Douglas Elliman Sets Sail into Yacht Brokerage with New Elliman Yachts Division
In a strategic move that bridges luxury real estate with the high-seas lifestyle, Douglas Elliman Inc. has officially launched Elliman Yachts. This new division marks the iconic real estate firm’s formal entry into the global yacht brokerage and charter market, specifically targeting its roster of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients with a more integrated approach to luxury asset management.
The initiative debuted in Florida on Thursday, coinciding with the prestigious Palm Beach International Boat Show. Its rollout is facilitated through a strategic partnership with Royal Yacht International, a fast-growing boutique brokerage firm, providing immediate expertise and a foothold in the competitive maritime sector.
Expanding the Luxury Ecosystem for UHNW Clients
“Elliman Yachts reflects how today’s ultra-high-net-worth clients actually live — across waterfront homes, global destinations, and on the water,” stated Michael S. Liebowitz, President and CEO of Douglas Elliman Inc. “This offering will allow us to add meaningful value in a category where guidance, discretion, and insight truly matter.”
The division will offer a suite of services including yacht acquisition advisory, brokerage, and bespoke charter experiences on a global scale. This expansion goes beyond a simple add-on; it’s a deliberate extension of Elliman’s model of creating specialized divisions for affluent lifestyles, which already includes entities like Sports & Entertainment, Equestrian, and Farm & Ranch.
According to Dan Goodstadt, a licensed yacht salesperson and real estate agent with Douglas Elliman in Miami, the move is client-centric: “Elliman Yachts allows us to meet our clients where their passions already exist, while expanding our ability to serve as trusted advisors across the most meaningful lifestyle assets in their lives.”
Betting on a Booming Multi-Billion Dollar Market
The timing aligns with a historic surge in the global luxury yacht industry. Industry analyses, such as those from Grand View Research, valued the global luxury yacht market at over $11 billion in 2025, with projections suggesting it could nearly double by 2035. Shipyards worldwide are operating near full capacity, with a new-build pipeline estimated to exceed $15 billion, signaling unprecedented demand.
This demand is being reshaped by a demographic shift. A new generation of UHNW individuals, often younger and more experience-driven, is prioritizing mobility, privacy, and deep personalization over traditional status symbols. Their interests lean toward long-range cruising capabilities, wellness-focused amenities, and vessels that function as fully customized floating residences—a trend documented in reports from firms like Business Wire and industry consultants.
A Strategic Partnership for Credibility and Reach
By partnering with Royal Yacht International, Douglas Elliman gains immediate operational expertise and an established network in yacht sales and charter management. This collaboration mitigates the steep learning curve of entering a complex, relationship-driven industry and provides the new division with seasoned professionals from day one.
This model allows Elliman to act as a central advisor for clients whose assets span both property and maritime domains. A client purchasing a waterfront estate in Miami or the South of France can now seamlessly explore a yacht for personal use or charter through the same trusted point of contact, enhancing convenience and reinforcing the firm’s position as a holistic lifestyle curator.
Strengthening Coastal Market Dominance
The launch of Elliman Yachts is not an isolated experiment but a key component of Douglas Elliman’s broader strategy to innovate and solidify its dominance in key coastal markets. The company already maintains a significant presence in luxury waterfront hubs across the U.S., St. Barts, and the South of France—all prime territories for yacht ownership and charter activity.
This move effectively creates a luxury ecosystem where real estate, yachting, and other specialized services intersect, catering to clients for whom these assets are interconnected parts of a larger lifestyle portfolio. It positions Douglas Elliman not just as a real estate brokerage, but as a comprehensive advisor for the world’s wealthiest individuals.
For more information on Douglas Elliman’s services, you can contact Nick Pipitone via the company’s official channels.
