Where it all began!
It all started out with two second year undergraduates, who wanted to achieve more than their degrees while studying Yacht Design and Production at Southampton Solent University. Whilst working at the Southampton Boat Show they decided to put their money where their mouths were and purchase the fine yacht Sealesta off an insurer.
She was Seal-22 which had sunk in Poole Harbour and had been written off and destined for a life in the deep blue. After floating her, they sailed her to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, a place where their passion for yachting began and from a very young age they learned to sail.
Over the course of their second year at University they spent every other weekend tirelessly working on her, using everything they were learning at the time. After the best part of eight months, Sealesta was restored to her former glory and even had the same hull colour she had when she was launched in 1967.
With a few weeks until completion, it was decided that Sealesta was to enter Round the Island Race. It was the real final test for her, the 50nm race around the Isle of Wight, would all their hard work pay off…
Being one of the smallest yachts on the starting line and last to leave, Sealesta dodged and ducked her way up the Solent. With light and unfavourable winds, they managed to cross the finish line a staggering 13 hours later. On corrected time this meant Sealesta finished in 9hrs 25mins 44secs, which placed her 322 out of 1218 finishes! A great final voyage.
She was then sold to a lovely family in Chichester later that year with many memories cherished from her. From this point on, the pair knew Hinde&Kitch was far from over…
The following summer the pair graduated from University and went on to secure jobs in the industry they loved. With lessons learnt at some of the leading houses in the industry, they are back with more knowledge and resources to take Hinde & Kitch to the next level. With our extensive experience in chartering, brokerage and salvage, we aim and deliver the best experience possible to all of our clients. With input from our time in the larger brokerage houses, we offer the same 5-star service, but with a small bespoke relationship to make sure that every question is answered personally by your broker the whole way through the charter.
Both founders are qualified RYA Yachtmaster’s, have both sailed across the Atlantic on a couple separate occasions. They began sailing together on the Isle of Wight and Bembridge Sailing Club when they were both 8 years old and have loved sailing ever since. Having both completed Yacht Design and Production at University, there are not many in the charter industry that can match their textbook and practical knowledge of a yacht!
