When you buy a new yacht you are not simply investing in a boat, you’re investing in a new on-water lifestyle. Buying the yacht is about the new memories you’ll create cruising beautiful bays with family and friends or rounding buoys with your racing crew.
It’s about turning off the phone and feeling the wind blowing through your hair. It’s about enjoying a few sundowners with sunburnt cheeks and an infectious smile on your face.
We are here to make sure your dream lifestyle comes true, and to do that you need a quality yacht, a first class commissioning process and a professional service support team who have the passion and experience to keep your yacht ready for anything.
At Windcraft we really enjoy looking after our owners. Our team has the experience, enthusiasm and knowledge essential to supporting your boating interests and needs. We have built a team of energetic and passionate individuals who between them know every aspect of the boat and yacht world. They have the experience to set you up with perfect boating package and importantly to help ensure you get the very most out of it.
Anthony Bishop comes from a Sales and Marketing background, but in September 2016 when he saw Team Windcraft was for sale, a spark ignited in him that couldn’t be put out- his passion for design, boats, sailing and the Windcraft brand pulled him towards the company.
Starting out in the IT industry, progressing to helping start-ups get up and running and tackle new markets, Anthony brings extensive Sales and Marketing experience and expertise to the Windcraft team.
A Kiwi who grew up in Christchurch and then Wellington, Anthony first sailed in an Optimist built by his grandfather. His passion for boats, sailing and the brand were already a natural fit, and his approach to the business is as much that of a boat owner and enthusiast, as it is as Managing Director.
Anthony also loves to fly aeroplanes and ride motorbikes.
Ric has been sailing since he was 8 and skippered his first yacht as a professional when he was just 15.His passion is performance sailing and he has been involved in a number of regattas in Australia and also overseas including the U S, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Denmark and England. Along with racing, Ric spent 10 years as a yacht broker.
Whether it’s helping beginners with parking their new yacht in a marina berth, encouraging clients to give racing a go, or giving experienced sailors “hands on” help fine-tuning their racing technique, Team Windcraft’s Ric Hawkins loves sharing his passion for sailing.
When Ric is not out sailing – which is rare – his current favourite pastime is being at home with his little daughter. Because of her Ric hasn’t been doing much of his other hobby – ski ing.
Robert has been a keen sailor since sailing Manly Juniors out of Balmoral as a child. He is an avid twilight sailor on Pittwater with Woody Point on his Etchell being his favourite.
Robert ensures the Service Centre runs smoothly and efficiently and is proud of the complete after-sales service we offer our customers. The one-stop service centre is staffed with a highly skilled team of marine specialists. Roberts outstanding management skills, love of boating and technical skill combine to ensure that customers and their boats are looked after to a high standard.
Robert has extensive experience in staff management, recruitment, training, sales and customer relations gained in many industries.
Robert loves music – especially live in quirky small venues. A great traveller Robert is as happy exploring Sydney as he is countries across the globe.
Robert has been sailing most of his life . Highlights include three years spent cruising the Pacific and competing in three Sydney to Hobart Races
He has been working in the marine industry for 20 years, specialising in technical logistics in the Aftersales area but also in finance. Robert has recently joined Windcraft with a goal to improve the financial operation of the Service Centre.
What you probably don’t know about Robert : He loves travelling and is a keen triathlete with a particular passion for cycling. Robert and his wife have just had their first baby!
Tom has been a sailor as long as he can remember. An instructor in both the UK and Sardinia picking up many qualifications along the way including Yachtmaster Ocean. Tom enjoyed a few years working as a crew trainer with the Clipper Round the Yacht Race. He has also spent a few years skippering private yachts in Europe.
Tom’s career path led him to project management of Yacht refits at Berthon International in the UK. On moving to Australia he worked at Noakes Boatyard in Sydney before joining the team at Windcraft.
What you may not know about Tom – he is a keen road cyclist and that is one of the reasons he is loving his move to Australia – more sunshine more cycling. Tom is also a keen cook.
From the chilly Scottish lochs of Scotland to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Iain has been sailing and teaching sailing from a young age. A keen racer, a highlight was being part of the winning team at Cowes Week Regatta in the Etchells class.
Iain’s career has always focused on boats, including being a deckhand and head of water sports on a 65m Superyacht based in Monaco. One of Windcraft’s longest-standing employees, he joined the company in 2012 and his attention to detail, customer communication skills and depth of knowledge is invaluable.
You may not know that aside from Sailing Iain is also a triathelete and is very interested in cars – he has been known to take the motor in his car apart and put it back together again…just for fun.
In 2019 Iain accepted a role to lead the Windcraft Service Team based in New Zealand and returned home to Auckland, the town in which he was born.
Sue joined Windcraft in 2014 and after an urban up bringing , feels lucky to have the opportunity to work in such a beautiful location. Sue loves to twilight either on a Soling on a Wednesday or with the Ladies RPAYC.
A qualified management accountant, Sue has 20 years experience in accountancy roles in various industries in the UK and Australia.
Sue’s focus is to provide the accurate/meaningful data to enable smooth running and planning for the future. She is motivated by the challenge to improve processes and systems.
Sue is a keen ballroom dancer, loves a bit of Latin American dancing and well, any dancing really! Happy when busy Sue is training as a Celebrant.
Lisa works at Windcraft two days a week in Accounts Support, processing and reconciling invoices. She enjoys the systematic and satisfying nature of her work.
Lisa has a varied career background from working in the airline industry and customer service, to roles in office management.
Working part time gives Lisa an enviable work life balance, sharing her time between Windcraft and her family.
Lisa joined Team Windcraft in late 2015 and very quickly began enjoying working with “great people” and understandably loves the beautiful surrounds of the Bayview office.
She says she is proud to work for a company with a “reputation for professionalism, honesty and efficiency”.
Lisa has recently got the golfing bug in a big way and is already a keen competitor.
With countless hours spent as a kid sailing and fishing aboard the family’s home built 3.5 metre dinghy, Cameron found a love of the ocean at an early age and enjoys any time he can in, and on the water. As keen sailor, surfer, fisho and scuba diver, Cam combined his personal and professional interests by joining the marine industry 16 years ago and has a diverse background across composites, marine electronics, engines and new boat sales. As a keen racer, when he’s not banging on about boats, Cam enjoys mountain biking, craft beer and banging on about boats, over a cold craft beer!
Having grown up dinghy sailing and owning trailer sailors boating has been in my blood for most of my life. After going to maritime school in Nelson, I have worked both locally on small cruise ships and internationally on Super yachts. I have a passion for all kinds of boating, from dinghy sailing through to blue water game fishing. Having attended the last Americas cup in Bermuda I am very much looking forward to seeing the Kiwis keep hold of the mug next year at the Americas cup. When I’m not working, I have a passion for learning about the latest and greatest marine electronics and all things techical. Or getting out camping and tramping in our great outdoors.
Thinking about buying a new boat?