The 2024 Sydney International Boat Show was a satisfying success for the team from CHAPMAN, whose presence was certainly felt aboard the superb 30-metre superyacht, SHADOW.
Over the four days of SIBS 2024, the CHAPMAM team and SHADOW’S capable crew hosted four events on board – a cocktail party, industry drinks, Women in Boating networking breakfast and VIP soiree, welcoming more than 1,500 guests in total, as well as many more visitors eager to see the exceptional superyacht for themselves.
Feedback from industry, yacht owners and visitors praised the quality of the refit CHAPMAN carried out, the design, layout and impeccable finishes that make SHADOW unrivalled in the Australian charter market.
Nicky Vaux, aka “The Boat Princess”, has been hosting women’s networking events for several years at boat shows and marinas around the country. This year, she chose SHADOW as the venue for her gathering of 60 women, featuring special guests Annie Wilmot and Sarah Hoffman, sailors in the Australian Challenge Team competing in the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup Competitions in Barcelona starting in September.
Nicky deemed SHADOW as “perfect in every way”.
“SHADOW has been refit to a 5-star standard,” she explained. “The flybridge is a wonderful, convivial space with great views and privacy for guests. The undercover cockpit is an excellent area for guests to mingle. I loved the custom-designed bow space with its thoughtful layout and seating. Everybody was impressed!”
Commenting on the service, Nicky added “The crew were amazing! The CHAPMAN team are extremely professional operators, aware of all the details that combine to make an event memorable.”
SHADOW is the perfect demonstration of CHAPMAN’S 360-degree offering: refit, maintenance, service, charter, crewing and management.
Led by Director, Sam Eyles, based at CHAPMAN’S dedicated service and refit headquarters recently opened at The Wharf within the Superyacht Yard at The Boat Works, their experienced project management team works with owners on the design and modifications required to bring vessels to the highest echelon of commercial standard, or personalised for private use.
Their full-service group can then manage every aspect of a vessel, including maintenance, service and operating the boat in charter, including recruiting and managing qualified crew.
CHAPMAN recently undertook the project management of the complex refit of the first Greenpeace yacht permanently stationed in Australia and the Pacific, named OCEANIA.
The 24-metre all-aluminium ketch, (ex-Jaipur), was brought to Australia from Cannes via Singapore.
To a tight budget and timeline, CHAPMAN managed the project, scheduling and overseeing the specialist trades on-site to complete the refit in just eight weeks, in time for the official re-launch on 15 July.
The project involved installing a through-hull bow thruster, upgrades to the latest electronics and navigation equipment, a hardtop over the aft deck, alterations to the galley and accommodation, new helm and wheel, solar panels, lifting centreboard for navigating sensitive and shallow waters, new windows, and a new paint job that in Greenpeace green with their globally recognised dove and rainbow.
CHAPMAN is currently overseeing the refit of the elegant 30-metre charter yacht SEA RAES. Works include machinery overhaul and engineering work, refinish of the hull and superstructure, and upgrades to the sundeck.
Arriving soon from Sydney will be a 75-foot Sunseeker for teak replacement, machinery servicing and upholstery.
Sam Eyles described The Boat Works as “a fantastic facility with access to all the trades, on-site and in the Marine Precinct.
“Everybody has a ‘can do’ attitude and they all have a passion for boats and being on the water,” he said. “The Gold Coast has a great climate, and we can undertake projects all year round, as well as within any one of the massive Super Sheds at The Boat Works, depending on the size of vessel.
“The Boat Works’ new 100-metre undercover berths will be a game-changer for the entire industry and attract some of the bigger superyachts to the Gold Coast.”
