15 Years of Yacht IN – A Leader in Adriatic Luxury Yachting

Yacht IN has been sailing for over a decade, driven by passion, precision, and faith in the Adriatic dream, building trust and exceptional relationships in the world of luxury yachting

Fifteen years ago, two men with a shared vision dropped anchor into an idea that would become a cornerstone of the Adriatic superyacht scene. Today, Yacht IN stands as one of the region’s most respected boutique yachting companies, a name synonymous with precision, discretion, and passion for life at sea.

But to understand Yacht IN is to understand the people behind it. Before founding the company in 2010, Slaven Knežević and Matija Zelić had already charted impressive courses through the yachting world. Slaven had mastered life at sea as a superyacht captain, while Matija had built a deep knowledge of yacht sales through years spent at world-renowned shipyards. Together, they turned their experience into something rare: a business that balances operational excellence with emotional intelligence, a business that listens before it sails.

FROM VISION TO LEGACY

The idea behind Yacht IN wasn’t just to offer charter or sales. It was to offer something more elusive: trust in an industry driven by image, and service that goes deeper than luxury. From day one, their goal was simple but bold to become the region’s leading full-service yachting company, guided not by trends but by values.

And it worked. One yacht became a fleet. Two founders became a team. A dream became a reputation.

“Our mission was never about being the biggest. It was about being the most trusted. We wanted clients to feel like they had someone in their corner, someone who truly understands both the beauty and the complexity of the yachting world.”

co-founder Slaven Knežević.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

The story of Yacht IN isn’t told in years, it’s told in milestones. In partnerships, expansions, and key strategic moves, a boutique agency became a serious force in the Mediterranean.

Here are just a few that defined the journey:

2010

Yacht IN is founded by Slaven Knežević and Matija Zelić.

2012

Appointed as Sanlorenzo Dealership and Aftersales & Warranty Partner for the East Adriatic.

2014

Launched Race & Regatta Management services for Wally yachts.

Continued cooperation as Exclusive Sanlorenzo Aftersales & Warranty Partner for the East Adriatic.

2017

Introduced Superyacht Financial Management and established the Charter Management Division.

2019

Entered the superyacht charter market with the first +30m yacht under Central Agency.

2020

Secured dealership for RIBCO, high-performance luxury RIBs, for Southeast Europe; Gained MYBA Yachtfolio access, joining the industry’s leading charter platform accessible only to qualified charter brokerages that operate at the highest professional and ethical standards; Introduced ISM & ISPS compliance service, providing full support to yacht owners and captains in meeting international safety and security standards.

2021

Took over charter management of a first +45m yacht, marking a step forward in our growth within the large yacht segment.

2022

Expanded Central Agency charter fleet beyond Croatia, marking our presence in the wider Mediterranean market.

2024

Joined CYBA and IYBA, strengthening our brokers’ credentials and reaffirming our commitment to ethical practices and global industry standards; Became a member of CROYA, playing an active and collaborative role in shaping the Croatian Yachting Association and co-organizing the 1st CROYA Charter Show

Each of these steps wasn’t just growth; it was intelligent positioning, built on foresight, relationship-building, and an obsession with doing things properly.

“From one vessel to a curated luxury fleet of over 10 yachts, we’ve built lasting relationships with owners and loyal clients—and earned our place on the international yachting scene”

Barbara Grgurević Škoda, Head of Charter Department

A TEAM THAT FEELS LIKE A CREW

Today, the Yacht IN team spans charter specialists, brokers, finance experts, and operations managers, multilingual, deeply knowledgeable, and as passionate about the sea as the founders. Whether you’re buying a Superyacht, selling a dayboat, or planning a bespoke charter experience, the team approaches each challenge with the calm confidence of people who’ve done it a hundred times, but never stopped caring.

Their collective experience is a competitive advantage, but it’s their commitment to collaboration and service that keeps clients coming back year after year.

LOOKING FORWARD, NEVER ADRIFT

As Yacht IN celebrates its 15th year, it’s doing what it always has: keeping its eye on the horizon. There are new markets to explore, new partnerships forming, and new clients to surprise. But even as the brand grows, its essence remains anchored in what made it special: integrity, intelligence, and a real love for the sea.