Paul MacDonald spent decades at the sharp end of the marine industry, most recently leading and growing Southern Spars before stepping away in 2024. Retirement did not last long. He has since turned his attention fully to MCD Boutique Yacht Brokerage, a tighter, more focused operation built around carefully selected brands rather than volume.
That approach will be evident at this year’s Auckland Boat Show.
Two new releases, two distinct directions
Leading MCD’s line-up are two new models that approach adventure from different angles.
From Turkey comes the IATA Sunfinder 50, a 50-foot performance adventure boat capable of around 45 knots. Below decks are two cabins with flexible bathroom layouts. On deck, the configuration is open and social — wide bow seating, generous sun pads aft, a central galley bar, and a hydraulic platform that lowers at anchor to create a proper swim zone.
It is a fast, open boat designed for time outside.
From Sweden, the Delta 48 Adventure presents a more sheltered proposition. Built from the established Delta 48 Coupe platform, the Adventure version adds a more protective top and detailing suited to harsher environments. Diving, fishing, and extended cruising in unsettled conditions — the boat is intended to handle them comfortably.
The distinction is clear: one leans toward open-air performance, the other toward capability in tougher water.
Omikron’s long-range focus
At the other end of the offering sits the Omikron OT-60 from Greece.
Recent builds now carry a standard fuel range of 2,000 nautical miles. The twin 250 hp inboard motors remain unchanged, but increased tankage and an efficient hull design give the boat serious cruising legs.
The hull development leaned heavily on CFD analysis to maximise efficiency rather than simply adding power. Since launch, refinements have included hidden exhaust systems and small detailing improvements, though the defining figure remains range.
For someone contemplating passages longer than coastal hops – Omikron’s OT-60 gets you up into the Pacific, across to Australia, and around to the Kimberleys and up into Asia if that is on the agenda.
Pyewacket and racing heritage
MCD is also the joint central agent for Pyewacket, the high-performance racing yacht long associated with Roy E. Disney, the great-nephew of Walt Disney.
The name carries weight in offshore sailing. Across multiple campaigns, Pyewacket featured prominently on major international start lines and built a reputation as a serious racing platform.
MacDonald shares the central agency with Juan K Brokerage, with marketing extending into global racing networks. Interest has come from experienced offshore owners familiar with the yacht’s pedigree, as well as buyers seeking a proven hull with history.
Race yachts of this stature rarely transact quickly, but discussions are active.
It remains unusual to see a yacht of this calibre represented locally.
A practical ownership alternative
Alongside new builds and brokerage, MCD is involved with Yacht Syndicates of Auckland — a six-owner structure aimed at buyers who want access without full-time responsibility.
Each owner holds a one-sixth share. An annual management fee covers servicing, maintenance, cleaning, and preparation. Usage is booked in advance, and the operational burden of ownership is handled centrally.
MacDonald believes the model reflects how many owners now use their boats. Full-time private ownership is not always necessary. A professionally managed share can reduce idle time and ongoing workload while preserving the experience on the water.
In the current market, that approach has logic.
At the show
At the Auckland Boat Show, MCD Boutique Yacht Brokerage will present the Sunfinder 50, Delta 48 Adventure, Omikron OT-60, and brokerage listings including Pyewacket.
MacDonald’s background spans performance sailing systems, superyacht engineering, and international brokerage. Conversations tend to go deeper than specifications.
The portfolio is not extensive. It is deliberate.
For buyers interested in something outside the mainstream, it is a stand worth visiting.
