Welcome to Salty Bender. Operating primarily out of the Tampa Bay, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC areas (and available to travel for vessel projects and deliveries), I deliver a highly technical and consultative approach to cruising yachts. Utilizing a background in college-level mechanical engineering, automated manufacturing, USCG Master Captaincy, emergency response as a former firefighter, EMT, and fireboat captain, and specialized ABYC technician training, I specialize in sailboat brokerage, paid crew & delivery captaincy, structured yacht management, certified TeekTrue synthetic teak decking, and marine systems service.
Serving Florida's Gulf Coast, South Carolina's Grand Strand, and available for regional & offshore travel.
Former professional firefighter & EMT. Calm, high-stakes safety & vessel command.
Certified dive trainer for underwater running gear, zinc, & hull evaluations.
Available for coastal/offshore passages, relief captaincy, & owner assistance.
Engineering background, ABYC certified electrical, & BoatHowTo specialist.
Nickals Bender is a USCG Captain, ABYC Marine Technician, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and BoatHowTo certified systems expert. Operating out of Tampa Bay, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC, my absolute true specialization is all things sailboats. I possess the high-end technical expertise to deliver meticulous problem-solving, not just repairs.
Modern vessels are complex digital entities. Utilizing a background in college level mechanical engineering and advanced ABYC marine technician training, I specialize in isolating complex faults, optimizing NMEA 2000 networks, and integrating sophisticated systems (solar, Victron energy). If it's problematic, I can diagnose and correct it.
Operating under David Messina and Professional Yacht Sales International across Tampa Bay, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I bring my entire Captain, first responder, and ABYC technical background to brokerage. While my true passion is sailboats, I possess the technical expertise to represent and evaluate both sailboats and powerboats. I am a technical consultant, not a pushy salesman. Your decision is informed by hard data and systems analysis.
Deep, lifelong passion for sailboats. Expertise in auxiliary sailing systems, cruising yachts, coastal/offshore configurations, and technical evaluations.
Buyer and seller representation backed by an actual technical systems evaluation before surveyor review. I know the boats I list or inspect.
Clear Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) briefs and informed systems-based advice. Mobile-friendly interactive listings.
Bring the high-end look of traditional teak to your sailboat or power yacht without the grueling maintenance. Serving boat owners in Tampa Bay, Myrtle Beach, and surrounding coastal regions, I am a certified installer for TeekTrue synthetic teak decking (teektrue.com). We template perfectly to cockpits, swim platforms, and side decks. Partnering with Smitty’s Marine Woodworking for pristine results.
Running a busy consultative yacht brokerage (Professional Yacht Sales International) across Tampa Bay and Myrtle Beach gives me unparalleled visibility into vessel logistics and owner requirements. I leverage a unique background as a USCG Master Captain, former firefighter, EMT, fireboat captain, and automated manufacturing engineer to deliver structured, proactive yacht management and captain services.
