Douglas Elliman launches Elliman Yachts to expand into yacht brokerage and charters targeting ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Douglas Elliman Inc., the parent company of Douglas Elliman Realty, has launched Elliman Yachts, a new division aimed at providing boating enthusiasts and ultra-high-net-worth clients with a more integrated luxury lifestyle.
The initiative is being developed through a strategic partnership with fast-growing boutique brokerage firm Royal Yacht International and debuted in Florida on Thursday in conjunction with the Palm Beach International Boat Show.
“Elliman Yachts reflects how today’s ultra-high-net-worth clients actually live: in waterfront homes, in destinations around the world, and on the water,” Douglas Elliman President and CEO Michael S. Leibowitz said in a statement. “This service enables us to add meaningful value to categories where guidance, discretion and insight truly matter.”
Elliman Yachts will provide yacht purchase advice, brokerage services and bespoke charter experiences globally, extending the company’s reach beyond real estate and into the adjacent luxury category. The launch reinforces Elliman’s broader commitment to innovation across key coastal markets, where it already maintains a strong presence across the United States, in Saint Barts, and in the South of France.
The timing of Douglas Elliman’s move into yachting suggests a calculated bet on where ultra-wealthy demand is heading. The global luxury yacht market, valued at more than $11 billion in 2025 and projected to nearly double by 2035, is in one of the most active growth cycles in decades, with shipyards operating near capacity and a newbuild pipeline exceeding $15 billion.
That demand is increasingly being shaped by experienced young buyers. Rather than chasing just status, many people are prioritizing mobility, privacy, and personalization. These buyers are also interested in long-distance cruising, wellness-focused getaways, and fully customized floating homes.
“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 of our clients’ lives,” said Dan Goodstad, a certified yacht salesperson and certified real estate salesperson at Douglas Elliman in Miami, in a statement.
Through strategic partnerships with Elliman Yachts and third-party brokerages, Douglas Elliman is now able to guide clients across both real estate and maritime transactions. The move also builds on Elliman’s extensive ecosystem of specialty divisions tailored to high-net-worth clients, including Sports & Entertainment, Equestrian, Farm & Ranch, Real Estate, Trust & Probate, and more.
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