Dubois Naval Architects made the sad announcement yesterday that founder and famed yacht designer Ed Dubois has passed away.
“Following a period of illness last year, Ed had been in better health and working as normal. Unexpectedly he was admitted to hospital last week and sadly died on Thursday,” stated the Dubois team in an official press statement sent today reported by The Superyacht Times.
'Very sad news and a great loss, Ed was hugely respected and will be missed by us all. Our condolences go to his family and friends' said the Royal Ocean Racing Club Rating Office in one of the first tributes to the talented designer.
The first time Dubois designed a yacht it won the British Trials for the Three Quarter Ton Cup, the RORC Class IV overall prize and the Solent Points Championship. That was 1976 and the boat was Borsalino Trois. It attracted enough attention to launch both a racing career and Dubois Naval Architects; acknowledged today as one of the World's foremost yacht design houses.
In Ireland, some of those early designs are still sailing and some are winning races, especially with the revival of the quarter ton class in recent years.
The press statement continues: “Ed Dubois was a huge talent and his legacy will continue as one of the world’s great yacht designers. Known not only for his love of all things boat-related, but also music, art, travel and most of all, his family and friends. Ed leaves his darling wife Honor and four wonderful children, to whom he was completely devoted.”
Ed Dubois is one of the most well known and respected designers in the industry, and will be sadly missed. The Dubois team respectfully ask that any enquiries regarding the news are made via email over the next few days to allow Ed’s family and team adjust to the news.
With an innovative 58 metre vessel currently in build as well as a number of ambitious projects in the design stage, the company state that the business will continue. Senior Designer Peter Bolke has been appointed as Managing Director with immediate effect.
