Elandra Yachts -- new luxury cruisers

Boating industry identities Luke Durman and Grant Senior have announced the launch of a new company which aims to build and market a new range of luxury cruisers in Australia -- Elandra Yachts.

And in an interesting development, part of the team includes Tom Barry-Cotter, son of industry stalwart and the owner of Maritimo, Bill Barry-Cotter.

The first model that the fledgling company has planned is a 53-foot sports yacht, which is already under development at the company’s yard on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

"Elandra Yachts is dedicated to building semi-custom cruisers for a discerning market," said Durman. "Our customers are people who have owned a number of boats over many years and know exactly what they require for their next purchase, be they coastal cruisers, retreat seekers or entertainers."

Durman said Elandra sports yachts are designed for elegance and practicality at rest in an idyllic bay and engineered for performance, strength and safety at sea.

"Inshore elegance; offshore attitude," said Durman. "That phrase perfectly encapsulates our edict for all Elandra motor yachts."

Durman said the company plans to build no more than three boats in the year following the official launch of its first boat, scheduled for the Sydney International Boat Show in July 2014.

Durman brings to the company a background in business administration, marketing and business development, first at his own design and marketing consultancy and later with Maritimo as the company's Marketing Director. He will oversee the commercial interests of the company -- administration, marketing and sales, finance and HR.

Senior brings more than 30 years as a boat builder, designer and innovator, first with blue water racing yachts and more recently with Formula Cruisers in his native New Zealand. His responsibilities cover operations and naval architecture.

Senior moved to the Gold Coast at the end of last year and work began on the first sports yacht in March.