Doyle's industry experience will serve him well in his new position. He served an engineering apprenticeship before spending 16 years as marine engineering superintendent running a fleet of commercial workboats/tugs on the river Tees. And as the company - Tees Foy Boatmen - was also Halyard's north east distributor, Doyle and Grazebrook became firm friends and Doyle eventually joined the company.

Under Doyle's management, Darglow will continue to specialise in supplying a full range of drag reducing propellers to the sailboat market - as it has done for over 32 years.

"We've also been sole agents for the Italian Max-Prop since 1982, " said Doyle, "and we also offer our own aperture feathering propeller, shafts and controllable pitch propeller systems."

The company will also be offering some new products, with the Anchorlift windlass system already planned for launch this year.

"I enjoyed my time with Halyard, " said Doyle, "and I'm very pleased there will still be a close tie up with James while I'm at Darglow."