Our Team
Mike Vining - Sales Manager (Picton Based)
Michael (Mike) Vining was born in 1955 in Nelson went to school at Nelson College then Canterbury University. He then worked in the family motor vehicle business before moving to Picton in the early 80s to work as a broker.
He is married to Cindy and they have three children, all now young adults.
To help pay the bills in his early family years he co-established and ran a water-taxi business alongside brokering.
His family has grown with a passion for sailing, boating, fishing, diving and water-sports. Mike and Cindy took their young family cruising in the Pacific Islands and most family holidays have either been spent in the Marlborough Sounds or taking budding young sailors to events throughout the country.
Mike has been a long term member of the Queen Charlotte and Waikawa Boating Clubs and has been executive committee member of both.
Mike likes to keep active which in the past has involved playing squash, racing Paper Tigers, Lasers and keelers and more recently cycling. He competes regularly in cycling events such as The Rainbow Rage, Grape Ride and the Queen Charlotte Classic.
Mike recently purchased Vining Shipbrokers in partnership with Ian Michel and is enjoying the challenge of expanding and improving the business while maintaining its good reputation.
Call Mike on 0274 466 931
Ian Michel - Admin Manager (Picton Based)
Ian began his involvement in boating while working as a firefighter in Christchurch in the 1980s, where he and his family spent off-duty time firstly in a Dancer trailer-sailer and progressing to a Farr 6000 and then to his favourite trailer yacht a Noelex 25 - Ian has now owned 5 of these!
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Ian served on the Committee of the Canterbury Trailer Yacht Squadron rising to Vice Commodore and enjoyed arranging events and functions. At this time he also owned Sea Breeze Marine Brokers in Christchurch selling trailer yachts all round New Zealand.
Leaving the Fire Service in 1995, the Michel family moved to Picton where Ian became Manager of the Waikawa Boating Club. He particularly enjoyed racing and cruising around the Marlborough Sounds aboard their Mull 31 "Verdict" and later the Farr 1020 "Rainbow IV".
Ian left Marlborough in 2000 and moved to Tauranga where he purchased Tauranga Boat Sales having initially worked there as a broker. Ian sold that business in 2007 and worked for the new owner for 12 months before he and Mike Vining purchased Vining Shipbrokers in April 2009.
Away from things boating, Ian enjoys reading, photography, horse racing, 60s and 70s music and his children!
Ian's role at Vining's is as Administration Manager, where together with Trevor Thompson he keeps all things administration ticking over!
Call Ian on 027 246 7531
Brent Cameron - Picton
Brent was born in Dunedin and admits to being 54 years old! He has had a long interest in boating, starting with water skiing on the southern lakes at an early age.
Brent trained and qualified as an electrician and spent over 11 years in that trade before several years working in the electronic security field. Since joining Vining Shipbrokers in 1991 Brent has successfully sold yachts and launches throughout New Zealand.
Brent has owned and sailed yachts for over 35 years and has been involved with club racing and cruising around Banks Peninsula and the Marlborough Sounds. He served on the Committee of the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club (now part of Naval Point Club) in Lyttelton. He also has served as Rear Commodore Sailing with the Waikawa Boating Club which involved running the sailing calendar and arranging sponsorship from numerous local businesses.
Brent's most memorable cruise was sailing an H28 from his then home port of Lyttelton to Stewart Island and exploring all the rivers and inlets on the eastern side of the island before sailing back to Lyttelton.
An important event during his brokerage career was selling a yacht to a couple new to boating. Brent taught them to sail and race and they became good friends. Later Brent sold them a cruising yacht and sailed with them to Vanuatu, the first leg of a world circumnavigation for both the yacht and crew.
Brent's personal boating has had a change of focus in the last few years and his present vessel is a Vindex 32' launch which he finds more suitable for the Sounds and fishing in Cook Strait.
In his spare time away from the water, Brent has three classic cars and takes great pleasure maintaining and driving them on tours around New Zealand.
Brent is keen to share his extensive boating knowledge to assist anyone considering buying or selling boats.
Call Brent on 0274 364 385
Gavin Stitchbury - Picton
After three years in the Navy as a marine engineer Gavin left New Zealand to go sailing around the Pacific and Australia for a year.
On returning to New Zealand Gavin went back to marine school and obtained his Commercial Launch Master's ticket and made a living driving water taxis, ferries, tugs and delivering various vessels around New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
After more study and obtaining his New Zealand Offshore Master's qualification, Gavin spent a period teaching Commercial Launch Masters and Coastal Masters at Maritime School before returning to delivering boats again. This took Gavin to the Caribbean, South and Central America and on to the USA and Canada. On returning to New Zealand Gavin and his partner Sarah worked as tender drivers for the super yacht fleet at the America's Cup In Auckland.
A chance meeting with the owner of a 90' Ron Holland yacht who was looking for a skipper and cook to sail himself and his guests through the Pacific to Hawaii was the opportunity for Gavin and Sarah to get into the white boat industry. This led to deliveries to Asia and on to the Mediterranean where, for three years, Gavin was fortunate to skipper yachts including a classic 72' Herreshoff schooner, a 70' Swan and a number of large motor vessels.
Returning again to New Zealand, Gavin and Sarah were involved with the last America's Cup in Auckland before returning to Picton to start a family and enjoy the Marlborough lifestyle. Being a broker for the last six years with Vining Shipbrokers has given Gavin the pleasure of meeting both experienced and novice boat owners. Whether buying, selling or just making an enquiry Gavin is happy to discuss your requirements.
Call Gavin on 0272 757 716
Pip Strack - Picton
Pip has a lifetime of boating experience, starting at a young age he sailed a P Class moving through to the Cherub later on. From there Pip moved into Keeler Sailing, he occasionally purchased yachts in Auckland taking them south to Banks Peninsula for renovation and refurbishment before cruising to the Pacific Islands for some rest and relaxation.
Pip completed an Auckland to Suva race followed by a position skippering a 50ft yacht from Lyttelton to Tahiti.
Pip moved to Picton 12 years ago together with his wife Jill and their two sons. Prior to joining Vining Shipbrokers he was working as a boat builder at Jorgensen's Boatyard working mainly on traditional timber vessels.
Living in the Sounds prompted Pip to change from yachts to launches including a 47ft Charter Launch.
Pip is happy to use his experience with different types of boats to help clients find the boat best suited to their needs.
Call Pip on 027 274 4886
Phil Vining - Picton
Phil Vining is one of New Zealands most experienced yacht & launch brokers with over 30 years in the trade.
Early 2009 he sold the business of Vining Shipbrokers Ltd that he founded back in 1981 to his brother Mike and good friend Ian Michel - Phil is now enjoying working for the company.
Phil has had a lifetime of boating and has owned various vessels, both power and sail over the years. He has extensive yacht racing and cruising experience in NZ waters and has completed many coastal deliveries. He has also been fortunate to spend time cruising in Fiji, Tonga, Chile and Australia.
Phil & his wife Wendy own a Caliber 40 cruising yacht called MYSTIC TRAVELER and they enjoy spending as much time as they can on the water, catching up with old & new friends plus walking the many bush tracks around the Sounds often with their Jack Russell dog Sophie.
Phil is keen to use his knowledge & experience helping people buy and sell yachts and launches wherever they are based with recent sales in Picton, Tutukaka, Auckland, Mooloolaba and Turkey.
Call Phil on 0274 466 939
John Moody - Picton
After spending his teenage years playing rugby and golf in Wellington and Auckland, John was introduced to sailing in the late 60s in "M" class yachts out of Okahu Bay. Shortly after this he purchased his first boat, a 24' I class Mullet called "Maru". A transfer to Wellington saw John spending the next few years on trailer-sailers out of Evans Bay. His first keeler was a Whiting Reactor which John raced in and around Cook Strait. This was followed by a succession of keel yachts - a Lidgard half tonner, a Whiting ¾ tonner, a Cavalier 36, an Elliot 10.5 "The Butcher", a Spencer 43 and lastly a Townson 36 in partnership with Mike Vining.
One of John's boating highlights was a period spent helming and crewing the Davidson 55 "Starlight Express", including regattas in Hamilton Island and Fiji.
John is now living in Marlborough after spending most of his working life in the corporate sector in Wellington. He currently owns a small American bar tender which he uses to fish and commute to his Sounds holiday bach.
Having previously been a client of Vining Shipbrokers, John has now worked as a broker for two years. He is married to Liz and has two adult children. Outside broking he enjoys running their small olive grove and spending time at their bach in the Marlborough Sounds.
Call John 0272 821 022
Trevor Thompson - Picton
After spending 30 years in the computer software industry both in New Zealand and Australia Trevor retired to Waikawa with his wife Linda in 2004. Waikawa had been a favorite scuba diving and sailing holiday destination for them for many years.
While in Waikawa Trevor obtained his Local Launch Operators ticket, put his yacht into Safe Ship Management and started a business "Sounds Sail" doing skippered charters in Queen Charlotte Sound and delivering boats around New Zealand.
Trevor ran Sounds Sail for 2 years before joining Vining Shipbrokers
Trevor & Linda spent 2008 cruising New Zealand's North island in both their yacht "Snafu Too" and their camper van before returning to Waikawa in mid 2009 and resuming in the position of computer admin at Vinings.
Call Trevor on 03 573 7457
Charles Clark - Auckland
Following 20 exciting years as a Senior Corporate Account Manager for Toyota New Zealand Charles now wishes to provide a superior service to the customers of Vining Shipbrokers. He is ideally suited to such a role as his focus on Customer Service is second to none and has been the secret to his past success.
Charles has been involved in yachting for over 50 years in Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth and Christchurch sailing everything from Dinghies to Keelers including offshore Wellington to Sydney Hobart Race and return. He has held Flag rank at both the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and Mana Cruising Club and is also a member of the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.
Based in Gulf Harbour Auckland Charles brings a wealth of experience to Vining Shipbrokers and looks forward to meeting new customers and assisting them with the sale and purchase of their yachts and launches.
Call Charles on 0212 484 591
Rob Greenwood - Nelson
Reflecting his passion for boats, Rob has extensive and wide ranging boating experience. A qualified Yachting New Zealand keelboat instructor and a commercially endorsed RYA and Coastguard Boating Education instructor and examiner, Rob also holds a New Zealand Commercial Launch Masters qualification.
A past Rear Commodore of both the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club and the Nelson Yacht Club, Rob has been Rear Commodore of the Tasman Bay Cruising Club in Nelson since 2005 and is responsible for race organisation.
From 1997 until 2001 Rob owned a 12m keelboat, "St Paul", one of the yachts in his company's charter fleet. Following this he owned a 58ft motor launch which was in charter around the top of the South Island. At present Rob races his modified Ross 930 "Wild Oats" in around the buoys racing as well as participating in offshore events.
Rob has been skipper of both his own yacht and for other owners in ocean races to the Pacific Islands and has raced in the gruelling two-man race around the North Island. As well as delivering launches and yachts up and down the New Zealand coastline, Rob has skippered international delivery trips from Asia and the Caribbean.
Rob has Sailed Flying Dutchman at national level and won several New Zealand trailer yacht titles. Along with his new career as a boat broker, Rob serves on the committee of the Nelson Swing Mooring Holders Association. Rob lives in Nelson and, as well as racing and cruising his yacht, he is a keen swimmer and snow skier and, in between times, watches every single episode of Coronation Street!
With his passion for all boating, Rob can provide a knowledgeable service to people thinking of buying or selling any sort of vessel and he looks forward to meeting you and discussing your boating needs.
Call Rob on 0272 245 172
Mike Coupe - Wellington Agent
Mike has over 50 years background in yachting & boating from P Class through Z & IA then Cherubs. Royal NZ Navy then RNZNR. Built & skippered One Tonner for several years. Offshore & blue water racing NZ & overseas.. Raced several other classes including Star, various trailer yachts. National champion in 2 classes . Now racing & cruising Davidson 31 at Mana Cruising Club & Plimmerton BC.
Served on several yacht club committees over the years. Vice & then Commodore Evans Bay YC. Past president Wellington Yachting Assoc & YNZ Councilor. Currently member of Board of Directors Yachting New Zealand and on Keel boat & Ocean Racing committee.
Commercial career in Public Relations, media & communications. Operated own business in NZ & Australia within these disciplines for over 30 years. PR & Communications adviser to major international companies specializing in the primary industry sector. Also owned & operated sheep & cattle stud.
Now semi retired from agri-business activity and took up position as marine broker with Vinings 2 years ago as Wellington agent for company.
Call Mike on 0274 746 106
Valance Dimock - Wellington Agent
Valance has had a business career covering Family Business, Health Management, Information Technology and Property Management over a 40 year period
Valance's boating experience started with yachting in Nelson in a club P class. He then sailed with his Dad on the Medina, as a 4 year old and later on a 50 foot Motor sailor with his grandfather.
He sailed with his dad from the age of 11, on Rainbow A7 (a Logan classic) and won the Wellington- Picton race on Sunday 22nd December 1963 at 14 years of age.
He has sailed and owned a Zephyr, S & S 24, Cav. 32, and a Mercedes Clipper.
He has owned speed boat, a Naiad 5.3 XL, 115hp outboard.
On the launch front, he owned a Warwick 36, for 10 years and it is still in Mana, today.
Presently owns a "Cuddles" also known as a Resort 35 and he and his wife Jillian and family have had many years enjoying boating.
Jillian is a keen walker of the Sounds tracks, especially from Davis's Bay, to Anakiwa and back.
They have 3 children, and have installed a portable cot for the grandchildren in KAY CEE.
Valance has sailed and motored across Cook Straits many times and has cruised the Nelson, Marlborough sounds extensively. Valance is Wellington based and is a member of the Mana Cruising club.
Valance brings a passion and love of the sea. He has a knowledge & experience of boating in general that will help people buy and sell yachts and launches.
Call Valance on 0274 463635
Dan Govier - Commercial Broker (Nelson Based)
Dan Govier lives in Nelson with his fiancé Ang in their house they have just recently renovated. They live close to the beach where they love taking their dog Ruby, a Hungarian Vizsla for a run on the beach. When time and weather allows the three of them head out to sea for a day's fishing.
Dan has grown up around the sea and has fished and worked on his parents commercial fishing and charter boat out off the Taranaki coastline since he was 10 years old. After gaining his Inshore Launchmaster skippers ticket he also worked on and skippered his father's 40' boat long-lining, drop lining and tuna fishing out of Taranaki.
With his love of the sea he went to University of Otago and gained a Masters Degree in Marine Science. Dan's qualifications led to him gaining work at the Taranaki Regional Council and recently at the Cawthron Institute at Nelson as a Marine Ecologist. Dan's role at Cawthron involved a wide range of consulting work around the aquaculture industry throughout the top of the south.
Dan has now started his own business where he has set his 7.5m "Westcoaster" boat up for charter fishing as well as doing some consulting and contract work. Dan has many years experience at sea and around boats where his passion for the sea and boats is contagious!
.JPG)
.JPG)
