Why choose us?
We understand that sometimes it is tricky to choose who to deal with when buying or selling a boat but Sea Ventures can offer you a GREAT DEAL in all senses of the word! Take a look at what we bring to the deal when you choose us...
The Sea Ventures Team
Nigel Colley
Managing Director
Prior to life as MD of Sea Ventures, Nigel was a yacht designer and boat builder which equipped him with a deep understanding of boat construction and design. At Sea Ventures, Nigel enjoys playing a part in helping his client’s dreams become a reality. Nigel’s own boating passion lies in offshore short-handed yacht racing. He’s raced solo across many oceans and has successfully competed in the Fastnet, Sydney Hobart and the Azores and Back race and many events organised by RORC, JOG and the Solo Offshore Racing Club. When he’s not racing yachts, Nigel enjoys hiking and keeping tabs on his 4 grown up children - they all think he’s a little bit mad - we best not tell them that he fancies packing up a camper van and taking off for 6 months!
Tim Harley
Sales Director
Having decided the life of a city slicker wasn’t for him, Tim ditched the suit and tie and skippered yachts in the Med, Caribbean and Australia before joining Sea Ventures in 2002. Tim brought with him a wealth of experience in problem solving, team management and the ability to react in a fast changing environment. He also arrived with an attitude of gratitude for life on the water. Tim enjoys the people that he works with; his colleagues and clients alike. He loves talking to fantastic people about boats. In his spare time, Tim is kept busy by his two young sons, who both share his passion for all things on the water. Away from the water, Tim can be found on the rugby touchline cheering his boys on and occasionally on the start line of a triathlon. We're not quite sure how he fits it all in, he just never stops!
Vicky Staley
Finance Director
Joining Sea Ventures in September 2022, Vicky became the newest member of the leadership team and is managing the financial strategy and operations. Vicky initially qualified with Ernst & Young and has over 20 years of experience in finance. She’s previously held other FD positions for leading software businesses and was the International Director of Finance for Boats Group. Away from the office, Vicky likes to keep fit and healthy. She loves getting out on the water and will often be seen kayaking or paddle boarding at the weekends. Family time is really important to Vicky, so she regularly enjoys going on bike rides or taking long walks with her husband, young son and pet dog.
Mark White
New & Used Boat Sales
Mark first worked with the team at Sea Ventures between 2001 and 2008 and then after a period of time selling new and used motorboats at a local dealership, returned to the team in 2015. Initially Mark was responsible for commissioning sailing boats at Sea Ventures but when he returned he flipped to the ‘dark side’ and took on a lead role in motorboat sales. Helping his clients realise their dreams of owning a boat is what brings Mark back to work each morning. Mark lives in the New Forest with his wife and 2 young children where he enjoys exercising his dogs and riding their horses out across the forest. He’s a keen cook and likes a pint in his village pub. When time allows, he can be found tinkering with a couple of old cars and is a fan of classic VWs.
Euan Dodd
New & Used Boat Sales
Prior to joining Sea Ventures, Euan spent 8 years working as a Commercial Yacht Captain delivering high-end cruising itineraries aboard luxury yachts around the world. Euan loves to share his knowledge with Sea Ventures clients considering venturing further afield. Euan has a great appreciation of technology and systems which makes him a valuable pair of hands when it comes to problem solving and finding the answer to a problem; he loves to get inventive. Leaving a full-time life on the water travelling the world hasn’t been easy, but it has provided the opportunity for Euan to rekindle some old hobbies, including drumming and playing rugby - he’s looking forward to seeing if he’s still got it!
Sam Archer
Aftersales Manager
Sam arrived at Sea Ventures from a local charter company where he was responsible for managing a fleet of boats and keeping them in good working order for their customers; this gave him a fantastic background in understanding how to repair and maintain boats which makes him the perfect fit to deal with any warranty issues that arise for our owners. Sam’s love of the water came from his childhood growing up in Cyprus and his perfect start to the day is a 5am paddleboard on the Solent or when the weather conditions and his family commitments allow (which can be a challenge with a 6 year old daughter and 2 month son old!) Sam enjoys trying to keep up with Tim on a wing-foil.
Chris Atterton
Jeanneau Powerboat Manager
Originally a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy, Chris joined Sea Ventures in 2001. He has a ‘can do’ approach to selling, delivering and maintaining boats and likes to ensure that his customers return when it’s time to buy their next boat, “It means you got it right the first time!” A life long lover of boats, of all varieties, Chris has two daughters and a grandson. He also enjoys, “to cook a bit, to read a bit and to hike a bit.”
Nick Bonner
Race Yacht Specialist
Nick joined Sea Ventures to head up the Race Yachts division of the company. Nick has made a career as a professional sailor and brings an incredible depth of race boat and sail inventory knowledge to the team. He’ll be helping owners make the right purchase for their racing ambitions and ensuring their new boat is tuned up and sailing fast. Not only a fast yachtsman, Nick was previously an elite cyclist. In his spare time, Nick enjoys hanging out with his wife and three girls, who have just convinced him to add a puppy to their family!
Andrew Thornsby
Warranty Manager
Andy has been a great recruit for Sea Ventures with his wealthy background in warranty management and his extensive technical knowledge. He enjoys keeping our owners happy and their boats on the water. From an early age, Andy was obsessed with watersports and has enjoyed surfing and dinghy sailing for many years. He and his wife enjoy paddle boarding together accompanied by their black labrador. Off the water, Andy is a keen horticulturist and garden designer; his own garden may be small, but it’s packed full of interesting plants, including a ‘Liriodendron Tulipifera’, also known as the Tulip Tree!
Finley Saunders
Parts and Aftersales Coordinator
After graduating with a degree in engineering from Plymouth University, Finley qualified as a Yacht Master Offshore and spent time logging sea miles and increasing his experience working as a delivery sailor. Before joining Sea Ventures in Summer 2021, Finley worked at a small brokerage business in Torquay. Finley hails from the Midlands, where he grew up dinghy sailing on lakes. He’s now a keen wakeboarder but when the temperature of the sea dips, he heads back to dry land and Fareham Hockey Club. A foodie at heart (and the recipient of the Ashburton Certificate in Culinary Arts) Finley dreams of owning his own boat and sailing round the world sampling different cuisines.
Pauline Strange
Accounts Manager – Part Time
With an interesting background in the marine industry, Pauline joined Sea Ventures in 2016. Pauline is a career accountant and has a wealth of experience within her beloved marine industry. She's a strong team player and an accomplished problem solver. Pauline enjoys spending time afloat and planning holidays. She’s a keen cook, enjoys a good book and a walk to round off a busy day in the office.
Irene Jenkins
Administrator
Irene is an integral part of the Sea Ventures team; drafting specifications, dealing with boat paperwork and completing registration documents - she’s a master at keeping the office ship shape. Her background in leisure boating makes her brilliantly suited to dealing with the many elements of her role. Irene is a committed cruising sailor and joined Sea Ventures in 2006 after returning from her 5th cruise of the Caribbean, Bermuda and Chesapeake. Irene enjoys travelling as much as possible and enjoys welcoming sailing friends met on her travels to stay. She’s a keen follower or rugby and enjoys a good book in her spare time.
Charlotte Lawrence
Marketing Manager
Charlotte has joined Sea Ventures with over 20 years marketing experience spanning a wealth of different industries. With a passion for branding, comms, PR and digital marketing Charlotte is ideally suited to help take Sea Ventures to the next level and grow the business. An adrenalin junkie, she’s keen to get out on the water more and is determined to set aside time to learn to water ski this year. Off the water, she’s a keen rider with a competitive nature and can be found at weekends driving a 7.5t lorry to competition after competition with her two girls and three horses, watching them compete.