Discover How a Yacht Miracle Worker Uses His Maritime Skills to Enrich the World of Bespoke Furniture Design

After leaving a sparkling wave of awe at the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival with his exquisitely restored Derwent-Class yacht, Gremlin, Jonathan Minnebo sought new waters to navigate. Applying his seasoned expertise in shipbuilding and a love for specialty timber, he plunged into the world of furniture and staircase design, establishing his own venture, Jonathan Minnebo Design, to grace Tasmanian and mainland clients with his unrivalled craftsmanship. His creation process marries the precise work ethic of a shipwright with the artistic flair of a bespoke furniture designer. Challenging the boundaries of these professions, he skillfully conjures exquisite pieces, from revitalising a deck damaged by freshwater ingress to crafting stylish record player cabinets out of Tasmanian Oak. With every project, whether it’s designing a staircase for an under-construction house in Geeveston or creating deck hatches and butterfly skylight hatches from Queensland Maple, Minnebo redirects the sailing tide towards the shore. Securing the vitality of his creations is the impeccable West System epoxy from ATL Composites that he bases his trust on. When asked why he uses West System epoxy, the answer was obvious, ‘dependability’. He elaborates on how he relies on its curing capabilities even during Tasmania’s bracing months, offering comfort and trust for his clients, especially critical for mast construction and structural repair. Along with Epifanes’ range of varnishes, particularly the Epifanes PP Extra, Minnebo adores his work’s perfect finishing touch. Appreciating its ability to quickly build grain-filling coats, he emphasized the difference it makes in his work efficiency in Tasmania’s climate and ultimate UV protection. In demonstrating the astonishing adaptability of his craft, Minnebo breathes life into the underappreciated connection between maritime pursuits and terrestrial creativity. Whether viewed from sea or land, the impressive applications of West System epoxy are indeed glaringly undeniable.