The business was founded by Rogers in 1961, and by the early 1980s was employing 200 people in five factories in Lymington building the Contessa 26, Contessa 32 and the Doug Peterson designed Grand Prix 35s, 39s and 43s, and exporting the yachts worldwide.

The deck and interior woodwork is made from sustainable 'Kebonised' maple rather than unsustainable tropical hardwoods such as teak and mahogany.

A diesel-electric hybrid Beta 25 engine is used to lower fuel consumption, and a solar panel and wind generator are fitted.

[3] The deck is glued with Saba adhesive, which is solvent-free and unlike the more commonly used Sikaflex does not contain isocyanates which are linked to asthma and cancer.

[4] Linseed-based petrochemical-free Le Tonkinois varnish is used for the wood, and the hull is painted with Hempasil non-toxic antifoul.