• Yachts For Sale
    • Yachts For Sale
    • Advanced Yacht Search
    • Exclusive Private Yachts
    • Price Reductions
    • Yacht Search by Name
    • Yachting Countries of the World
    • Yacht Builders
    • Motor Yachts for Sale
    • Sailing Yachts for Sale
    • Mega Yachts for Sale
    • Expedition Yachts for Sale
    • Popular Yachts
    • New Yachts for Sale
    • Used Yachts for Sale
    • Search History
  • Buy A Yacht
  • Sell Your Yacht
  • Yacht Charter
  • Services
    • Yacht Broker
    • Buy a Yacht
    • Sell Your Yacht
    • Yacht Registration
    • Yacht Insurance
  • Yachting
    • Yachting
    • Blog
    • Boat Show
    • Best Offers
  • Our Company
  • Contact
Sell My Boat
  • Yacht Search
  • Buy A Yacht
  • Sell Your Yacht
  • Our Yachts
  • Our Company
  • Contact

2026 © Shestakov Yacht Sales Inc. All rights reserved. |Term of use

background image
Licensed Yacht BrokersSales and service of yachts and ships

STEVE WARD - For Sale

English — Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Company History

Steve Ward is a master boatbuilder from Western Australia whose name is closely associated with high-performance custom yachts and precision metal and composite construction. Operating from the Perth–Fremantle area under the banner of Steve Ward Boatbuilders, he established a reputation through the 1970s and early 1980s for exacting craftsmanship on one-off racing and cruising projects. The most widely recognized milestone in the company’s history is its role as builder of the 12-metre Australia II, the Ben Lexcen–designed challenger that won the 1983 America’s Cup. Australia II’s victory ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak and placed Western Australian boatbuilding—and Steve Ward’s yard in particular—on the global stage.

By the time Australia II was commissioned, the workshop had already developed strong competencies in light, fair hull fabrication, weight control, and the integration of advanced appendage engineering. Building an America’s Cup 12-metre required meticulous tolerances in aluminium fabrication, structural fit-out, and surface fairing; Steve Ward’s team delivered on those demands under intense schedule and confidentiality constraints. The project also showcased the yard’s ability to coordinate closely with designers, engineers, sailmakers, and measurement authorities—skills that would carry over to subsequent performance-cruising and racing commissions.

Following the 1983 campaign, the yard continued to focus on custom builds, prototypes, and performance-oriented yachts, alongside high-quality refit and modification work. Over the decades, projects associated with the yard have spanned:

  • One-off offshore racing yachts designed for Southern Ocean conditions
  • Custom cruising yachts and performance-cruisers where robust structure and careful weight distribution are paramount
  • Precision metal and composite fabrications, including keels, rudders, and engineered appendages
  • Specialist refit, structural reinforcement, and optimization work ahead of bluewater programs and competitive regattas

While Steve Ward Boatbuilders is not a mass-production brand and does not maintain a catalog of series models, the firm’s influence has been persistent: it exemplifies the Western Australian tradition of practical, ocean-tested boatbuilding, tuned by racing experience and executed with workshop-level attention to detail.

Country of Origin

Australia (Perth–Fremantle, Western Australia).

Manufacturing Locations

Steve Ward Boatbuilders is based in the Perth metropolitan area, traditionally operating in proximity to Fremantle and the Indian Ocean. This location places the yard at the heart of Western Australia’s marine ecosystem: close to the Royal Perth Yacht Club (host of the 1987 America’s Cup defense), to commercial fabricators, and to marine suppliers that support both yachting and offshore industries.

Proximity to Fremantle’s deepwater port and the Indian Ocean enables practical sea trials in demanding conditions, a critical factor for performance yachts and bluewater cruisers. The local marine cluster—designers, sailmakers, riggers, precision metal shops, and composite specialists—has long provided a strong supply chain for complex, technology-driven builds like Australia II and subsequent performance projects.

Ownership and Management

Steve Ward Boatbuilders is a privately owned workshop founded and led by Steve Ward. The operation is built around small, expert teams assembled for each project, often integrating specialist subcontractors in metalwork, composites, rigging, and systems. As a custom builder rather than a high-volume manufacturer, leadership remains hands-on: project management, quality control, and final fit-and-finish are overseen directly by the principal, maintaining continuity of standards across diverse commissions.

Reputation and Quality

The yard’s international reputation rests foremost on the successful construction of Australia II, an achievement that validated its precision, discretion, and problem-solving under world-stage scrutiny. The Australia II program demanded:

  • Exceptional fairness and structural control in an aluminium 12-metre hull
  • Tight integration of novel foils and appendage systems with the primary structure
  • Measurement compliance within the 12-metre rule while achieving maximum performance

Australia II’s victory in 1983 is widely celebrated in Australia and beyond, and the yacht is preserved as a national icon at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle—where the builder’s contribution is part of the historical record. This legacy cemented the yard’s standing as a go-to shop for complex, high-stakes builds and upgrades.

Beyond that headline achievement, the firm’s work is characterized by:

  • Craftsmanship: Accurate metal fabrication and fairing, clean structural detailing, and meticulous systems integration
  • Durability: Builds designed for real ocean service, with attention to serviceability and long-term maintenance
  • Collaboration: Productive, respectful relationships with naval architects, sailmakers, and class authorities
  • Transparency in quality: Willingness to accept intrusive measurement and inspection regimes typical of rating-class and record-attempt projects

Among professionals—designers, skippers, and project managers—the brand is associated with practical engineering, disciplined execution, and reliable delivery. Many vessels associated with the yard have had extended lifecycles and continue to sail, a testament to structural integrity and maintainability. In short, Steve Ward Boatbuilders represents a boutique Australian builder where America’s Cup–level capability filtered into custom bluewater and performance-yachting craft, leaving a lasting imprint on the region’s yachtbuilding culture.

Español — Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Historia de la empresa

Steve Ward es un maestro constructor naval de Australia Occidental, reconocido por embarcaciones a medida de alto rendimiento y por su precisión en metal y materiales compuestos. Desde el área de Perth–Fremantle, bajo el nombre de Steve Ward Boatbuilders, ganó prestigio en las décadas de 1970 y 1980. El hito más destacado fue la construcción del 12 Metros Australia II, diseñado por Ben Lexcen, que ganó la America’s Cup en 1983 y rompió 132 años de dominio del New York Yacht Club. Este triunfo situó al taller de Ward y a la náutica australiana en el mapa mundial.

Antes de Australia II, el taller ya había perfeccionado la fabricación ligera, la calidad de superficies y el control de peso. El proyecto exigió tolerancias estrictas en aluminio, un ajuste estructural impecable y coordinación multidisciplinaria con diseñadores, velerías e ingenieros. Tras 1983, el astillero continuó con construcciones personalizadas, prototipos y refit de alto nivel, abarcando yates oceánicos, cruceros de alto rendimiento y trabajos especiales de apéndices y estructuras.

País de origen

Australia (Perth–Fremantle, Australia Occidental).

Ubicaciones de fabricación

La empresa opera en el área metropolitana de Perth, cerca de Fremantle y del Océano Índico, con acceso a proveedores, talleres de precisión y una comunidad náutica consolidada. La proximidad a mar abierto facilita pruebas exigentes, esenciales para yates de regata y crucero oceánico.

Propiedad y gestión

Propiedad privada, fundada y dirigida por Steve Ward. Estructura de equipos especialistas por proyecto, con liderazgo directo y control de calidad en cada fase.

Reputación y calidad

Reconocimiento internacional por Australia II y por la capacidad de ejecutar proyectos complejos con precisión, confidencialidad y fiabilidad. La marca se asocia con:

  • Fabricación precisa en metal y compuestos
  • Integridad estructural y facilidad de mantenimiento
  • Colaboración eficaz con arquitectos navales y velerías Australia II se exhibe como icono nacional en el Western Australian Maritime Museum, acreditando el papel del constructor y consolidando la reputación del taller.

Français — Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Historique de l’entreprise

Steve Ward est un maître charpentier de marine d’Australie-Occidentale, actif depuis les années 1970/1980 à Perth–Fremantle. Il s’est imposé comme constructeur de yachts de course et de croisière sur-mesure, notamment en métaux et composites. Fait marquant: la construction d’Australia II (classe 12 m JI), conçue par Ben Lexcen et victorieuse de l’America’s Cup en 1983, mettant fin à 132 ans de suprématie new-yorkaise et propulsant l’atelier de Ward au premier plan international.

Pays d’origine

Australie (Perth–Fremantle, Australie-Occidentale).

Sites de production

Implantation dans la région de Perth, à proximité de Fremantle et des infrastructures maritimes locales, avec accès direct à la chaîne d’approvisionnement nautique et à des conditions d’essais en mer exigeantes.

Propriété et direction

Atelier privé fondé et dirigé par Steve Ward. Organisation à taille humaine, équipes dédiées par projet, suivi direct des standards de qualité.

Réputation et qualité

Réputation fondée sur l’exactitude, la robustesse et la collaboration pluridisciplinaire. La victoire d’Australia II et sa préservation au Western Australian Maritime Museum illustrent la contribution déterminante du chantier. La marque est synonyme d’exécution rigoureuse, de structures durables et d’intégration soignée des systèmes.

Deutsch — Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Unternehmensgeschichte

Steve Ward ist ein renommierter Bootsbaumeister aus Westaustralien. Seit den 1970er/80er Jahren führt er in Perth–Fremantle eine Werkstatt für maßgefertigte Hochleistungsjachten. International bekannt wurde das Unternehmen als Erbauer der 12-Meter-Yacht Australia II, die 1983 den America’s Cup gewann und eine 132-jährige Serie der New York Yacht Club beendete. Das Projekt demonstrierte höchste Präzision in Aluminiumbau, Strukturauslegung und Oberflächenfairness.

Herkunftsland

Australien (Perth–Fremantle, Western Australia).

Produktionsstandorte

Perth/Fremantle mit direktem Zugang zu Hafen, offener See und einem starken Netzwerk aus Segelmachern, Metall- und Compositespezialisten.

Eigentum und Management

Privat geführt von Firmengründer Steve Ward; kleine, hochqualifizierte Teams je Projekt und direkte Qualitätsüberwachung.

Reputation und Qualität

Der Name steht für zuverlässige Ausführung, genaue Fertigung und seegängige, langlebige Strukturen. Australia II ist ein nationales Symbol und belegt die Leistungsfähigkeit der Werkstatt; der Ruf in der Branche basiert auf Ingenieurdisziplin, Kooperation und praktischer Lösungsorientierung.

Italiano — Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Storia dell’azienda

Steve Ward è un maestro d’ascia dell’Australia Occidentale, attivo nell’area Perth–Fremantle su progetti custom ad alte prestazioni in metallo e composito. Il traguardo più noto è la costruzione di Australia II (classe 12 m), vincitrice dell’America’s Cup 1983 e pietra miliare della cantieristica australiana.

Paese di origine

Australia (Perth–Fremantle).

Sedi produttive

Area metropolitana di Perth, vicino a Fremantle, con accesso a fornitori specializzati e prove in mare impegnative sull’Oceano Indiano.

Proprietà e management

Officina privata fondata e guidata da Steve Ward; struttura snella, team dedicati per commessa, controllo qualità diretto.

Reputazione e qualità

Eccellenza artigianale, integrazione accurata dei sistemi e solidità strutturale. La fama internazionale nasce con Australia II e continua con costruzioni su misura e refit di alto livello.

Русский — Стив Уорд (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

История компании

Стив Уорд — мастер судостроения из Западной Австралии, чья мастерская в районе Перт–Фримантл известна индивидуальными проектами гоночных и круизных яхт. Ключевая веха — строительство 12-метровой Australia II, спроектированной Беном Лексеном и выигравшей Кубок Америки в 1983 году. Эта победа прервала 132-летнюю серию Нью-Йоркского яхт-клуба и принесла мировое признание австралийскому судостроению и мастерской Уорда.

Страна происхождения

Австралия (Перт–Фримантл, Западная Австралия).

Производственные площадки

Мастерская расположена в Перте, рядом с Фримантлом и Индийским океаном, в центре развитой морской инфраструктуры региона.

Собственность и управление

Частная мастерская, основанная и возглавляемая Стивом Уордом; небольшие профессиональные команды под конкретные проекты, контроль качества лично руководителем.

Репутация и качество

Имя ассоциируется с точностью, надежностью и практической инженерией. Australia II хранится как национальная реликвия в Морском музее Западной Австралии; вклад строителя официально отмечен. Репутация укреплена многочисленными кастомными проектами и рефитами, рассчитанными на океанскую эксплуатацию.

中文(简体)— 史蒂夫·沃德(Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

公司历史

史蒂夫·沃德来自西澳大利亚,是以高性能定制游艇著称的船艇建造大师。在珀斯—弗里曼特尔地区运营的 Steve Ward Boatbuilders 因1983年建造12米级游艇 Australia II 而享誉国际。该艇由本·莱克森设计,赢得了1983年美洲杯,终结纽约游艇俱乐部132年的连胜纪录。这一项目体现了工坊在铝合金结构、重量控制与高精度整形方面的能力。

原产国

澳大利亚(西澳大利亚州 珀斯—弗里曼特尔)。

生产地点

位于珀斯都会区,靠近弗里曼特尔深水港和印度洋,周边拥有成熟的海事产业链(设计、帆具、金属加工和复合材料供应商),便于在严苛海况下试航和交付。

所有权与管理

私人持有,由创始人史蒂夫·沃德领导。采用小型高效团队按项目协作,创始人直接把控关键工序与质量。

声誉与质量

以精密制造、可靠结构与系统整合见长。Australia II 作为国家级象征在西澳海事博物馆展出,建造者的贡献广为认可。品牌在业内代表严谨执行、可维护性强与适航性突出。

العربية — ستيف وارد (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

تاريخ الشركة

يُعد ستيف وارد أحد أبرز صُنّاع القوارب في أستراليا الغربية، واشتهرت ورشته في منطقة بيرث–فريمانتل ببناء يخوت مخصصة عالية الأداء بدقة تصنيع معدنية ومركّبة. أبرز محطة في تاريخه كانت بناء يخت Australia II (فئة 12 مترًا) المصمم من بن ليكسن، الفائز بكأس أمريكا عام 1983، منهياً سلسلة انتصارات دامت 132 عامًا لنيويورك يخت كلوب، ومانحًا سمعة دولية لصناعة اليخوت في أستراليا الغربية.

بلد المنشأ

أستراليا (بيرث–فريمانتل).

مواقع التصنيع

تقع الورشة ضمن منظومة بحرية متكاملة في بيرث بالقرب من فريمانتل والمحيط الهندي، ما يتيح بنية تحتية قوية وسلاسل توريد متخصصة واختبارات بحرية واقعية.

الملكية والإدارة

ملكية خاصة أسسها ويديرها ستيف وارد، مع فرق متخصصة لكل مشروع وإشراف مباشر على الجودة.

السمعة والجودة

العلامة مرادفة للدقة والموثوقية والحلول الهندسية العملية. إنجاز Australia II رسّخ مكانة الورشة ويُعرض اليخت اليوم كرمز وطني في متحف أستراليا الغربية البحري، مع الاعتراف بدور البنّاء في هذا النجاح.

Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Main Competitors

As a boutique custom yard rooted in Perth–Fremantle, Western Australia, Steve Ward Boatbuilders’ closest analogs are specialist custom builders and high‑end refit yards that deliver one‑off racing yachts, performance cruisers, structural upgrades, and precision metal/composite fabrications. The “competitor” set is best understood as peer builders with overlapping capabilities rather than mass‑production brands.

  • Australia

    • McConaghy Boats (Sydney, NSW, and Zhuhai, China)
      • Profile: One of the world’s most prominent composite performance builders. Known for America’s Cup components, grand‑prix monohulls and multihulls, one‑design classes, and custom carbon performance cruisers.
      • Relevance: For Australian and regional projects requiring advanced composites, tight weight control, and racing pedigree, McConaghy is a benchmark competitor/peer.
    • Boatspeed Performance Marine (NSW)
      • Profile: Australian performance composite specialist with a track record in high‑end racing projects and custom components. Historically associated with high‑performance builds and campaign support.
      • Relevance: Comparable in custom composite execution and technical project work, including appendages and structural optimization.
    • Noakes Group (Sydney, NSW)
      • Profile: A major Sydney yard with extensive refit, repair, and some new‑build capacity, serving racing and cruising fleets as well as commercial/government contracts.
      • Relevance: On refit/optimization programs and complex yard periods for high‑performance yachts, Noakes competes for project work within Australia.
    • Silver Yachts (Henderson, Western Australia)
      • Profile: A large‑yacht builder (aluminium superyachts) with world‑class fabrication and engineering. Operates at a very different size and price point.
      • Relevance: While scale differs, Silver Yachts competes for skilled labor, suppliers, and marine-industry capability in Western Australia; its presence defines the regional ecosystem in which bespoke builders operate.
  • New Zealand (regional peers with similar custom/performance focus)

    • Yachting Developments (Auckland)
      • Profile: Custom carbon sailing yachts and motor yachts; major refits; strong grand‑prix composites and joinery.
      • Relevance: A go‑to for bespoke carbon builds and complex refits across the Tasman; often considered by owners/designers evaluating custom options in Australasia.
    • McMullen & Wing (Auckland)
      • Profile: Custom superyachts and specialized vessels in metal/composites; deep engineering resources and high‑finish capability.
      • Relevance: Competes at the high‑craftsmanship, custom level where engineering and systems integration are decisive.
    • Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders (Auckland)
      • Profile: Custom builds and premium fit‑out for sailing and power; known for finish quality and tailored solutions.
      • Relevance: Comparable for boutique, owner‑driven projects that demand exceptional carpentry, systems, and detail.
  • Europe and broader international (peers often considered for grand‑prix and custom projects)

    • Persico Marine (Italy)
      • Profile: AC, IMOCA, TP52, and grand‑prix composites; tooling and metrology at elite program level.
      • Relevance: Competes for the most technically ambitious racing builds and components; a reference point in precision and process control.
    • Multiplast (France)
      • Profile: High‑end multihulls, oceanic racers, large composite structures; world records in offshore racing.
      • Relevance: Competes for complex composite structures and grand‑prix builds when campaigns cast a wide net internationally.
    • King Marine (Spain)
      • Profile: TP52s, AC components, custom race yachts; Valencia‑based with strong regatta‑circuit presence.
      • Relevance: A frequent tenderer for top‑end custom race projects seeking European supply chains and racing hubs.
    • Baltic Yachts (Finland)
      • Profile: Custom and semi‑custom carbon sailing superyachts; advanced engineering and light‑displacement philosophy.
      • Relevance: For performance‑cruising superyachts, Baltic is a widely compared option due to its carbon expertise and systems sophistication.
    • Southern Wind (South Africa/Italy)
      • Profile: Semi‑custom performance cruisers in carbon/epoxy; strong balance of speed, comfort, and build quality.
      • Relevance: Competes in the performance‑cruising segment where weight discipline and bluewater capability are key.
    • Vitters Shipyard and Royal Huisman (Netherlands)
      • Profile: Ultra‑high‑end custom sailing superyachts in metal/composites, with world‑leading engineering and finish quality.
      • Relevance: At the pinnacle of custom builds, these yards are comparative benchmarks for craftsmanship and engineering depth.

Context and positioning:

  • Steve Ward Boatbuilders is a bespoke workshop rather than a series manufacturer. Its hallmark is one‑off performance builds and precision fabrication—originally in metal and later with composite integration—supported by close collaboration with designers and racing programs.
  • In that niche, “competition” often means project‑by‑project alternatives, from Australian peers (McConaghy, Boatspeed, Noakes for refit/optimizations) to New Zealand custom specialists and select European grand‑prix yards. Owners and project managers typically assess geography, materials capability (aluminium, steel, carbon/epoxy), metrology, confidentiality, schedule, and sea‑trial environment (the Perth/Fremantle coast is excellent for rigorous testing) when choosing a builder.

This competitive landscape also includes specialist appendage fabricators, rig manufacturers, and metrology houses that are not boatbuilders but intersect with custom projects (e.g., keel/foil fabrication, spar production, and load‑test facilities). Steve Ward’s history of coordinating complex, measurement‑sensitive builds aligns the workshop with the top tier of program‑oriented yards where integration and tolerance control matter as much as craftsmanship.

Latest News

Public attention involving Steve Ward Boatbuilders in recent years has centered on the enduring legacy of Australia II—the Ben Lexcen‑designed 12‑Metre built in Western Australia and winner of the 1983 America’s Cup. While the yard operates as a custom workshop rather than a public, catalog‑driven brand, the following developments and commemorations have kept the builder’s achievements in the public eye:

  • 40th Anniversary of Australia II’s America’s Cup Victory (2023)

    • In 2023, Australia and the global sailing community marked 40 years since Australia II’s historic win, which ended a 132‑year run by the New York Yacht Club. Commemorative events were held in Western Australia with participation from sailors, designers, shore team members, and supporters connected to the 1983 campaign.
    • Fremantle and Perth venues—closely linked with the history of Australia II and the subsequent 1987 Cup defense—hosted public programs, talks, and reunions. These events revisited the technical breakthroughs of the campaign, including the now‑famous winged keel, and highlighted the precision and discretion required of the builder during the tightly controlled measurement and development phases of the 12‑Metre rule.
    • Media coverage at the time revisited the builder’s role, recognizing that success at the America’s Cup level hinges on the nexus of design innovation, metrology, and execution in the yard. In that narrative, Steve Ward Boatbuilders frequently appears as a keystone contributor to Australia II’s build quality and reliability.
  • Museum Stewardship and Exhibition of Australia II

    • Australia II is preserved and exhibited by the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The yacht’s presence as a national icon ensures ongoing public reference to the original build team and the Western Australian marine industry that supported the project.
    • The museum’s curation includes interpretive material crediting the builder and explaining the technical and historical significance of the yacht. For milestone anniversaries (such as the 30th and 40th), the museum has presented special displays, public lectures, and community outreach that broaden awareness of the build story.
    • Conservation updates—cleaning, inspection, and preservation steps—occasionally enter local news, reminding the public that iconic racing yachts require ongoing technical care even when not sailing. Such updates often mention the original fabrication and structural practices that have allowed the hull and appendage interfaces to remain sound decades later.
  • Reunions, Oral Histories, and Technical Retrospectives

    • Alumni of the 1983 campaign—including sailors, design team members, sailmakers, and shore crew—have contributed oral histories and participated in panel discussions. These retrospectives frequently underscore the working relationship between the design office and the builder, a collaboration that was essential to achieving tolerance targets, structural integration, and weight distribution within the constraints of the 12‑Metre rule.
    • Technical retrospectives have focused on processes that remain relevant today: disciplined weight control, surface fairness for low drag, appendage fit and alignment, and the interplay between structure, sail plan, and rating rules. In this context, the builder’s contribution is framed not merely as “fabrication” but as a central engineering function in partnership with naval architects and measurement authorities.
    • Publications and documentaries tied to anniversary dates also reference the role of the Western Australian workshop environment—close to Fremantle’s waters and the region’s marine supply chain—in enabling rapid iteration and secrecy during pre‑Cup preparations.
  • Industry Recognition and Legacy

    • Within the Australian marine industry, Steve Ward’s name continues to be shorthand for trustworthy execution on complex, high‑stakes projects. Recognition often surfaces when contemporary Australian builders, designers, and campaign managers discuss “what it takes” to deliver a Cup‑level project or a top‑tier ocean racer: meticulous build documentation, strict QA, precise fabrication, and the pragmatism to make schedule without compromising measurement compliance.
    • The legacy effect is tangible in Western Australia’s marine cluster. The prestige of having built an America’s Cup winner in the region helped cultivate a culture of high standards and problem‑solving that benefits today’s projects—whether in racing yachts, performance cruisers, or even spillover into commercial and defense fabrication. In conversations about Western Australia’s marine manufacturing capability, Steve Ward Boatbuilders is routinely cited as part of the region’s “origin story” for world‑class yachtbuilding.
  • Public Engagement and Education

    • Anniversary programming frequently includes school outreach, museum tours, and community sailing events in Perth and Fremantle. These programs use Australia II as a platform to teach STEM principles—structures, hydrodynamics, materials science—and to underline how a local builder contributed to a world‑changing sporting moment.
    • The storyline of “local workshop to global triumph” resonates strongly with Western Australians and with visitors to the Maritime Museum. The clear attribution of the build to a Perth‑area yard ensures that the builder’s name remains present in interpretive materials and public narratives whenever Australia II is discussed.

In sum, while Steve Ward Boatbuilders is not a high‑profile consumer brand with a steady drumbeat of product launches, the workshop’s most famous output continues to generate meaningful news and public attention. The 40th anniversary in 2023, ongoing museum stewardship, and regular historical features keep the builder’s contribution visible. The consistent thread in all these mentions is the same: exacting craftsmanship, disciplined engineering, and collaboration at the highest level of competitive sailing—qualities that still define what owners and project managers look for when considering a bespoke, performance‑oriented build in Australia or beyond.

Steve Ward (Steve Ward Boatbuilders)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Who is Steve Ward? Answer: Steve Ward is a master boatbuilder from Western Australia, best known internationally for building the 12‑Metre racing yacht Australia II, which won the America’s Cup in 1983. Operating in the Perth–Fremantle marine hub, his workshop—often referred to as Steve Ward Boatbuilders—has focused on high‑precision, custom projects spanning racing yachts, performance cruisers, and complex refits. His reputation combines meticulous metalwork, careful weight discipline, and a collaborative approach with designers and race programs.

Question: Is Steve Ward a brand name or an individual builder? Answer: It is primarily the name of the principal boatbuilder (Steve Ward), and by extension it identifies his workshop in Western Australia. In the yachting community, the name refers both to the person responsible for the craft and to the small, specialized team assembled for each project.

Question: What is the most famous yacht associated with Steve Ward’s workshop? Answer: Australia II, a 12‑Metre class racing yacht designed by Ben Lexcen and built in Western Australia, is the most famous vessel connected to Steve Ward. Its 1983 America’s Cup victory ended a 132‑year winning streak by the New York Yacht Club and elevated Western Australian boatbuilding to global prominence.

Question: What types of projects has the workshop historically taken on? Answer: The workshop’s focus has been on custom, one‑off builds and high‑level refits. Typical projects include:

  • Performance‑oriented sailing yachts (racing and performance‑cruising).
  • Precision fabrication in metal (often aluminium) with composite integration where appropriate.
  • Structural and systems refits for offshore programs, including preparation for demanding sea states and class inspections.
  • Fabrication and fitting of performance‑critical components such as keels, rudders, and control systems, often in close partnership with specialist suppliers and naval architects.

Question: Does the builder produce standard series models? Answer: No. The workshop does not operate as a series‑production brand and does not maintain a catalog of standardized models. Each build is a bespoke commission aligned with the naval architect’s drawings and the owner’s objectives.

Question: What distinguishes the workshop’s build quality? Answer: Several hallmarks recur in projects associated with Steve Ward:

  • Tight tolerance control and fairing, essential for low drag and predictable performance.
  • Discipline in weight management, backed by detailed weight logs and careful selection of materials and scantlings.
  • Structural integrity suitable for ocean service, balancing rigidity with controlled flex where required by the design.
  • Seamless collaboration with designers, sailmakers, riggers, and measurement authorities to ensure compliance with class rules and performance goals.

Question: What materials and construction methods are typical? Answer: Historically, the workshop developed a strong reputation in aluminium hull fabrication, integrating frames, longitudinals, and bulkheads with high attention to alignment and fairness. Over time, the approach has integrated composite components where they offer performance or durability benefits. The practices are those you would expect from a high‑end custom yard: careful jigging and alignment, staged fit‑out to manage weight, and extensive finishing to achieve surface fairness. The exact materials and laminates are always specified by the designer and engineering team on a per‑project basis.

Question: How did the workshop handle the secrecy and measurement demands around Australia II? Answer: The 12‑Metre rule and the nature of the America’s Cup campaign required confidentiality, exceptionally tight tolerances, and rigorous measurement preparation. The builder’s role involved executing to exact drawings, guarding proprietary shapes and appendage details, and preparing the yacht to comply with the rule while driving performance. This demonstrated the workshop’s ability to deliver under unusual scrutiny and schedule pressure—attributes that informed later custom builds and refits.

Question: What is known about the workshop’s location and sea‑trial environment? Answer: The Perth–Fremantle region places the yard near deep water and the Indian Ocean, enabling practical sea trials in a range of wind and sea states. The area has a mature marine ecosystem—riggers, sailmakers, precision metal/composite shops—which supports complex custom projects. This proximity reduces logistical friction in prototypes, measurement runs, and shakedown testing.

Question: Does the builder undertake refit and optimization work, or only new builds? Answer: Both. While the workshop is best known for a landmark new build (Australia II), its capabilities extend to refits and optimizations. Typical refit scopes include structural surveys and repairs, deck and interior refurbishment, systems modernization, standing and running rigging upgrades, and performance optimizations before offshore campaigns. The emphasis remains on measurement‑compliant, weight‑disciplined execution.

Question: What size range does the workshop address? Answer: There is no fixed “size range” because projects are custom. Historical reference points include the 12‑Metre Australia II (a large, sophisticated racing yacht by any standard of the era). Beyond that, the workshop has been associated with custom sailing projects and refits spanning mid‑size to larger yachts as dictated by client programs and design briefs. The scope is determined by the project’s technical demands rather than a catalog size bracket.

Question: How does the builder coordinate with naval architects and engineering teams? Answer: The yard’s culture is deeply collaborative. Typical project flow includes:

  • Early engagement to review structural drawings, weight targets, and build methodology.
  • Tooling/jig strategy aligned with the design’s metrology needs.
  • Regular progress reviews with the designer to validate fairness, alignment, and system routing.
  • Measurement preparation for class inspectors where applicable.
  • Sea‑trial feedback loops to fine‑tune elements within the design envelope.

Question: What level of documentation and quality assurance is used? Answer: For high‑end racing or performance‑cruising commissions, documentation is detailed: build logs, weight records, inspection hold points, and conformity checks against drawings and class requirements. Non‑destructive testing (where specified by the design/engineering brief) and systematic alignment checks are commonly part of the process. The precise QA framework is tailored to each project’s rule set and engineering requirements.

Question: Where is Australia II now, and why is that relevant to the builder’s legacy? Answer: Australia II is preserved at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle as an artifact of national and international importance. The museum’s curation highlights both the design innovations and the execution by the Western Australian build team. This ongoing public presence continually reaffirms the builder’s role in one of sailing’s most celebrated achievements.

Question: How is the workshop perceived within the industry? Answer: Among designers, sailors, and project managers, the name is synonymous with reliability under pressure, careful engineering execution, and the pragmatic problem‑solving required in bespoke programs. The workmanship associated with the yard has stood the test of time, evidenced by the continued structural integrity and serviceability of yachts built or refitted under its stewardship.

Question: Is Steve Ward Boatbuilders part of a larger corporate group? Answer: No. It is identified with an individual principal and a project‑based team model rather than a large corporate entity or a high‑volume production group.

Question: Does the workshop focus only on sailing yachts? Answer: The public record emphasizes sailing projects—especially performance‑oriented and racing yachts—because of the prominence of Australia II and other custom work. The yard’s fabrication skills and systems integration expertise are, however, applicable to a range of vessel types. Any non‑sailing scope is taken on a case‑by‑case basis consistent with the yard’s custom ethos.

Question: What about appendages like keels and rudders—are they built in‑house or sourced? Answer: In high‑end custom projects, appendages may be fabricated by specialized vendors per the designer’s specifications and then integrated by the yard. The workshop’s role includes ensuring precise interfaces, alignment, and structural continuity. The exact sourcing strategy depends on the project’s engineering plan, confidentiality requirements, and schedule.

Question: How are confidentiality and intellectual property handled? Answer: Custom racing projects often involve proprietary geometry and processes. The workshop has a track record of discretion, especially evident during the America’s Cup campaign era. Confidentiality is maintained through controlled access to sensitive components, need‑to‑know workflows, and careful coordination with designers and measurement authorities.

Question: Are there published price lists or lead times? Answer: No. Because the yard is not a series manufacturer, pricing and schedules are inherently project‑specific and depend on design complexity, materials, engineering requirements, and supply‑chain factors. Publicly accessible standardized pricing or lead‑time tables do not apply to this builder’s custom model.

Question: Is the workshop currently producing new yachts? Answer: Public information identifies Steve Ward as a custom, project‑driven builder rather than an ongoing series producer. There is no public catalog or frequent stream of model launches. As with many bespoke workshops led by a principal, activity can be episodic and aligned to specific commissions. Absent formal announcements, the prudent understanding is that current production status is not continuously publicized; projects proceed when a suitable commission and design program are in place.

Question: What certifications or class rules does the workshop work with? Answer: For historic racing projects, compliance with the relevant class rule (e.g., the 12‑Metre rule in the case of Australia II) was integral. For modern custom programs, the applicable framework is determined by the naval architect and the owner’s intended use, and may include recognized classification standards or inspection regimes where required. The yard’s hallmark is careful conformance to the rule set specified for each project.

Question: How did the workshop balance innovation with rule compliance in its most famous build? Answer: The balance was achieved through disciplined execution: building to exacting drawings, controlling fairing and weight, and preparing for close scrutiny by measurers while managing the confidentiality that surrounded key performance elements. This approach—innovative design, conservative execution—has become a reference style for custom programs where reliability must match ambition.

Question: What lessons from the Australia II build remain relevant today? Answer: Several enduring principles apply across modern custom projects:

  • Attention to fairness and alignment pays ongoing dividends in performance and handling.
  • Vigilant weight control across all phases of construction preserves design targets.
  • Reliable systems integration and clean structural detailing reduce maintenance burdens offshore.
  • Rigorous documentation and QA simplify measurement, refit planning, and future upgrades.

Question: Does the workshop offer after‑build support or refit of its own boats? Answer: For bespoke builders, lifecycle support commonly includes periodic inspections, structural and systems maintenance, and performance optimization refits. The extent and frequency are governed by the owner’s program. While specifics are project‑dependent, the workshop’s historical emphasis on maintainable structure and accessible systems facilitates long‑term service.

Question: How does the workshop interact with the local sailing community? Answer: The Perth–Fremantle area is an active sailing region with ocean racing, club racing, and offshore passages that demand robust boats. The workshop’s presence within this ecosystem enables practical feedback loops, access to experienced sailors, and testing in authentic conditions—factors that shape build philosophy and refit standards.

Question: Are there documented awards beyond the America’s Cup association? Answer: The America’s Cup triumph of Australia II is the signature milestone. It periodically anchors public commemorations, museum exhibitions, and technical retrospectives that explicitly credit the Western Australian build team. This enduring recognition functions as a de facto award for the workshop’s contribution to yachtbuilding excellence.

Question: How does the yard manage scheduling and critical path in complex builds? Answer: Custom yards rely on staged milestones, integrated supplier coordination, and early decisions on long‑lead items (e.g., spars, foils, engineered systems). The builder’s role is to align fabrication sequences with design deliverables and metrology windows while safeguarding weight targets and fairness.

Question: What should owners and designers expect from a project with this workshop? Answer: Expect a hands‑on, detail‑oriented build culture that prioritizes:

  • Clear communication with the design office.
  • Practical engineering solutions that respect the naval architect’s intent.
  • A focus on performance fundamentals—structure, fairness, weight, alignment.
  • Readiness for stringent inspection and measurement.

Question: Where can one see the craftsmanship firsthand? Answer: Australia II, on display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle, offers the most visible testament to the workshop’s role in a high‑stakes project. The public accessibility of this iconic yacht ensures the builder’s contribution remains part of the historical record.

Question: Is the workshop’s capacity comparable to large superyacht yards? Answer: No. This is a boutique, custom operation. Its strengths lie in precision, collaboration, and problem‑solving in one‑off or limited‑run projects, not in high‑volume production or the very largest custom superyachts. That said, the standards of craftsmanship and engineering discipline are entirely consistent with top‑tier performance programs.

Question: Does the workshop handle interiors and joinery as well as structure? Answer: Custom builders typically manage both structure and interiors, either in‑house or through specialist craftspeople. The emphasis is on weight‑efficient joinery suited to offshore use, robust fastening and bonding strategies, and serviceability for systems behind the cabinetry. Scope and finish levels are set by the project brief.

Question: What is the legacy impact on Western Australia’s marine industry? Answer: The successful execution of an America’s Cup winner in the region fostered a culture of excellence and credibility that continues to benefit Western Australian marine enterprises. It demonstrated that local workshops could meet world‑class performance and measurement standards, drawing attention, talent, and ambition to the regional boatbuilding scene.

Question: How does the yard approach safety and compliance on refits? Answer: Structured inspection and documentation form the backbone: condition surveys, corrosion checks (especially in aluminium structures), non‑destructive testing when specified, and careful verification of attachments at high‑load interfaces. Upgrades pursue reliability first, then incremental performance gains, with attention to class or regulatory requirements applicable to the vessel’s operating area.

Question: What is the most important takeaway for someone evaluating this builder’s work? Answer: The defining characteristics are disciplined build practice, collaborative engineering, and a focus on performance fundamentals. The workshop’s name is linked to one of the sport’s great achievements not by chance, but because it delivered technical precision and dependable execution under the exacting conditions of elite competition.

Available Models

There is no catalog of standardized models. Steve Ward Boatbuilders operates as a bespoke workshop, delivering one‑off yachts and tailored refits according to the naval architect’s drawings and the owner’s program requirements. As such, key characteristics—length, number of cabins, maximum speed, propulsion type, construction materials, and systems—are defined per project rather than published as fixed specifications for repeatable models.

Read more
Enter name
Advanced search
Enter region
Pick region first
Pick country first
Pick state first
Enter type
Enter category
Pick category first
Enter model
Enter condition
Enter hull material
Found1yachts for sale
Sort by:
THILA
THILA
95STEVE WARD2009
€4,850,000 EUR
Yacht search history
person

Learn more on the “STEVE WARD”

To learn more on the “STEVE WARD” or to get advice on how to buy or sell a yacht or get a great price for a yacht charter

please call +1 (954) 274-4435 USA

Only deal with professionals!

  • 0
    new listings in the past 30 days
  • $0
    total USD on the market
  • 0day
    remaining until
  • 0
    yachts sold in the past 30 days
  • $0
    total sales in the past 30 days