Business Details
Global Classic Yacht Brokerage Experts
Sandeman Yacht has specialised in classic yacht brokerage for over two decades, offering unparalleled expertise in connecting clients with heritage vessels. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for maritime history, ensuring each transaction reflects our commitment to quality and client satisfaction. We provide impartial market insights and transparent advisory services, prioritising client interests through exclusive representation. With global reach and localised knowledge, we facilitate acquisitions and sales across diverse yacht categories, from museum-worthy antiques to family cruisers. Our dedication extends beyond transactions, offering guidance on restoration, maintenance, and regatta participation. The company's founders bring extensive sailing experience, including Olympic competition and international racing, enhancing our understanding of yacht performance and value.We maintain rigorous standards for vessel authenticity, structural integrity, and historical provenance, ensuring clients receive accurate assessments. Our network spans shipyards, restorers, and maritime experts worldwide, enabling comprehensive support throughout ownership journeys. By focusing solely on classic and vintage yachts, we cultivate specialist expertise unmatched by generalist brokers. Clients benefit from our decades-long relationships within the yachting community and our commitment to preserving maritime heritage through responsible stewardship.
Services
Classic Yacht Sales
Vintage Yacht Brokerage
Maritime Heritage Consultancy
Yacht Restoration Advice
Global Yacht Sourcing
Boat Valuation Services
Nautical Provenance Research
Regatta Eligibility Guidance
Yacht Documentation
International Transport Coordination
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years' specialist experience in classic yacht brokerage
- Our team includes former Olympic sailors and maritime historians
- We maintain strict quality standards for authenticity and condition
- We provide transparent, conflict-free advisory services
- Our global network spans 15+ countries with localised expertise
Services
Classic Yacht Brokerage
Specialist brokerage for pre-1990 sailing and motor yachts. We facilitate transactions for vessels with historical significance, maintaining strict standards for authenticity and condition. Our global network ensures access to exclusive listings and expert valuations.
Yacht Restoration Consultancy
Expert guidance on preserving maritime heritage while modernising systems. We connect owners with specialist shipyards and oversee restoration projects to maintain original character while ensuring seaworthiness and compliance.
Maritime Provenance Research
Comprehensive archival research to confirm vessel lineage, construction details, and ownership history. Our process includes document analysis and consultation with maritime museums to authenticate historical claims.
Regatta Eligibility Guidance
Specialist advice for competitive classic yacht racing. We assess vessel compliance with racing associations' rules and recommend modifications to maintain eligibility while preserving original specifications.
International Transport Coordination
Logistical support for yacht transportation worldwide. Our services include route planning, customs clearance assistance, and coordination with specialist shipping companies for safe vessel transit.
People
Barney Sandeman
Founder
Olympic sailor and classic yacht authority with 30+ years' experience. Specialises in matching clients with historically significant vessels while maintaining maritime heritage standards.
Nick Knollys
Yacht Broker
Former banker and international security printing expert. Manages yacht documentation and transaction logistics, combining financial precision with lifelong sailing experience on Windfall yachts.
Iain McAllister
Maritime Historian
Clyde-born expert in classic yacht design and restoration. Author of definitive works on Fife and Watson yachts, with 35+ years' experience in managing heritage vessel projects.
Paul Buttrose
International Broker
Australian yachting expert with ocean racing background. Coordinates yacht transactions across Europe, Americas, and Australasia, specialising in cross-cultural negotiations and international compliance.
Questions
What types of classic yachts do you specialise in?
We specialise in heritage vessels from 19th-century gaff-rigged classics to 1970s motor yachts, including Fife, Alden, and Sparkman & Stephens designs.
How do you verify a yacht's historical authenticity?
Our team conducts detailed provenance research, structural analysis, and consults maritime archives to confirm original specifications and ownership history.
Can you assist with international yacht purchases?
Yes, we facilitate global transactions with expertise in cross-border documentation, transport logistics, and local regulatory requirements.
What restoration advice do you provide?
We recommend preservation approaches balancing historical integrity with modern usability, connecting clients with specialist shipyards worldwide.
Do you offer yacht valuation services?
Yes, our valuations consider market trends, condition assessments, and historical significance to determine accurate pricing.
How do you match clients with suitable yachts?
We assess sailing experience, intended usage, and aesthetic preferences to recommend vessels that align with both practical needs and personal passion.
