Denison Yachting 2023 Year in Review

Following our successes in 2022, Denison stepped into 2023 with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. We are immensely thankful for experiencing yet another record-breaking year, marked by significant achievements in yacht sales, charter bookings, and innovative marketing strategies.

As we take a moment to reflect on the major milestones of this past year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you. Whether you are a valued client, a dedicated broker, a fellow industry peer, or simply a yachting aficionado, we invite you to join us in celebrating the impressive advancements and exciting developments in the yachting industry throughout 2023.

1. New Global Headquarters

Three of Denison’s Broward County offices, including the current headquarters in Dania Beach, have been consolidated into one, state-of-the-art location in Fort Lauderdale, becoming the all-new global headquarters.

The legacy of the Fort Lauderdale-based Denison name continues with a strategic positioning on 17^th Street, allowing for even higher visibility in the industry. Denison is proud to be a part of the local community and foster growth within it.

2. Continued European Expansion

Our European office experienced growth this year, including a recent move into a new, much larger Monaco office–both in size of space and team. At a recent press event, Denison’s Europe Director Jeremy Roche stated that the brand-new Le Panorama office, which the team moved to in August, is “three times the size of the previous office, now with a team of ten.” He cited that at the time of the event, Denison Europe had sold 13 yachts in the last year, totaling an estimated €70 million.

Denison also hosted a display at the annual Monaco Yacht Show, as well as Cannes Yachting Festival, which featured a record 12 yachts on display, including a 121′ Numarine, a 115′ Sunseeker, and a 96′ Monte Carlo.

3. Larger Boat Show Presence

Overall, Denison participated in more shows than ever, with displays at 20 boat shows around the world. From immense showcases like the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show down to smaller events like the La Napoule Boat Show, Denison had over 174 new and brokerage boats available for viewings this year.

4. Millions Attracted Online

With over 9 million page views and 3 million unique users to date, our online strategies have proven effective, allowing our listings to be seen more often. Denison delivered over 12 million emails with high open and click-through rates — leading the industry in email performance. Stay up-to-date with the latest in the yachting industry by signing up for our newsletter here.

5. More Superyacht Sales Than Any Other Brokerage

A superyacht is any yacht measuring 80 feet long and over. For over five years now, Denison has successfully sold more superyachts than any other brokerage company in the industry. In 2023, Denison brokered a total of 58 superyacht transactions, ranging between 80′ to 300′. Our most notable sale was ZEAL, a 155′ Christensen superyacht built in 2009 sold by Kurt Bosshardt, who represented the Buyer. ZEAL was asking $9,900,000 at the time of sale.

6. Diverse New Construction Sales

In 2023, Denison achieved notable success in new construction yacht sales, representing a diverse range of esteemed brands. Our team completed several prominent sales, each showcasing our expertise and versatility in the luxury yacht market. Among these were a 144′ Conrad C144S sold by Alex G. Clarke, a 131’ Numarine 40MXP also led by Alex G. Clarke, a 104’ Mangusta sold by Peter Quintal, and an 87’ JFA Yachts Long Island 87 brokered by David Johnson. These achievements demonstrate Denison’s continued growth and leadership in the new build sector, offering an array of luxury options for our discerning clients.

7. Growing Charter Fleet

While this season of yacht charters didn’t meet expectations industry-wide, Denison continued to expand its fleet, with inclusions like CORSARIO, a 157′ Rades Blato located in Croatia, and RULE NO. 1, a 130′ Westport located on the West Coast. With countless charter destination options for a luxury charter, Denison charter brokers and charter management specialists have facilitated many dream vacations.

8. Annual Shipyard Tour: Italy

In a standout moment of 2023, our team embarked on the annual shipyard tour, this year exploring Italy over an immersive five-day journey. The tour included visits to 15 esteemed shipyards, including Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, and Benetti, celebrated for their superior craftsmanship in superyacht construction.

Our President, Bob Denison, and COO, Ben Farnborough, highlighted the tour’s significance for team building and deepening industry connections. This longstanding tradition not only enhances camaraderie within our team, but also serves as a vital educational experience. Our team gained deeper insights into the yacht building process, augmenting their ability to provide informed advice to clients on new construction projects.

9. FRANK Magazine Issues 05 & 06 Published

Denison released two new issues of FRANK Magazine, an offbeat print publication that uncovers human interest stories that give yachting its passion and breathe life into clever ideas. Contributors highlight the humble, celebrate entrepreneurial spirit, and showcase daring adventures. It captures the raw energy that exists within every Denison yacht owner today and echoes the sentiments held by Frank Denison.

10. New Brand Partnerships

As a leader in the industry and a proud Fort Lauderdale-based business, Denison works with luxury brands to create an all-around, excellent experience for clients. In addition to our current partnerships, including Holman Motorcars and Lacure Villas, we also teamed up with Magellan Jets and Space Perspective to provide “the best in high-end experiences to our valued clients,” as Denison Manager of Brand Partnerships Jennifer Welker Peacock shared. Benefits vary according to the partnership, but each ensures a seamless, top-notch experience between brands.

11. Yacht Management Growth

This past year, our yacht management sector experienced substantial growth. In 2023, the number of active yachts in our management fleet increased by 50%. We also doubled our yacht management staff with team members who are able to handle even more transactions–including payments and payroll–taking the load off of yacht owners. Additionally, in accordance with the requirements of the maritime environment, safe working practices and procedures have been instituted on the vessels under our management for the safety of our clients, crew, and guests, as well as the protection of the environment.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our great year. We’re excited to enter into 2024 with a hard-working team, bigger and better ideas, and a heart full of passion. Happy New Year from the Denison Team!