups over a number of years – usually two boats twice a year.  In that time, I witnessed some of the most stunning scenery on the planet.

"In 2007, as our children flew the nest to university, I realised that Alba Sailing was being advertised for sale.  In the words of ‘Victor Kiam’, I liked the company so much that I bought it!

“We bought the business via Christie & Co over 15 years ago and we were delighted with the support, assistance and professionalism offered to us (and to the vendor), so once we made the decision to sell, we really didn’t consider using anyone else."

Mark Lavery, Associate Director at Christie & Co who is dealing with the sale comments, "It is very rare that an opportunity such as Alba Sailing arises – it is a unique business, extremely profitable with flourishing year on year sales and strong forward bookings. With a healthy order book growing fast for season 2024, the business represents a fantastic opportunity for the right buyer.”

Christie and Co is seeking an asking price in the region of £850,000 for the long leasehold going concern.

For further information on this press release, contact:                                                                                       

Bronte Hughes, Corporate Communications Manager

P: 020 7227 0794 or E: bronte.hughes@christie.com

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