I TALKED to "god" the other day. And he's really approachable. But before I get letters rebuking me for lying and blasphemy, "god" is the term of endearment used by those employed by the managing director of Poole-based Sunseeker International Ltd, Mr Robert Braithwaite.

Standing on his largest motoryacht - the 37 metre - at London's Collins Stewart Boat Show recently - he certainly cut a god-like figure surveying the mere mortals below. He's almost as difficult to get hold of, too - in fact not even Piers Morgan managed to secure an interview for his recent Sandbanks series.

Ushering me on to the deck he gave me plenty of his valuable time.

"When I started out, there was the demise of Leyland and so forth. The British product wasn't liked. I had a great ambition to build something that was British and well made. What Sunseeker does better than anyone else in the world is to still have this feel for tradition - but with modern lines as well. It makes the product last much longer - if you look at Sunseekers that are 15 or 20 years old they haven't aged."

Born in the Yorkshire market town of Otley in 1945 Robert was "thrown out" of Otley Secondary Modern aged 14 - moving to Poole on his doctor's advice that the sea air would be good for his bad chest.

Passionate about all things boat related, he studied marine engineering. A keen powerboat racer he and his family started a brokerage for American speedboats and in 1967 Poole Powerboat Company was established.

After a customer's request to build a boat in 1968 Robert built his first, a 17-footer named Hostess. In the early '80s the company name was changed to Sunseeker International.

The story is reminiscent of the cult '80s BBC drama Howard's Way.

"In 1970 there were six of us and we turned over £100,000. For the year just gone we built 318 boats - 30 per cent up on last year - turning over £230 million and delivering £14 million profit. That's good but not what a business on the stock ex-change would want. This year's target is just under £300 million. Being a family business we can constantly invest in the company and the staff."

Robert is still involved in the design and spends most of the day in the shipyard's drawing office.

"I live the company every day. They shout at me at 3 o'clock to come out!"

Sunseeker has done much for the local economy and a lot is happening at the moment.

"We've got a brand new shipyard being built at Poole that will build the 34 and 37 metre craft. We've used every bit of space at Poole but the 14 acres we've now bought will give us the opportunity to expand when we need to."

Not content with owning most of Poole Quay Robert is looking to Portland.

"We've bought Osprey Quay there and are slowly developing that for moulding the big boats."

There is a constant need for the firm to recruit, too. "We're about 200 people short and take on about 10 staff a month - we have to train them and that takes time."

What advice does he have for entrepreneurs?

"I was lucky - I had a great ambition. In the early stages I was told that I was too ambitious and that it would dry up but it hasn't because I feel as keen today. I think you have to have a vision - it's no use going anywhere unless you do. And I think you have to work bloody hard."

In 1992 Robert was awarded an MBE for his services to the marine industry and aged 63 he has no plans to retire.

Various celebrities own Sunseekers. Founder and former owner of Jordan Grand Prix Eddie Jordan had the first 37 metre while former Formula One racing driver Nigel Mansell has just taken delivery of a brand new Sunseeker in Florida.

Should you be looking to buy, Sunseeker prices start from £275,000 for the 43 Super, rising up to £12 million for the 37 metre.