The interview: DCH Marine’s Adam Waters on navigating Asia Pacific’s diverse luxury yachting market

Founded in 2013, DCH Marine is a leading distributor of luxury yachts in Asia Pacific, representing respected global names such as Sunseeker Yachts, Saxdor Yachts and Williams Jet Tenders. With a portfolio spanning more than 100 models, DCH Marine caters to a wide range of owners, from day boat enthusiasts to buyers of high-performance motor yachts.

In this interview with Boulevard, DCH Marine’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Adam Waters, shares how the company tailors its services to meet the needs of today’s yacht owners—from customising new builds to providing reliable after-sales care. He also discusses the trends shaping the yachting market in the Asia Pacific region, and how brands like Sunseeker and Saxdor deliver distinctive choices for clients who expect quality, innovation and a yacht that fits their lifestyle.

Adam Waters, DCH Marine’s managing director for Asia Pacific. Top: The Predator 75 at Sanctuary Cove, Australia.

Boulevard: What defines DCH Marine as a business in the yacht industry? 

Adam Waters: So DCH Marine isn’t just a boat business—DCH is actually a large global conglomerate. Our headquarters are in Hong Kong and China, and we’ve been trading goods for 70 years. More recently, we’ve expanded into boats. For the past 10 to 12 years, we’ve been distributing boats from Hong Kong, and over the last couple of years, we’ve been growing our presence across Asia Pacific.

So this is an exciting time for us. We’re launching our business in Southeast Queensland, we were at the Sydney Boat Show last year, and we’re also opening offices in Phuket, Thailand, Singapore and other parts of Asia.

What this means for the customer is they don’t just have a company limited to Australia, Singapore or Thailand—they have a trusted trading partner who can support them wherever they go boating, and we can serve them in many ways, in many locations.

The Sunseeker 90 Ocean superyacht features an aggressive and sleek exterior.

Blvd: Who are your clients, and what kind of profile or needs do they typically have?

Waters: Every customer is different. I don’t like to define our customers in just one way because everyone buys a boat for different reasons. That can vary whether they’re in Australia or Southeast Asia—they may have different needs per region. So my focus is to make sure each customer’s experience is unique and valuable, no matter why they’re buying. We ensure they get the best presale service, the best product and information, and once they have the boat, the best after-sales care, follow-up and warranty support.

Blvd: In recent years, have you seen changes in how people use yachts, from layouts to lifestyle preferences?

Waters: Everything is evolving. The way people use boats is changing, and what they expect from them is changing too. But at the core, they still want the same thing—to enjoy the boat with friends, family or business colleagues. So we’re still delivering that experience, but people’s expectations have become much higher. They expect more from what they’re getting, so we have to ensure that everything we do for the customer meets the highest standards—from the quality of the product to the level of service we provide.

Sunseeker uses cutting-edge technology to enhance the performance, comfort and onboard experience.

Blvd: How do you see different markets performing—for example, Australia versus Asia? Do buyers in each region look for different models, layouts or uses?

Waters: Yes, definitely. We see very distinct demands across regions. In Australia, many owners operate their own boats, so they prefer a single-level design with a big open space like this. In Asia, it’s very different. Boats usually come with a captain and crew, so larger flybridge boats are more popular. So yes, each market has its own unique preferences.

Blvd: In what ways are yacht builders using technology to improve performance and the overall boating experience? 

Waters: In boating, advancements happen in small but important steps throughout the entire supply chain. The manufacturers we work with, like Sunseeker and Saxdor, are always improving the technology in their boats. They’re building them lighter, engines are becoming more fuel-efficient, and onboard electronics are more integrated with how owners use their boats. So there aren’t just one or two breakthroughs—it’s a steady progress across the board, from fuel efficiency to overall design. 

DCH Marine offers extensive yacht customisation, from layouts to interiors.

Blvd: To what extent do you offer design and customisation options for your clients? 

Waters: We can do as much or as little as the customer wants. If they want something in a different colour or prefer a different layout, we can make it happen. We always make sure clients know they can personalise their boat to suit their needs.

It’s also worth pointing out that Sunseeker has been building boats for 55 to 60 years and really knows what they’re doing. They’ve sold thousands of boats worldwide and design them with a deep understanding of how people actually use them. So the base product is already excellent—it’s really about fine-tuning it to match what each customer wants.

For example, the Sunseeker Predator 75 for the Australian market has extra fridges because owners there like more refrigeration, and we’ve upgraded the air conditioning for cruising in Queensland’s climate. These tweaks make a big difference, but the core design already covers how people use their boats.

The Predator 75 features a sleek exterior with carbon-fibre detailing and signature glazed sunroof.

Blvd: Many luxury sectors had a challenging year in 2024. How has the yachting market—and DCH Marine in particular—performed, and where do you see things heading? 

Waters: 2024 was definitely a challenging year, with a lot of uncertainty in the market—and that’s carried over into 2025. Fortunately, our business is very diversified. As I mentioned, we’re not only in boats but also in luxury cars, trading goods and medical products.

Our boat business also spans multiple regions. So when Australia is up, Hong Kong might be down—or vice versa. Being spread across so many markets helps us balance those shifts and stay resilient. It will be interesting to see how things continue to evolve.

Blvd: Who do you learn from in the yachting industry? 

Waters: The founder of Sunseeker, Robert Braithwaite, is a legend. What he built for the market and what he delivered over the years is remarkable.

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