Marine Industry

Melissa Yeomans

Taking a step back

This year has been very different for us but at the same time given time to spend on ourselves a little more. As a small business owner I have always found it hard to focus on me rather than the Business. Especially as there has been so much time, money and energy put into the growth of DeckHardware and that has been very rewarding on a personal level. It was even harder when I was balancing other jobs to fund travel overseas to grow the company. It is nice to take a step back and look at what we have achieved with a lot of hard work.

With no travel it has meant a lot of time at home and time taken to do a big cleanup of sorts. It has also meant pulling out my old keyboards to see if they still work, which they do. The next step will be seeing if my fingers bruise when I play or if they have for some reason in the last few years suddenly become ok with it. Perhaps I should avoid any Ragtime style initially just in case haha always a favourite but the quick pace is likely not going to be popular with my finger joints. I think the bongos will have to stay in the bag a little while to see what happens.

It is incredible how much technology has changed with my old mixer setup compared to one I bought more recently. I may even try to get some of my old songs off the old mixer onto current technology. Why is it when testing the sound still works, I always use a chromatic scale?

Not travelling certainly has been strange. With Lake Macquarie being the furthest I have gone which for me does not count as it has always been a favourite of mine to visit and spend time on the water. On a recent visit during the Flying 11 Nationals I took the RIB down the channel a bit from the boat ramp and had a good look at how it looks at a slow pace. All those trips through on the Adams 10’s I never really had time to think about it or look around whilst trying to stay off the bottom. It was amazing to be able to do this now, such a beautiful place.

Whilst I miss my friends overseas and miss the chance to visit different regions Suppliers are located in around METS in Amsterdam, it is nice to know we have such strong relationships built leading into this strange time.

What I am looking forward to is my next trip to the other side of the world being epic to catch up with everyone in person. Whenever that may be.

The Allen Flying 11 Nationals
Many years ago coming into the Lake with my Dad steering the front boat and me steering my boat following
Title Sponsor support crew on the RIB had a big day
Melissa Yeomans

Metstrade 2019 and catching up with Suppliers

The METSTRADE Show is the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems.

METSTRADE Amsterdam 2019After a huge few days at Metstrade, I am back in the warehouse with lots of notes following meetings with a high percentage of our Suppliers. Whilst METS is on during our busiest time of year it is something we try to attend at least every 2 years. With so much happening, we decided we could not skip a year.

A number of our Suppliers have new products on the horizon which is exciting. We hope to announce these soon as we get our heads around the possibilities and pricing.

This trip was the first time I have had a chance to look at the Houdini display as normally they display alternate years whilst attending every year. After visiting their factory a number of years ago it was fantastic to see how they display and promote their range of Hatches and Doors. It is incredible to see the options available via their range.

Most of our Suppliers will be releasing New Catalogues in 2020.

Thanks to all our Suppliers who took the time to catch up during my whirlwind trip. Hopefully, next time will include a visit to one of you whilst in the region. It’s great to catch up in person to discuss what’s happening. Special thanks to the Team at Allen who helped me fight the jet lag on the first day.

I managed to spend a day walking around Amsterdam in some sunshine. It was the first time I have had this chance as usually, it is overcast or raining during METS. So instead of heading to a museum I stayed outside and walked around to get to know the city a little more.

So standby for some product announcements in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, bring on Summer!

Amsterdam

Melissa Yeomans

Putting in the hours and seeing the reward

The last few months I have been pretty quiet for a number of reasons.  Actually, it is really since November last year when we launched the new DeckHardware website.  We always knew this was going to be a lot of work but it seems the further we get the more we realise we can do and there is still to do!

As a distributor, it is important for us to get up as many of the products as possible with as much technical data as possible.  This takes time and research and I would like to take a moment to thank those who have visited the new website and understood it a work in progress.

I am loving the new look and hope you are all finding it easy to navigate. Trust me when I say there are plenty more features to come! It is actually pretty exciting what we will be able to do in the future. We have also installed a new Chat program which means all three of us can access it to talk to customers and share links or Tech Sheets which is fantastic.

On top of this, we have re-signed our contract as an Official Supplier of Australian Sailing with the support of LIROS in Germany.  We have worked with LIROS longer than we have owned DeckHardware and it is exciting to continue this partnership.

Whilst working hard I have switched up my Gym routine which has been very exciting! I have moved away from the Aqua classes and whilst still focusing on Pilates Reformer I am now able to do some weights and get back on the bike and even a rower! This has been a big step in managing the Hyper Mobility. It is still a lot of guessing as to how far I can push but it is nice to be able to change it up.

The last few weeks have involved just a few 3am wake-ups to watch the America’s Cup. Congratulations Emirates Team New Zealand. Firstly I am so excited that I won’t have to wake up at 3am.  It is going to be really interesting to follow what they do as no doubt there will be a few changes especially given where the boats will be sailing next time around. Waking up to watch so many Aussie’s participating was amazing. There were some incredible moments and some great racing in particular between Artemis and Team NZ.

It was so nice this morning to not have to wake up so early! What is next for Aussie Sailing Fans?

 

 

Melissa Yeomans

The one day holiday

It is extremely hard to get away from DeckHardware at this time of year. As we come into our busy season we have been busy behind the scenes at the same time. This week we have launched a new website which was something we had been working hard on. Then to top it off I have travelled to Europe for METSTRADE!

I landed in England and spent the day at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Convincing myself to stay awake and adjust to the Timezone was tough especially leaving Sydney on such a hot day and arriving to the rain and cold of London.  I had not been to the V&A before and it was something I had been looking forward too! I headed to the “You say you want a Revolution?” Exhibition which was absolutely fantastic.  

In some ways there is almost too much to see at a place like this. Everywhere you turn there is something more to look at. Plus the fact that there is so much kept from centuries ago.  

As I was staying just the one day and needed to ensure I got a good nights sleep I did a little research on where to stay.  I could not believe it when I booked into a hotel that mum and I stayed at years ago.  The Rubens at the Palace is such a lovely hotel with great staff and wonderful meals that are fresh and tasty.  To be honest though it is the friendly nature that makes the place. Like this morning at breakfast chatting to the Chef whilst he cooked my eggs.  So friendly and welcoming which when jet lagged makes such a big difference. A good chat helps wake you up!

So after the one day and night of Holiday I was on the train to Wickford to be picked up and taken to the Allen Factory.  We have distributed the Allen range of products for a number of years now however my dad Phil is the only one who has made it to the factory to see how they do things.  

This trip is going to be over before I know it as next I will be heading to Frankfurt for the weekend with friends before Amsterdam for METSTRADE. 

Melissa Yeomans

The countdown to METSTRADE 2016

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The welcome sign at METS in 2014

METSTRADE is just weeks away and the Dame Award Nominees have been announced! No doubt many of you are wondering what METSTRADE is or the Dame Awards.

METSTRADE Show is the world’s largest marine equipment trade show, which has been bringing the marine industry together for decades. Over 22,000 professionals from 112 countries around the world gather in Amsterdam. The next edition of the show will take place on November 15 – 17, 2016.

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Amsterdam is such a beautiful spot, even if I only get to see it on the way to and from the Hotel to the RAI.

The DAME Design Award is the most prestigious international design competition for new marine equipment and accessories. Over the  past 25 years, independently appointed judges examined thousands of products in specific marine categories. The DAME Design Award has come to set the pace for new concepts and designs in the worldwide leisure marine industry. Participation in DAME Awards is exclusively reserved to METSTRADE exhibitors.

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Amsterdam in November

You can imagine what it would be like, a trade show full of marine equipment.  Taking a day to walk around let alone stop and talk to people or check out new products. It is also a great chance to catch up with industry friends and discuss the current climate and direction of our sport.

This year I will be attending METSTRADE for the 4th time in the almost 10 years (in December) my family has owned DeckHardware. It is always such a quick visit due to it being our sailing season, one day I hope to be a tourist in Amsterdam. As a Trade only show it is a fantastic experience and one that is a MUST for us every couple of years. Touching base with many of our suppliers and finding out what is new as well as plenty of sailing and industry chat.

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Blue sky as I headed home in 2014

Have a look at the floorplan and you will see what I mean by the size, it is incredible.
http://www.metstrade.com/mets/exhibitors/floorplan/

There is Sun in London!The Nominees are always interesting to check out to see what is happening in the way of development.
http://www.metstrade.com/mets/innovation/dame-nominees/

Even though it is a super short trip and not even two weeks including flying time I will be stopping via England to head to the Allen Brothers Factory for a visit. This is something I am looking forward to having been to see LIROS Ropes and Forespar in the past. Flying all that way it is good to be able to tie in a visit at the same time. I can not wait to get on the Qantas A380 once again. This time I even managed to use Qantas points for the Accommodation in Amsterdam! I am staying somewhere new which is exciting.

DSC_0932After just a short time in England, I will head to Frankfurt to spend the weekend with two of my old Animus crew and their family. Before catching the train to Amsterdam for the big few days of catch up and talk all about products and the industry.

Then it is back to Australia to celebrate 10 years of my family owning DeckHardware! As well as the summer sailing season.

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Marlene steering Animus with Marty sitting back enjoying a twilight sail

Melissa Yeomans

Inspiration is an energiser

Sunset at the SpitGetting back into the swing of things has taken a little time after the Sydney Sailboat Expo and working out what is priority along with DeckHardware over winter. I have been back at the gym where my new favourite class is Drums Alive! Such a great way to start a Saturday with a bunch of energy and friends.

I managed to catch up with Liesl Tesch and Erica Kirby before Liesl headed to Europe to compete. A catch up in the park whilst talking sailing rules and pretending to be boats on land. I am sure anyone driving past the Spit that afternoon looking at the Sunset must have been amused and wondered what on earth we were doing. What better way to spend an afternoon in Autumn! Spending time with Liesl is always inspiring and a great deal of fun.

Sunset at the SpitLiesl is now with other members of the Australian Sailing Team in Medimblik about to take part in the Para Worlds which start Tuesday! Good Luck team! Check out the Aussie Sailors Rock group on Facebook where we cheer on Aussie sailors competing overseas.

It has been a big few months for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation as the planning for Bart’s Bash is now in full swing.  Here in Australia there are a number of clubs already signed up and more that have confirmed verbally.  Here is a link to the latest news on this year’s Bart’s Bash.  Last week whilst in QLD I caught up with the team at Southport Yacht Club where Aussie Ambassador Joel Turner will be supporting this year’s Bart’s Bash. It is great to hear that plans are underway with Ambassadors involved!

I have a few plans for here in Sydney for this year’s Bart’s Bash so stay tuned! So far there are clubs in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA! In 2016 Bart’s Bash will be raising awareness and funds to support grassroots disabled sailing globally. The 2016 edition of Bart’s Bash is scheduled for 17-18 September which is on at the same time as the 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition. The timing is incredible considering everything that is going on, with this being the last chance for Para Athletes to compete in Sailing for now.

Whilst in QLD on Thursday I dropped by the Gold Coast International Marine Expo and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. It was great to catch up with so many from within the sailing industry for a chat. We have seen some big changes in the last few years and working together we can certainly be stronger for it. I finished the day catching up with Alistair Murray from Ronstan talking rules, sailing, friends, industry, women in sailing and more. There is always so much to talk about when it comes to our sport and industry. If you work in the Aussie Sailing Industry check out our Facebook Group and you ever want to catch up just send me a message.

Melissa Yeomans

Recovery and Reflection

It has now been a week since the 2016 Sydney Sailboat Expo wrapped up. I almost don’t know what to write, there is so much to say.

Firstly to my friends and DeckHardware Ambassadors – I am so proud of you as Ambassadors and so grateful to call you friends. You helped me get through the weekend with your support and willingness to do whatever was needed. Ensuring I ate and drank water especially on Saturday when we were stretched for volunteers. The Sydney Sailboat Expo would not have existed if it weren’t for you being our volunteers. To deliver such an event with just a small team shows the effort you all put in.

Thank you to Jordan Spencer who the week of the Expo stepped in to be the voice of the Expo doing Videos, announcements and more. Thank you to Melissa Williams-Brown Photography for the amazing photos you have taken so we can remember what can be done.

I saw online a number of posts where people asked why this didn’t happen in other states.  I guess the reason is my family decided it was needed after discussing it with a number of people in the sport and industry. We dedicated I would hate to think how many hours to ensuring it happened. Sydney as a location gives us access to so much of the Sailing Industry. We are just a family who love the sport of sailing and work in the Industry. All the posters you saw at clubs leading up to the event and the signs around the expo for instance, were all laminated by my Dad (Phil). We dedicated our time and money to the promotion of our sport and would like to thank in particular our DeckHardware competitors who supported what we were doing.

A huge thank you also to the high profile sailors who came to the Expo or shared that the Expo was on despite being overseas competing. Special thanks to Liesl Tesch and Tom Burton who took hours out of their weekend to come to the Sydney Sailboat Expo and were more than happy to talk to everyone.

The last week for us has been about unpacking, sorting out the DeckHardware Warehouse and getting back to normal work. I’ve looked back and wondered how we achieved it and wonder where we found the time and energy to do what needed doing. I am the first to admit the Sydney Sailboat Expo could be so much more than what it has been the first two years. Having said that I am proud of the fact that we have been able to bring so much of the industry together to work together in promoting and supporting sailing. The range of Associations this year was truly something I was excited and proud of.

As I recover I will do some thinking about where we go now. The effort involved was massive for this year and doing it within our little office whilst still running DeckHardware is difficult I will not lie.  I am exhausted but at the same time can see what the Sydney Sailboat Expo could be if we could continue to grow and for the entire community to get behind it. I look to the shows overseas and I have to admit I would love to achieve so much more.

To those who thanked me for the hours my Mum (Robyn) and I put in, Thank you. I was honestly shocked to receive the thank you gifts from a couple of the exhibitors. I received some wonderful messages of what some of our visitors experienced at the Expo, thank you. Hearing that we were mentioned on two commercial radio stations honestly was fantastic. An Expo about sailing got mentioned! Who would have thought sailing would be on the radio let alone this.

In a few weeks once I have given it some thought I will have a meeting with a few of the exhibitors to discuss what happens now.  The Sydney Sailboat Expo, all it was a few years ago was a dream concept of showcasing sailing after the success we had in London. To show that we are an accessible sport for everyone! I have dedicated so much of my time and energy to this project and still believe it could be so much more. To do it again in 2017 is a big ask of not only myself and my family but my amazing volunteers. So for now, I will rest, reflect and get back to work.

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Melissa Yeomans

What an exciting time. 

10 days to go! Who would have thought this time would go so fast and that so much would happen!  There has been so much to do to make this what we had envisaged.  The seminars in particular are something we worked had on as we felt it a great benefit to all those who give back to the sport in particular!  We love all those volunteers! We see so many people at regattas and often it is familiar faces there each morning early and when the sun goes down.

Seminars at the Sydney Sailboat Expo:

Topics include: Yachting Australia Questions and Answers, Association Master Classes, School Sailing with Martin Pryor, Racing Rules with Jeremey Atkinson, Safety around Small Boats with Kingsley Forbes-Smith, Are you or your offspring Olympian Sailing Material with Ian Brown? Plus Using electronics / Internet / GPS / simulators to go the right way faster and learn on and off the water.

Saturday Timetable now available!

Sunday Timetable now available!

 Seminars by Sports Community

Social Media- Learn how to create effective social media strategies using the most appropriate social media tools to achieve club goals and objectives

Fundraising – Attendees will be introduced to the latest fundraising ideas for clubs, covering traditional fundraising favourites while looking at new and easy ways to raise significant funds for your club

The Importance of Goal Setting – In this session, participants will learn why planning and goal setting is important for clubs, how to assist clubs with simple goal setting processes and how to help clubs to ensure they deliver on their objectives

Club Culture – Learn about the power of a positive club culture and how to create the culture of volunteering at your club

Saturday

Sunday

Topic

10:30

10:00

Social Media

11:30

10:30

Fundraising

12:30

11:00

The Importance of Goal Setting

1:30

11:30

Club Culture

For more on Sports Community visit their website: sportscommunity.com.au

Workshops:

  • Visit the H2O Academy to get some feedback on your hiking style and wave technique. For the kids, jump in an Optimist and learn the basics of sailing on the H2O Optimist Sailing Simulator.
  • Splicing Workshop – brought to you byDeckHardware the Australian Distributor of Liros Ropes.
  • Middle Harbour Yacht Club Sailing Simulator will be in action throughout the Sydney Sailboat Expo.  Jump aboard and give it a go!
  • North Sails Clinic – Details coming soon!

I am so grateful to all those who have sent me messages of support and helped me out on this journey.  My mum Robyn and I have been working so hard to get to this point and we could not have done it without your encouragement particularly when it gets tough to balance the Sydney Sailboat Expo whilst still running DeckHardware.

Thank you to all those who have posed with the signs too!

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I have been trying hard to make sure despite being so busy that I still get out and go for a walk or do some pilates to recharge.  So important to keep the momentum going!  Views like this make it even better:

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Now let’s hope for some kind weather and a great time at the very first Sydney Sailboat Expo!  Don’t forget if you want to volunteer at the Sydney Sailboat Expo please let me know!

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Melissa Yeomans

So busy and so excited

SSE_Logo-smallWhat a roller coaster the last few weeks have been.  It was never going to be easy launching a Sydney Sailboat Expo and I was well aware of this.  Wow have I been over whelmed with support I have received.  It was great to finish last week by announcing some Founding Sponsors.  They start with DeckHardware who of course have been in from the beginning as it is my families business.  boaTEC who do some fantastic work with Carbon and play on both big a little fun boats.  MacDiarmid Sails and Rigging which is run by a friend who I first met at MHYC when we were kids sailing MJ’s against each other.  As well as Ronstan who do a lot for the sport both in Australia and Overseas.  The fact that these companies believe in me and what we are trying to achieve is fantastic.

Sailing really is a small world as we all know.  It was no surprise though when I received a message of support from someone I met and became friends with when we were kids sailing Flying 11’s.  Suellen is the founder of LiveSailDie a fantastic website all about our support.  I am so excited to have them onboard as a media partner for the Sydney Sailboat Expo helping out with our website and media.  You can read more about their involvement here.

We are almost finished our application forms and you will start to see many more companies, classes and clubs being added to our website.  It is an exciting time and I can’t wait to start organising all the special activities we will have happening and what our MC Randy will be doing.  Watch this space!  I also will start working on what sort of sponsorship we will be looking for to make this the best Sailing Expo it can be.  Time to get out there and spread the word!

I really must thank my friends and team for all their support.  Without the occasional kick to get me motivated when it gets tricky or just to put me back on the right path when I am overwhelmed with the workload, I could not do it without you all. Special thanks also to my parents as we now cope with both mum and I balancing the work load of the Sydney Sailboat Expo and DeckHardware.  So thank you for helping me make this happen!

 

 

 

Melissa Yeomans

The Sydney Sailboat Expo

I did it!  I have started up my own company all about the promotion of sailing.  The new company is called Animus Productions Pty Ltd which is named after my Adams 10m “Animus”.   I have been asked often about the meaning to me behind the name Animus.  My grandfather was an amazing person living a simply HUGE life both at work and at play.  Those who knew him will laugh when I mention the at play because boy did he!  He was The Big Boss at Tip Top Australia when I was growing up and I spend a great deal of time running around his office, the board room and the factory.   He had the best work ethic I have seen and it is clearly something members of my family have inherited including my Mum and I.  He also played hard and when I was born owned a fantastic Ocean Racer called Defiance.  Defiance was the Original S&S 30, yes THE Original.  With a blue hull and fantastic looking spinnaker design she was a, hmmm well many in the family had different names for her hahaha.  Many of you may remember in the 80’s the Tip Top Australia Ads featuring Sailing the sport he loved.  Like my family now he did what he could to promote and support the sport of sailing, even having a secret bread made for those doing the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race made for the offshore conditions.

When the opportunity came for me to purchase a yacht at the age of 22 my grandfather gave me his full support and in return I decided to name my new boat as a reflection of this.  Animus was born after a lengthy search in thesaurus’ to find another word for Defiance.  In fact the meaning we found was Strength, Will and Defiance which we figured was a great fit being such a young female skipper in a class like the Adams 10m.  Now many years later I find myself once again stepping out of my comfort zone and doing what I believe in.  Promoting the sport of Sailing that I love.  The love I inherited from my family, I was lucky to be born into Sailing.

After well over a year of discussions with those who dropped by the DeckHardware warehouse it was decided to hold a meeting about putting together something like the RYA Dinghy Show.  A couple of meetings later and some lengthy research and discussions have taken place that have led me here.  Along with my Mum and good friend Locky Pryor we have launched the Sydney Sailboat Expo.

The Sydney Sailboat Expo will be held for the first time in 2015. Venue and Dates (2-3 May 2015) to be confirmed in the near future.

The Sydney Sailboat Expo is a meeting place for Sailors, those interested in becoming Sailors and the Sailing Trade Industry catch up with each other and learn more about the sport of sailing.

To be held over a weekend in 2015 showcasing the very best in Sailing. With the Latest Products for sailors on show, a wide range of classes on display and workshops on topics such as Splicing, Boat Maintenance, Sailing Fitness and more.

What an exciting time as well as being busy the next few months will be!

 

Thanks to the Tip Top Facebook Page for this great shot! We have this on the wall at home and it is a great reminder of what I believe in.