Voyage Yachts and Voyage Charters – a Close Relationship

Voyage Yachts, based in Cape Town, South Africa, is a long-established yacht builder specialising in higher spec’d cruising catamarans, with a history spanning over 30 years and a reputation for robust bluewater boats.

Voyage 590 Home Away

The company was founded in 1994, formally established by Tom and Deidre Lubbe along with Ian and Jo Stopforth. The current director and Head of Manufacture, Kay Oldenburg, has steered the company through recent years, maintaining continuity and quality throughout the company’s history.

Robin and Jo Downing, owners of VOYAGE charters, are instrumental in the growth of the company. Voyage Charters operates a fleet of Voyage Yachts in the British Virgin Islands.

The relationship between VOYAGE YACHTS and VOYAGE Charters dates back to 1995, when Ian and Jo Stopforth moved from South Africa to the British Virgin Islands and founded VOYAGE Charters. Working closely with the founders and directors of VOYAGE YACHTS, the companies grew together over the following decades.

In 2013, Robin Downing purchased VOYAGE Charters from Ian Stopforth, and the company has since remained under the ownership and management of the Downing family.

Voyage 500: 1997 – 2010

Origins and Growth

Voyage Yachts began its journey in 1994 when Tom Lubbe and Ian Stopforth, two close friends, establish the business. Robin and Jo Downing, along with friends Terry and Jacqui Weddell, where VOYAGE Yachts’ first clients and bought the first Norseman 400.

Kay Oldenburg’s leadership on the manufacturing side contributed to the company’s reputation for high standards. In the late 1990s, Ian and Jo Stopforth with collaborators such as the Downings – such as Dave and Stella Beavis – helped expand the brand’s reach to charter fleets in the Caribbean, notably in the British Virgin Islands.

Voyage 480: 2015-2019

Key People and Ownership

The company is lead by managing director Tom and Head of Finance Deidre Lubbe with Kay Oldenburg as principal builder.

VOYAGE Charters have played a significant role in both operational management and the company’s global presence, especially through their charter operations.

VOYAGE Charters, run by the Downing family is responsible for sales into their fleet and to private owners within North and South America.

Current Range

Voyage Yachts’ present-day lineup features the following:

Voyage 510
A cruising catamaran measuring approximately 52 feet, notable for its flexible layouts, offshore capability, and charter-ready design.

Voyage 590
The other model in the current range is the Voyage 590, acclaimed gfor its balance of performance and comfort.

Discontinued Models

The brand’s legacy models include the Voyage 400, 430, 440, Voyage 480, 500, 520, 580 and 600.

The Voyage 480, launched in the 1990s laid the groundwork for future designs. The Voyage 500, produced until around 2010, was highly popular among charterers and bluewater sailors.

Other retired models include the Voyage 480E, Mayotte, and variants
of the Voyage 520.

Legacy and Reputation

Voyage Yachts built its reputation on its advanced composites and yacht building and as part of Cape Town’s catamaran building ecosystem.

The company’s culture remains family-driven, with strong relationships with clients, charter partners, and their dedicated team.