Meet The Sales Team

04 - 10 - 2024

MEET DAVE SULLIVAN

Why is boating important to you?

Boating has been in my life since I was young hanging out on friends’ boats from school on the Lane Cove River on weekends. Some kids even came to school by boat which blew me away.

I have spent my life on and around water growing up a keen surfer and have travelled much of the world searching out new and exotic waves. A lot of these breaks are only accessible by boat and doing these boat trips with a few mates living onboard a boat, fishing and surfing for a week was my sense of heaven on earth.

I have always been the adventurous type and love the endless possibilities that boating offers, between surfing remote breaks, fishing offshore or doing vessel deliveries to pristine destinations such as The Whitsundays and further afield in Fiji and The Virgin Islands.

For the last 25 years I have worked on and around boats and have had a variety of interesting jobs including being a deckhand on charter boats in Sydney Harbour, a deckhand on a cray boat out at the The Abrolhos Islands in WA, deckhand on a Sunseeker in the Virgin Islands and in more recent years starting a vessel management company.

Now that I have a family of my own I cherish our days out on the water and it is one of the few activities that my teenage boys are still excited to do with mum and dad on weekends.

What make you different to any other boating salesman?

Having my Master 5 qualification and having managed and ran a large variety of vessels for more than 2 decades has given me a good skill set and knowledge of most brands.

Having also ran a successful vessel management business for 15 years, I am very service based with my success coming from listening to boat owners and hearing what they liked and didn’t like about boating and the boating industry which has given me a deep understanding of boat owner’s needs.

From my experience on and around all types of boats, I have a pretty good knowledge base and skillset that I utilise to assist people to ensure they buy the right vessel for their boating needs.

I absolutely love the sale process from initial consultation to the vessel build, right through to handing over a brand new boat to one of my clients. The calls and texts that come later explaining how much positive impact the purchase has made in their life is just the icing on the cake for me.

What is your number one career achievement at Short Marine?

I love all of the brands that we represent and the fact it is a relatively young team with a lot of energy at Short Marine which makes it a dynamic and fun and workplace. I don’t have one individual achievement to mention but I am proud of every sale I have been a part of and the relationships that have developed from it with our clients. I am just proud to be a part of this team and to have the opportunity to drive and sell the best brands in the world every day and to refer to it as work.

What is your favourite Short Marine boat Brand and why?

I would have to say the range of centre consoles from Valhalla Boatworks. They are relatively new on the scene and have absolutely nailed it straight from the get-go. They have the most beautiful lines, and the build quality is next level. From a driver’s perspective, they are the most exhilarating boat I have ever driven and are an absolute pleasure to drive. My son caught his first Black Marlin on a Valhalla 37 off Sydney in March this year at the Short Marine Shoot-Out so that model has sentimental memories for the two of us. The absolute dream set up though would have to be a Viking 64 with the Valhalla 37 alongside!

MEET JACK WARWICK

Why is boating important to you?

Boating is in my blood! My father was Skippered vessels (Master IV) on Sydney Harbour and Moreton Bay for more than 30 years. Whether I was accompanying him on his commercial runs, or fishing out of our little centre console… Rain, hail or shine I just couldn’t get enough time on the water – I loved it.

What make you different to any other boating salesman?

I take a completely consultative approach to finding the right vessel for each individual and or family. I want to understand how they will use their boat, what boats they’ve owned in the past, what their family dynamic and friendship circle looks like, and much more. It’s about listening to their needs, providing options for their review and narrowing down on various options that fit their brief. What I’m proud of is a lot of the time my clients become lifelong friends.

What is your number one career achievement at Short Marine?

One of my clients purchased his first boat through me. On handover day, 5 minutes prior to him stepping aboard his new boat he ordered a brand new version of that model but 20-feet longer. We clearly had his trust and he already had the boating bug!

What is your favourite Short Marine boat Brand and why?

By saying I had a favourite brand would be like saying I have a favourite child. You just can’t… Instead, I’ll say I’m proud to have what I consider the BEST brands within each category. Being able to offer something for almost everyone is a pretty great feeling.

MEET BRENDAN ROBERTS

Why is boating important to you?

Boating connects people with the water, creating unforgettable experiences and bringing families and friends together. It’s about freedom, adventure, and making lasting memories—whether exploring, fishing, or enjoying the peace of the water.

What make you different to any other boating salesman?

I focus on building genuine relationships and understanding each client’s unique needs. My goal is to make the buying journey as enjoyable as owning the boat, prioritizing customer satisfaction and creating a truly positive experience. Growing up in Cairns Far North Queensland, you could call it a country city on the water. You quickly learnt to look after people and they looked after you, plus having the Worlds best Marlin Fishery on your doorstep puts me in a unique position in the sportfishing side of Boating.

What is your number one career achievement at Short Marine?

My top achievement is earning the trust of clients through exceptional service. A highlight was helping a customer find their dream boat with custom upgrades, ensuring every detail exceeded their expectations and leaving them thrilled.

What is your favourite Short Marine boat brand and why?

Grady-White stands out for their quality, safety, and versatility. Whether it’s for family outings or fishing trips, their designs reflect craftsmanship and innovation that perfectly align with what Short Marine represents. If I was to choose a model it would have to be the 370 Express – a true offshore battlewagon. With its triple 450HP’s she is the perfect fishing machine!

MEET LACHIE BATTON

Why is boating important to you?

Boating gives energy to the soul. Boating unites the people that you cherish, the most beautiful environments, and it is being rocked to sleep like a baby in a cot (unless you aren’t yet blessed with your sea legs). Every time I spend a few days on the water, I come back to life with a renewed energy and perspective. This to me, is why boating is so special.

My father was one of Australia’s most well-respected boat dealers, from a young age marinas became a place where I was happy and excited to be. I was lucky to meet some incredible people from a young age and build a network in this industry, one which took me in with open arms after my father’s unfortunate passing in June 2020.

What make you different to any other boating salesman?

I value boating, and the people who want to be part of boating, more than I value a dollar or sale. Yes, everyone must pay their bills, but a sole focus on rising the tide for your customers lifts all vessels. This is how I look to build a successful career which is both prosperous and fulfilling.

What is your number one career achievement at Short Marine?

There is no single biggest achievement for me at Short Marine. My trophies are the families I get to see living better lives because of the vessels we provide.

When I was a kid, Dad the boat dealer and I used to go towing at Bantry Bay. He had a 21ft Force “work boat” which did 65 knots. I would be so eager to get out there for a wakeboard, but he would spend an hour beforehand bouncing through the popular anchorages saying hello to all his friends and customers. Everyone knew him. It gave me the (you know whats), but looking back, I guess he was just looking through the trophy cabinet too.

What is your favourite Short Marine boat brand and why?

The family and I currently have a Capelli 850 Tempest, we love it for day boating. However, I spent a lot of time recently on a customer’s brand-new Grady White 336 Canyon. Having done extended trips on it – it blew me away. Seakeeping – it is the most comfortable boat I’ve ever been on. Water sports – it has the minerals to give even adrenaline junkies like me a thrill. And most importantly for us – it is a better layout dayboat than our Capelli despite being a big heavy glass boat with big fat gunnels, as against my comfy tubes on our RIB.

There is nothing more that I want than a Grady White (271 Canyonwill be our first), If only santa had a bigger sled.