29 September 2026

With the recent announcement of the acquisition of Clyde Marina and Sunbird International Yacht Sales by Aquavista Watersides Ltd, Eric Martin passes on two of Scotland`s leading recreational marine businesses and retires from an outstanding +60 year career in the boating industry.

Eric has been a leading figure in the Scottish leisure boating sector establishing and building businesses from Marine Services boatyard on the Clyde, establishing Rhu Marina, creating Sunbird yacht sales and becoming a major force in the UK`s nascent new yacht sales sector with over 45 years as one of Beneteau`s leading yacht dealers and their longest serving UK new boat sales outlets, supported throughout by his wife Jan & daughter Andrea, then establishing Clyde Marina and developing it to Scotland`s third largest marina and boatyards.

Eric established yacht sales and combining customer service and support to open up the growth of UK yachtsmen following the sun to the Mediterranean, becoming the first non-Spanish brokerage in Palma and successfully expanding the model to the eastern Mediterranean, opening outlets in Turkey and riding the rapid growth of northern European yachtsmen and family sailing in the Mediterranean.

This whilst also flying mail delivery services to Scotland's west coast and islands and flying Glasgow's first helicopter eye-in-the-sky traffic reports.

Eric also jointly founded Sail Scotland to market the attractions of Scotland's marine industry and its amazing cruising grounds and will be remembered for putting Calmac ferries, sheep, pipers and whisky tasting into the Earls Court London boat show.

The staff and friends at Clyde Marina and Sunbird congratulate Eric and wish him well for a happy, healthy and long retirement.