In order to expand and reinforce the Dutch company’s presence on the U.S. market, the Dutch ShipYard Group and Dwight Tracy & Friends Yacht Sales presented their creation of a strategic partnership at close of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Dutch ShipYard RPH motor yacht
According to Dutch ShipYard marketing and sales director Bob Schutte, “We’ve wanted to have a larger presence in the U.S. market for some time now, but felt it required having representation that was not only sales oriented, but highly qualified on a technical basis as well. The quality of our work and product is at a very high level, and our pedigree is impeccable, so we wanted to be represented by someone with a deep understanding of yacht building, someone who could interface with owners and their captains with acumen and authority. We believe that in Phil Friedman, Director of New Build and Refit for DT&F, we’ve found that person.”
According to Friedman, a long-time yacht building consultant and former president and CEO of Palmer Johnson Yachts, the critical elements of a successful yacht buying experience include not only the craftsmanship of the yard, but the quality of their interface established before and during the build.
Said Friedman, “Our New Build and Refit Program offers clients an omnibus menu of value-added services that includes initial concept development, project planning, build team coordination, project management, owner representation, and ancillary support in the areas of finance and insurance. When we say we can deliver a seamless new build experience, we really can — because we have. And that is why noted designers, naval architects and engineers, and top quality shipyards, like Dutch ShipYard, have joined us in strategic collaboration.”
In addition to building the Puffin range of sailing yachts, the Dutch ShipYard group provides motor yacht construction, yacht service and refit, and skilled mast construction and rigging, includes the Dutch Yacht Sales, Pepper Yacht Service, Refit Centre, and Master Masts. As Friedman points out, any additional cost of taking a yacht to The Netherlands for a major refit is frequently offset by the unique availability there of absolutely superb “old world” Dutch craftsmanship, as well as ready access to Europe and the Med, following a refit or new build project.
He points out that, “The single stumbling block before this has been the common disconnect between an owner and yacht over here and the shipyard over there. At DT&F, we close that disconnect by providing all of the initial project development liaison here, and sticking with the project right through to completion and final delivery.”
Friedman’s background in yacht design, construction, project development and marine business management spans some 30 years in the yachting industry. His recently published eBook, Ten Golden Rules for Successful New Build Projects, has received high praise from noted industry professionals, and is available free by emailing a request to Phil@DTFyachts.com.
Dutch Shipyard is located with direct access to the open waters of the IJsselmeer near Enkhuizen, an active shipbuilding area of The Netherlands. The Dutch ShipYard operation is situated on approximately 14,000 square meters.
Fort Lauderdale based DT&F is described by those familiar with the firm as a tight knit, family-oriented organization, with a long-standing reputation built upon honesty, integrity, dedication to professionalism and a tireless work ethic. DT&F founder & CEO, Dwight Tracy, is the former owner of the Allied Marine Group (AMG), and was widely credited with transforming AMG from a single-location operation to a global marine powerhouse.
