An Interview With Twisted Director Jake Cronk
Twisted is a well-known name in the automotive world, but to what degree has this experience proved useful to Twisted’s ever growing marine interests?
For the last 25 years Twisted has been producing the most iconic and unparalleled Land Rover Defenders and has earned the top spot in the Defender space. This legacy is founded on an incredible attention to detail and an ethos of the “Best Made Better”. Our iterative design cycles coupled with an obsession for continuous improvement is something that we have carried through into the DNA of our marine division. This can be seen with the synonymous details on the Twisted T300S series and the Scorpion RIBs coming through the Lymington factory. Our signature square stitch upholstery, tactile surface finishes and hunger for performance and practicality is evident on every vessel we produce. Not to mention the occasional hint of Bahama Gold which is our brand colour.
What was the motivation behind Twisted acquiring Scorpion RIBs?
Becoming an OEM while carrying the heritage and legacy of a superb British built RIB brand is the perfect pairing for us at Twisted. Scorpion has forged a name over the last 27 years in marine space as being the best British built RIB. The hulls are undeniably fantastic giving us the perfect foundation to create the best RIB made better by Twisted.
How do you see Scorpion sitting alongside your other marine activities, such as your UK representation of Northstar RIBs and of course, your Twisted custom projects?
We see each brand serving a distinct purpose while sharing our core values. Our Scorpion RIBs, Northstar RIBs and the Twisted S-Series Axopar products all complement each other with different characteristics. The Twisted Scorpion RIBs represent the pinnacle in bespoke luxury and performance with an obsession for detail and custom modifications. Our ambitions are high for the Twisted Scorpion as we are targeting to be the best RIB company in the world in the next 5 years. Meanwhile, the Adam Younger designed Northstar RIBs are a product of which we are the UK distributers for. Northstar is a British designed but Turkish built product which we are proud to represent as the sole UK distributers for. This product is sensitively priced but very well specked for ease of entry to the water and family orientated experiences. We have retained this distributorship to challenge the mid-range sector of the RIB market bringing the fight to the likes of BRIG and Grand. Lastly, our Twisted T300S and other custom projects represent the height of individuality. All of our products focus on giving people options without compromising on what matters.
In the past, Scorpion was viewed by many as setting the benchmark for build-quality as well as seakeeping – even being associated with notable offshore endurance records and UK championship race wins. But what direction do you now want the Scorpion brand to take?
It’s about developing the products and adding the Twisted design ethos to every element on a journey of making the Best RIB Better. Our targets are set on the leisure sector and commercial superyacht tender also. The recipe is perfect, Scorpion’s racing heritage and those incredible records from London to Monaco and Round Britain all form part of the story and DNA of Scorpion. The hull’s will remain untouched as originally designed by Lorne Campbell – We do not change what is not broke. Much like our design ethos on the Defender, we are looking to perfect the elements which need enhancement, performance, improved ergonomics and aesthetics. Think of it as adding comfort to capability.
Are you planning any notable design changes going forward and/or can we expect any styling refreshes in the meantime?
Boating has evolved over the last 3 decades and so have people’s expectations of RIBs and leisure boats. We are focusing on ergonomics, technology integration and social spaces along with perceived quality. The Serket range will be targeting the leisure sector and we have developed a new bow seating deck mould to create a whole new incredible social space in the bow area. Meanwhile, the console ergonomics have been vastly reworked to accommodate new widescreen MFDs and joystick driving controls.
What are your plans regarding the intended model line-up and will this perhaps include a more ‘accessible’ entry level model too?
We will continue offering everything from superyacht tenders to leisure vessels across the three main hull variants which sit in the Scorpion stable. The Silurian, Sting and Serket will be renamed as the Series III, Series II and Series I respectively. This is a nod to Land Rover but also denotes the easy identification of which models have the largest beam. Furthermore, our focus will always be making sure that the Scorpion quality throughout the range is undeniably the best. Whether someone’s buying their first RIB or their fifth, they should feel they’re getting something special.
Can you reveal where the boats will be built and by whom?
Lymington is and will remain home for Scorpion production. We managed to retain lots of the original team and their expertise is invaluable. You cannot replicate decades of experience overnight, and that knowledge is crucial to maintaining the quality Scorpion’s known for. This is bolstered with the wider Twisted Marine and Automotive team of engineers and technicians. The MD of Twisted Marine: Jake Cronk is a former design engineer for Mercedes Formula 1. Jake’s passion for performance with no tolerance fits the DNA of Scorpion design and production like a glove.
In terms of markets, will you chiefly be aiming your blows within the UK or is your goal overseas/international too?
Both. I have a strong affection with the UK marine industry and I am determined to get Twisted Scorpion RIBs back on the top spot as the ultimate British Built RIB. We have three service centres in the UK in Salcombe, Lymington and Brighton and we have created a concierge, one-stop-shop environment for our customers from sales, storage and service. This elevates our position in the UK as we are confident no one else is better placed to support customers from an aftercare perspective. Further afield from this, the RIB hull offerings we have acquired deserve a global audience. The unique designs and superyacht tender specifics such as bow boarding and jet propulsion are perfect for overseas sales and audiences.
How big a task do you foresee it will be to rebuild awareness of the Scorpion brand in the consciousness of the boat buying public?
It’s not really about rebuilding – Scorpion never lost its reputation for excellence. It’s more about showing people how that heritage translates to modern luxury. We’re doing this through experiences rather than just telling people about it. Come try it for yourself – that’s when it clicks.
Tell us about your Salcombe facility and how these fit in with your overall business plan and with the development of Twisted’s product line-up?
Salcombe isn’t our only concierge facility on the Southcoast. We have service and sales centres in Brighton, Lymington and Salcombe giving our customers support anywhere from Cornwall to Sussex and beyond. Salcombe, however, is a unique showroom in Island Street and it is our marine innovation hub. Here you will find a range of Twisted products, merchandise and coffee. It is the perfect spot to come and talk boats and Defender with the team and understand our passion. We have a fantastic facility which backs onto the Kingsbridge estuary making it ideal for sea trials and boat testing. It really is the perfect environment for the Twisted experience and an ideal space to spec and build your own Twisted.