Company's Luxury Yachts to Test High-Income Waters

Bradenton Herald, The (FL)
April 24, 2003
Author: Christopher Cole, Herald Staff Writer
Edition: BRADENTON
Section: business
Page: 1B

PALMETTO --- "This is our baby."

That's how Ron Rookstool describes his company's new 81-foot luxury yacht --- and considering it takes
a year to build, the paternal instinct seems appropriate. Started near Port Manatee last summer, Sea
Force IX Inc. has ramped up production of its first huge vessel, a "baby" that goes for $5.3 million to $5.5
million. This one, expected to be finished by the end of this year, already has a buyer.

The former general manager of Donzi Yachts Roscioli International, Rookstool, known simply as "Rook"
in boating circles, wanted last year to start his own luxury yacht business.

And according to the company's own growth projections, it could add substantially to the boat-building
sector of Manatee County's economy.

It started last June with 15 workers; now it has grown to 25. Company officials envision having 50 to 60
people on board within a year.

Sea Force plans to increase its annual production of about one boat and a half, to three to four vessels
next year and four to six the following. Based on today's price estimates, that would translate into revenue
of up to $33 million annually by 2005.

The company didn't want to discuss profit margins.

The name "Sea Force IX" refers to the Beaufort Scale rating and the yacht's capacity to withstand 20- to
40-foot seas. On the Beaufort Scale, which measures wind force, a "9" ranking indicates "strong gale" winds
of 47 to 54 mph.

"The boat's very formidable," said Andrew J. Distler, marketing director. "This is like a little ship."

To ensure its quality rating, Sea Force spent about $36,000 on a "tank test" at the Stevens Institute in Jersey
City, N.J. "It's a rather expensive way to prove you're right," Distler said.

Sea Force uses its own specially designed "monolithic" hull design process, which employs 3-D software.

Distler compared the foam composite hull to a battleship, but the pleasure hull weighs far less.

The company's owners invested at least $2 million to buy the property and ready the factory for production,
Distler said.

Some yacht parts are purchased from boat suppliers, but Sea Force builds most of the vessel from scratch.

Sea Force plans to show off its new hull to yacht brokers and other guests at an event Monday. And the new
owner has agreed to let the finished product debut at the Miami Boat Show in February 2004.

Rookstool, who serves as president and chief executive officer, said Sea Force will keep devising new concepts
for the multi-million dollar yachts.

"The sky's the limit," he said, "as far as innovations and creating stuff."

Caption:
PHOTOS/ALEX DIAZ/The Herald
Iliofene Doit cleans the underside of the Sea Force IX 80-ft hull being built at the company's facility near Port
Manatee. The Sea Force IX, an 81-foot luxury boat being built by Palmetto-based Sea Force IX Inc., will sell
for between $5.3 million and $5.5 million. The company has grown from 15 employees to 25 in less than a year.

Memo:
Christopher Cole, business reporter, can be reached at cmcole@bradentonherald.com and 745-7080, ext. 2450.

Copyright © 2003 The Bradenton Herald
Record Number: 0304240095