Luke Brown Yachts

What Luke Brown Yachts does

Luke Brown Yachts is a Fort Lauderdale-headquartered luxury yacht brokerage founded in 1969 that connects high-net-worth buyers and sellers of yachts ranging from $400,000 to multi-million-dollar vessels. The firm operates through seven US offices (Florida, Michigan, Illinois, California) staffed by 40+ brokers, many holding USCG captain licenses and superyacht specialization credentials, and reports an average sold price of $1.5M, average annual sales of $83.3M, and 98% client satisfaction. Beyond brokerage commissions on transactions, the company generates revenue as the exclusive dealer for the Outback 50, a proprietary long-range cruising yacht developed with Michael Peters Yacht Design and launched in 2019.

The business model is commission-based: brokers earn a percentage of transaction value on each yacht sale or purchase facilitated through the firm, with inventory distributed via the company's website, MLS partner networks, and co-listing arrangements such as with National Liquidators. The customer segment is horizontal, targeting both first-time buyers and seasoned yachtsmen across the United States and internationally, with no notable technology layer (the platform is described as a traditional brokerage without significant technology components). Marketing spans the corporate website, social media, email, boat shows, and referral networks.

In 2020, Daniel Stern, principal of Lormax Stern Development Company, acquired Luke Brown Yachts through KAM Yacht Sales, shifting ownership from founder-operators (Andrew Cilla, who had led the firm for 42 years) to a diversified commercial real estate holding company. The firm continues to operate under the Luke Brown Yachts brand with Cilla serving as Global Ambassador, while distributing listings for builders including Delta Marine, Westport, Mangusta, Vitters, Horizon, and others.

Name

Luke Brown Yachts

Legal name

Luke Brown Yachts

Website

https://lukebrownyachts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Luke Brown Yachts is a Fort Lauderdale-based luxury yacht brokerage founded in 1969, serving high-net-worth buyers and sellers of yachts ranging from $400K to multi-million-dollar vessels across seven US offices with 40+ licensed brokers, and acting as exclusive dealer for the Outback 50.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Brokerage Commission: Luke Brown Yachts earns commissions on yacht sales and purchases facilitated through their brokerage. The company represents yachts for sale and connects buyers with sellers, earning a percentage of the transaction value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Luke Brown Yachts is a luxury yacht brokerage that represents over 100 pre-owned and brokerage yachts for sale, ranging from approximately 40 to 150+ feet, and connects buyers and sellers of these vessels through a team of 40+ licensed brokers. The firm also serves as the exclusive dealer for the Outback 50, a long-range cruising yacht with 1,200+ nautical mile range and a 3-foot draft available in two configurations. Services span the full transaction lifecycle, including valuation, listing, marketing, showings, survey management, negotiation, and closing.

Product overview

Luke Brown Yachts operates as a luxury yacht brokerage platform offering two core products: yacht sales and brokerage services for pre-owned and new construction vessels, and the Outback 50 as an exclusive dealer product. The brokerage connects buyers with over 100 yachts from various builders including Delta Marine, Westport, President, Mangusta, Vitters, Horizon, Archipelago, and others, while the Outback 50 represents their proprietary branded long-range cruising yacht available in two configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Outback Yachts: A product line of long-range cruising yachts, including the Outback 50 model, for which Luke Brown Yachts serves as exclusive dealer.

Products and services

• Yacht Brokerage Services Luxury yacht sales and purchasing services for individual buyers and sellers of vessels typically ranging from 40 to 150+ feet, including over 100 yachts in current inventory from builders such as Delta Marine, Westport, Mangusta, Vitters, Horizon, Royal Denship, and others. The service covers the full transaction lifecycle: valuation, listing, marketing, showings, survey management, negotiation, and closing.
• Outback 50 A long-range cruising yacht with a 1,200+ nautical mile range, a shallow 3-foot draft, and available in two configurations (Flybridge and Pilothouse). Luke Brown Yachts is the exclusive dealer for this vessel, which is sold under the Outback Yachts sub-brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% client satisfaction rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• National LiquidatorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-listing partnership for yacht sales. The Mangusta 72 is co-listed with National Liquidators, indicating a collaborative distribution arrangement for certain inventory.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Burgess Yachts: Global superyacht broker and charter specialist with strong presence in the large yacht (>30m) segment. Closest international analog to Luke Brown's superyacht brokerage practice, sharing target HNW clientele and high-ASP transaction profile.
• Worth Avenue Yachts: US-based luxury yacht brokerage with Florida presence focused on premium yacht sales. Direct peer competing for similar buyer pool, listing inventory, and broker talent as Luke Brown.
• Camper & Nicholsons: Historic yacht brokerage and management firm with global superyacht presence. Direct peer to Luke Brown in luxury brokerage services with overlap in HNW buyer segment and similar commission-driven model.
• Fraser Yachts: Global superyacht specialist with operations across the US, Europe, and Asia. Comparable to Luke Brown in superyacht brokerage focus, HNW clientele, and broker network structure.
• HMY Yacht Sales: Large US yacht brokerage chain, now part of MarineMax. Comparable to Luke Brown in brokerage model and multi-office geographic footprint, with overlap in mid-size to large yacht segments.
• IYC (International Yacht Collection): Global luxury yacht brokerage headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with deep superyacht focus. Direct competitor to Luke Brown in the same high-net-worth buyer/seller segment, with overlapping office geography and similar commission-based revenue model.
• Allied Marine: Superyacht-focused brokerage with strong presence in the Fort Lauderdale market. Directly comparable to Luke Brown in large yacht sales, share of HNW clientele, and brokerage commission economics.
• Northrop & Johnson: Long-established luxury yacht brokerage (founded 1949) operating globally with strong US East Coast presence including Fort Lauderdale. Directly comparable to Luke Brown in superyacht segment, brokerage model, and HNW customer focus.
• Edmiston: International luxury yacht brokerage and charter house. Comparable to Luke Brown in the superyacht segment, with overlap in HNW client development and high-ASP transaction categories.
• Denison Yacht Sales: Major US yacht brokerage with offices in Fort Lauderdale and several US coastal markets. Competes directly with Luke Brown for both buyers and listings in similar vessel size categories, with comparable commission-based broker model and MLS network participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lukebrownyachts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Luke Brown Yachts