Who's Who

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.

Who's Who

Published 11/02/2026

By Véronique Largeau

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Issue: 206

Published: apr. / may 2026

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Based in Hampshire, on the south coast of England, Archipelago Yachts designs and builds motor catamarans from
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 ...

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