Andy Topham

I started working with Boatshed in March 2011 firstly in North Wales and now in St Lucia.

What did you do before working with Boatshed?
I have more than 30 years of working, sailing and fixing boats and yachts of all shapes and sizes, including sailing yachts, catamarans and power boats. My early years consisted of dinghy sailing at various clubs and completing as many RYA courses as I could. I then progressed to successfully racing keel boats over a 12 year period. For six of those later years I ran a 40ft racing yacht which was campaigned at most major offshore race and regatta weeks in the UK and Ireland.

I studied Yacht Design and Engineering at Falmouth Marine College which enabled me to build up many RYA certificates and qualifications for the next adventure which was the ARC race on a stripped out racer. Upon arriving safely in St Lucia, with a refreshing Piton beer in-hand, I met an owner looking for a captain and ended up running his 50ft cruising yacht in the Caribbean for over two years, based in St Lucia.

After this superb time cruising the Islands I was offered a job running a 45ft Cat for the Moorings Crewed Yacht Division in the British Virgin Islands. From here I went to run a 70ft Powerboat, again in the BVI, with a busy charter and maintenance schedule.

What attracted you to become part of the Boatshed team?
I thoroughly enjoys talking boats and boating and meeting all of our owners and customers, many of whom travel from all over the world. I also enjoy personally visiting and photographing every boat I list and have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of customers' requirements that only comes with a real passion for your job and years of experience.

Are you a motorboater or a sailor?
Anything that moves on the water - I love it!

What is your most memorable boating experience?
I have so many stories to tell I can't write them all on here but I will happily chat to you about them!