Meet David and his team

David Bradburn - Owner/Managing Director

David Bradburn, aged 58, founded Bluewater Cruising Yachts Pty Ltd some 30 years ago. He is a passionate sailor and loves everything about boating in particular cruising yachts. Since the age of 14 David has dreamed about cruising designs and their suitabilities and compromises. He has been living his dream building the best cruising yachts in the world for their class.

David has built or been in charge of over 100 builds throughout his business career to date. His hand on speciality is GRP laminating as well as project management, design, customer liaison, staff training, and quality control. He has spent many thousands of hours enjoying sailing yachts in enclosed waters as well as many thousands of sea miles cruising the Australian East Coast including 2 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races and a Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race.

David is always humbled by the great responsibility that customers place in his leadership, company, ability to deliver the ultimate cruising yachts and the trust they place in him.

Cruised his own boat to Whitsundays, Hobart, New Zealand, New Caledonia.

You can checkout David’s Adventures on Bluewater Newsletters and Facebook ‘Cygnet 20 Gaff Association’

Corinne Cheung – Office Manager

Corinne has been working as part of the Bluewater Team for over the last 20 years, and enjoys the multitude of tasks, and the day to day running of a busy office including administration, accounts, payroll, finances, HR, advertising / boatshows, sales & Contracts and office support.

Corinne has been fortunate enough to have sailed and cruised in the Whitsundays, Tasmania and New Zealand.

“What I like most about working at Bluewater is getting to know the customers, and seeing their dreams being realised, and what the joy of owning your own boat brings.”

Russell Webster - Boat Builder

Russell Webster, aged 64, has been building boats for 43 years. Firstly for his family owned business for 22 years where he built over 600 runabouts, half cabin and cuddy cabin speedboats. Then was involved with building a custom 70 ft Precision Sportsfishing boat. Russell specialises in all aspects of boat building from plug design and mould making through to GRP laminating of hulls, decks and structural assembly, fitout, timber finishing, spray painting, launching and commissioning. Russell has worked for Bluewater since 2002 and is a key staff member.

“Working at Bluewater provides the opportunity to build boats from start to finish. As well as be involved in all aspects of boat building during construction. Also, many and varied smaller projects over the last 7 years. Boat building provides me with the opportunity to work practically, creatively and artistically to overcome problems and achieve standards of work uncommon in today’s world. I enjoy and strive for the craftsmanship and discipline necessary to bring imagination and design to the conclusion of something beautiful and worthwhile.”

James Christie - Boat Builder

James Christie, aged 33, working at Bluewater for the last 14 years has provided me with opportunities that have enabled me to develop a career I could never have imagined. Working on the yachts is a long and challenging process, but I enjoy seeing projects come together over the weeks, months and years. It takes a great deal of discipline to see a build, or several builds, all the way through to completion.

At Bluewater there are always many projects on the go at one time including several custom boats and offroad campers. Shifting between the jobs, and recently becoming a Project Leader, has been greatly rewarding for me as I enjoy working alongside the highly experienced tradesmen, as well as the great group of apprentices we have on board.

“At Bluewater we take great pride in knowing we deliver a premium product and the fantastic, ongoing relationships with our customers are testament to the integrity of the company.”

Kevin Gleeson - Boat Builder/Cabinet Maker

Kevin Gleeson, aged 60, has been working as cabinetmaker for the majority of his adult life. He is a keen skiff sailor and enjoys the challenges presented in boat building.

"I like being able to transfer my skills in antique restoration, traditional cabinet making,
shop fitting, model aircraft design and construction and sailing experience to the job. Gaining new skills on the job is also rewarding."

Alan Quinnell - GRP Layup/Boat Builder

Alan Quinnell, aged 63, has been working in the marine and fibreglass industry for the last 34 years. His expertise is with GRP laminating. He started by building runabouts, pools, and then Leading Hand building large in-ground fuel storage tanks which involved travelling around Australia and overseas setting up new plants. Alan has also been involved with large industrial GRP installations such as the Mackay Water Recycling Project. Alan is a meticulous and highly efficient craftsman who has been with Bluewater for the last 18 months. In this time Alan has become a key staff member.

“I like working at Bluewater because there is a wide variety of jobs and a real sense of achievement when you finish building a yacht. The joy of being a boat builder is that we have the ability to turn raw materials into a yacht that the customer will love and cherish because of the dedication and hard work that has been put into constructing their dream boat.”

James Lennard – Boat Builder

"Growing up, I was always around boats. My parents, grandparents and extended family had owned or even built their own. So when I left school it seemed only fitting to follow it as a career path. With now close to 25 years in the boatbuilding industry, I have worked for various companies both in NSW and WA. From building 5th wheeler caravans to insurance repairs on various watercraft, building one off projects / detailing for owners of Sunseeker, Riviera and Bertram to name a few.

The skills and knowledge gained now allows me to help lead the construction team at Bluewater Cruising Yachts and achieve the quality of craftsmanship that the company is known for.

Now having my own family, being able to holiday on David's Cygnet 20 is another reason I enjoy working for Bluewater and perhaps inspire the next generation of sailors and boatbuilders.

Mathew Shaw - Boat Builder

Mathew Shaw, aged 27, has been working for Bluewater for the last 9 years where he completed his Apprenticeship in Boat Building and is now a qualified tradesman.

"What I enjoy about working at Bluewater is that I get to explore, design, learn and improve my skills as a Shipwright. Also, having the opportunity to work alongside many great and enthusiastic co-workers, and being able to show my passion through my work gives me great satisfaction."