The Leigh-Smith family has been synonymous with the boating industry here in South East Queensland for over 45 years.

Jeff worked with his father, well-known Gold Coast identity Reg, on the Isle of Capri back in the early 1960’s in a hire boat business and boat brokerage before playing one of the key roles in setting up the Runaway Bay Marina. Runaway Bay Marina was Australia’s first “fully integrated” marina that saw a mixture of marine industry, dry-storage, marina berths, retail shopping centre and residential units all strategically located around the main marina basin. Runaway Bay Marina is still one of the most recognised marinas in Australia.

Runaway Bay Marina was sold in 1988, and soon after, Jeff opened and operated a successful international boat brokerage for ten years at Sanctuary Cove before having an epiphany. That epiphany was to build a marina and marine precinct that was a “one stop shop” for boaties and he couldn’t rest until he put those wheels into motion. Many sleepless nights and a lot of hard work later, the “one stop shop” for boaties was born. Since the soft opening of the Gold Coast City Marina in early 2000, boating enthusiasts have been enjoying boating the way it was meant to be.

Like history repeating itself Jeff’s eldest son Dean joined the family brokerage in 1995 where he had an induction like no other under his father. He cut his teeth performing all manner of boating related tasks and soon recognised his natural ability as a salesman on the showroom floor at Sanctuary Cove. Dean soon caught up to many of his senior brokers and proceeded to overtake some of the leading brokers at a very young age. In 1998 Dean, who was always at his fathers right hand, joined the set up phase for the Gold Coast City Marina and has been onboard from day one. Dean is currently the “Executive Manager” of the Gold Coast City Marina, Australasian Marine Imports and Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales.

In 2003 both Jeff and Dean were touring several Asian countries on other business when they were introduced to the “Alaska” range of Motor Yachts. After careful inspection and a sea trial, they were both understandably impressed by the boats’ looks, handling, finish and performance. Not long after that, the first 42ft Sedan was imported by Australasian Marine Imports. Since the first boat’s arrival in mid 2003 there have been over twenty “Alaskas” imported to Australia and New Zealand. Alaska Motor Yachts are located at: The Bluff (the southern most point of NZ), Auckland NZ, Perth WA, Port Phillip Bay VIC, Sydney Harbour NSW and all throughout the myriad of waterways in sunny Queensland.

The success of the 45ft Sedan and Fly Bridge models has led to the release in 2005 of the 48ft “EURO” Fly Bridge, and in 2006 of the new 38ft Sedan as well as the 53ft Sedan and 53ft Fly Bridge. In early 2007 the flagship of the range, the 56ft Pilothouse is due to arrive and will be the ultimate long range “all seasons” cruiser on the market. After stepping aboard any of the spectacular Alaska Motor Yachts its easy to see why they have fast become the benchmark in safe, practical, economical and performance boating. When you mix a premium product like “Alaska” and people like Jeff and his son Dean, it’s easy to see there will be more and more happy families on the water with the peace of mind that boaties are looking after them.

The Leigh-Smith family has been looking after boaties since the 1960’s so if you want to explore new waters explore an “Alaska” today and see how you can ride the wave of change.