Our Passionate Smart Boating Team

Martin Lyall started his Smart Boating journey as a boat syndicate owner. He loved being part of Smart Boating so much that he and business partner David Grice bought the business!

Together they bring a rich boating knowledge and incredible passion for a system that enables hundreds of Aussie families to enjoy an enviable boating lifestyle.

Man wearing a red shirt and sun glasses while stirring the wheel of a boat

Martin Lyall

“I grew up swimming competitively and training for upwards of three hours a day. When I wasn’t in the pool, I was surfing. In fact, most mornings you’ll still find me out there. I have a real affinity with the water… it’s continued throughout my life.

I’d planned on following Dad into architecture, but early on in university I realised it wasn’t for me. I wanted to get into advertising and knocked on every door in town until I got my start. Advertising led to publishing, which led to 20 odd years with Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios, travelling around the world for months at a time.”

Martin Lyall was a passionate Smart Boating share owner when the opportunity came up to buy the Smart Boating business.

Continue reading.

Happy man wearing a smart boating jacket while riding a boat

David Grice

“If you love your job, you never have to work another day in your life. I am very passionate about the business we are in and enjoy creating the opportunity for our clients to enrich their lifestyle with excellent boating experiences on our great waterways.”

David Grice was lucky enough to have been raised close to the shores of Middle Harbour and nearby ocean beaches. Water sports dominated his life, and he considered Middle Harbour his backyard.

Afternoons and weekends were full of boating and sailing from fishing, sailing dinghies and the early days of windsurfers.

Continue reading.

Ryan Blackshaw

Ryan Blackshaw started out as a Smart Boating customer to become a Smart Boating employee….

“My family have always lived around and been on the water. As young kids, we would go out for day trips on Pittwater on our Quintrex Runabout.”

“My family had a share in a Lagoon 39 INFINITY with Smart Boating 7 years ago . I was looking for work around my business degree and offered my time over the summer – I loved it so much I’ve never left.”

For Ryan Blackshaw, life on the water is second nature, which makes his nous in matching share owners with the right vessel unmatched.

Continue reading.

Prue Murphy Vacca

With a varied background in the marine industry, Prue Murphy Vacca is most at home on the water.

“Having spent 15 years working overseas in the marine industry, when it was time to head home to Australia, we settled in Newport on the Northern Beaches – just across the water from Smart Boating.

With my varied background in the marine industry, Smart Boating has been a great fit.”

Smart Boating has a real point of difference as a boat share syndicate business, and this is what drew Prue into becoming part of its operations.

Continue reading.

Contact Us

If you hear the sea calling you… don’t wait another minute, contact Smart Boating today!

    Pick your dream boat

    Yachts, motor cruisers or catamarans, the choice is yours…

    1
    2
    Clontarf

    Jeanneau NC11

    Jeanneau NC11 features spacious daytime living spaces, including a dining area and galley arranged around a spacious deck saloon.

     

    1
    1
    Pittwater

    Palm Beach PB32

    The Australian-designed PALM BEACH PB32 affords classic styling and efficient performance in a sleek, compact and very comfortable package.

    2
    3
    Pittwater + Whitsundays

    Hanse 418

    The beautiful new lines, straight stem and extra-long waterline of the Hanse 418 are key to a fast, safe and comfortable sailing experience.