Our Australia Team

The Yacht Sales Co | Australian Team

Driven by a dedicated team of highly experienced sales professionals, The Yacht Sales Co has a network of sales centres  throughout the  Asia Pacific region.

Founded by marine industry expert Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co is set to follow the enduring success of Multihull Solutions, which Elkington established in 2008 and has since become the region’s leading multihull sales specialist.

Mark Elkington, Chief Executive Officer

They say the key to a successful career is doing something you love. Mark took this advice early in his life after learning to sail dinghies as a boy in Western Australia. He completed studies at the Fremantle Maritime College, bought his first cruising boat at the age of 20, was appointed Safety Officer for the America’s Cup in 1987, moved east to Hamilton Island to manage a fleet of luxury vessels, and was inaugural President of the Hamilton Island Cruising Yacht Club.

As one of the founding directors of Sunsail Yacht Charters in Australia in 1994, Mark was responsible for the development of the Hamilton Island base and its fleets, overseeing the highly successfully importation of Fountaine Pajot Catamarans into Australia. He imported the first Lagoon Catamarans, worked on the interior redesign of the Perry 43, and assisted the growth of Catana in the region.

In his spare time, Mark kayaked over 2500kms to raise money for childhood leukaemia, and sailed more than 10,000nm in various offshore races including the Sydney to Hobart. In between, when the wind dropped, he ducked ashore to get married and have three children.

Wayne Dickenson, Chief Financial Officer

Understanding why The Yacht Sales Co chose Wayne Dickenson as their new Chief Financial Officer is simply all about numbers. Born and bred in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, Wayne ticked the important first box with his love of the outdoors, having represented his school, district, and Country NSW in School rugby. He graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Business/ Accountancy degree and started out in the auto industry, rapidly working his way up the ladder to GM for a major Bathurst dealership.

Wayne also satisfied the obligatory ‘world experience’ criteria, having travelled through Europe, Russia, India and Nepal in his faithful VW Combi. He moved to the Sunshine Coast with his wife Monique and two children, operated his own finance business for five years, worked at Sunstate Motorcycles as Financial Controller for six years, and owned several motorbikes which he uses to explore the region.

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Rohan Gull, Chief Operating Officer

Having spent 23 years on Hamilton Island in Queensland’s Whitsundays, Rohan has an enviable history of boating in one of the world’s most spectacular cruising grounds and has a proven appreciation of the yachting lifestyle. When not soaking up the majesty of Whitehaven Beach, Rohan was responsible for developing Hamilton Island Weddings into a highly successful business operation with a renowned international reputation. He has since played an integral role in assisting numerous businesses across Australia optimise their systems to achieve greater efficiency and productivity. Specialising in streamlining processes using technology and online digital solutions, Rohan has joined our senior team with a commitment to making clients’ experience with buying and selling yachts a more smooth, simple and enjoyable experience.

Patrick Gilot, General Manager - Brokerage Sales

Born in France, Patrick studied and lived in Europe as well as South America and USA, and is subsequently fluent in French, Spanish, English and German. He started sailing Lasers when he was young in his hometown of Marseilles, then later cruised the Mediterranean on various catamarans.

Prestigious catamaran manufacturer Catana recognised his value when he worked as one of the company’s agents in Florida, and soon appointed him as the company’s Export Sales Manager in 2003. In this role, he travelled the world attending boat shows and played an integral role in the launch of the new range, as well as managing after-sales service and brokerage issues.

He then became Catana’s Australian agent, representing the company with his outstanding product knowledge and experience with the international multihull market. His sales skills, technical knowledge, industry experience and multilingual talents strengthen our team immeasurably.

When he’s not working, Patrick is a volunteer surf life saver at Mooloolaba.

Greg Boller, General Manager - New Yacht Sales

Greg Boller brings 25 years of experience in recreational and commercial boating, including management of yacht clubs, water sport operations, sailing schools and yacht charter companies across the Asia Pacific.

For many years he headed the Asia Pacific operations of the world’s largest yacht charter company. For 8 years he was the co-owner of a large composite manufacturer and was involved in the construction of a range of sailing yachts, power boats and power catamarans.

He is a passionate boater with an intimate understanding of the global boating industry. Greg heads our new yacht division and has built a strong sales team made up of passionate and well-trained salespeople. Greg is always happy to assist clients who are considering purchasing a yacht.

Vanessa Davis, Accounts Manager

Many people don’t develop a real work ethic until after they’ve
backpacked in Asia, downed pints in an Irish pub, sponged a car deposit off their parents, and then tried and quit several jobs because “they’re still trying to find themselves”. While these people were nursing hangovers and wondering how they were going to pay that week’s rent, Vanessa Stewart was carving a career before she had finished school.

This dynamo was only 14 when she started a school-based traineeship at Pacific Ford on the Sunshine Coast, completing Business Management Certificates 2 and 3 in the process. Vanessa’s commitment and drive led to Pacific Ford offering her a full-time administration job after high school graduation. She spent almost seven years with company, during which time she also had her first child with husband Chris and had bought and cleared a block of land, then built their first home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. (At this stage, it should be noted that Vanessa was not yet 22!)

Shifting gears, Vanessa moved to the Finance department at Sunstate Motorcycles where she spent a further nine years, until we heard about her legendary skills and persuaded her to join the team. Now with three daughters, Vanessa has settled into our company wasting no time transforming our systems, improving our efficiency, and making us all feel rather tired just watching her!

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Christina Notley, Administration Manager

Born and bred on the Sunshine Coast, Christina Notley has a natural affinity for the ocean and outdoors. When she and her family aren’t enjoying their spare time camping, water skiing, diving, snow skiing or lifesaving, they are embarking on amazing adventures like their recent caravan trip around Australia where they sailed the Whitsundays, swam with crocs, and even mingled with Great White Sharks off Port Lincoln!

Remarkably, Christina has still managed to build an impressive set of administrative, retail, banking and business skills in between all the action starting as a 14-year-old at Coles checkouts. She worked her way up the management ladder in the retail industry, accruing numerous qualifications in retail management and business administration while still managing to juggle the arrival of two sons over the years. After working at Coastline BMW for several years, Christina and her husband launched their own Chartered Accounting practice where she oversaw the administration and client relationships.

Adventure soon beckoned again, and following their unforgettable trek around the country, Christina has returned to the coast to take up the new role of Administration Manager at The Yacht Sales Co where she is looking forward to developing wonderful relationships with our clients as they plan and embark on their own adventures at sea.

Rebecca Bryett, New Yacht Accounts & Administration

Rebecca has lived in Australia for the past 15 years, having grown up on the south coast of the UK.  She has truly earned her sailing stripes after living on a 36ft yacht for five years, sailing the Atlantic circuit and completing the famous ARC rally,  plus cruising the Caribbean, Venezuela, the ABC’s, Bermuda and the Azores before returning to Europe.  Rebecca worked for Ancasta International Boat Sales in the UK selling new Beneteaus and Lagoons, then moved to Melbourne where she lived for 11 years.

Her passion for the great outdoors was indulged when she moved with her children to the Sunshine Coast in 2016, and now, when she’s not at The Yacht Sales Co helping others fulfil their own boating dreams, Rebecca spends as much time as possible windsurfing, scuba diving, trail running and enjoying the coastal lifestyle.

Kynan Clarke-Chancellor, Marketing Executive

A Gold Coast local, Kynan brings more than just his experience with marketing in the Tourism/Hospitality spaces. Having studied at both Griffith University and Bond University, he has explored not just the world of PR, Communication, and Marketing, but Film and Television production. His love for the creative side of the world has led him across the world for art and adventure – including a recent trip to New York City. His passion for travel and adventure has now brought him to the sea, and this new industry promises to bring him more opportunities to see and experience the world.

When not at his laptop pouring over copy for the latest eDM, or preparing for the latest boat show, he’s out at a concert, off to a show, or hard at work with a pencil and paintbrush.

Marcus Ashley-Jones, General Manager - NSW

It’s been said that the supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play, and that’s exactly what Marcus Ashley-Jones has managed to do.

Our New South Wales Regional Manager has built a career out of his passion for sailing having accrued an impressive list of achievements on the water, including competing in the Volvo Ocean race, Extreme sailing series, racing 18-foot skiffs and participating in 15 Sydney to Hobart regattas, most recently aboard the super maxi Scallywag 100.

When he has not been facing down the ocean’s challenges, he has worked in professional sailing and race yacht management as well as project managing a variety of yacht builds. Marcus has also developed extensive marine industry experience as the importer and distributor for SLAM, manager of Handy Crew and in yacht sales for many of the world’s biggest nautical brands, including Vicsail, Lagoon, Swan, Sunreef and Heliotrope.

It’s hard to imagine him finding time to do anything else, but Marcus also enjoys yoga and skiing when he is not cruising aboard his 37’ catamaran!

Bob Vinks, Senior Sales Consultant - Dufour Yachts

Bob Vinks is a stalwart of the marine industry with an ocean of boating experience, including  38 Sydney Boat Shows.

He began his career with retail sales of dinghies, sailboards and trailer sailors, before he progressed into the yacht brokerage scene at an early age.  After experiencing the charter world in the Mediterranean as a skipper, Bob returned to Sydney Harbour and the world of yacht brokerage.

He then became the owner of Northshore Yachts, one of Australia’s largest yacht manufacturers, and the company was twice the recipient of Yacht Of The Year, awarded by the Boating Industry Association.

With the increase in yacht imports, Bob moved into brand management of European yachting brands and most recently was state representative in the marine insurance arena.

Now, having joined The Yacht Sales Co as Senior Sales Consultant, Bob is delighted to move back to his first love of helping people find their dream yacht and looks forward to using his extensive experience to provide professional and honest advice and support.

Andrew de Bruin, Senior Yacht Sales Executive

Andrew de Bruin discovered early that you can mix business with pleasure, and he built his impressive career around sailing and selling yachts in the world’s most exotic destinations.

Starting out as a charter yacht skipper in Greece and Turkey, Andrew returned to Australia and spent several years as operations manager for Sunsail in the Whitsundays. A move to Sydney Harbour followed where Andrew was appointed service manager for Beneteau Yachts-Vicsail before he set sail on his own 36’ yacht Awatea for Singapore. From there, he spent several years undertaking numerous regional and international yacht deliveries, then was recruited to manage the daily operation and major refit of the sailing vessel Star Gazer while based in the Gulf of Thailand, Malacca Strait and Andaman Sea. In 2002, Andrew embarked on a ten-year position as Senior Broker with Lee Marine Co. Ltd where he supervised a successful team of yacht brokers across three offices in Thailand.

Previously based in our Thailand Sales Centre, Andrew has relocated to Manly, Brisbane.

Brett Horner, Senior Broker - Gold Coast, QLD

Born in South Africa, Brett grew up on the water spending his free time powerboating, skiing and fishing. He launched his own businesses after studying Business Management and IT and operated them for 20 years before moving to Australia with his wife and two daughters.

He brought his passion for the ocean with him to his new home and is a committee member of the Gold Coast Sportfishing Club, giving a lot of his spare time organising club competitions and events.

When not helping yacht enthusiasts get out on the water, Brett loves nothing more than marlin fishing on his boat with his family and friends.

James Beeby, Senior Broker

James brings a rich tapestry of experience to The Yacht Sales Co having worked in various industries, including business development, IT, managing an export company and 100T trading ship, and working as a professional yacht broker in Cairns and Mooloolaba.

He developed a passion for sailing at an early age while adventuring on his Corsair dinghy, then later progressed to Lasers and Hobie cats. Since then, James has owned several cruising yachts and accrued an ocean of miles along the east coast and PNG while delivering yachts and racing.

He now brings his experience and skills to help The Yacht Sales Co’s clients realise their own cruising dreams.

Andrew Craig, Sales Consultant - Brisbane, QLD

Born and raised in Brisbane, Andrew Craig has extensive experience in the marine industry throughout the Asia Pacific region.  He moved to Thailand in 2000 to join the team at Lee Marine where he handled brokerage sales as well as new yacht sales for a range of brands including Riviera Ferretti Pershing X-yachts and Jeanneau.  After seven years, he diversified into the property industry managing Luxury Villas & Homes, Thailand’s largest private prestige property and rental company, joined Elite Havens in 2017 to run their Thailand operation before moving to Japan in 2018 to set up their operations in Niseko. In 2020, Andrew made the decision to return to Australia to be closer to family due to the restrictions created by the Covid pandemic. With a passion for all things water related, from surfing and swimming to sailing, he is a perfect fit for the sales teams at Multihull Solutions and The Yacht Sales Co where he can share his knowledge and experience with boating enthusiasts in Brisbane.

Will Anido, Sales Consultant - NSW

The ocean has defined Will Anido’s life since he was young, starting his career has a council lifeguard, a role he continued to serve for 20 years. He opened a SUP school while also working as an SUP instructor for The Academy of Surf. During this time, Will travelled the world from Finland to Peru helping people become  instructors and teaching how to operate SUP schools. For the past six years, he has been a yacht skipper looking after an extensive range of sailing catamarans ad monohulls, and he is now committed to sharing his knowledge and passions with other cruising enthusiasts looking to embark on their own ocean adventures.

Romain Crozon, After-Sales Service / Ex-factory Liaison

Romain Crozon’s life is governed by the ocean. Born in France on the Finistère coast in Brittany, Romain developed a natural affinity with the sea, sailing Laser and Hobie cats and surfing the best waves he could find.

He completed a degree in Nautical Industries and then embarked on a world adventure through Central America, Asia, the United States and Oceania where he worked for a charter company before starting work for Multihull Solutions. This experience gave him a comprehensive education in the multihull industry and he stayed close to the company even after transferring to the Caribbean where he managed a surfing school for eight years.

Now, Roms has returned to the Multihull Solutions fold helping clients prepare their new boat by splitting his time between Australia and La Rochelle in France.

Alexis Depeille, Sales Consultant - Brisbane

Originally from Provence where his family has been established in the wine industry since 1886, Alexis has a remarkable professional history across diverse sectors complemented by an enviable stint  cruising the world’s oceans.

Following time spent at Military Academy and the French Army, Alexis held various sales and management roles in the security industry in London and Paris before being instrumental in the highly successful growth of a Professional E-Learning languages business in Paris in his role as partner and International Development Director.

Despite having a wonderful life with in Lyon, the call of the ocean was too strong and Alexis and his family decided to embark on the ultimate sea change. Ordering a new Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, they undertook intensive offshore sail training and set sail for an unforgettable three years that included exploring the Mediterreanean, a transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean, discovering the Turks, Caicos and US east coast.

The family arrived in New Zealand seven years ago where Alexis established some imported businesses, set up a French café in Auckland, and returned to his family roots working for a leading wine company from the South Island.

Now based in Brisbane, his passion and extensive skills are a valuable asset to clients of The Yacht Sales Co who are ready to pursue their own boating dreams.

David and Bev Smale, Yacht Owner | Ambassadors - WA

The Yacht Sales Co’s David Smale has been on the water all his life, giving him a unique perspective on the age-old debate of which is best: power or sail.  As a typical teen he embraced the need for speed, buying his first ski boat at 16 and becoming a fanatical waterskier on Western Australian’s Salt Lakes.

Throughout the late 80s and into the 90s, David constructed and managed a waterski park in Baldivis and also introduced Jet Sprinting to the state, constructing and promoting several tracks throughout Western Australia while also racing jet boats throughout Australia, New Zealand and the US until 2002.

He purchased his first ocean-going boat in 1997 – a 38’ Riviera – and subsequently owned numerous power boats until 2013 when he felt a calling to the ‘other side’. In 2013, David purchased his first sailing catamaran – a Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 (#8) – which he had delivered to Australia. A year later, he did it again, purchasing another Helia 44 (#61), this time picking it up ex-factory in La Rochelle. He sailed the cat back to Australia via the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Carribean, Cuba, Panama, and South Pacific, and then sold her in 2017. He then returned to his roots and purchased a 43-foot power boat but swiftly realised that he had made a mistake and his heart was now firmly fixed in the sailing camp.

He is now awaiting the arrival of his new Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40, and is looking forward to enjoying more idyllic days onboard with his wife of 42 years and two children and grandchildren.

Peter Austin, Sales Consultant - Gold Coast

Growing up in Hong Kong, Peter has spent most of his life sailing. A natural on the seas, he has attended many prestigious regattas worldwide, including match racing events, Etchells World Championships and offshore races including the China Sea Race and the Fastnet Race.

Peter moved to the Gold Coast in 2018 and has enjoyed a diverse career in finance, sales, and marketing for Neilpryde’s kiteboarding division, and most recently running a digital marketing agency.

A yachtie at heart, Peter has a share in a Bavaria 38 at Hamilton Island that he enjoys cruising on and a half cabin boat for weekends on the Gold Coast. Peter is passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge to help others make their yachting dreams a reality.

Phillip Walsh, Sales Consultant - NSW

Phillip joins us from a prestigious background in the tech industry where he was a senior leader. Following a career pivot, Phillip is excited to pursue a career that aligns with his passion for sailing. Having sailed through the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Whitsundays, Phillip now loves being on the water with his loyal dog, sailing near his home on the Northern Beaches or around Sydney with his wife and kids.

Phillip comes to The Yacht Sales Co. excited to share his experience and enthusiasm with like-minded people who enjoy the life that yachting can provide.

Stephen Richardson, Sales Consultant - Victoria

Stephen comes to The Yacht Sales Co. with 12 years of experience selling new and used boats and is based in Victoria. He is a man of many talents, including a Civil Engineering background and owner of a Vineyard/Winery. In his current career, Stephen established a national and international agency for an Australian Sailboard manufacturer.

His most recent success, prior to joining the team involved in an 88ft Superyacht that is near completion in Türkiye for an extremely excited Melbourne based client. Stephen is very active in the Victorian sail racing scene, regularly partaking in regattas across the Asia Pacific in his Farr 40. A man with many sea miles under his belt, he has often delivered yachts to and from Melbourne.

Looking forward to his new role with The Yacht Sales Co., Stephen genuinely loves to see his clients sharing in his passion for boating and is excited to represent our team in Victoria.

Daniel Maher, Service Technician - QLD

Daniel is a qualified electrician and multi-skilled tradesman who loves working with his hands and solving problems. His professional life has seen him work across many industries, leading him to become a fishing charter owner/operator in Victoria. He enjoyed combining his work with a knowledge and passion for the sea.

In 2019, Daniel decided to make a sea change and moved to Queensland, where he has had the chance to explore new opportunities and enjoy the warmer climate. When he is not working, he loves spending time with his family and friends. He is an avid boatie and fisherman, and often takes his family on weekend trips. His experience and friendly, professional attitude mean that Daniel always strives to deliver exceptional service to clients of The Yacht Sales Co.