Stephen Weatherley: CEO and founder of Archipelago Yachts
In Amsterdam, we met up with Stephen Weatherley, CEO and founder of Archipelago Yachts, where he presented the shipyard’s current direction and unveiled their current projects. His vision is based on an approach that places engineering, design, and propulsion systems at the forefront, applied to the demanding market sector of aluminum powercats.
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Publié le
30/01/2026
Par
Véronique Largeau
40 to 80 feet in length, with construction on the Isle of Wight. This organization allows for strong continuity between design, engineering, and manufacturing, in an industrial environment with a long maritime tradition.
From the outset, Weatherley was keen to emphasize the fundamental choice of aluminum: “We exclusively build aluminum catamarans. The entire range is designed around this material because it allows us to work on the structure, durability, and integration of systems right from the start.”
He also champions the material for its structural qualities, longevity, and recyclability. The platforms are designed from a global perspective, with particular attention being paid to the architecture of the hulls, weight distribution, and systems’ installation.
Propulsion is one of the shipyard’s major areas of development. Archipelago now offers several configurations to suit different uses. “We offer conventional diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, and we are about to launch a fully electric model,” Weatherley told us. The yard’s powercats are designed to accommodate these different types of propulsion without major modifications. The coachroof is well-sized to accommodate solar panels, capable of covering part of the energy needs on board, particularly for domestic use. The first unit built by the shipyard, the Archipelago 4701, is currently operating in Norway, inside the Arctic Circle, for private whale-watching day trips. “It’s an interesting scenario for us. It allows us to see how the powercat and its systems perform in a challenging environment, with weather and temperature conditions very different from those encountered, say, in the Mediterranean,” explained Weatherley.
At the same time, Archipelago Yachts are continuing to build new models for private customers. An Archipelago 47 is due to splash in June, followed by an Archipelago 40 planned for the summer. These units are mainly intended for Mediterranean and private boating programs. “These are catamarans designed for owner use, with a real focus on self-sufficiency, ease of operation, and comfort on board, while retaining the shipyard’s aluminum DNA,” emphasized the CEO.
The more-compact Archipelago 40 occupies a key place in this strategy. It will be available with different propulsion configurations, including a fully electric version currently in development.
“We’re going to start building a fully electric Archipelago 40. The lead time is about twelve months. This catamaran is designed for Mediterranean use, with a large area of integrated solar panels and silent operation, both when under way and at anchor,” he announced.
Beyond the solutions already available, Archipelago Yachts is also involved in a research program supported by Innovate UK on methanol propulsion. The aim is to explore credible alternatives for recreational boating, working on systems integration, safety, and technical feasibility, without rushing the timeline for widespread adoption.
Most recently, Archipelago Yachts won the Technology & Manufacturing Award at the European Awards, a cross-sector award that highlights innovative companies - a great reward for the shipyard.
