This year, Yacht IN celebrates fifteen successful ears in the industry. We talked to their founder about their beginnings, the successful realization of their company vision and about their unique approach that has lifted them to their current status
Fifteen successful years in the business are a commendable achievement for any company, but for one in covering a spectrum of yachting-related services in Croatia and competing with established foreign competitors, it’s important enough for a dedicated piece in our magazine. We sat down for a talk with the founder and co-owner of the Zadar-based company Yacht IN, Mr. Slaven Knežević, who is much more than a manager of a successful company.
Slaven is also a respected yacht skipper, a sailing enthusiast and a family man, as well as an open-minded person with interests that extend in many directions, including contemporary art. Still, for the purposes of this interview, we concentrated on the basics: yachting.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY?
My business journey began in Split, where I completed my studies in yacht and marina management, specializing in nautical management. Even during my student days, I was constantly at sea, working as a skipper, sailing, fishing, and for a while I was also a professional diver. All of this was excellent preparation for the career that followed. I got my first serious opportunity in 2005, when I took over a Ferretti 830 as Captain, and successfully brought her from France to Croatia. I founded my own company in 2010, was soon joined by my business partner, Matija Zelić – and so Yacht IN was born. That same year, I took on the role of Captain on a Custom Line 112, a 35-meter luxury yacht, which I still manage today. Many years of experience on the same yacht, as well as managing Yacht IN from its early days gave me a unique perspective and laid the foundations of my professional identity. In yachting, it is rare to stay with one yacht for that long, just as it is rare to grow a successful company at the same time. But this very combination is how I like to do things, what motivates and drives me.
WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR A MODERN YACHTING COMPANY?
From early on, my vision was different than what was the norm. I believed every aspect of doing business could be taken to a higher level, and personally always found customer satisfaction to be the most important of them. At that time, the yachting scene in Croatia looked significantly different than it does now, most of the boats were up to 24 meters in length. I was part of a new generation of ‘yacht managers’ that had a different view of the industry as well as the courage to approach our business with a brand new vision. We were quick thinkers, adaptable and driven by the desire to change the standard. We weren’t too calculated, if an opportunity arose, we would seize it and give it our all. It was this very courage that pushed us forward, and ultimately turned out to be the ace up our sleeve. Our willingness to take risks, to learn on the fly instead of waiting for everything to be perfect.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY LOOK LIKE TODAY?
Today, we are thirteen strong and each and every one of us has a clearly defined role and responsibilities. As the team grew, the key departments were formed organically: Charter, Sales, Yacht Management and Service. Each of them developed organically, at its own pace, by people who brought in new knowledge, fresh ideas and their own professional approach. It is precisely this combination of experience and expertise on one side, and enthusiasm on the other that helped us set high standards and create a team our clients can rely on. Our company is growing year after year, but I find it extremely important that we all share the same, different approach to managing a business in which everyone has their own role and responsibilities. From the very beginning, I wanted to create an environment where people have the opportunity to grow, express their creativity and develop their own ideas. Specifically, Barbara Grgurević Škoda, our Head of Charter, took over our charter department and is developing it systematically, setting high standards in every segment, from relations with partners to customer experience. Marko Dunđer, our brokerage sales chief, also actively manages warranty processes for Sanlorenzo and does financial management. Marko Sutlović, on the other hand, is developing the modular hall our manufacturing sector, opening up new opportunities for expanding our business. We don’t consider this just work, we cherish relationships. It’s always been important to me that those who work with us in the company, and our partners all share the same good feeling.
WHAT WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT AS KEY PROJECTS IN THESE 15 YEARS?
If I had to single out one key moment, it would definitely be entering the Wally Class with the Nahita project. This is one of the world’s most prestigious racing classes, managed by boat owners themselves. After several intensive sailing seasons with our first Nahita, we made a strategic decision to build a completely new boat – the Nahita Wally 93. As the owner’s representative and project manager, I was personally involved in every step, from overseeing construction, technical coordination and equipment selection, to logistics, team building and designing specialized solutions for race support. This project gave us plenty of momentum, opened new doors and allowed us access into the superyacht segment, in which we still operate successfully today. Right after the delivery of Nahita, we took on full management of two large yachts, one 60m and one 45m, confirming our ability to manage complex projects at a high level. Today, when I see Wally 93 Nahita competing and winning in some of the world’s most famous races, it gives me great satisfaction.
DID YOU OFFER ANYTHING NEW ON THE CROATIAN MARKET IN TERMS OF DIGITALIZATION IN YACHTING?
Back in 2017, we decided to take a step forward and offer something that no one else did at the time. We were the first to provide yacht owners with a more modern approach to financial management through digital solutions, introducing a system that allowed transparent cost tracking in real time (real-time expenses), via a software platform that owners and their representatives can access whenever they want. At the time, this was something completely new, but today this is the standard. That was an opportunity for us to get one step ahead of competition and show potential clients we’re not just another agency, but a partner who thinks ahead.
WHAT DOES ‘YACHT MANAGEMENT’ MEAN TO YOU?
It encompasses all aspects of yacht care, so to say, with the aim of providing the owner maximum joy and minimum worry. Our team provides technical supervision, financial management, administration, crew management, legal compliance and maintenance coordination. We take care of regular maintenance, plan budgets, communicate with shipyards and suppliers, and ensure the yacht is ready for use at any time, whether for private cruising or charter. We approach owners individually, creating solutions tailored to their habits, priorities and sailing style. You need to be able to communicate clearly and professionally and deliver our services without complications for the owner. That’s the difference between good and great.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE COSTS FOR YACHT OWNERS?
Our clients must know they have someone in their corner, someone to take care of their needs and solve things quickly and reliably. Trust is key here, the cost od owning a yacht isn’t small, but the way a yacht is managed can make the difference. It is crucial that everything is transparent and communicated in a timely manner. There are always unforeseen expenses, something owners aren’t always aware of. Our job is to present each expense clearly, without embellishment, without promises we cannot keep. We are proud to be able to demonstrate to your readers the numbers for owning and operating a 30-meter yacht in Croatia.
YOUR COOPERATION WITH SANLORENZO MATTERS TO YOU A LOT.
Our cooperation with Sanlorenzo has lasted for more than 13 years, since 2012. From 2012 to 2014, we also acted as their dealer, but what’s important here is the fact that from the very beginning we built a relationship based on trust and long-term development. One of the conditions for our cooperation was the development of a dependable maintenance network, because no sale can be considered successful without strong after-sales support. We are now known for our reliable after-sale services. Today we are their exclusive maintenance partner, which confirms we have met their expectations and set high standards, and maintain them. Our role in the after-sale services and warranty segment begins the moment the yacht is delivered from the shipyard. If the yacht sails the Adriatic during the warranty period, our maintenance network is responsible for all potential problems or interventions.
YOU ARE DEVELOPING MOBILE PRODUCTION HALLS TO ENSURE IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR HULL PAINTING.
The idea for the development of advanced modular solutions came from a real need that presented itself during projects in which we participated as subcontractors in hull painting. We realized if we wanted to maintain our standards and be competitive, we must develop our own solution that will enable the creation of controlled conditions for performing this most demanding work. We entered this segment with the idea of setting up a modular construction exclusively for our own needs, following the standards of the world’s largest shipyards, such as MB92 in Barcelona, who were managing three of our boats (60m, 45m, 24m). Our halls are now used by shipyards here in Croatia. Even today, we can offer owners complete maintenance under one roof, which makes us not only more efficient, but also more competitive.
IS THERE A PART OF THE JOB THAT YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE?
I am still active as a Captain and that is the part of the job that is closest to my nature: the sea, the boat, the desire to provide guests with unforgettable experiences year after year. It is still the most natural environment for me and something I would not give up. As for charter, I can say that it is my favorite from a completely practical perspective, as we have a great team that runs that segment superbly and in whom I completely trust. Perhaps what gives me most joy is that we have set up things to run smoothly, without customer complaints and unnecessary stress, because that means I can devote more time to my family, which is ultimately the most important thing in my life.
Photos Yacht IN
