ABOUT US
Mackenzie Marine are boat specialists with a deep understanding and passion for both wooden and fibreglass boats, and an eye for detail. Established in 2004, Mackenzie Marine is owned and operated by shipwright Ian Begg with a small team of dedicated and gifted craftsmen. They recognise the importance of efficiency and longevity, fusing both traditional and modern construction techniques and materials. The Mackenzie Marine team have the ingenuity and experience to undertake the most sophisticated boat building and refit projects.
The yard employs a crew of shipwrights who are skilled in all aspects of boatbuilding. Accomplished canvas-workers, riggers, sailmakers, marine mechanics, and electronics specialists are located nearby and have a close relationship with the team. Our crew are known for their excellent craftsmanship, knowledge of wooden boats, and their camaraderie and enthusiasm.
LUKE SMYTH
NILS HEYMAN
JOEL MORGAN
BYRON STAPLETON
Luke Smyth started his apprenticeship with Mackenzie Marine in 2011, and in fact worked for Gonsalves Boatshed for years before that as a tender boy. He is an extremely skilled craftsman with a passion for fine woodwork, traditional methods, and attention to detail.
Nils Heyman started his apprenticeship with Ian in 2013. These days, Nils is our part-time Shipwright who spends the other half of his weeks travelling up and down the NSW East Coast in his van that he completely fitted out using his Shipwrighting skills.
Joel Morgan is our Senior Apprentice. ​​After 15 years in the marine industry as a Marine Painter, Joel's passion for timber boat building saw him take the leap into an Apprenticeship in 2022. With his fine brushwork skills and eye for detail, Joel is a crucial addition to our team.
Byron Stapleton is our current Junior Apprentice and a keen waterman. Any apprentice that is indentured must have a love for aesthetics and an interest in traditional shipwrighting – both qualities that Byron possesses.
IAN BEGG
Mackenzie Marine Pty Ltd was founded by Director and Shipwright, Ian Begg.
From an early age Ian had an incredible passion for boats of all shapes and sizes. He was literally sailing as soon as he could walk, spending all spare time at the local Sailing Club and building his first boat at the age of 14.
In fact, Ian has come from a rich family history seeped in both professional and amateur boating. His grandfather Keith Kershaw was a commander in the Australian Navy, while his father Stan Begg was the Commodore of the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club and represented Australia multiple times in the inter-dominium 12ft sailing championships. During Ian’s childhood his father built numerous
skiffs in the backyard and at the local Skiff Club, as well as a Bruce Farr designed yacht with Ian’s Uncle, Pete Kershaw – a respected shipwright, Marine Surveyor, and sailor.
Ian began his career at Northbridge Marine Services Sydney where he was apprenticed to Alan Weightman (originally trained on Garden Island). Ian gained a range of skills from the 2 shipwrights employed at Northbridge: traditional timber man, Duncan Ritchie, well as stainless steel specialist Tim Gordge. He gained the Educational Excellence Award when graduating with his ticket from Tafe, and throughout his apprenticeship always participated (and often won) the Build-a-Boat competition as a part of the annual Sydney International Boat Show. From Northbridge, Ian moved on to work with his Uncle Pete at P&F Kershaw where he helped to finalise the rebuild of 1911 classic yacht Uteikah II (a 30+ year project). Ian worked with P&F Kershaw on Uteikah II fulltime for 8 years and
was able to complete many aspects of the internal fitout in line with Pete’s design and vision of a traditional ocean sailing vessel. This time with Pete was almost a second apprenticeship, a Master Class building on the skills he had learnt at Northbridge. Ian’s sailing career continued, including participating in the 2008 Sydney-Hobart yacht race, which was able to assist Ian with a true understanding of how boats perform in race conditions, open waters, and under stress.
While he had been assisting for some years at Gonsalves Boatshed, Ian took over the full operation of the slipway and shipwrighting services there as Mackenzie Marine in 2011. The ensuing years saw Ian able to take on young and enthusiastic apprentices with a passion for boats, paintwork and especially marine carpentry, and slowly create and cement the reputation of Mackenzie Marine as Pittwater’s premier wooden boat destination for any repair or rebuild requirements.