Andrew Withers

Andrew Withers is the founder and Dealer Principal of Sydney Marine Brokerage, where he works as a yacht broker, new-boat representative and adviser to owners across Sydney and the wider Australian boating market.

He combines decades of professional sales experience with practical sailing, boating and mechanical knowledge. His background covers both sailing and power vessels, giving him a broad perspective when helping someone compare a performance yacht, family cruiser, catamaran or premium motor yacht.

Andrew established Sydney Marine Brokerage in 2018 and has developed the business around new-yacht representation, pre-owned brokerage and long-term relationships with boat owners.

A practical boating background

Andrew is described publicly as a globally experienced yachtsman who remains active in the Australian boating and sailing community.

His experience is not limited to yacht sales. He is also a qualified mechanic, adding a useful technical element to his understanding of boats and their onboard systems.

That does not replace an independent marine survey or specialist mechanical inspection, but it gives Andrew a practical foundation when discussing machinery, maintenance history, vessel condition and the work that may be required after purchase.

He has also been involved in local sailing activity around Pittwater, including the Twilight Racing Summer Series. This keeps him connected with the sailing community beyond the commercial side of the industry.

Founding Sydney Marine Brokerage

Andrew founded Sydney Marine Brokerage in 2018 and has led the company’s development as both a premium new-boat dealership and an established pre-owned brokerage.

The business is based at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, placing it directly within the Pittwater boating community. This is a particularly useful location for yacht brokerage, with access to marinas, moorings, boatyards, marine trades and one of Australia’s most active sailing areas.

As Dealer Principal, Andrew’s role extends beyond individual boat sales. It includes managing manufacturer relationships, representing international yacht brands, developing owner programs and overseeing the experience provided to buyers and sellers.

Bavaria Yachts

Sydney Marine Brokerage became the Australian dealer for Bavaria Yachts in late 2025, adding one of Europe’s best-known production boatbuilders to its portfolio.

Bavaria builds sailing yachts and motorboats for owners looking for a balance of accommodation, modern design, practical handling and production-built value. Its sailing range is relevant to family cruising, coastal sailing and owners preparing for longer periods aboard.

For someone considering a new Bavaria sailing yacht, Andrew and the team can help with model comparisons, layouts, factory options, equipment packages, ordering, delivery and commissioning.

The role of a local dealer is particularly important once the initial order has been placed. Buyers need clear communication during construction, assistance with specifications and support through handover, warranty matters and the early stages of ownership.

Grand Soleil sailing yachts

Andrew has also been closely involved with Grand Soleil, the Italian builder known for performance cruisers and racing-oriented sailing yachts.

Grand Soleil appeals to sailors who want more than comfortable accommodation. The brand places significant emphasis on sailing performance, helm feel, deck layout and construction, while still providing interiors suitable for cruising.

The range includes boats aimed at fast cruising as well as models designed with competitive sailing in mind. Buyers may need to consider the balance between racing optimisation, ease of handling, interior comfort and the practical requirements of coastal or offshore cruising.

Andrew’s experience with Grand Soleil allows him to help buyers navigate those differences and understand which model best matches how they plan to use the yacht.

ITACATAMARANS

Sydney Marine Brokerage represents ITACATAMARANS, an Italian range of premium sailing catamarans built around performance, comfort and contemporary design.

Catamaran buyers need to consider more than interior volume. Sailing ability, weight, bridgedeck clearance, helm position, engine access, payload and deck layout can all affect how a multihull behaves and how enjoyable it is to own.

Andrew’s broader exposure to sailing yachts, catamarans and premium European brands provides helpful context for buyers comparing ITACATAMARANS with other multihull options.

MAKAI power catamarans and other brands

The company’s portfolio also includes MAKAI Yachts, which produces performance-focused power catamarans, along with other sailing and powerboat brands such as CL Yachts, Sasga Yachts and the L30 Class.

This mixture gives Andrew experience across several parts of the market, from sailing yachts and racing boats to displacement motor yachts and modern power catamarans.

That range can be useful when a buyer is still deciding between sail and power, or when an experienced yacht owner is considering a completely different style of boating for the next stage of ownership.

Pre-owned yacht brokerage

Alongside new-boat representation, Andrew works with buyers and sellers of pre-owned yachts.

For buyers, this can involve discussing requirements, identifying suitable vessels, arranging inspections and helping manage offers, surveys, sea trials and settlement.

Andrew’s mechanical knowledge and brand experience allow him to have practical conversations about maintenance, systems and previous use. An independent survey remains essential, but a broker who understands the technical language can help buyers identify important questions earlier in the process.

Areas worth discussing may include:

• Engine age and service history
• Standing and running rigging
• Sail condition and replacement costs
• Electronics and navigation equipment
• Electrical systems and battery capacity
• Previous repairs or insurance claims
• Hull, deck and structural condition
• Plumbing, refrigeration and domestic systems
• Antifouling and underwater equipment
• Factory options and later modifications
• Marina requirements and vessel dimensions
• Suitability for racing, cruising or living aboard

Helping owners sell their yachts

For sellers, Andrew’s sales and dealership background supports the preparation and marketing of the vessel.

A successful yacht listing needs to explain the boat properly. Buyers want to understand not only its age and equipment, but how it has been used, maintained and upgraded.

Andrew can help owners establish a realistic market position, organise the information needed for the listing and communicate the yacht’s strongest qualities to prospective buyers.

His relationships across new-boat brands can also be useful for owners selling an existing yacht as part of a move into a different model or style of vessel.

Advice for new-yacht buyers

Ordering a new yacht can involve a long list of choices. Layouts, engines, sail plans, electronics, electrical systems, upholstery, air conditioning, solar equipment and safety packages can all influence the final price and how well the boat works after delivery.

A good specification is not necessarily the one with every available option. It is the one suited to the owner’s likely use.

Andrew’s role includes helping buyers think through those decisions, understand the purchase process and avoid adding equipment that provides little practical value for their style of boating.

He can also assist with the steps between factory order and first sail, including production communication, transport, commissioning, registration, handover and familiarisation.

Local knowledge around Pittwater

Sydney Marine Brokerage operates from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Newport on Pittwater.

Pittwater is one of Australia’s busiest sailing and recreational boating areas, with sheltered waterways, yacht clubs, marinas, swing moorings and access to Broken Bay and the open coast.

Local boat ownership involves practical questions about mooring availability, marina costs, draft, tender access, maintenance facilities and the conditions encountered when heading offshore.

Being based within this boating community gives Andrew regular contact with local owners, sailors, marine trades and prospective buyers.

What Andrew brings to a yacht transaction

Andrew’s strongest quality is the combination of dealership leadership, sales experience, sailing involvement and practical mechanical knowledge.

He understands the expectations surrounding premium new yachts, but he also works with the realities of pre-owned vessels, maintenance histories and individual ownership plans.

For sailing-yacht buyers, this can be particularly valuable when comparing Bavaria, Grand Soleil and ITACATAMARANS models or deciding between a new yacht and an established pre-owned boat.

For sellers, it provides a broker who understands how to position a vessel, communicate its value and guide the transaction through inspections, negotiations and settlement.

Current role: Founder, Dealer Principal and Yacht Broker

Company: Sydney Marine Brokerage

Location: Newport, Pittwater, Sydney

Business established: 2018

Professional background: Yacht sales, dealership management, customer advisory and new-boat representation

Technical background: Qualified mechanic with practical knowledge of vessel machinery and systems

Sailing involvement: Australian boating and sailing market, including local Pittwater sailing activity

Primary sailing brands: Bavaria Yachts, Grand Soleil and ITACATAMARANS

Additional brand exposure: MAKAI Yachts, CL Yachts, Sasga Yachts and L30 Class

Brokerage experience: New yachts, premium vessels and pre-owned sail and power brokerage

Main areas of focus: Sailing yachts, premium new boats, brokerage, vessel selection and owner support

Mobile: 0411 424 514

Office phone: 02 9997 7907

Email: [andrew@sydneymarinebrokerage.com](mailto:andrew@sydneymarinebrokerage.com)

Website: https://www.sydneymarinebrokerage.com/