Tony Evans came to the marine trade after a city finance career. Gordon Sanders, who was co-owner and Operations Director of Cruisermart before the business was sold to the Action Leisure Group, decided to put his 15 years experience as a retail chandler to a different use in distribution.

Sanders, who is Sales Director at Curtis Marine, said: "We a re delighted to be working with Houdini. Charlie Stewart has brought a renewed enthusiasm to Houdini since taking over in January 2001. You can visit a marina anywhere in Europe and find the well-known Houdini Hatch. Some of the hatches were fitted up to 30 years ago and we think that refurbishment work makes it a must-have product for any serious chandlery."

Houdini hatches have been produced at the Southminster company since the early 1970s.

For orders, information and spare parts on the Houdini Hatch please contact Gordon Sanders at Curtis Marine International, Unit 20, Hornsby Square, Southfields Business Park, Laindon, Essex SS15 6SD. Tel: 01268 - 493200; Fax: 01268 - 543439; e-mail: curtismarine@aol.com.