Author: lydiadimmock@hotmail.com

Hello to the world of Topsail. I am very excited to be here and to start a new chapter in my life. A big thank you to Lydia for this opportunity and all the help she has given me so far (and I hope will continue to do so in the near future).

I was born in St Olaves, where my family ran Johnson’s Yacht Station until the late 80’s. I have sailed on the Broads (and beyond) all of my life from crewing my father in Norfolk 10 (Elver) at The Norwich Frostbites at the age of 8, lasers at WOBYC in my teens and early 20’s, various river cruisers on The Broads, Flying Fifteens, Squibs and Dragons offshore at Lowestoft and Brown Boat 39 (Water Rail) with my wife, Gill and Children (grown up), Billy and Scarlett. The Broads and Boating is very much in my blood.

I will continue to add important news on the blog, here on the website, but for daily updates regarding listings and what Topsail is generally up to please visit our Facebook (Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers) and Instagram (topsail_brokers) pages

Please note email address stays as info@topsail.co.uk but the business mobile number has changed to 07909 337651

All the very best and happy boating

Rob

I am very pleased to be able to introduce you to Rob Johnson, who will be taking over the running of Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers from 1st October.

Rob is a keen Broads sailor and a familiar sight on the water in his own boat, BOD #39. He is also Norfolk born and bred and a local to the Broads area, so Topsail will be remaining very much in the hands of someone who knows and loves the Broads and the boating community that it serves.

Having spent some time getting to know Rob and talking through the business with him, I am confident that I am leaving Topsail in capable hands. I believe he has the enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to take the business forward and I very much hope you will give him the same welcome and support that you have given me.

As I hand over the helm, I also want to take the opportunity to say a very sincere thank you to all of our customers.

It has been a genuine privilege to run Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers. Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people and helping you buy and sell boats that, in many cases, have been a very important part of your lives. I have appreciated every conversation, recommendation, boat sale and friendship along the way.

I would also like to acknowledge Danny, who has been part of the Topsail story throughout this chapter. While I have been the day-to-day face of the business, his support as my business partner has been an important part of the journey.

Topsail has been a huge part of my life, and while I am naturally sad to be stepping away, I am also very pleased that the business will continue rather than coming to an end.

From 1st October, Rob will be taking over the day-to-day running of Topsail and will be your point of contact going forward. I wish him every success and, most importantly, I hope he enjoys his time at the helm as much as I have.

Thank you all for your support, your trust and your custom over the years. It has meant a great deal to me.

With very best wishes,

Lydia

I’m very pleased to be able to share a positive update following my recent announcement about the future of Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers.

After announcing that I will be stepping away from Topsail at the end of the season, I was heartened to see the level of interest in the business and the kind words offered by a large number of people.

I have taken some time to consider the interest shown in the business, and have now found someone who I believe is a great fit to take Topsail forward. We have agreed to start the process of transferring the business, and I’m really pleased that there is now a route for Topsail to continue beyond my time at the helm.

There are still a number of things to work through before everything is finalised, so I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves just yet. I will introduce the new owner properly in due course, once the process is further along.

For the time being, it remains business as usual for existing customers. I will continue to manage the current sales and support customers through the remainder of my time with Topsail, while working behind the scenes to make the transition as smooth as possible.

I’m genuinely excited that the business has the opportunity to continue and look forward to introducing you to them shortly.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers, it means a lot.

After a great deal of thought, we have made the difficult decision that Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers will be closing unless a buyer is found to take the business forward.

This decision has not been made lightly. It is the result of a change in personal priorities rather than any lack of passion for the business or the people involved in it. The time feels right to look towards the next chapter and take the wonderful experiences and wide range of skills I have gained from running Topsail into a new role and working environment.

Over the past few years, it has been a genuine privilege to be at the helm of Topsail Marine. I (Lydia) have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful boat owners, help people buy and sell much-loved boats, and become part of a fantastic sailing community. Thank you to everyone who has trusted me to handle the sale or purchase of their boat, recommended the business to others, or simply stopped by for a chat. Your support has meant a great deal.

The business will not be closing immediately. I intend to continue operating until the end of the current boating season to ensure that existing customers continue to receive the level of service they expect.

The winding-down process will begin by no longer accepting new brokerage listings. Existing sales will continue to be managed through to completion wherever possible.

Should the business close (if a buyer is not found) it is the current plan to keep the website online for the immediate future. Over the years it has grown into a useful archive of boat information, photographs and sold listings, and I have come to understand it is a valuable resource for owners and enthusiasts alike.

Before all that happens, however, I would very much like to see if someone else could continue what has been built.

If you have ever considered running a small marine brokerage, or know someone who might be interested, I would be delighted to hear from you. The business would be particularly well suited to someone looking for an additional income stream who has the time to develop it, enjoys sailing, and likes working with people. It has an established website, a recognised name, and a loyal customer base, providing a solid foundation for someone who wants to take it forward.

If that sounds like something you would like to discuss, please get in touch with the company for a confidential conversation.

Finally, thank you once again to everyone who has supported Topsail Marine Yacht Brokers. It has been an incredibly rewarding chapter of my life, and although I am sad to see it come to an end, I look back on it with immense gratitude and many happy memories.

Thank you.

Lydia