YACHTZOO is happy to announce the addition of 2 new sales brokers to our US office: Nigel Beatty and Grace Zeilmann.
Originally from England, Nigel began his career in the British Royal Navy. After leaving the Royal Navy in the mid-nineties, he became a superyacht captain for 10 years, on various private and charter yachts between 40 and 50 meters in length. He cruised worldwide, with particular New England, Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean and also large parts of Asia, especially Japan; and still holds a 3,000 ton MCA masters license.
In 2005 Nigel came ashore to found and set up Super Yacht Logistics, which is now based in 5 countries worldwide. Subsequently he has set up 5 further companies within various industries (maritime and non-maritime) between the USA, Japan and Hong Kong.
Nigel joined the Florida office of YACHTZOO in early 2015, but still divides his time between Japan & Florida, with frequent visits to Europe. He enjoys playing golf (very badly), and cruising & sailing in the “Seto Naikai” (Inland Sea) of Japan. He speaks conversational Japanese as well as his native English.
Grace Zeilmann was raised in Fort Lauderdale and has been involved in boating all her life. She has worked many positions aboard yachts (up to 164 ft.) from stewardess, cook, purser, first mate and owner’s assistant; while cruising extensively in the U.S., Caribbean and Mediterranean. Grace also holds her 100 ton Ocean Operator’s license.
After meeting her husband and having a son, Grace became a land-based yachtie and tried her hand at charter brokering; later deciding to move into sales and becoming a licensed broker in 2001. Getting her feet wet, she sold her first two boats at a small brokerage house, later moving on to Cheoy Lee Shipyards from 2003-2009. During her tenure there she built several new boats and sold many brokerage boats of various make ranging from 60’ -153’. After adopting a beautiful daughter, Grace took a brief sabbatical, but not before completing the delivery of a new 95’ Cheoy Lee for her client.
Itching to jump back into the industry, Grace partnered with a long-time friend and colleague, Nigel Beatty, successfully selling boats in the Japanese marketplace. While looking to further pursue their talents with an international firm, Grace and Nigel had always admired Yachtzoo and the guiding principals of the company. They are very happy to join the Yachtzoo team!
