Yacht Project Management & Owner Representation

New Build, Refit, and Repair Specialization

Clarity, Control, and Confidence Through Disciplined Project Leadership

Your resource for independent owner representation and project leadership in complex yacht builds, refits, and repairs

“Thank you for a spectacular job, on short notice, to get us going on schedule and ready for the Fort Lauderdale boat show. Your leadership was present the whole time to make this happen. It’s been a pleasure working with you! ”

— M/Y Lady Elaine -164' Christensen

About KEY Marine Advisors

KEY Marine Advisors is an independent marine consulting firm specializing in owner representation, yacht project management, refit oversight, repair coordination, and new-build advisory.

We work alongside yacht owners, captains, managers, builders, and shipyards to bring structure, clarity, and disciplined execution to technically demanding marine projects.

Our role is simple: protect the owner’s interests at every stage of the project lifecycle.

How We Support Complex Marine Projects

KEY Marine Advisors provides independent oversight for complex marine projects where clear communication, technical understanding, and disciplined project control matter most.

From early planning and shipyard selection through execution, reporting, quality oversight, and delivery, we help clients reduce risk, strengthen accountability, and maintain confidence throughout the project.

Our focus remains the same: clear decisions, controlled execution, and successful outcomes.

A smiling middle-aged man with a bald head, dressed in a white shirt and black blazer, in a cozy room with wooden walls, bookshelves, lamps, and a fireplace.

Ken Youngchild - Founder & Principal Consultant

Meet The Founder

Ken Youngchild is a marine project leader with more than 30 years of experience supporting yacht builds, refits, repairs, and complex shipyard projects. Over the course of his career, he has supported more than 1,400 projects ranging from routine drydockings to major custom yacht construction and refit programs.

Beginning in shipyard operations and advancing into executive project leadership, he brings hands-on understanding of yard work, technical coordination, budgeting, quality oversight, regulatory compliance, and delivery. He works closely with naval architects, engineers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, class inspectors, and shipyard teams to help clients navigate demanding marine projects with clarity and control.

Ken holds multiple American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) certifications and is a former U.S. Coast Guard Master. He is also a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and an American Management Association (AMA) Certified Professional in Management (AMA-CPM).

His approach combines marine expertise, owner advocacy, and disciplined project governance to support accountable execution and successful delivery.

Clients We Serve

Teams Requiring Strong Shipyard Accountability

Buyers Evaluating Technical Project Risk

Yacht Owners Seeking Trusted Owner Representation

Clients Navigating New-Build, Refit, Warranty, or Repair Decisions

Individuals Coordinating Refit & Repair Periods

Why Clients Work with Us

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Owner-First Representation

We represent the owner’s interests and only the owner’s interests. Every recommendation, review, and decision is approached with independence, discretion, and a commitment to protecting the client’s position.

Technical and Operational Experience

Marine projects demand more than just coordination; they require a thorough understanding of shipyard operations, marine systems, sequencing, skilled trades, regulatory standards, and execution risks.

Clear Communication

We help bridge the gap between owners, captains, managers, designers, builders, and shipyards through direct communication, structured reporting, and decisive follow-through.

Disciplined Project Control

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Successful outcomes depend on consistently managing scope, schedule, budget, documentation, and quality. We bring structure to the process to help identify issues early and sustain project velocity.

Protection of Value

A yacht is both a major asset and a personal investment. Our role is to help protect that value by reducing avoidable surprises, improving accountability, and supporting better decisions throughout the project lifecycle.