Preferred Yachts' Office

Call (727) 527-2800

Preferred Yachts' beautiful floating office is located at the north ramp of the Harborage Marina, in charming downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

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Our Team

our team is awesome!

Since 1984 Preferred Yachts has helped thousands of clients realize their yachting dreams, let us do the same for you.

(727) 560-0220
Joe@PreferredYachts.com

Owner and Certified Professional Yacht Broker.

For over 40 years, Joe has helped clients realize their boating dreams. He’d like to help you too. With extensive experience as a sailor, boat builder, yacht broker, businessman and a proven negotiator, Joe will provide you with sound advice and representation. You will find his practical experience and broad product knowledge insightful when comparing and evaluating yachts you are considering.

If your goal is to sell your boat, his sales and marketing experience will help you to sell your boat quickly, for the most dollars possible and have the process be hassle free. Few in the yacht business have more marketing experience than Joe. He began his career in the yacht business in 1978 and became vice president of sales and marketing for several yacht manufactures which included Gulfstar yachts, Lazzara Marine, Morgan Yachts and Irwin Yachts. During that time, he had the incredible opportunity to work side by side with several of the “legends” in the boat building industry. Joe also had the pleasure of working with Azimut Benetti, the Italian manufacturer that is the largest builder of motor yachts over eighty feet in the world. Through these experiences, Joe gained intimate product knowledge and a thorough understanding of the construction process that you may find helpful in comparing different yachts.

In 1984, Joe opened Preferred Yachts next to the St Petersburg Yacht Club. Understanding that yacht brokerage sales revolve around providing thorough and accurate information, Joe set out to create a better way of providing data to clients and sales people to make the best informed decisions. It was here that he pioneered and developed software that helped to revolutionize and computerize the yacht brokerage business.

Today, Joe continues to create successful marketing strategies that attract more potential buyers and tha sell a boat faster than other brokers. This includes The Preferred Yachts’ Brokerage Display Center at the Harborage Marina. With numerous boats for sale in one location, it attracts buyers from around the country. It’s like a boat show seven days a week. The Preferred Yachts’ Online Virtual Boat Show consists of 360-Degree Virtual Tours that are the next best thing to actually stepping aboard a boat. Available 24 hours a day, these virtual tours are shot and produced by Preferred Yachts at no cost to the seller and results in a majority of sales.

As one of only 125 of the 3000 licensed brokers in Florida to qualify as a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB), you will be assured of honest and accurate representation and that your interests are always protected. Joe’s experience in yacht sales is extensive and varied and includes selling hundreds of sail and power yachts.

Many of Joe’s clients have become lifelong friends. He’d like the opportunity to earn that relationship with you.

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Vice President
Customer Satisfaction

Pepper joined Preferred Yachts in 2015 and quickly rose within the organization. Pepper has become one of the keys to our success. She showers our guests with plenty of love and attention and will entertain them for hours chasing after her ball. Because of her unselfish care and concern for our clients, Pepper was promoted to Vice President of Customer Relations.

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(813) 514-7331
Wendy@PreferredYachts.com

We are fortunate to have Wendy as our Office Manager. She, her husband Bob and their dog Dexter, moved from North Carolina and live on a 47′ Sailboat. Her wealth of experience in the banking and real estate business, combined with her cheerful attitude make her the perfect person to keep the office organized and take care of our clients and sales people.

BIO

(321) 482-6090
Michelle@PreferredYachts.com

Michelle’s love for yachts runs deep. With years of experience as a Yacht Charter Broker and hands-on involvement crewing in the BVI, she’s immersed herself in the maritime world. Beyond her professional pursuits, Michelle’s personal life revolves around the water, having owned multiple Sea Rays and a Wellcraft, and spending the majority of her free time on the waves.

Her academic journey took her through Mizzou, where she earned a BSBA in Finance, followed by an MBA from Maryville University. These qualifications paved the way for a distinguished career in Sales and Contract Negotiation across diverse sectors, including defense and pharmaceuticals. Employed by esteemed companies such as Boeing and Eli Lilly, Michelle honed her skills before transitioning to entrepreneurship.

Originally from St. Louis, MO, Michelle embodies the legendary Midwest work ethic. However, her frequent visits to Lake of the Ozarks fueled a desire for a more water-centric lifestyle, leading her to relocate to Florida in 2011. This relocation marked a turning point as she fully embraced year-round boating, ultimately steering her towards a full-time role as a Yacht Broker and Charter Specialist.

Michelle’s extensive background in sales, coupled with her deep-rooted passion for yachts, positions her as the quintessential professional to oversee the buying or selling of your vessel. Entrust your yacht dreams to Michelle, where her expertise and dedication converge to ensure a seamless experience on the water.

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(317) 750-8664
Jamie@PreferredYachts.com

Jamie Birch grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University in May of 2013 with her bachelor’s degree in marketing. After graduation, she moved down to St. Petersburg, Florida to pursue her dream of working and living on the water. Jamie grew up boating with family friends on various lakes in Michigan, where she first developed her love for boating and the water. With an education and background in sales and marketing, as well as two sales-related internships in college, she decided to gear her sales and marketing experience towards something she loves. Jamie has been a full time yacht broker since 2013.

BIO & VIDEO

(727) 408-1027
Bo@PreferredYachts.com

What Bo Brown enjoys best about the yacht business is helping his clients achieve their boating dream. Bo has been in the Florida marine industry for nearly 30 years and has made a successful career as a yacht broker for over 27 years. His wealth of experience, knowledge and commitment has helped clients from all over the world find their ideal yacht or sell their current boat. He’d like to have the opportunity to be an assistant to you as well. “I know that listening to my client’s individual needs and wishes is what is important, whether helping a client sell their current boat, purchase a new boat or both simultaneously. Each client is unique and has their own expectations. My job is to ensure that together we achieve your goal.”

BIO

(917) 243-2087
Ron@PreferredYachts.com

As a St. Petersburg local, Ron Nummi has the marine way of life in his blood. His love of the water and appreciation of vintage yachts drives Ron to help his clients achieve their own dreams in the boating lifestyle. Ron has spent many years living on yachts. From the time he was a film and stage actor in New York City, he lived on and raised his 3 children on a 42 ft. classic Chris Craft.

As his children got older, Ron’s career allowed him to travel extensively all over the world. He returned
to New York and worked as a stockbroker for several years before realizing he wanted to return to St. Petersburg and the boating lifestyle. He now lives on his 40 ft. Sailing yacht with his fiancé and their 2 dogs.

Ron is a professional communicator and keeps his clients involved in every aspect of the process. Ron’s love of the boating life shows in how he strives to share this with his clients, whether you are looking to start a new adventure on the water or selling your boat and look to the next chapter in their life.

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(813) 380-3076
Chris@PreferredYachts.com

Chris started sailing and boating in the Tampa Bay Area in 1984. Since then, he’s raced sailboats continuously, including local PHRF racing and offshore races to Key West, Havana and Mexico. He’s also raced in the Caribbean, and he’s cruised and chartered in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and French Polynesia.

Professionally, Chris obtained a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and lead a successful career in management consulting. He’s guided teams and organizations to successful outcomes, developing leaders and driving growth through consulting and executive coaching. His passion has been aiding individuals in finding their professional paths.

Today, as a Yachting Consultant/Broker, Chris builds on his consulting and coaching experience to guide both new and experienced boaters and sailors in realizing their yachting dreams. With a unique blend of boating experience, sailing know-how and insightful coaching, he navigates aspiring sailors and yachtsmen toward fulfilling their maritime aspirations.

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(941) 564-5977
Cassandra@PreferredYachts.com

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(813) 809-3303
John@PreferredYachts.com

John is uniquely qualified to be your broker. John’s deep love of boating led him to become a Naval Architect, earn a degree in Ocean Engineering, and achieve a Phd. in Marketing and E-commerce.

Besides being an excellent student, John is also a great communicator and teacher. For nine years he taught and helped graduate, hundreds of students from the Marina and Yacht Management program as the Department Chair at Yasar University. Before that, he was a yachting agent for some of the largest giga yachts in the world –- i.e. yachts over 300 ft.

Having recently moved with his beloved wife and young daughter from Europe to the U.S., John is excited and motivated to use his background and global network to help you. His attention to detail, follow up, and easy demeanor is refreshing, and his guidance extremely helpful, whether you are buying or selling a boat.

Preferred Yachts is pleased to have a person with such an amazing background on our team. You will enjoy working with him.

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(813) 917-0911
Jane@PreferredYachts.com

Jane Burnett is not just a yacht broker; she’s a seasoned mariner with over two decades of experience in the maritime world. Her journey with the sea began as a teenager on the picturesque west coast of Florida, where she first learned to sail. This early connection with the water would shape her life in ways she couldn’t have predicted.

Over the years, Jane’s passion for sailing and boating continued to grow, and she became the proud owner of numerous boats. Her comfort spans both Power and Sailing Yachts, from coastal cruisers to center console fishing boats, and even long-range cruisers, including catamarans. She’s equally at home navigating the tranquil waters of the Bahamas and the remote beauty of the Australian coastline.

Jane’s sailing experience extends beyond leisurely cruises. She’s been actively involved in racing cruising sailboats and has even participated in prestigious events like the Windjammer and Bikini Cup as part of a women’s sailing team. Her dedication to sailing speaks volumes about her commitment to and love for life on the water.

One of the highlights of Jane’s career was her significant role with the world’s largest charter yacht company. As a broker, she played a crucial role in selling yachts with charter yacht management agreements into fleets in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Her expertise in yacht brokerage, particularly in the context of charter fleets, is unmatched.

At the turn of the century, Jane and her husband embarked on a remarkable journey that most sailors can only dream of. They spent an entire year cruising in the Caribbean aboard their BENETEAU Sailboat, an experience that allowed them to truly immerse themselves in the beauty and freedom of the open sea.

With Jane Burnett as your yacht broker, you’re not just benefiting from her extensive knowledge and experience; you’re partnering with someone who understands the romance, adventure, and practicalities of life on the water. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or charter a yacht, Jane’s passion and expertise will ensure a smooth and memorable experience. Trust in her extensive maritime background and let her guide you on your next nautical adventure in the Caribbean, Florida, Bahamas, or beyond. Jane Burnett is more than a yacht broker; she’s a true boater at heart.

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(228) 222-0269
Greg@PreferredYachts.com

Born and raised on the Mississippi gulf coast, Greg moved to the Tampa area following his time in the Army. He attended the University of South Florida, where he graduated with a degree in mass communications and journalism. Therefore, his natural next progression was to immediately start selling boats. He’s had a passion for sailing and obsession with sailboats since his teens.

Over the past few years Greg has been refitting his 1973 Ericson 39 with the goal of cruising. There isn’t a system on the boat he hasn’t had his hands in. From fiberglass work to painting, electrical to plumbing, he can certainly tell you what not to do.

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(941) 320-0044
Ken@PreferredYachts.com

Whether you are buying or selling a boat, Ken is uniquely qualified to help you.

Ken completely embraces the boating lifestyle. Ken is enjoying the live aboard lifestyle for almost 15 years. His boating passion began as a young teenager boating with his dad around Martha Vineyard, Nantucket and Long Island Sound. The racing bug eventually hit and Ken owned and raced a J-24 and then an IOR boat. Besides owning numerous sailboats, he’s owned a sportfish, a trawlers and his current boat is a 62’ motor yacht. Ken intimately understands what you go through to buy, sell or own a boat. What this means to you is he will help you make sound choices.

As an owner of a successful real estate company for decades, Ken is an outstanding negotiator and will expertly guide you through the buying or selling process.
Water is part of Ken’s DNA and he passed this passion on to his two adult children, who also own boats. Ken has been a Member of the Sarasota Yacht Club since 1995 and has served on the SYC Board of Directors for 11 plus years. He is a graduate of Eckerd College and a resident of Sarasota since 1978.

Fun loving and dedicated to the marine lifestyle, you will enjoy working with Ken. He is always available to talk boats. Give him a call.

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(406) 570-1771
Charlie@PreferredYachts.com

We are proud to have Charlie on our team.

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(813) 514-7330
Bob@PreferredYachts.com

We are proud to have Bob Figgs on our team.

Bob, his wife, Wendy and their dog, Dexter, have turned their dream of living aboard a boat into reality. Bob is an ASA Certified Bareboat and Multihull Sailor and enjoys sailing on his Beneteau Oceanis. He has owned many boats throughout his life, both power and sail. In addition, Bob conducts yacht “shake down cruises” and deliveries with a local captain for his clients that need those services. Having gone through the buying and selling cycle, Bob can empathize with your challenges whether you are buying or selling a boat.

Bob’s professional life began in the automotive Industry, where he earned accreditation as a Master Registered ASE Technician, and advanced into corporate life. Bob has traveled extensively through the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and Canada as a Regional Operations Manager in both sales and service for a Worldwide Automotive Manufacturer.

Now, as a full time, trained professional yacht broker, you will find his knowledge, experience, and integrity extremely helpful in making an informed decision best for you. You will also enjoy his easy-going attitude, sound advice and find his impeccable follow-up refreshing. Give Bob a call and put him to work for you.

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(740) 497-0995
Jeremiah@PreferredYachts.com

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(813) 817-2222
Scott@PreferredYachts.com

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(941) 900-5965
Barry@PreferredYachts.com

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The Preferred Yachts Difference

We are full time professional yacht brokers, with a real office, in a real marina with real listings and a sincere passion to help our clients realize their boating dreams. Preferred Yachts is committed to the highest level of ethical, professional and knowledgeable representation for our clients.