Luxury Yacht Manufacturing · Australia · Acquired & relaunched 1998
In 1998, Marcel Shears acquired the name, brand, assets, business and company of Cabriolet Royale, a small Australian boat-building business, from its liquidators and quickly transformed it into an international custom boat-building business.
Under Marcel’s direction, the company developed a range of distinctive yachts combining automotive-inspired design, advanced engineering and bespoke craftsmanship. The Cabriolet Royale concept was unlike conventional boats of its era, most notably incorporating a fully automated convertible roof that transformed the vessel from an enclosed, climate-controlled environment into an open boat at the touch of a button.
Cabriolet Royale brought virtually every stage of the manufacturing process in-house at its dedicated Queensland facility. This gave the company direct control over the complex construction process, from stainless-steel and custom metalwork to mould construction, fibreglass production and specialised timber work.
The boats incorporated advanced resin-infused fibreglass construction together with the company’s distinctive ImageFibre finish—a technology designed to reproduce the appearance of fine timber while offering the durability and lower maintenance characteristics of fibreglass.
The result was a highly individual combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern manufacturing technology.
Cabriolet Royale yachts were built to order and offered with a range of high-performance propulsion systems, including MerCruiser and Yanmar engines, with both conventional and jet-drive configurations available.
The larger Cabriolet Royale 34 extended the concept into a genuine weekend cruiser, with accommodation including a galley, settee, V-berth and enclosed head.
The smaller Cabriolet Royale 26 was conceived as a luxury day boat and superyacht tender, combining performance with an unusually refined level of finish and comfort.
Yachting Magazine described the 26 as an Australian-built craft designed to remain timeless, highlighting its automated convertible top, ImageFibre finish and performance capabilities.
A luxury 26-foot day cruiser and tender distinguished by its fully automated convertible roof, automotive-inspired design and high-end interior.
The larger 34-foot model expanded the Cabriolet Royale concept into a capable weekend cruiser, combining the signature convertible design with increased accommodation and performance.
Cabriolet Royale developed a worldwide customer base and exhibited at some of the world’s major boat shows, including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Sydney, Melbourne and Miami.
The brand attracted international media attention, including features in Robb Report and Yachting, while Cabriolet Royale was also featured on the cover of the November 2002 issue of Boat International.
Cabriolet Royale 34. Video: Williams Yacht, YouTube.
Cabriolet Royale. Video: Detlef Bauer, YouTube.