360-degree Yachting Expertise – Superyacht Australia

Chapman Yachting has celebrated its expansion into freshly-refurbished headquarters and the company’s official re-branding with a function for clients and colleagues that embodied its full-service offering.

Managing Director, Cooper Chapman and his team hosted 150 guests at their boutique, second-floor premises within Sydney Superyacht Marina for an event that showcased all facets of the business: yacht brokerage, charter, recruitment, yacht management, service and maintenance, project management as well as events and aviation divisions.

On display was a Bell 429 helicopter which shared the spotlight with prestige automobiles, several superyachts and the impressive Majesty 105, LEGACY, which Chapman has recently taken on under management.

They plan to convert the vessel from a foreign flag to an Australian flagged domestic commercial vessel which will be available for charter from March 2023 for up to 70 guests – all operated and managed in-house by the Chapman team.

With specialists heading each division, Chapman Yachting builds on 50+ years of combined industry experience.

Cooper’s father, Mark, who heads up his own enterprise, Chapman Marine based at the adjacent Sydney Boathouse, lends his considerable expertise to the yacht brokerage and new build division as Sales Director.

Debbie Leenderts, who joined the business in 2017, is now Partner in Chapman Yachting and brings her decades of international experience in luxury charter, recruitment and crewing.

The group’s office and service facility at Rose Bay and Point Piper Marinas house their Yacht Management and Service divisions, comprising a skilled maintenance team of 11 qualified staff and close circle of specialist tradesman.

“We offer a 360-degree service for the yachting lifestyle,” Cooper states.

“We are active in each area of the yachting industry, every day. The rebranding coincides with our exponential growth and better conveys our level of professionalism.”

“Cooper has been on the water since he could hold a bucket,” Mark says, referring to his son’s childhood helping with boat detailing at Birkenhead Point Marina.

“He had a tinny at six-years-old and by the time he was in High School, he was running his own yacht detailing business.”

Established in 2008 as Chapman Yacht Management, now Chapman Yachting, Cooper’s business evolved to offering large scale superyacht detailing, boat show preparation, antifouling & routine shipyard maintenance, repairs, refits and complex project management jobs.

His entrepreneurial skills were complemented by his AMSA Master qualifications for vessels up to 45-metres from the Australian Maritime College. Cooper also holds a certificate of local knowledge for Sydney Harbour allowing him to master vessels up to 80-metres in the port.

“Through client referrals and our strong ties with Captains and owners, the business grew organically to expand to all areas of yachting as a true one-stop solution for operating and maintaining vessels,” says Cooper.

In recent years, demand for charter has become so strong, they now have three full-time charter specialists dedicated to this division.

“Since 2017, we have handled more than 1,200 commercial yacht charter bookings, and that number is only growing. For owners wishing to put their boat into charter, we can also handle this process from start to finish with our internal management and maintenance teams.”

In line with increasing boat ownership, Yacht Management is another burgeoning segment, particularly in the 55 to 120-foot range. Chapman Yachting currently manages, operates and services over 36 yachts full-time.

“Owners realise there is no need for full-time crew if their boats are managed and maintained professionally from a central point,” Cooper explains.

“We offer a package of management, maintenance, compliance and crewing when they require, making the upkeep, crewing and general standard more efficient and to a better standard. Many of our clients have been with us for 20 years or longer.”

Captain Ed Woodman, who is a contract captain for Chapman Yachting and refers crew members to them, says it’s a pleasure to work with Chapman Yachting.

“They are organised and meticulous,” he says. “And they’re very well connected and respected among owners and industry.

“They have a deep understanding of each segment of the business, and they are energetic, adaptive and diverse, responding to the needs of each segment. This approach suits current times and the current market. Cooper, Debbie and their team have the vision and focus to make things happen.”