Jarkan Yachtbuilders have long been established as one of Australia 's leading fibreglass boat builders.

The company was founded by Managing Director Kanga Birtles and his wife Beth in 1976.

Jarkan have enjoyed a successful history building many and varied designs from 18 foot traditional motor launches to 18 meter Open Class around the world racing yachts, and a 25 meter tourist catamaran.
Kanga Birtles is a name synonymous with Australian yachting - personally sailing in every major east coast regatta including 16 Sydney Hobart races. He has won Trans Tasman double handed events, and placed second in the 1988 round Australia race. In 1991 he became the fastest Australian to circumnavigate the world, placing fifth in the BOC Challenge single-handed yacht race, and recently set a the record for fastest non-stop circumnavigation of Australia.

One of Jarkan's philosophies is to test what we make, and what better way to test equipment and structures used in our cruising and racing yachts than under the pressure of competitive racing.

Initial company success was derived with the introduction of the ever-popular Jarkan 10.5 meter centre cockpit cruising sloop. Designed for cruising anywhere by a couple or family, these boats impressed observers when the first one launched went on to win the Sydney - Suva Fiji race. Over fifty of these yachts were built between 1976 and the late eighties. Jarkan are proud to be able to say that almost all of their 10.5's have been cruised and raced safely by owners, completing many ocean crossings and at least one circumnavigation. Even today more than twenty years on, they hold a high resale value and enjoy the praise of their owners.
Jarkan custom yachts have circled the globe, and competed with distinction in Australian and international regattas. The key focus of Jarkan has been and remains the manufacture of sea worthy true ocean going yachts regardless of size. Our experience and commitment to development provides the ability to diversify into the growing market of multi purpose powerboats designed for dive, charter, or long range economical power cruising.