Mark Johnson's passion for boating and the water started about the same time he started to walk, spending his time on holiday in Salcombe and not wanting to move from his father’s boat. The family moved to the South Hams when Mark was nine years old.

Mark attended a week’s work experience at J Stone & Sons boatyard at Goodshelter, which turned into a Saturday and school holiday job.

After leaving school, he started his career at Sailing as an apprentice marine engineer, following on to work for Clive Stone at Quayside marine engineers for five years, where he completed his qualifications at college. For the final two years, he was subcontracted to work at Yeoward Boatyards, engineering during the busy periods.

This led Mark to joining Yeowards in January 2000. Mark worked in and managed a very busy workshop, where he was responsible for the care and maintenance of 300+ customers’ boats. He also put together all the new Boston Whalers which were becoming more and more popular. During this time, he attended many Yamaha technical training courses.

With his attention to detail and refusal to let anything other than the finest quality work leave his workshop, Mark quickly established a reputation as one of the best marine engineers in the business.

Mark’s expertise doesn’t stop with Whalers as he was also tasked with the re-engining of many wooden launches. This, with the explosion in popularity of RIBs over the last few years, means there is nothing that Mark doesn’t know about the craft on our waters.

Mark Roberts's love of the Salcombe estuary and surrounding area began as soon as he moved to Salcombe with his family in 1986.

Aged nine, Mark worked for the family business, Whitestrand Boat Hire and took every opportunity to get out on the water. Every season, Mark worked long hours for his family's company and was Head Boatman by the time he left school.

  

At this point, Mark joined SMS as an apprentice marine engineer. He then moved to Watkins before finally finding his spiritual home at Winters Marine. 

After six years, Winters was bought out by Yeoward Boatyards where Mark continued in his role as engineer. Having spent his early years interacting with the public at the boat hire, he always enjoyed assisting customers and having the satisfaction of solving family compromises to find solutions. 

While still predominantly working in the workshop, Mark often chipped in with the occasional boat sale. In 2010, Mark was offered the role of Sales Manager at Yeoward Boatyards and he jumped at the chance to further his career and customer skills.

 Mark’s role as Sales Manager expanded to include almost every aspect of the marine business. He enjoyed this role thoroughly for 10 years, but is now excited to launch JR Marine with his longtime colleague Mark Johnson.