David Johnson – Florida Yacht Broker

Florida yacht broker David Johnson grew up in Haddam Neck, Connecticut on property that borders the Connecticut and Salmon Rivers.  David spent his youth boating and fishing on both rivers. During Mr. Johnson’s teen years, he spent the summers living at, and teaching sailing at, Mystic Seaport Village and Crewing onboard the Historic Schooner, Brilliant (1932 61’6” Sparkman & Stephens Sailing Yacht). Brilliant’s many voyages from from Connecticut to Newport, Rhode Island, to Martha’s Vineyard, to Nantucket, hooked David’s love for the yachting.

When not at Mystic Seaport, David spent weekends cruising Long Island Sound on the family’s historic Nathanial Herreshoff sailboats and Waterskiing and Fishing with friends.

Other personal and professional highlights:

• Graduate of University of Connecticut
• In 1993 moved to Lake Tahoe where David started a Marine Repair Business with his Brother
• Also started in the Professional Offshore Powerboat Series and spent time cruising on Lake Tahoe in Classic Garwoods, Rivas and Chris Crafts.
• Lived in Tahoe for 4 years where her was able to ski and snowboard over 100 days annually.
• In the Winter of 1997 David delivered/raced a brand new 60’ Wylie designed Maxi sailboat from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he first saw the 40m megayacht that David would Captain four years later.
• Spent the next 6.5 years working onboard the Benetti 40m megayacht, as Deckhand, Bosun, First Mate and finally Captain.
• David’s travels took him from the Pacific Ocean, to the Aegean Sea multiple times with trips to New England and the Caribbean in between.
• David was also involved in a New Yacht Construction project, a couple of major Shipyard Refits and the purchase of a 52m Feadship megayacht, for the Owner of the 40m Benetti.
• Co-Founded Vortech Systems (www.vortechsys.com) which has grown into a true international company with offices in Palma de Mallorca, Antibes, Bermuda, Ft Lauderdale and Mexico.

Other Boats David has served as captain:

• M/Y Sea Shell - 108’ CBI Navi
• M/Y Nepenthe – 115’ Feadship
• M/Y Texas Star II – 115’ Denison

Featured Central Listings:

• 87′ Warren S87 2009 – Italy – Bank Owned