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Brigid Dighton & Johnny Hilhorst: Bringing Brindabella to Life

In early 2021, Brigid Dighton and Johnny Hilhorst took on the role of custodians of Brindabella, fulfilling their long-held dream of owning an ex-racing maxi yacht. Their journey began with a shared vision of creating a business that encompassed their core values, including expressing creativity, embracing family flexibility, making meaningful connections, and providing unforgettable experiences rooted in their love for the sea.

Both Brigid and Johnny have a deep-rooted connection to the water. Johnny’s passion for sailing started at a young age, initially with sailboarding and later progressing to high-performance off-the-beach catamarans. His commitment to Surf Life Saving and love for Surf Boat rowing earned him multiple Open Surf Boat Championship Gold medals and Life Membership of his local club. Meanwhile, Brigid’s childhood was filled with fishing adventures at her family shack on the Southern Yorke Peninsula, instilling a love for the sea from an early age.

Throughout their lives, Brigid and Johnny have owned fishing boats, often venturing to their shack for respite and the thrill of catching King George whiting or Bluefin tuna. Their shared passion for boating led them to browse the internet, dream, and envision a future upgrade. It was during one of these browsing sessions that Johnny stumbled upon a listing titled “Jutson 80,” which turned out to be Brindabella. The idea of owning a family cruiser took root in their minds, igniting their curiosity and sparking an unexpected path forward.

Their values session from a few years prior had not yet materialized into a sustainable business model. However, when they revisited their values in the context of Brindabella, everything fell into place. The yacht seemed to align perfectly with their aspirations and quickly became the catalyst for their entrepreneurial journey. After weeks of due diligence and high-level business planning, they made the decision to pursue Brindabella as their business venture, engaging experts and conducting thorough assessments before ultimately acquiring her.

The road to bringing Brindabella into commercial survey was challenging and required extensive work both on and off the vessel. After months of dedication, they achieved survey status in October 2022, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Brigid and Johnny take immense pride in their accomplishments and the exceptional end product available to guests today.

Brindabella embodies an energy and magic that draws people in. Their journey has been enriched by a strong support group and the friendships forged along the way. As a platform, Brindabella is a vessel limited only by imagination and safety, providing endless possibilities for memorable experiences.

Discover the allure of Brindabella and join the community of those who love and sail her. Brigid and Johnny invite you to experience the magic of the sea aboard Brindabella, where dreams are realized and unforgettable memories are made.