Growing up as an avid sailor with a penchant for maths and engineering, Sam Tucker studied naval architecture at the University of Southampton before pursuing a career as a professional yacht crew. Working on the historic J Class Velsheda and innovative Wally Cento Galateia, Sam became acquainted with the high-performance sailing segment of the superyacht market.
Transitioning ashore in 2016, Sam joined market intelligence company VesselsValue and led the team that developed the first algorithm to value superyachts. During this time, Sam developed an in-depth knowledge of the superyacht fleet. “I was continuously observing, and commentating on, what was happening in the brokerage market,” he explains. “So, I’ve been dialled into the dynamics of the brokerage market for a long time.”
“I was continuously observing, and commentating on, what was happening in the brokerage market”
This experience also made Sam interested in becoming a broker himself, so he jumped at the opportunity to join Moravia Yachting as Sales Broker in 2022. “Hill Robinson is such a prestigious and well-respected company in the industry, when I heard that it had a brokerage arm it felt like the perfect fit,” adds Sam.
“Hill Robinson is such a prestigious and well-respected company in the industry, when I heard that it had a brokerage arm it felt like the perfect fit”
Soon after joining the company, Sam quickly completed his first successful transaction. Being an Admiralty sale of a yacht at auction, it provided Sam a gentle initiation into the brokerage world thanks to the positive communication with the courts and straightforward procedure to sell to the highest bidder.
Sam defines his approach as a broker as being numbers focused. “When acting on behalf of a seller, it’s important to be transparent about market conditions and ensure a yacht is listed for a sensible price,” he explains. “When representing a buyer, I advise on what a yacht is really worth rather than just trying to sell someone any yacht. My advice is always backed up by evidence –thanks to Hill Robinson’s management operations, we have too much information that we can give clients and provide accurate forecasts for operating costs and charter revenues.”
“My advice is always backed up by evidence –thanks to Hill Robinson’s management operations, we have too much information that we can give clients and provide accurate forecasts for operating costs and charter revenues.”
Based between London and the sailing hub of Palma de Mallorca, Sam is always enthusiastic to share his specialist knowledge of sailing yachts, and his passion for all things yachting. As he explains; “Yachts are the ultimate toy and I’m lucky that I can spend all day looking at them and talking about them – the fact that I can combine what I love with my career is fantastic.”
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