Derektor Review

Summary

Derecktor Shipyards began in 1947 under the leadership of Robert E. Derecktor. Housed in Mamaroneck, NY, Derecktor Shipyards quickly established itself as one the most famous producers of luxury yachts. Today, Derecktor has facilities in New York, Florida, and Connecticut. It continues, under the leadership of Robert Derecktor’s son, Paul, to be one of the foremost American yacht manufacturers, and a world-renowned home for yacht repairs. Some of Derecktor’s more famous models include the Vripack and the Cakewalk. The newest Cakewalk, announced in December 2009, will be the largest yacht built in America since the 1930s at 85 meters long. Derecktor also does an extensive business in commercial yachts, including the construction of ferries. The company repairs business recently expanded with the opening of a dry dock facility capable of handling vessels up to 122 meters long.

Pricing

Derecktor Shipyards operates primarily under private contract; the company does not produce lines of boats for mass production. Most of the yachts are built for specific purposes – tugboats, ferries, etc. – or for a private individual. The Cakewalk V, set to launch in 2010, is estimated to cost over 85 million dollars. Most newer Derecktor models, in the used boat market, sell for well over a million dollars and often much more.

Pros

• Growing tradition of excellence.
• Custom-designed yachts.
• Three repair facilities.
• One of the foremost American builders.

Cons

Featured Models

Custom models are available.

Derecktor Shipyards filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008. Despite that move, Derecktor has continued to land high-profile contracts and is reorganizing. Recent moves include the construction of the Cakewalk V, a 281-foot yacht which is the largest built in the United States since 1930, and the renovations to the Mari-Cha III, a world-record setting sailing yacht. The Mari-Cha contract was one that would have usually gone to one of the European super-yacht builders; Derecktor’s landing of the contract was especially important. Today, Derecktor continues to operate as one of only a few American super-yacht manufacturers. They have also gained a reputation for quality repair work, and the recent opening of the giant dry dock in Derecktor’s Connecticut facility is further proof of their reputation in that area. While Derecktor’s luxurious super-yachts are necessarily aimed at a small private market rather than mass commercialization, among that market Derecktor has a reputation for the highest quality. Derecktor also maintains a significant presence in the commercial market, building passenger ferries for the Governor of Bermuda and a fire boat for the Banford, Connecticut fire department, among others.