How the Šerka Family Built DS Yacht Ohana and Changed Croatia’s Yachting Industry
In this interview, discover how the Šerka family went from backyard shipbuilders on Brač Island to creators of the 50-meter DS Yacht Ohana. Learn how they transitioned from cabin charters to luxury private yachting and helped reshape Croatia’s superyacht market.
Key Takeaways
- From Backyard to Breakthrough: The Šerka family built their first wooden ship in their backyard and gradually expanded their fleet with ever more advanced yachts.
- Pivoting During Crisis: Faced with COVID-19, they partnered with Goolets to shift from cabin charters to private group yacht rentals.
- DS Yacht Ohana’s Success: Their 50-meter luxury vessel Ohana offered exceptional value with high-end amenities, quickly gaining popularity and bookings.
- Client Satisfaction & Demand: Guests praised the comfort, service, and overall experience, reinforcing the appeal of Croatia as a superyacht destination.
- Commitment to Growth: In 2022, Ohana was upgraded with fewer cabins, a cinema, playroom, and a new sundeck - boosting her weekly rate and maintaining full bookings.
Can you tell us a bit about the Šerka family?
Along with my two brothers and our father, we started our shipbuilding careers in our backyard on Brač Island, Dalmatia. Right there, we created our own basic shipyard and build our first wooden ship, San Snova. It was a 30 meters motor sailer with 16 cabins and was specialized for cycling tours. After a very successful charter season with San Snova, we built 2 more ships, Melody and Symphony. Because of the excellent service these ships provided, they were constantly booked, so we decided to build 2 more, Yolo and Ohana.
How did COVID-19 affect your business?
About after a month after we got in touch with Goolets, COVID-19 struck. Our main agency told us that the season of 2021 will be empty, and we realized we will not work for 1 year. Clearly, this came as a great shock to our family. Not knowing what to do, we reached out to Goolets and came to Ljubljana for a lunch meeting. We spent more than 6 hours brainstorming on what are the options, and in the end, we made a huge decision.
What was the plan?
The plan was to try to promote Yolo and Ohana as yachts and only offer them to private groups, which in comparison to cabin charters, were still allowed to get booked. They forwarded us all the » know-how « to organize a private group charter compared to cabin charters. After we got all the details on "how it is done in yachting", our family was more than willing to listen.
Did it work?
During the first COVID-19 season, 90% of these types of ships stayed in port and had little to no bookings. Yachts Yolo and Ohana could accommodate larger groups, had high-end amenities, and offered great value for money, so they were almost fully booked.
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How did the clients respond?
They were all incredibly happy and satisfied with the value for money, that these ships offered. Overall, booking an almost brand new 50-meter ship in superb condition, amazing food, a professional crew, impeccable service, and all the amenities you might expect on a super yacht, was a win-win situation.
How did yacht Ohana evolve over the years?
The year 2022 was even better, and because of that, we decided to increase the value of one of our ships even more. We lowered the number of cabins (from 19 to 14), so the guests would have an even more comfortable experience. We also added a cinema room, children's playroom room, and a master cabin and completely renovated the sundeck. The price went up to € 100,000 / week and she was almost instantly fully booked.
In conclusion, the Šerka family's journey from backyard shipbuilding to a successful yacht charter business is a testament to their dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. With the help of Goolets, they established themselves as a prominent player in the yachting industry. The exceptional value for money offered by their luxury yachts, such as Yolo and Ohana, has garnered high praise from clients. The continuous evolution of DS Yacht Ohana showcases its commitment to providing an exceptional experience for guests. Their story is an inspiring example of turning passion into a thriving business in the world of yacht charters.
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