Business of Boating w/ Merrill Charette

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Brian Fisher, a seasoned yacht broker at Cape Yachts, to explore the intersection of yacht racing and luxury sales. Brian shares insights from his extensive career, spanning everything from captaining yachts across oceans to guiding clients through the yacht-buying process. We dive into the evolving yacht market, customer prefere...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Franck Bauguil, Vice President of Yacht Ownership and Product Development at Travelopia, to discuss the evolving landscape of yacht ownership and chartering. Franck shares his insights on how Travelopia's brands, including The Moorings, Sunsail, and Leopard Catamarans, are leading the charge in innovation, sustainability, an...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Bruce Jones, co-founder of Triton Submarines, to explore the fascinating world of deep-sea exploration. As a pioneer in submersible design and innovation, Bruce discusses Triton’s evolution from early models to cutting-edge vessels capable of reaching full ocean depths. He shares insights on the unique challenges of engineering f...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Marshall Nicholson, Senior Digital Content Specialist at The Boat House Group, to explore the intricacies of digital marketing within the marine industry. With over six years of experience in content creation, social media management, and strategic campaign development, Marshall shares his insights on leveraging storytelling, SEO...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Erik Ekberg, a passionate sailor and yacht broker at Lyman-Morse. Erik shares his journey from competitive sailing to navigating high-end yacht sales, revealing key insights into what makes Lyman-Morse a standout in the custom and semi-custom yacht market. From client expectations to the growing demand for eco-friendly vessels, E...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Reed Nicol, the Sales Executive at Prestige Marine. Reed shares his extensive experience in the marine industry, insights on scaling operations, and the innovative strategies he plans to implement at Prestige Marine. We explore current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the yachting market, along with Reed’s vision for the...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we delve into the world of marine assistance with Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow Services International, Inc. Kristen shares her unique journey from teaching to leading a major marine business, discusses the strategies that have driven Sea Tow's success, and offers insights into the future of the marine industry. Join us as we exp...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Sharon Green, the acclaimed photographer behind Ultimate Sailing. With over 40 years of experience capturing the dynamic world of competitive sailing, Sharon shares her journey, challenges, and the art of creating her iconic Ultimate Sailing Calendar. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of sailing photography, the evolution...

In this episode of the Business of Boating Podcast, we sit down with Bill Lynn, President and Executive Director of the Herreshoff Marine Museum. With a rich background in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Bill shares his insights on preserving maritime heritage, strategic leadership, and the unique challenges of running a historical institution. We discuss the museum's innovative e...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Bill McDaniel and Edmund Gant III, of Sunbrella, to explore the intricacies of marine textile innovation. They share their extensive experience in the industry and delve into Sunbrella's commitment to durability, performance, and sustainability. We discuss the development of groundbreaking products like the Horizon marine vi...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Don Nesbit, Director of Innovation and Business Development at VOKOL Acoustics. Don shares his journey in the marine audio industry, highlighting the innovative technologies VOKOL has developed, such as the ReelQuiet system. We explore the challenges and successes of bringing high-quality audio to the marine environment, the futu...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Chris Weingarth, a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated craftsman who, along with his wife, has been living aboard their boat since 2018. Chris shares his journey from Upstate New York to Fort Lauderdale, where he brought his high-end carpentry business to service yachts. With over 13 years of experience, Chris discusses how he ut...

Step aboard the luxurious world of superyacht design with our special guest, the legendary Carlo Nuvolari of Nuvolari Lenard. In this insightful conversation, Carlo takes us behind the scenes of creating some of the most iconic and innovative yachts on the high seas. From the pioneering Alfa Nero with its infinity pool to Steven Spielberg's lavish Seven Seas, Carlo shares the vision, passion,...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we dive into the world of inflatable yacht tenders with Todd L'Italien, the owner of Tender Care Boats. Todd shares his journey from a Navy Lieutenant to a successful business owner, detailing how his maritime background has influenced his approach to running one of America's leading inflatable tender dealerships. We explore the unique...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we delve into the extensive expertise of Steve D'Antonio, a renowned marine consultant with over three decades of industry experience. Steve shares invaluable insights on enhancing marine business operations, managing boatyard projects, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Listeners will learn about best practices in boat maintenance, client-...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Brent Parker, Managing Partner at Vizion Capital, to explore the intricacies of business acquisitions and sales. Brent shares his extensive experience and insights, drawing from his successful leadership at Freedom Boat Club and his current role guiding first-time entrepreneurs. Listeners will gain practical advice on evaluating...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Dave Dunn, Senior Director of Marine and RV Sales at Garmin. With over 13 years of experience at Garmin, Dave shares his valuable insights into the evolving trends and challenges in the marine and RV markets. We discuss Garmin's approach to innovation, the importance of customer feedback in product development, and strategie...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Alexander O'Neill, Co-Founder & CEO of Nauta, a company that is pioneering changes in the yacht charter industry. Alexander shares his journey from a successful career in finance and investment banking to launching a startup that challenges traditional notions about luxury yachting. He discusses how Nauta is making super...

In this episode, we set sail with Jeff Merrill, an acclaimed trawler specialist and veteran yacht broker, as he takes us on an immersive journey into the world of cruising sailboats and trawlers. Drawing on his extensive experience and adventures at sea, Jeff delves into the intricacies of yacht sales, the evolution of boat design, and the unique lifestyle that comes with trawler cruising. From th...

In this episode of the Business of Boating Podcast, we are joined by Nicholas Bischoff, a distinguished veteran of the marine industry with over 35 years of experience. Nicholas shares his journey from growing up in his family's marinas to becoming the Country Manager for the Americas at Benetti Yachts. We delve into his experiences with renowned brands like Boston Whaler, Sunseeker, and Tiar...

In this episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Bill Hackett, also known as Bill On The Water, a marine industry journalist and social media influencer with extensive experience in video content creation. Bill shares his insights on how video has transformed yacht sales and marketing, providing valuable strategies for leveraging video to engage potential buyers. He discusses t...

In this enlightening episode of the Business of Boating podcast, we sit down with Adria Jover, the President of the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA). As a prominent advocate for the electrification of marine transportation, Adria shares his insights on the current state and future of electric boats. We explore the technological innovations driving this shift, the challenges the ind...

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Springer, Senior Contributor at Forbes, to delve into his experiences as a writer and his insights into the ever-evolving world of superyachts. Bill shares his journey in journalism, detailing the unique aspects of covering luxury lifestyles and high-end travel. We discuss the latest trends in the superyacht industry, from cutting-edge designs and technologic...

In this insightful episode of the Business of Boating Podcast, we sit down with Michael Bohm, the Chief Marketing Officer at Nimbus Boats Sweden AB, to delve into the sophisticated world of marketing in the luxury boating industry. Michael shares his extensive experience and the dynamic strategies that have helped propel Nimbus to new heights in the global market. We explore how digital transforma...

In this compelling episode with Vic Grosjean, we explore the frontier of ocean conservation and technology with a leading figure in ocean engineering. As the driving force behind OceanX Group, he brings a wealth of experience and insight into the use of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and unmanned systems to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans today. From enhancing...