Sailtime founder to share role of 'Skipper' with team Vicsail

by Vicsail on 23 Jul 2014 Good news in the sailboat market today, with announcement that Graham Raspass, founder and CEO of SailTime Australia is taking on an additional key role and joining Vicsail. This move will lead to a sharing of the responsibility for the management and future direction of Vicsail between Raspass and Vicsail founders Brendan and Jo hunt.

Raspass will take charge of the Beneteau operations within the business which embraces the Oceanis, First and Sense range of boats with a focus on continuing the great success of the business to date and to grow the business of sailboat importation and sales for the group. Vicsail's core business is the importation of Lagoon Catamarans for Australia, and distributor in New South Wales for Beneteau range of Yachts.

Vicsail began in Geelong, by Brendan and Jo Hunt, has recently celebrated 30 years of business with the arrival of the 1000th Beneteau yacht. From Vicsail CEO Brendan Hunt: 'Graham Raspass, with a strong business management and sailing background, joins us at an important time, as we prepare for a new phase of growth. Signs of renewal in the sailboat market coupled with our strong offering in both range, design and continued innovation from Beneteau, give us the confidence that we will see a growth period in the sailboat sector'

Graham Raspass stated' Vicsail and specifically Brendan and Jo, have been strong supporters of SailTime Australia since we established our operations in Australia five years ago. As an owner of three Beneteau yachts I have experienced firsthand what a great boat they are to sail and I am delighted to be working with Brendan and Jo as we begin a new chapter in the history of Vicsail and Beneteau in Australia'

Raspass will continue in the role of founder - CEO of SailTime Australia and operator of the Pittwater and Sydney bases. Since its launch in 2009 SailTime has rapidly grown its operations from a single location to seven locations in five years and Raspass sees considerable synergies for buyers of Beneteau Yachts and SailTime members.

For further information please contact

Graham Raspass MOB 0418 168 231
Grahamr@sailtimeaustralia.com.au
Brendan Hunt Mob 0411 802 796