THREE entrepreneurs are embarking on a new adventure after buying a Woolverstone-based yacht business. Iain and Jennifer Armstrong have become the new owners of the brokerage, charter and sailing school arm of Blue Baker Yachts, while Sarah Blum has bought the sail and cover side of the business.

THREE entrepreneurs are embarking on a new adventure after buying a Woolverstone-based yacht business.

Iain and Jennifer Armstrong have become the new owners of the brokerage, charter and sailing school arm of Blue Baker Yachts, while Sarah Blum has bought the sail and cover side of the business.

Suffolk-based Mr and Mrs Armstrong, who are both keen sailors and qualified instructors, decided to take the plunge and combine the sport they love with an ambitious business plan.

They have a full calendar of events planned for Yacht Charter and Brokerage, and will be running RYA sailing courses. They are introducing some women-only days, and will be including events for children as well as launching a new Blue Baker Gold Card initiative.

“My love of the water means I have thousands of sailing miles under my belt and I always had a dream to run my own business,” said Mr Armstrong.

“Now with Jennifer by my side, we feel the time is right to jointly use our talents and energies into working together to form our own company. Blue Baker Yachts has all the right ingredients for us, it's involving what we love and as we are based in Suffolk, it's ideally situated for us as well.”

Ms Blum has managed Blue Baker Yachts for the last 10 years, handling all aspects of the business including the supply and repair of sails for the hundreds of sailors who flock to the county's waterways every year.

Her business, Suffolk Sail and Cover Ltd, was originally part of the Blue Baker group of businesses.

“People always assumed I owned the Blue Baker Yachts business. Now it's time for me to own my own business for real,” she said.

“We will of course do the traditional sail and boat cover work, but I intend to also diversify into making covers for gazebos, hot tubs, upholstery and land kites repaired. Basically if it slaps, we'll mend or make it.”

She will be helped by a team of existing staff.

“I am absolutely delighted to have Elaine and Debbie working alongside me with Mike, who previously owned the business before the last owners, so plenty of experience and expertise to really take the business forward together,” she said.