Yacht Broker Spotlight: Charlie King

Charlie King is a 30-year industry veteran who was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised on a farm for his first nine years. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his family in 1954. When Charlie was 10-years-old, his father bought a brand new 16′ Lyman with the biggest outboard engine at the time. “I grew up running around Fort Lauderdale in that little Lyman boat,” said Charlie.

Charlie graduated in 1962 from Fort Lauderdale High School. He attended the University of Florida as the first swimmer to receive a full swimming scholarship. Charlie went on to become captain of his freshman and varsity teams and was just one point shy from being All-American.

Fresh out of college, Charlie purchased a 40’ Nova Scotia built trawler, which he lived on and ran cruises around Fort Lauderdale. The charter gig was successful, and Charlie has fond memories of chartering college kids at night. Shortly after, Charlie signed a contract with Sub Mare Inc. as a diver for a treasure hunting venture in 1970, which led to the greatest adventure of his life.

Charlie was aboard a treasure hunting boat that was cruising the coast of the Bahamas and down around the passage between Cuba and Haiti. The captain stopped for an oil change about 10 miles off the coast of Cuba. The Cuban military thought Charlie and the crew were spies and took them into custody. “We were the second vessel ever taken in peace time by gun point by a foreign government,” said Charlie. The capture made major headlines including the New York Times.

“Just to set it all straight, it was probably the best time I ever had in my life,” he laughed. Charlie commends the Cuban government for the way they handled everything. “The things they did and the way we were treated were necessary, but not harsh at all.” Charlie explained how the Cuban government put them up in a resort hotel that had been taken over by the military with large gates and guards. They were not allowed to leave, but free to roam the grounds of the compound. “We had a good time there and were not locked up in cells, but we were definitely incarcerated. There was no “nightlife” other than sitting around a fire telling stories with the Cuban soldiers and drinking Bacardi beer and smoking cigars.”

After 10 days, the U.S. State Department convinced Cuba to set them free. The capture in Cuba garnered fame for Charlie and his crew. After their release, they moved on to set up oil rigs off of the Mosquito Coast for Occidental Oil.

While in his 30’s, Charlie owned a 72’ Belizean built Ketch, which he chartered throughout the Bahamas. During this time, Charlie also worked as a pilot. He recalled a time when they had engine trouble with a plane and put it down in the jungles of Mexico. Charlie returned to the U.S. to get a new part for the plane and discovered that the plane was gone when he returned to Mexico. This led to another adventure for Charlie. “I met my wife, Sonia. She was working at the front desk at a Mexican hotel and translated for us so we could talk to the federals about our stolen plane.” They found out the plane crashed in a field. Charlie kept in touch with Sonia after their first encounter. “I told her anytime you’re in Florida look me up, and by golly, she did!” laughed Charlie. ”She came here to visit and never left.”

Charlie and Sonia have a 29-year-old son, Ryan, who is a captain and pilot in the United States Air Force in Spokane, Washington. Like his father, Ryan has a passion for boating and purchased a 36’ Gulfstar that he lived on while in flight school. Ryan was the only officer in the U.S. Air Force whose permanent address was a boat.

Seeking a steady career, Charlie began selling boats when Ryan was born. Over the past few decades, Charlie has sold hundreds of boats and earned a reputation for getting to know his clients and fitting them with the right boat for their needs. Charlie specializes in long range blue-water vessels, commercial vessels, sport fishing, and live-a-boards, but he has extensive knowledge of all types and sizes.

Prior to joining the Denison team in 2013, Charlie worked for Richard Merritt for 18 years until Richard passed away and the company was sold. “I was so impressed with Bob and everything he was doing with the company,” he said. Charlie instantly knew that he belonged at Denison. “I find it amazing how well everyone works together and how friendly everybody is.

Charlie gives the following advice for selling your boat: “Number one thing is listen to your broker. He sells a lot of boats and knows what sells them.” Charlie encourages owners not to take it personally when he tells them what to do to fix up their boats because the broker knows what a buyer wants. Charlie is an honest broker who makes sure that his clients are satisfied throughout the entire process.

A seasoned yacht broker, commercial diver, licensed pilot, and boat captain with a USCG 100 ton license, Charlie is now 71-years-old with no plans of slowing down any time soon. “I enjoy seeing people happily sail off into the sunset. I’ll probably keep doing this for a while.”