A collective of seasoned superyacht industry experts has banded together to form Yachtsmen International, aiming to supply specialty services in brokerage, charter, refit, new build and yacht support.
Scott Wellington-Stones, Sean Madgwick, Damienn Plan
The team launched its offering at the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, with a display of top-quality brokerage boats and a VIP lounge for the Australian market to savour their innovative approach to the superyacht market.
Together, Directors Scott Wellington-Stones, Sean Madgwick and Damienn Plahn have half a century of combined experience and have gathered an in-house team with the finely-honed skills in each field to work at the pinnacle of this highly demanding sector.
“We offer a wide range of services, but the reason we’re able to do them well is because at our core, we’re Yachtsmen, and each member of our team uses their innate knowledge of the ocean to ensure our clients experience the superyacht industry in a way that’s enjoyable, safe and sustainable,” states Scott Wellington-Stones.
According to Wellington-Stones, Yachtsmen International takes “a full life-cycle approach to the yacht market”.
“Our full range of services means we assist clients from their first charter to when they take the plunge and buy a yacht, to refitting that yacht, building a new one, crewing it, travelling with it, chartering it and then selling it.”
The Yachtsmen International team is committed to , and they have a solid network of senior contacts in refit facilities in Cairns, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Yamba. Yachtsmen International also boasts in-house engineering, IT, galley, deck and interior systems management and repair experience for clients, to offer a transparent, tailored approach to new build and refit projects.
With 24 years in management and 18 years within the international superyacht industry, Damienn Plahn applies his experience to acquiring and managing multi-million-dollar contracts, complex new builds, refits and critical engineering projects to make the process easy and smooth for clients.
Sean Madgwick combines his corporate insurance brokering, marketing and nous gained in 12 years superyacht brokerage with his attention to detail to provide ethical, intelligent service throughout the entire buying and selling process. His extensive experience with new build and design in northern Europe and Asia has made him an expert in bridging the gap between owners and manufacturers.
Scott Wellington-Stones has spent 17 years in marketing and selling superyachts as well as experience with new build and design in the US and Europe. His expertise is ably applied to helping to match buyers to the vessels which best suit their lifestyles and charter clients with the yachts to realise their charter vacation dreams.
Damienn Plahn heads up the refit division and is 10 months in to a 12-month complete refit on Oasis, a 10-year old, now 84ft Horizon motor yacht.
Damienn has carried out all facets of project management, overseeing the Yachtsmen International team and contractors.
“The vessel was fitted with a new hydraulic floating swim platform, its decks replaced, almost the entire engine room refitted with new pumps and electric motors, hoses and valves throughout the vessel, and every transducer and all electrical nav components were upgraded.”
Yachtsmen International designed a custom-communications tower to accommodate the new equipment, that didn’t compromise the aesthetics. “100 hours of research and design went into ensuing it was functional and stylish!” said Damienn.
Also installed was a completely new touchscreen vessel management and monitoring system, a new Maretron-based system with sensors for fire, bilge, tanks and engines and new helms on flybridge and main wheelhouse fitted with Furuno equipment.
The interiors were designed by SJB Interiors, with new upholstery, furnishings and décor with a blend of contemporary and classic: bronze and brass metal finishes, timber joinery and grey leather.
Below decks, the accommodation was entirely overhauled – new walls, beds, mirrors and furnishings. Mechanically, they rebuilt the davits, stabilisers, thrusters, anchor winch and stainless replacement throughout the vessel.
“It was a full exterior paint job,” added Damienn. “The gel coat finish was replaced with a new generation paint that will last 10 years.”
While a significant investment for her owner, this thorough refit is cost-effective compared to buying a new vessel of the same calibre. “The client’s family had a personal connection to the boat,” explained Damienn. “They have enjoyed it for 10 years and they want to enjoy it for another 10 or more.”
Newly ensconced in their HQ at The Boat Works, Yachtsmen International is thrilled with the volume of work on their doorstep and the quality of trades on site.
“The Boat Works is the most suitable location for a vessel refit for anything below 100ft. All the trades are here, the facility is second to none and there’s a 100% service minded dedication from the facility and the tenants. It’s a great collaboration!”
Yachtsmen International
Tel: (07) 5561 8252
