Graham Raspass
Director
Having dreamed about boating his whole life, in 2003 Graham decided it was finally time to tick the dream off his bucket list.
Graham loved his time on the water so much that he turned his back on his successful corporate career, determined to combine his love of boating with business.
“I chose to represent Beneteau because I knew they build the best production boats on the market and I wanted our clients to have the best possible on-water experience.
Beneteau power boats deliver a superb on-water lifestyle and are perfectly designed for Australian conditions.”
Micah Lane
Director
Micah spent the early part of his childhood in South Africa, moving to Australia in 1988. His first on-water passion was windsurfing which he enjoyed off Balmoral and Clontarf Beaches.
And then a move to Sydney’s East brought a different kind of water sport to his attention…
“At Watson’s Bay I saw lots of sailboats sailing out of Vaucluse Amatuer 12ft Sailing Club and I thought alright, there are a lot more kids my age doing this. So started sailing when I was 8 years in an 8 foot, square, little tubby thing. It was perfect for learning”.
Mike Coxon
Sales
Michael Coxon grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. And his love for sailing started at a very early age.
“I started sailing at five or six years old in a little Manly Junior out of BYRA (Bayview Yacht Racing Association).
I spent about 10 years sailing out of Pittwater.”
His father was a keen sailor, but his mother, a dairy farmer’s daughter, was less at home on the water… the family’s Compass 29 was used as a motor boat most of the time when Michael was young.
Greg Larkings
Sales
Rural beginnings to life on the water
Greg Larkings is a true country boy – he grew up on a farm in country NSW – no water, no wind… just dust and flies.
He started sailing in the early 80s. Initially he was taken up in the windsurfing craze in the 80s and early 90s. He then got into yachting, sailing around the in the Whitsundays. And that’s when he was tempted by his first Beneteau.
“I finally bought my own yacht in the 90s which I had for many years. It was a Beneteau Oceanis 39 which worked for all our family. My boys experienced sailing from a very young age onboard the Beneteau.”
Mark Tucker
Sales
Mark has over 15 years’ experience in the marine industry and a wealth of knowledge about our range of Beneteau luxury power yachts. Growing up in England, his love of being on the water started at an early age.
“I started sailing as a kid. I used to sail dinghies after school as a hobby. My first real sailing experience, on a keelboat, was in the Greek Islands when I was 15. That gave me a taste of sailing in warmer weather!”
Moving to Australia in 2003, Mark soon decided to trade in his corporate life for a career on the water. A chance meeting saw him buy his own boat brokerage here in Sydney.
“I learnt a lot about boats during that time; it was a bit of a baptism of fire! But I did get to do a lot of sailing out of the CYC.”
Now Mark has turned his attention to power and motor yachts and there’s a lot about Beneteau that excites him.
“The Beneteau range is unrivalled, in my opinion. Plus, the quality is well known. Beneteau has been building yachts for over 130 years so you know you are getting a quality product.”
Shane Crookshanks
Commissioning and Technical Support
From AFL to surfing, Shane has always been big on sports. He found boating later in life and made up for lost time competing in races such as the Sydney to Hobart.
Shane works with clients throughout their entire journey with their boat. This includes overseeing commissioning, and managing the provisioning of add-ons and modifications.
“I have helped with many modifications over the years. For example one was for a client with serious health conditions. They needed medical equipment onboard with backup systems and we made that happen. I guess at the end of the day your boat is where you spend your leisure time, and I am here to help make it whatever you want.”
Graeme Roberts
Maintenance and Servicing
Heading up Flagstaff’s Maintenance and Servicing department, Graeme is highly skilled with over ten years’ professional experience in the maritime industry. He is a qualified coxswain and has RMS accreditation for Master 5 and Med III.
Graeme is a keen sailor and races regularly out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club. It’s a passion he has had since childhood, sailing skiffs as a boy with the Greenwich Flying Squadron on Sydney Harbour.
He is an excellent skipper with a double ticket as Master and Engineer and is looking forward to getting out on the water at our Flagstaff community events.
Camilla Karpin
Office Manager
Camilla is a qualified accountant and business administrator. After a long career in large corporates, she wanted to work for a smaller lifestyle company.
“I love heading to the harbour and working at the marina every day. Helping people to realise their sailing dreams is hugely rewarding.
My role is to look after everything from customer contracts to import management and yacht insurance. The basic message is that if you need help … I am here for you.”
