Golden Arrow Marine: Our History
Golden Arrow Marine, a trusted name in UK marine engineering, is proudly celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025 with a special Heritage Tour across the South Coast and Channel Islands, honouring nine decades of marine innovation, technical excellence, and enduring partnerships, especially with Volvo Penta.
Founded in 1935: A Legacy of Marine Engineering
Established in 1935, Golden Arrow Marine began as a specialist marine engineering company on the South Coast of England. Stopping service due to the war, Golden Arrow Marine over the coming decades grew into a respected operation. Keeping pace with evolving boating technologies, the firm entered the Perkins engine dealer network by 1964 and later embraced electrification, stabilisation, and hybrid systems.
A major turning point came on the 25th of February 2008, when Golden Arrow Marine was incorporated under Companies House and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Salterns Marina Ltd, formally joining the Salterns Group. This move unlocked access to broader resources, stronger brand partnerships, and strategic expansion.
South Coast Expansion: From One to Four Locations
Following its Salterns alignment, Golden Arrow ramped up growth across the Southern coastline. Today, it operates under four key branches:
- Southampton (Shamrock Quay): The longstanding flagship engineering hub with overhaul workshops, 2000hp dynamometer, and Volvo Penta integration.
- Port Solent (Portsmouth): Located in The Slipway Marina, this branch gained prominence as the company’s second workshop and showroom, enhancing access to Premier Marinas clients.
- Swanwick: Positioned strategically to serve Solent-based leisure and commercial vessels.
- Poole: A purpose-built facility on West Quay Road, equipped as a Volvo Penta Centre of Excellence and hosting IPS training.
90 Years of Technical Leadership and Modern Innovation
Golden Arrow Marine stands today as a powerhouse of marine systems:
- Volvo Penta Centre (engines, IPS pods, joystick docking, diagnostics) across all four locations.
- Electric and Hybrids: UK Centre for Torqeedo, Master Dealer for Smartgyro, recently started a partnership with RAD Propulsion and continue their partnership with Waterworld.
- Comprehensive Many-Brand Portfolio: Perkins, MAN, Kohler, Yanmar, ZF, Humphree, Sea-Fire, Maxwell, Yamaha and more.
Bridging a rich past with a dynamic present, Golden Arrow Marine offers full-cycle marine solutions from minor servicing to engine room refits on superyachts and commercial vessels alike.
Heritage Tour and Looking Ahead
To mark its 90th anniversary, Golden Arrow Marine has embarked on Heritage Tour around all the South Coast and the Channel Islands Volvo Penta Dealers that we work with. The tour celebrates the company’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming part of a marine powerhouse and honours its enduring partnership with Volvo Penta.
Golden Arrow Marine enters the next decade driven by technical excellence, group synergy, and a client-focused vision anchored in nine decades of trust.
