Our Team
Du Toit Yacht Design is built on the strength of a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team of yacht designers, naval architects, engineers and interior designers. Founded by Anton and Charmaine du Toit in 2001, DTYD has grown into one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading yacht design studios, with a portfolio that spans custom, semi-custom and production sailing and power catamarans built for clients around the world.
While Anton du Toit’s experience and design leadership remain central to the studio, Du Toit Yacht Design is not the work of one person. It is the combined knowledge, technical ability and practical sailing experience of the entire team that gives DTYD its depth and strength. Each designer brings a different area of expertise, from naval architecture, structural design and systems integration to interior architecture, ergonomics, detailing and production support.
Together, the DTYD team represents an exceptional concentration of yacht design experience. This cumulative knowledge allows the studio to approach every project holistically, balancing performance, comfort, safety, buildability and long-term usability. From concept development and hull design to engineering, interiors and detailed production drawings, every vessel benefits from the insight of a team that understands both design and life at sea.
At Du Toit Yacht Design, collaboration is at the heart of the process. The team works closely with owners, boatbuilders and marine specialists to create yachts that are not only beautiful and efficient, but practical, robust and tailored to their intended use. It is this collective experience, shared commitment and attention to detail that define the DTYD approach.
Click on the image of a team member to read their full detailed bio.
Anton du Toit
Owner and Managing Director
Anton du Toit is the founder and Managing Director of Du Toit Yacht Design, with over forty years of sailing and yacht design experience. Having spent thirteen years cruising the world from a young age, his passion for boats developed early and led him to pursue yacht design professionally. After working with leading South African designers and shipyards, Anton established DTYD in 2001. Today, it is recognised as one of the leading naval architecture firms in the southern hemisphere. Anton specialises in large custom catamarans, combining performance, functionality and refined design. His commitment to client relationships, technical excellence and delivering tailored solutions has been central to the company’s long-standing success.
Charmaine du Toit
Anton's partner
Charmaine du Toit is co-owner and business partner at Du Toit Yacht Design. With a background in nursing, she transitioned into the business when it was founded alongside Anton. Having grown up at the coast and with extensive sailing experience, she brings a natural understanding of life at sea to her work. Charmaine initially led the interior design function, contributing to numerous custom yacht projects, and now oversees the financial and administrative operations of the company. Over more than two decades, she has played a key role in growing DTYD into a leading design studio. Her leadership has been recognised with the South African Boatbuilding Industry ‘Giant’ Award.
Sean van Rensburg
GM & Senior Designer
Sean van Rensburg is General Manager and Senior Designer at Du Toit Yacht Design, combining engineering expertise with a lifelong passion for sailing. An active competitive racer, he has represented South Africa internationally, bringing valuable real-world performance insight into his work. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and is a qualified RYA and SAS sail and power instructor. Since joining DTYD in 2017, Sean has played a key role in project management and client relationships, ensuring projects run efficiently and meet the highest standards. His contribution to the industry has been recognised with the SABBEX Architect of Change Award, reflecting his leadership and impact on yacht design and innovation.
Stefano Marcia
Designer
Stefano Marcia is a yacht designer at Du Toit Yacht Design, bringing a unique combination of elite sailing experience and technical skill. A former Olympic sailor, he represented South Africa at the Rio Olympics and continues to draw on this high-performance background in his design work. At DTYD, Stefano specialises in exterior styling, sail plans and deck layouts, applying real-world insight to create efficient, performance-driven solutions. His work has been recognised within the industry, receiving a Special Mention at the SABBEX Awards for his contribution to yacht design. His calm, considered approach and ability to translate sailing experience into refined design make him a valuable member of the team.
Ingo Ferreira
Designer
Ingo Ferreira is an experienced industrial designer with over 17 years of product development expertise, spanning concept design through to manufacturing. After completing his Industrial Design degree at the University of Johannesburg, he began his career at Du Toit Yacht Design before building his own successful business in the caravan industry. Ingo has extensive hands-on experience in taking products from initial sketch concepts and 3D modelling through to prototyping and full-scale production. His strong focus on detail, adaptability and problem-solving allows him to respond effectively to design constraints while maintaining design integrity. At DTYD, he brings a practical, solutions-driven approach, ensuring designs are both innovative and fully realised.
Monique Brider
Designer
Monique Brider is Head of Interior Design at Du Toit Yacht Design. With a Bachelor’s degree and Honours in Interior Design, she brings both strong academic grounding and entrepreneurial experience to her role. At DTYD, she specialises in creating interiors that balance innovation, functionality and refined aesthetics. She works closely with clients and the wider design team to develop spaces that are both practical for life at sea and visually distinctive. Known for her collaborative approach and attention to detail, Monique plays a key role in shaping the overall design direction of projects. Her growing contribution to the industry has already earned formal recognition within South Africa’s boatbuilding sector.
Dwight Mulligan
Mechanical Designer
Dwight Mulligan is a Senior Engineering Technician at Du Toit Yacht Design, bringing over 15 years of experience across automotive, aerospace, defence and transport industries. He specialises in mechanical systems, structural design, propulsion integration and safety-critical engineering. At DTYD, Dwight contributes to projects from concept through to completion, translating complex engineering challenges into practical, efficient solutions. His cross-industry experience and focus on performance, safety and usability enable him to deliver well-integrated designs within the marine environment. Known for his collaborative mindset and real-world problem-solving ability, Dwight brings both technical depth and strong design awareness to the studio’s engineering work.
Monica Venter
Designer
Monica Venter is a designer at Du Toit Yacht Design with a background in Industrial Design from the Open Window Institute. Her experience spans technical design, entrepreneurship and product development, giving her a well-rounded creative and practical skill set. At DTYD, she contributes to detailed design development, working closely with the team to create solutions that balance innovation and functionality. Her multidisciplinary approach, attention to detail and collaborative mindset allow her to bring fresh perspective to each project. Monica combines creative thinking with practical design awareness, helping translate ideas into well-resolved outcomes within the studio environment.
Thomas Greenwood
Designer
Thomas Greenwood is a Design Engineer at Du Toit Yacht Design with a background in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Cape Town. With a lifelong connection to sailing, he brings strong insight into yacht systems and structures. His experience spans software development, engineering and education, giving him a systems-driven approach to problem-solving. At DTYD, he contributes to design optimisation and technical development, combining analytical thinking with creativity. His interdisciplinary background allows him to approach complex engineering challenges from multiple angles, making him a thoughtful and forward-thinking member of the team.
Ryan du Preez
Designer
Ryan du Preez is a Marine and Mechanical Engineer with a strong passion for the ocean and vessel design. Growing up in the coastal town of Port Elizabeth, he developed a deep connection to the marine environment through activities such as boating, fishing and diving. He studied Marine Engineering at Nelson Mandela University, followed by a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he led the development of a state-of-the-art ship model testing facility. At Du Toit Yacht Design, Ryan combines his lifelong passion for the ocean with his technical expertise, contributing to the design and development of high-performance yachts within the team.
Jennifer Smith
Designer
Jennifer Smith is an interior designer with a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design. She joined Du Toit Yacht Design with a strong foundation in interior architectural detailing, technical drawing and spatial design. With previous design experience across commercial, hospitality and wellness-focused spaces, Jennifer enjoys creating interiors that balance beauty, functionality and life at sea, bringing creativity, precision and a thoughtful, human-centred approach to the DTYD interior design team.