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,” says co-founder Slaven Knežević. “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.”
Moments That Mattered
The story of Yacht IN isn’t told in years, it’s told in milestones. Through partnerships, expansions, and key strategic moves, a boutique agency emerged as a significant 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
2014 – Continued cooperation as Exclusive Sanlorenzo Timeless 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
2020 - 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.
2020 – 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.
2024 – Became a member of CROYA, playing an active and collaborative role in shaping the Croatian Yachting Association and first 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,” says 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.
“We’re proud, but never complacent,” says co-founder Matija Zelić. “There’s still so much more to do. But if the past 15 years have taught us anything, it’s that when you stay true to your values, good things follow.”
15 Years. One Journey. Countless Stories.
Whether you’ve sailed with Yacht IN once or a dozen times, this milestone is more than an anniversary; it’s a thank you. To clients, to partners, to captains, and crews. And to the Adriatic itself, the sea that gave this company its first wave and continues to carry it forward.
