Short Marine

Our Story

Two brothers, three generations of boating experience. It’s safe to say our passion for boating was born into us.
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  • January, 1982

    January, 1982

    Our father Andrew Short started his business Andrew Short Marine and over 27 years he grew it to be one of the most reputable and successful marine businesses in Australia. He was an industry icon and an awarded dealer for some of the world’s leading boat brands; Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Mercury, Sea-Doo, Brig Inflatables, to name a few, whilst also operating 2 marinas and multiple service centres.

  • October, 2009

    October, 2009

    In October 2009, Dad was doing an overnight yacht race from Sydney to Wollongong & back onboard his 80-foot race yacht ‘Shockwave V’. Tragically, he was killed when they hit the rocks rounding Flinders Islet.

  • October 2011

    October 2011

    In October 2011, Andrew Short Marine was forced to close it doors as the company struggled to stay afloat after losing Dad, the heart and soul of the business, and combining other external factors like the Global Financial Crisis.

  • November 2012

    November 2012

    In November 2012, the new owners of Fergusons Marina offered us the opportunity to continue working in the slipway business, which Ryan was running for Dad in the years prior. This birthed the introduction of ‘Ryan Short Marine Services’ which is the 31 tonne marine travel lift and hardstand area responsible for hauling out boats up to 60-foot in length and all antifouling and slipway services.

  • June 2016

    June 2016
    In June 2016, Sam & Ryan partnered together to form ‘Short Marine’. A sales and service business with a vision to represent the worlds leading brands and offer an end-to-end service offering unlike anything else. Starting with offering a Brokerage offering for the listing and sales of all pre-owned boats.
  • October 2016

    October 2016

    In October 2016, Short Marine secured the Yamaha Outboard dealership to represent Sydney Harbour for all service, parts and re-power work.

  • April 2017

    April 2017

    In April 2017, Ryan and Sam flew to North Carolina, USA to meet with Grady-White Boats after reaching out to express interest in representing the brand here in Sydney. 

  • November 2019

    November 2019

    In November 2019, secured the Australian distributorship for Capelli Inflatables. High-end luxury Italian rigid inflatable boats, perfectly suited for Sydney & Australia’s waterways.

  • February 2021

    February 2021

    In February 2021, the Short Marine service team grew to 35. Officially offering all major marine services in-house; mechanical, electrical, shipwright, detailing and slipway services.

  • October 2021

    October 2021
    In October 2021, Short Marine acquired Game & Leisure Boats, based in Runaway Bay QLD and became the exclusive dealer to for world-leading brands such as Grady-White, Viking, Valhalla, Regal (QLD) and Caribbean (QLD).
ABOUT US

OUR STORY

Three generations of boating experience. It’s safe to say, our passion for boating was born into us. Our grandfather was a commercial fisherman, before he started his own aluminium boat company. Our Dad used to help build the boats for our grandfather, before he started his business selling them. And we used to work for Dad, before we started this business together. In 1982, Dad started, Andrew Short Marine and over 27 years he grew it to be one of the most reputable and successful marine businesses in Australia. He was an industry icon and an awarded dealer for some of the world’s leading boat brands; Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Mercury, Sea-Doo, Brig Inflatables, to name a few, whilst also operating 2 marinas and multiple service centres. In 2009, Dad was killed in a tragic yacht racing accident. It was an overnight yacht race from Sydney to Wollongong & back, a warm up race for the Sydney to Hobart. The accident shocked the industry and even more so, us as a family. Although he is no longer around, his legacy lives on through the values and attitudes he instilled in us from an early age and this is something we’ll be forever grateful for. Dad had us cleaning boats in school holidays since we were old enough to walk. From the day we finished school, we were working in and soon managing the service department at his Mosman location . Looking back, this was a great decision by Dad as it taught us everything we needed to know about boats & the importance of building ongoing relationships.
Andrew Short Marine was forced to shut its doors in 2012. This was when we started Short Marine which started as a service business, operating the slipway we were running for Dad in the years prior. Fast forward and here we are today with our fully equipped service department and dealerships for some of the industry’s leading brands. Growing up, we were lucky enough to spend most weekends on the water; whether that was sailing, fishing, running around in tinnies or doing overnights on bigger boats rafting up alongside family & friends. Looking back, that’s where all our greatest memories are – the memories of our childhood and the memories of our Dad. This is why we are so incredibly passionate about building a business that enables people to turn days on the water into lifelong memories. Boating, when done right, is the best activity in the world when it comes to connecting with friends & family and creating lifelong memories together. It’s our mission to deliver the best boating experience in the world to our customers to ensure this happens. Life is short, it really is. Unfortunately for most people it takes a loss, illness or tragedy to appreciate this reality. It certainly changed our perspective on life and we hope it has changed yours. As Dad would say, be here for a good time, not a long time…… and if you happen to be here for a long time, whilst having a good time – well that’s just a bonus!