A few weeks ago a preview of the interview we had with John Berry was posted here. Because of current circumstances a lot of petrol heads are in self isolation. Or at least should be. Besides binging Netflix and YouTube, picking up a book is not such a bad idea. And why not broaden your horizon with … boats? “Moonraker & JCL Marine Ltd – Colin Chapman’s Boat Industry” by Sarah Jane Mogford (then O’Hara) is about the history of these boats and about the sports car and race car design genius’ marine side step in which John Berry played his part as MD and Marketing Manager.

This little boat company from Norfolk has been of great influence on the boat industry. Or, in Sarah’s own words: “The huge Sunseekers that you see in Monaco harbour and others that billionaires have were designed by those (and those taught or influenced by) who started off at Moonraker /JCL.
The international motor yacht industry changed in both design and the way business and sales was managed because of Chapman.”

“Despite the popularity and good sales of the Moonraker 36 the company had financial difficulties and John Berry persuaded Colin Chapman to buy the company, which he did in 1971. Lotus managers and engineers transformed the company and marketing infra-structure as well as making revolutionary changes in design and manufacturing. There was a great cross over of staff and technology between marine & automotive design and production.“

From Moonraker Boats website

A lot of photos of the where abouts of Moonraker and JCL boats can be found on Moonraker Facebook.