JP Macquet has always had an affinity with boats and planes. He started sailing at the age of twelve and has competed in the Admiral’s Cup, Kenwood Cup, two Fastnet races, and many Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart races. He has worked with teams in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup, and has raced competitively and professionaly around the world over the last 20 years.

He brings his enthusiasm, and wealth of experience in top-end competitive yachting to bear in his own business,  making sure that the level of care required is present in all the work he does. JP started his apprenticeship in 1987 with the Port Of Melbourne Authority, and was apprentice of the year in 1988. He then moved to Royal Brighton Yacht Club, where he spent the next 9 years honing his skills as a Shipwright. In 1997 JP went to work with Grant Wharington for two years building Grant’s first mini maxi “Wild Thing”. All through this time sailing as much as possible with Lou Abrahams and many other well known sailing identities.

JP then went out to work on his own and was involved with a corporate charter business with two ex America’s Cup yachts, organising crews and the maintenance of the yachts and occasionally skippering as well. This lead onto working overseas for a few years building an America’s Cup boat and work on the shore team as a Boat Builder for Team News Corp in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001 / 2002. This lead onto more work in Europe where JP spent nearly three years racing Farr 40’s, IMS 53’s in Italy, Spain and France and working for Offshore Challenges in the UK.

Upon returning to Australia JP has been building up his business specialising in top end custom components, fit out work, boat maintenace and modification. He was involved again with the Volvo Ocean Race as the Yacht Services Manager for the Melbourne stop over in 2005 / 2006. The custom work has lead onto many interesting projects and JP now has a dedicated team to be able to do this, from making bespoke fibre glass furniture or a custom carbon fibre handrail, to a fairing on a stunt plane, JP and his team have the skills and know how.