For more than three decades, MennYacht has built a position in the region that is recognized for one thing: continuity. From its first steps with Pershing in the early 1990s to its current role as an authorized partner for Ferretti Group brands, the company has grown organically. The focus has remained the same: a sale has no real value without service, support, and the infrastructure that supports owners when it matters most, in the middle of the season, far from their home port.
In our conversation with Matjaž Murko, President of the MennYacht Group, we explore the topics that most precisely define today’s market: the regional logic of the Adriatic, the changing profile of clients, the role of after-sales support, and a new phase of expansion that includes the Polish market, alongside the opening of offices in Sukošan and Šibenik. Beyond the numbers and the dealer network, his clearest message remains: trust is built slowly, and reputation is protected every single day.
MennYacht has built an impressive regional dealer network. Which of your personal qualities, decisions, or intuitive moves were decisive in turning this growth into a recognizable system?
I believe the key lies in a combination of long-term thinking, patience, and a very clear value system. From the very beginning, we thought regionally, because yachting does not recognize administrative boundaries. In the countries where we represent Ferretti Group brands today, the vast majority of our clients come precisely because of the Adriatic. This is where they cruise, where they keep their boats, and where they spend most of their time.
We have never built our network “in a hurry.” Every new country, every new partner, and every new team member had to understand our company’s philosophy: trust matters more than a single sale, and reputation matters more than a short-term result. Intuition has always played a role, but it has been supported by real data and by people I know personally and trust.
That this path was the right one is also confirmed by the fact that Ferretti Group entrusted us with the Polish market in September 2025. It is a market with exceptional potential, whose clients particularly enjoy cruising the Adriatic, which fits perfectly with our regional concept and existing infrastructure.
Nearly two decades of consistent cooperation stand behind MennYacht and our editorial team. How has the yacht market and the client profile changed over those years, and how have you personally adapted your approach to those changes?
The market has become significantly more professional. Clients today are better informed, more demanding, and far more focused on the complete experience, rather than on the yacht itself. Twenty years ago, a purchase was often an emotional decision.
Today, it is a sophisticated investment in a lifestyle.
My approach has changed in the sense that I listen much more today: to clients’ needs, plans, and way of life. The role of a broker and representative has evolved into the role of an advisor and a long-term partner.
After-sales support is now the key to successful business in the yachting industry. What would you single out as the greatest advantages of your after-sales network in the Adriatic?
Our greatest advantage is presence and continuity. We have our own service teams, technicians, and infrastructure across the Adriatic, which gives clients confidence that they are not left to manage on their own.
The second important thing is mindset. We don’t see service as a cost, but as an extension of our relationship with our clients. Long-term trust is built through after-sales support.
You offer an exceptionally broad range of vessels with different styles and characters. Which brands or models currently generate the greatest interest in the Adriatic, and why?
In the Adriatic, there is still a strong emotional connection to Italian design. Riva is a timeless icon, Pershing attracts clients who seek performance and a strong character, while Ferretti Yachts and Custom Line offer the perfect balance between family comfort and luxury.
Itama boats are also drawing increasing attention, slowly but surely finding their buyers among those who appreciate a clean, classic, and highly authentic open-boat style.
Wally is a relatively new brand for us that we have begun to develop intensively, and its futuristic design, innovative solutions, and a different approach to space work exceptionally well for modern boaters.
Our greatest advantage is presence and continuity. We have our own service teams, technicians, and infrastructure across the Adriatic, giving clients the confidence that they’re not left to manage on their own
We are now at the beginning of 2026. As you look ahead, which visions or ideas motivate you toward the next major step in your business journey?
What motivates me is further strengthening the MennYacht Group as a regional center of excellence, not only in sales, but also in service, yacht management, and the lifestyle segment. We want to be the first call our clients make, regardless of whether they are buying their first yacht or managing a fleet.
In that context, we have opened two new offices in Sukošan and Šibenik, further reinforcing our presence in the central and southern Adriatic.
In parallel, we are building and completing the MennYacht Pavilion project in Mučići above Opatija. It will be a major sales and service center where our clients will be able to see, purchase, service, and learn more about Technohull and Williams RIBs, as well as the full spectrum of our services.
It seems you have managed to bring both your professional and private waters into balance. If you were to compare life to cruising, how would you describe your route?
I would say it has been a long voyage with calm seas, but also real storms. I learned not to chase speed, but direction. It is important to have a good crew, a reliable compass, and to know when to stop and when to add power.
On that route, my wife Darja has been with me from the very beginning, and in the more recent period our son Žiga as well, who is becoming increasingly involved in the company’s work.
I would also especially highlight our long-time partner and Director of MennYacht Croatia, Janko Matušić, who through his work, energy, and dedication has made an enormous contribution to the development of the Croatian market and to the overall strength of the MennYacht Group.
