Rick Peters – California Yacht Broker

Rick Peters has constructed, repaired or sailed nearly every type of boat over the past 35 years. Born to a family of boat-enthusiasts in Rhode Island, Rick could always be found in, on, or around the Barrington River. Growing up, Rick enjoyed sailing, waterskiing, fishing, swimming, or just jumping off the bridge. At the age of 15, he designed and built his own hydroplane.

After graduating from Barrington High School in 1981, Rick spent a year studying Electronic Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology, but the boats called him back, so he took a job at Cove Haven Marina, working on everything from fishing trawlers to America’s Cup yachts. Rick further honed his boatbuilding skills at Holby Marine’s during the construction of their inaugural boats, while also helping a friend create a fiberglass barrel that went over Niagara Falls!

In 1985, Rick’s inner ‘California dreamer’ propelled him to pack up his toolbox, and head West for Manhattan Beach. After a year working for others, he started his own custom wood and fiberglass boat repair business in Marina del Rey, California. Six years later, he crossed paths with a sailor seeking crew for his Star Class sailboat. Thus began his passion for racing which thrust him into two decades of International competitions spanning South America, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America.

Rick created and spearheaded California Yacht Club’s popular Starlight Series in 1998. He has served as the District 5 Secretary for the Star Class, and is currently Continental Vice President of the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCYRA). Rick has been a member of the US Sailing Team over half a dozen times. He has competed in many large championships, often placing in the top 10. Rick reached the pinnacle of the sport in 2009, winning the Star Class World Championships in Varberg, Sweden.

Nowadays, Rick spends more time at home with his young daughter, June, and working at Denison Yacht Sales, where his lifelong boat expertise is a valuable asset to his clients and fellow yacht brokers in Southern California.