Merle Wood & Associates
Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
100ft+ motor yacht sales and charter
Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
Yes
Founded 1988
About Merle Wood & Associates
Specialist brokerage handling only yachts over 100 feet, with a track record of over 250 superyacht transactions and deep shipyard relationships.
Known For
- Sales-focused brokerage handling only yachts above 100 feet, with a record of several hundred large-yacht transactions
- Central agent on some of the largest brokerage sales in the American market, including yachts above 80 metres
- Close relationships with European builders such as Feadship, Lurssen and Oceanco for new-build representation
- Small partner-led team based in Fort Lauderdale, with a Monaco presence, rather than a multi-office network
Typical Mandate
An American or international owner selling a 35 to 100 metre motor yacht, or a buyer acquiring one, typically at prices from 20 million dollars into the hundreds of millions. Merle Wood also represents owners commissioning new builds at northern European yards and arranges charter on a smaller scale. Clients are usually repeat yacht owners who want a broker known to shipyards and to other large-yacht principals rather than a generalist.
How to Engage
Most clients arrive by referral from another owner, a captain, a shipyard or a family office; the firm's website lists its brokers in Fort Lauderdale and Monaco. A buyer should have a clear brief on size, layout, range and budget and be prepared to show proof of funds before viewing large off-market yachts. Sellers should bring survey, class and refit records for the broker's initial valuation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size of yacht does Merle Wood & Associates broker?
Merle Wood works exclusively above 100 feet, roughly 30 metres, and the bulk of its business is in yachts of 40 to 100 metres. It has acted on transactions well above that, including some of the largest yachts ever sold on the brokerage market.
Does Merle Wood handle new-build yacht projects?
Yes. Representing owners in new construction at European yards is a core part of the business: the broker helps select the yard, negotiates the build contract and supports the owner through design and delivery. Technical supervision is typically handled by a separate owner's representative.
Is Merle Wood & Associates a charter company?
Charter is secondary. The firm's reputation and most of its revenue come from sales and new-build representation, though it does offer charter management and bookings on certain yachts. Owners primarily seeking a charter marketing house often use a larger multi-office brokerage for that service.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Curated by Trophy Registry from public sources and industry references.
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www.merlewood.com