Broker Spotlight: Bernie Evan-W
ong
What inspired your passion for sailing and boating, and how did it shape your career path?
I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, into a fa mily passionate about the sea and water sports. My father, an avid dinghy sailor who raced Snipe dinghies and represented Guyana at the Pan American Games, built his own Snipe and
motor cruiser. After being educated in the UK as a Dental Surgeon, I attended Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago in the mid-70s and decided to stay. I started racing various boats, including Sunfish, Kingfish, Lasers, and GP14s, and eventually got into keelboat racing. I have owned and maintained several yachts, including a 1967 Cal 40, a Mumm 36, a Sunseeker 400, a 38 ft Trawler Yacht, and a 27 ft Sea Warrior power boat. I also owned and successfully campaigned the Reichel Pugh full carbon raceboat, Taz, for 9 years; she is now famous and legendary. Addit ionally, I raced a Melges 24 for 15 years. Racing, sailing, and all water sports are my passions, and I possess the necessary knowledge to help you to keep boats in top condition. My 45 years of racing regattas throughout the Caribbean have allowed me to build a network of friends across the islands. During COVID, I realized I could use my extensive knowledge and experience to guide buyers and sellers, becoming a yacht broker and accessing markets worldwide.
Can you share a memorable experience or adventure you’ve had while on the water?
Over 50 years of sailing have provided many memorable moments, ranging from sheer terror and horror to euphoric pleasure and deep disappointment. I’ve experienced five dismastings, broken forestays, backstays, and cap shrouds. One terrifying moment involved another yacht’s bow coming at us amidships at 7 knots, resulting in a hole in the hull we had to patch with plywood and sail back to Antigua across 40 miles of open water. The horror of finding water over the floorboards and the euphoria of watching the sunrise or set with great company are unforgettable. The deep disappointment of losing a rig in a 600-mile race and motoring back 100 miles downwind in silence is another profound memory.
What do you enjoy most about helping clients buy or sell their yachts, and what makes you unique in your approach?
I find immense joy in helping clients achieve their dreams, whether it’s buying or selling a yacht. While the happiest moments for yacht owners are often when they first buy or sell a boat, there can be deep sentimental attachments. My unique approach involves understanding this emotional aspect and guiding clients through the process with empathy and expertise.
How do you stay connected to the local boating community, and what insider knowledge do you bring to your clients?
I stay connected through active participation in the Antigua Yacht Club, racing weekly, and attending local and regional events. Building a network over 47 years living and working in the Caribbean has given me extensive insider knowledge. In the islands, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know.
What hobbies or interests do you pursue when you’re not working, and how do they complement your professional life?
When I’m not working, I enjoy sailing, fishing, music, and socializing with the local yachting community. Participation in local events and tournaments helps me stay engaged with the community, complementing my professional life by keeping me connected and informed.
What is your favorite boat and why?
My favorite boat is a sailboat about 50 feet LOA with a draft of less than 10 feet, carbon fiber construction and rig. It should be easily sailed by a small crew, comfortable yet fast, and capable of performing well on all sailing angles—a fast cruiser-racer.
What is your favorite place in the Caribbean, and why?
My favorite place in the Caribbean is Grenada and the adjacent islands. They offer the best physical attractions of all the islands in one area, along with genuinely friendly people.
What is your age and educational background?
I am 71 years old and was educated in the UK from the age of six. I graduated from the Dental S
chool of Manchester at 21 and worked there for a year before moving to Trinidad in 1977. I never left the Caribbean, living in Trinidad and then Antigua and Barbuda. I am a qualified Dental Surgeon, Divemaster, and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore. I also own and manage Marine Helix Mooring business.
What is your relationship status and do you have children?
I have been married for 42 years and have two adult children.
What were your previous jobs before joining BVI Yacht Sales, and how do they contribute to your current role?
Before joining BVI Yacht Sales, I worked as a Dental Surgeon, managed properties, ran a road construction business, conducted sport fishing charters, and served as a yacht delivery skipper and director of a security business. I am also a marine moorings specialist. Yacht brokerage involves building trust with clients, a skill honed through all my previous business experiences. Yacht racing with a crew teaches team building, management, and decision-making skills, while owning and maintaining multiple yachts provides in-depth knowledge of yacht construction, maintenance, and repair.
Where are the most likely places a client will find you when you’re not working?
You’ll likely find me working on my boats or sailing.