Embarking on a sea change in career is not something to be taken lightly, especially when you are on the wrong side of 40.

But members of one family who decided to take the plunge by becoming their own bosses are now reaping the rewards.

For the decision to sail into the unchartered waters of running a business has proved an unqualified success for the Stanistreet family.

They started selling build-it-yourself boat kits four years ago and have not looked back since.

Now their achievements have been recognised by Prime, a national organisation dedicated to helping people aged over 50 to set up in business, which has named them Prime 50+ Entrepreneur of the North West.

Paul Stanistreet, who formed the business Fyne Boats Kits with his brother Hugh and his wife Jean, received the prize at an awards presentation at Salford University. He told Business Gazette he was "very surprised" to get the accolade.

The firm, which has a workshop in Bowness, just yards from the lakeshore, makes a vast range of easy-to-assemble wooden boat kits, ranging from kayaks to sailing boats. Prices start at £300, rising to around £1,600 depending on the size and type of boat.

A unique feature of the kits is a special epoxy that Jean, a former chemist, spent six months developing to ensure it met regulatory standards and could be safely used in people's homes.

Paul Stanistreet said the epoxy had given the business a "big edge" over its competitors and was one of the main reasons behind their success.

Each kit comes with full instructions, enabling even the most amateur DIY dabbler to put together their own boat. "You just open the box and built the boat. You don't have to search around for any parts, all the panels and joints are pre-cut," he said.

The venture has proved so popular that the business has doubled its takings every year. It invested £50,000 in computerised cutting gear to help speed up production and still finds demand outstrips supply.

"For most of last year, we had a two-week backlog. We could not make them fast enough. Now we are down to a one-week backlog," he added.

Most of the firm's sales come via the Internet, and Mr Stanistreet admits he has been amazed by the number of orders generated via the website (www.fyneboatkits.com).

Now the firm is planning to launch the latest and largest addition to its 48-strong fleet an electric launch expected to cost between £15,000-£16,000.

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, which has given a range of help, advice and grant support to Fyne Boats Kits, nominated the firm for the award. CREA business advisor manager Jim Crewe said: "We have been impressed by the way in which the partnership has handled the remarkable growth of this young at heart' business."

He added the business was an example of how age should not be a barrier to success in business.