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Theo Loock: People before product
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Managing Director of Robertson and Caine, builder of Leopard catamarans, Loock focused on the shipyard’s philosophy of craft, care and collaboration in his keynote speech at the first African Boating Conference.
Words: Maryanne Edwards; Photos: African Boating Conference
Theo Loock, Robertson and Caine
When Theo Loock, Managing Director of Robertson and Caine, took the stage at the sold-out African Boating Conference in Cape Town, his message was clear: boatbuilding in Africa is not just an industry – it’s a story of skill, pride and shared purpose.
As one of the continent’s largest and most successful yacht manufacturers, Robertson and Caine has become synonymous with the Leopard Catamarans brand, exporting luxury sailing and power catamarans to a global market that spans the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Americas, Asia and beyond.
This year, the company celebrated a major milestone, the launch of its 3,000th vessel, an achievement that speaks volumes about South African capability and consistency on the world stage.
“For us, boatbuilding is more than a craft. It’s a reflection of our values: respect, responsibility, reliability, innovation, teamwork and excellence,” Loock said. “This achievement represents more than just a number; it’s about the 3,000 families who have chosen Robertson and Caine over the past 34 years.”
One Team, One Vision
At the heart of that success is a philosophy Loock calls ‘R&C One Team’ – a people-first approach that underpins every stage of design, build and delivery. With over 2,600 team members, the company functions as a “learning organisation”, investing deeply in training and skills development to ensure that every catamaran launched in Cape Town meets the highest international standards.
“We build people who build award-winning catamarans, safely and sustainably,” Loock said. “Our team is the real engine of this company.”
That focus on people and process has earned R&C a reputation for reliability and innovation. From the aerodynamic hulls of the Leopard 53 Powercat to the seamless flow and natural light of its sailing catamarans, each vessel blends performance and comfort in a way that reflects both global trends and local ingenuity.
Cape Town: The Perfect Port
Loock’s presentation, ‘Boatbuilding in the African Context’, highlighted why Cape Town has become a leading location for yacht construction. With its deepwater port, skilled workforce and strong support infrastructure, the city has nurtured a thriving boatbuilding ecosystem.
Theo Loock, Robertson and Caine
Facilities like the V&A Waterfront and the Royal Cape Yacht Club play a vital role in this network, offering berthing, commissioning and export support for local manufacturers.
“The V&A’s partnership with the marine industry demonstrates how strategic collaboration can fuel both industry growth and job creation,” Loock said. “It’s a model that shows how private enterprise and infrastructure can work together to drive blue economy opportunities for Africa.”
Local suppliers also feature prominently in R&C’s success story. Longstanding partners such as Seascape Marine Services – which has supplied over 5,000 Yanmar engines to the shipyard over the past 35 years -– ensure that world-class quality remains accessible within South Africa.
Meanwhile, homegrown manufacturers like NCS South Africa, producing advanced polymers and composites, underscore the industrial maturity that underpins the sector.
An Industry on the Rise
Robertson and Caine is far from alone in its achievements. Loock’s talk generously spotlighted other South African builders shaping the global market, from Southern Wind, known for its high-performance carbon sailing yachts, to Two Oceans, Nexus, Royal Cape Catamarans, Forty Knots, Gemini Marine, Jacobs Bros and Hammer Yachts.
Together, these companies are redefining what it means to build boats in Africa: not as a niche or emerging industry but as a world-class manufacturing sector driven by expertise, resilience and creativity.
“The most beautiful boats in the world are being built here — by African hands, in Africa’s most beautiful city,” said Loock, closing his presentation with quiet pride.
In that statement lies the essence of the message – that Cape Town is more than a production hub. It’s a place where craftsmanship, community, and coastline combine to create vessels that sail far beyond the shores where they were made, carrying with them the spirit of a continent on the rise.
The Personal Touch
African Boating Conference Director, Veda Pretorius, and I were privileged to be invited by Marguerite Vockerodt, General Manager of Quality and Customer Relationships at Robertson & Caine, for a personal cruise through the V&A Waterfront aboard one of the company’s latest catamarans, a sleek new model being commissioned and readied for shipment to the USA.
Veda Pretorius, Marguerite Vockerodt and Maryanne Edwards
What an experience, and what a vessel. It’s immediately clear why these catamarans enjoy such global popularity. The ride offered not only a glimpse of outstanding craftsmanship but also the pride and passion behind every Robertson & Caine build.
It was equally rewarding to see the company’s strong support for the inaugural African Boating Conference (ABC), with Theo Loock serving as keynote speaker and several senior team members, including Marguerite, in attendance. Marguerite’s depth of knowledge, professionalism and warmth make her an exceptional ambassador for the brand.
Veda was also delighted to receive a personal note from Theo after the event, congratulating her on what he called “a great conference”. He added with characteristic wit: “I think the ABC is missing a D – D for delightful.”
In many ways, his comment captured the spirit of the event: a dynamic, well-attended and genuinely uplifting gathering, where more than 200 industry stakeholders from across Africa came together to chart a new course for the continent’s boating future. With this kind of enthusiasm and collaboration, the African boating industry’s horizon looks brighter than ever.
