OUR STORY
Who is behind Yacht-Match? How did it all start? And why?
The Founder
Founded by Viktor van Savooyen, with early commercial development supported by Dirk Agter
Founder – Yacht-Match
Viktor Van Savooyen
Viktor is a keen waterman with a passion for travelling and discovering new cultures and experiences. With an international background and strong language skills, he found his way into the maritime world early in his career, working on commercial vessels before entering the yachting industry.
Viktor has worked with international procurement processes, technical sales and yacht investment advisory. Prior to founding Yacht-Match, he held senior roles with leading charter management companies and yacht sales organisations, advising clients on yacht ownership, charter investments and fleet development.
Driven by the idea of offering yacht buyers a more transparent and personalised way to approach yacht ownership and charter investment, Viktor founded Yacht-Match in 2017.
“I wanted to reconnect with the essence of what yachting is about: craftsmanship, passionate people and thoughtful, like-minded world citizens. It’s a privilege to represent unique shipyards and professional partners and guide our clients towards the right yacht and ownership structure for their dreams.”
Early Commercial Development
Commercial Partner (2019-2025)
Dirk Agter
Professionally, Dirk has worked in the leisure marine industry since 1988 in a variety of commercial roles including yacht brokerage, dealership management and charter business development. Through these positions he built a broad international network across the sailing and charter markets.
Dirk joined the early development of Yacht-Match as a commercial partner, helping expand the network of shipyards, charter operators and clients during the company’s first years. Dirk is no longer representing Yacht-Match Group.
How it all started
Early Industry Collaboration
Viktor and Dirk first met in 2014 while working in the yacht charter and yacht sales sector. At the time, Viktor was working with one of the leading international charter operators and yacht dealerships specialising in charter management programmes, while Dirk was involved with the charter business development of a German shipyard.
Their professional collaboration began during the introduction of a new 57-foot sailing yacht into the charter industry, which later became one of the most successful models in that segment. Through that cooperation, they developed a close professional relationship and a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the yacht ownership and charter market.
Identifying the Market Gap
While working closely with yacht buyers and charter investors, Viktor observed that the yachting industry contained an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise, but that this information was often difficult for buyers to access or understand.While working closely with yacht buyers and charter investors, Viktor observed that the yachting industry contained an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise, but that this information was often difficult for buyers to access or understand.
At the same time, competition in the industry was becoming increasingly intense. Charter operators and shipyards were often communicating similar messages, while yacht buyers struggled to navigate the complex decisions involved in yacht ownership, charter investment and fleet management.
At the same time, Dirk’s work within the international leisure marine industry gave him insight into the challenges faced by smaller charter operators and specialised shipyards trying to reach the right type of clients.
The Idea Behind Yacht-Match
Through many discussions about the future of yacht ownership and charter investment, Viktor realised there was an opportunity to create a platform that would focus entirely on connecting the right owners, shipyards and charter operators.
The idea was simple but powerful: to provide yacht buyers with independent guidance and access to the best ownership solutions available, while helping specialised shipyards and charter operators connect with the right type of clients.
Yacht-Match was founded in late 2017.
The Next Phase – Building the Team: Expanding the Yacht-Match Expertise (2022)
As Yacht-Match continued to grow, it became clear that the company needed to strengthen its operational expertise in yacht charter ownership and fleet management.
In 2022, Daria joined the team, bringing more than 24 years of experience in yacht charter management and operations. Her deep industry knowledge and operational insight helped further develop Yacht-Match’s services for yacht owners, particularly in the areas of charter fleet integration, owner relations and long-term yacht ownership planning.
Her contribution marked an important step in the evolution of Yacht-Match from a boutique advisory firm into a more structured yacht ownership and management advisory platform.
Technical Sales & Ownership Support (2023)
In 2023, Yacht-Match expanded its technical capabilities with the introduction of Luka Prazic, strengthening the company’s technical sales and yacht project management expertise.
Since then, the technical department has continued to grow and now consists of a dedicated team supporting yacht owners worldwide.
The team focuses on:
- yacht specification and equipment upgrades
- technical optimisation and cost-efficient refits
- commissioning and delivery coordination
- after-sales support and warranty follow-up
- owner care management and long-term yacht ownership support
This development allows Yacht-Match to provide a more comprehensive service to yacht owners, from the initial purchase decision to long-term yacht management and technical support.
Today
Today, Yacht-Match continues to grow as an international advisory platform for yacht buyers, shipyards and charter operators.
By combining commercial expertise, operational experience and technical knowledge, the Yacht-Match team helps clients navigate the complex decisions involved in yacht ownership, charter investment and fleet management — always with the goal of finding the right match between people, yachts and opportunities.
The Next Chapter
As Yacht-Match continues to evolve, the focus remains on strengthening the company’s role as an independent advisor and long-term partner for yacht owners, shipyards and charter operators.
Under the leadership of founder Viktor van Savooyen, Yacht-Match is continuing to expand its international client network and deepen its collaboration with specialised shipyards and ownership programs that share the same values of craftsmanship, transparency and long-term owner support.
The company’s development is increasingly supported by a multidisciplinary team combining commercial advisory, charter management expertise and technical yacht project management. This structure allows Yacht-Match to support yacht owners throughout the entire lifecycle of ownership — from the first purchase decision and specification of the yacht to commissioning, charter integration and long-term technical support.
Looking ahead, Yacht-Match will continue to focus on connecting the right owners with the right yachts and ownership structures, while helping specialised shipyards and operators reach clients who share their vision of responsible and well-managed yacht ownership.
Mission & Vision
"Empowering you with the same hind-sight that a second or third-time yacht owner has gained from his yacht ownership"
Our Mission
We set out to challenge the traditional yachting industry by offering a personalised, innovative, and sustainable approach. Our mission is to redefine yacht ownership, making it fully tailored to your needs and aspirations. We understand that yachting can be complex, and we're here to guide you confidently through every step.
Whether new or experienced, our mission is to give you a comprehensive overview of the possibilities of a tailored yacht ownership and partnership with Yacht-Match and our selected partner network. We will make you an informed decision-maker with the freedom of choice.
Our Vision
Yacht-Match aims to be recognized as the global leader in sustainable yachting by pioneering innovative solutions, fostering a global community where luxury and sustainability coexist, and setting new standards in yacht ownership and charter experiences.
Part of our vision is to revolutionize the yachting industry by setting new standards for sustainability and innovation, reducing the ecological footprint of yachting, and promoting environmentally responsible practices.
Meet the Yacht-Match Team
Harald Korn
Yacht-Match is proud to appoint Harald Korn (Sturdy Yachts) as our exclusive General Agent for Norway. A veteran broker and former Beneteau dealer (Giramar AS), Harald combines deep industry expertise with a background in Business Management Consulting. He joins our Senior Advisory Team to provide Norwegian clients with strategic guidance on fleet investment, new yacht sales, and Charter Management programs.
Yacht-Match
Yachts &
Brokerage
Viktor van Savooyen
Viktor has worked with international procurement processes, technical sales and yacht
investment advisory since 2013. Prior to founding Yacht-Match, he held senior roles with
leading charter management companies and yacht sales organisations, advising clients
on yacht ownership, charter investments and fleet development.
Driven by the idea of offering yacht buyers a more transparent and personalised way to
approach yacht ownership and charter investment, Viktor founded Yacht-Match in 2017.
Yacht-Match
Group
Daria Petrova
Daria Petrova brings over 20 years of international yachting experience to Yacht-Match. As the founder of the Mallorca-based agency Morecruise, she successfully organized over 2,000 charter weeks and numerous corporate sailing events over 15 years. Fluent in five languages with a background in intercultural communication, Daria leverages her extensive global network to specialize in charter ownership advisory and strategic partnerships. Her primary focus is helping clients seamlessly transition from charter guests to yacht owners while fostering strong relationships across the industry.
Yacht-Match
Charter & Management
Angela Fuštin
Angela Fuštin is a yacht owner-care specialist with 17+ years of experience supporting yacht owners and investors in charter programs. Formerly Owner Care Manager at Navigare Yachting she is known for her trusted owner relationships and hands-on coordination across operations, documentation, and handover processes.
At Yacht-Match, Angela leads Phase-Out Management Consultancy, supporting owners through charter program exits with clear structure, calm execution, and owner-side representation.
Yacht-Match Charter & Management
Sebastian Juhlin
Sebastian Juhlin is our Sales Administrator & Technical Supply Coordinator, working across sales support, technical coordination, and owner care.
With experience from the leisure marine industry, Sebastian brings a structured and solution-oriented approach to customer communication, technical systems coordination, and day-to-day operations. He will work closely with Yacht-Match’s technical sales and charter management teams, supporting the full customer journey from pre-sales to after-sales.
Yacht-Match
Charter & Management
Luka Pražić
Luka Pražić leads the technical sales and yacht systems support department at Yacht-Match. With a strong background in onboard systems integration, he effectively bridges the gap between shipyards, suppliers, and yacht owners. Luka specializes in optimizing onboard setups—such as energy solutions, solar integration, and owner-specific upgrades—working closely with shipyards during the commissioning phase to ensure flawless execution. Additionally, he coordinates global post-delivery assistance, providing owners with structured support from initial upgrades through to long-term ownership management.
Yacht-Match
Yachts &
Brokerage
Stephanie Banham
Extensively experienced regatta sailer. Sales representative for the Yacht-Match group services and especially for Italia Yachts and ITA Catamarans in the UK.
Yacht-Match
Yachts &
Brokerage
Alden Sabanovic
Our inhouse web developer & graphical
designer with over 10 years of experience
in the travel industry.
Yacht-Match Group
