Our History

Silverline’s story began in 1972, when our family established a boat hire company on the banks of the River Yare in Brundall, Norfolk.

Silver Marine traces its origins to 1972, when the company was founded by my father. From modest beginnings in the heart of the Norfolk Broads the business started as a small family-run hire boat operation. For over 50 years, we not only built boats but also operated our own hire fleet — a combination that helped us refine our craft, understand our customers, and earn a reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation.

Our commitment to traditional craftsmanship, backed by decades of experience on the water, laid the foundations for Silverline’s long-standing success. As the company passed from one generation to the next, so too did the passion for boatbuilding and the drive to deliver exceptional service.

When the original founders retired, we made the decision to focus exclusively on what has always been at the heart of Silverline: the manufacture, servicing, and maintenance of boats. Today, through Silverline Boat Builders we continue to build on that legacy – creating custom vessels, supporting our clients with expert care, and investing in modern facilities to meet the needs of a new era of boating.

With the recent construction of our purpose-built boat shed in 2024, we’re well-positioned to take Silverline into the future — blending traditional boatbuilding values with forward-thinking design and engineering.


Photo taken 1993

The Beginning

  1. 1972 Silverline Marine the beginningColin Dye starts up Silverline Marine in Brundall, hiring out boats for holidays on the Broads.
  2. 1995 Fire and Rebuilding EffortsSilverline Marine suffers a devastating fire at the yard, losing the workshops and one of the hire boats. Willow cruisers shed is acquired, a new modern workshop is constructed on the river front to replace the lost workshop.Our hire fleet is increased to 15 boats.
  3. 1999 Family Business ExpandsRobert Joins the family business with his parents Colin and Lesley.Production of building new boats begins, starting with an order from a company called Crown Blue Line.
  4. 2000 Major Production GrowthThe production of boat building increases in capacity with the largest order to date. Six boats in production for the company Porter and Hayletts. This leads to an increase in the workforce employed by Silverline Marine. The Hire Fleet continues to operate 15 boats.
  5. 2001 Strategic Site ExpansionThe acquisition of a new shed and land, (which previously belonged to Springmores) is obtained on the site of Silverline Marine Brundall.
  6. 2007 Further Growth and International PartnershipsThe yard at Brundall continues to grow with the acquisition of Peachments former workshop and Land. Our boat building continues to thrive and is now in partnership with Haines as we produce vessels for the German waterways. Our Silverline Marine hire fleet has increased in size to 18 boats.
  7. 2010 Company RestructureRobert becomes a one third Director of Silverline Marine along with Colin and Lesley. A new limited company is formed, called Silverline Marine Limited.
  8. 2016 Innovation and Fleet GrowthA new boat building contract is secured from Windermere Lake Cruises and production begins on a fully electric propulsion day boat. Our hire fleet has increased to 22 boats.
  9. 2022 Leadership Transition and New JourneyRichardsons Leisure Limited acquires the Silverline Marine Hire Fleet. Colin and Lesley retire from the business after providing 50 years of first-class award-winning, boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads.
     
    Robert begins he’s business journey as a sole director and starts up a new boat building company called Silverline Boat Builders Limited. A brand-new relationship and on-going build contract is formed with Richardsons Leisure. An on-going build contract with Windermere Lake Cruises continues.