Our Brokers
Bill’s knowledge of boats and the sea began at an early age. Growing up on Long Island Sound, his boating days began before he learned to walk. By age 14 he was working as a mate for some of the best captains of the time. His fishing career ultimately led him to Central and South America, Australia, Nova Scotia and many ports in between.
In 1986 the opportunity to become a partner in a Bertram dealership in South Texas sounded too good to pass up. Today, with 29 years of experience in the boat business behind him, Bill is able to provide his clients with the product knowledge and firsthand experience that have come to be his trademark.
The lack of high pressure selling and the ability to answer questions honestly and thoroughly have provided Bill’s clients with a comfort level that has kept them coming back to him for many years.
Specializing in large custom sportfisherman and motoryachts, Bill is always eager to help and guide his clients toward selecting the right boat. Be it new construction or brokerage, there is no substitute for firsthand knowledge and experience.
Bill’s latest endeavor is the founding of Michael Rybovich & Sons Yacht Sales, with Michael himself, at the new yard in Palm Beach Gardens.
After leaving the Navy in 1964, Mike went to work building boats. Also, through the years, he became a 100-ton licensed Captain, running boats through the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and up to California. He later left running boats to work for several boat builders and yacht brokerage firms.
In the 1970s Mike managed Bertram Yacht yard in Miami, for Dick Bertram, and later his family boat yard in Stuart, FL.
In 1980 Mike joined Rybovich & Sons Boat Works in West Palm Beach and remained there, working in many capacities including President, through 1991.
Mike has previously served as President of the Marine Industries Association in Martin County, Director of Marine Industries Association of South Florida and President of the Stuart Sailfish Club.
Mike’s job these days is running Gamefisherman Boats in Stuart, FL and now multitasking as a broker with Michael Rybovich & Sons Yacht Sales. Mike has actually owned two Rybovich boats himself. Mike says “It’s great to again be associated with the Rybovich Family!”
If you would like a knowledgeable broker to work for you, give Mike a call!
David was born in Miami and began fishing in the nearby offshore waters of the Gulfstream. His love for the water earned him his first job at age 16, at the famous Cigarette Racing Team, under the tutelage of Don Aronow. Later Dave worked for Donzi, Scorpion, and a few other builders, learning quality construction techniques.
Transitioning from construction to marine management in the mid 1980s, Dave also obtained his USCG Captain’s license. During the 80s and 90s, Dave operated and managed numerous sportfishing boats and motoryachts along the East Coast and Bahamas. He formed his own yacht management firm (Starboard Yacht Services) and prides himself in providing “hands on” service, before, during and after a sale!
Growing up in Islamorada, Florida, Ben Brownlee was immersed in boating and sportfishing from an early age, developing a lifelong passion for the water in one of the world’s most renowned fishing destinations.
Since 2004, Ben has worked professionally aboard some of the world’s premier sportfishing boats, traveling extensively and fishing some of the most sought-after destinations around the globe. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work alongside respected captains, crews, boat builders, owners, and professionals throughout the sportfishing industry.
With more than 14 years of experience as a yacht broker, Ben pairs an extensive knowledge of the brokerage market with something that can only come from decades on the water: firsthand experience operating, fishing, maintaining, and understanding the vessels he represents.
His depth of knowledge allows him to provide clients with informed, straightforward guidance throughout the purchase or sale process—from evaluating a vessel and understanding its equipment and performance to navigating negotiations and finding the right opportunity in an international market.
For clients buying or selling a sportfishing yacht, Ben offers more than brokerage representation. He brings a lifetime of experience, more than two decades working professionally in the sportfishing industry, and relationships built throughout the global boating community.
John has been around the Rybovich yard since he could say the word boat. Growing up in North Palm Beach, his father Bob (R.T) was a Boat Captain, running quite a few custom boats. His uncle, Sonny Barr, ran the legendary Blue Finn IV for over forty years. This is where he developed his passion for sport fishing boats. John got his first captains’ job when he was eighteen on the OUTTA HERE and off he went! Traveling to places like St. Thomas, Dominican, Mexico, Bahamas, through the Panamá Canal a few times, and the East Coast up to Canada. Always coming back home to Palm Beach County. He lives in Juno Beach with his wife Dawn and daughter Charley.
He has spent the last 28 years working on custom boats, with three different owners. The relationships that he has forged with builders and vendors in the marine industry are impressive to say the least. He has been hands on with many stem-to-stern refits that have taken place at the Rybovich yard. He has personally turned the wrenches, brushed the varnish, pulled the engines, and then put it all together to win a tournament or take a family trip. There are few better people out there today that have the knowledge to guide you through the process of buying the right boat in the right condition and having the know how to make it the perfect fit after the sale. Let John’s expertise guide you through the whole sale before, during, and most importantly after delivery!
Purchasing a boat is not an ordinary occurrence, and Brett Harte is anything but ordinary. In fact, for anyone searching to buy or sell a boat, Brett is essential.
Raised in southern Florida, understanding every aspect of boating was not a question for young Brett. He credits his early knowledge and passion for the marine industry to his father. While his father focused on the fish, he relied on Brett to operate the boat. He came to understand a boat’s mechanics and interaction with the water like few others could.
In high school, Brett traveled nationwide with Yamaha P.W.C. Race Team as their technician. Following his experience with Yamaha, he worked for the research and development department at Polaris. His experience with Yamaha and Polaris deepened his understanding of the marine industry and improved his engineering knowledge.
At the very early age of twenty-three, Brett obtained his USCG Masters Captain’s License and pursued the professional career of a boat captain. For the next twenty years, Brett’s knowledge of the boating industry grew extensively. Traveling throughout North America and Central America gave him the firsthand experience necessary to fully understand boating essentials. In his role as Captain, Brett coordinated numerous trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, the British Isles, up the New England Coast, around Nova Scotia, north to Newfoundland, and total exploration of the Great Lakes.
Brett’s technical skills and his ability to locate available boats for interested buyers are pivotal. Brett excels in the ability to survey a boat and understand the pros and cons of each part of the vessel. In addition, if clients are interested in new boat construction, Brett has experience in that field as well and can lend valuable assistance.
With his love of the boating world, you can count on Brett for his openness and honesty. He is personable but professional. Above all, he has the knowledge and experience that are crucial for every client to have when considering a boat purchase or sale.
Growing up in Islamorada, Topher has spent his whole life on and under the water. Being the son of a world-class fishing guide, he has been on boats since before he could walk. Starting his career off on charter boats at the age of ten, he has worked his way up to captain of a privately owned 61’ Garlington.
After graduating from Florida State University, with a degree in Business and Marketing, he chose to make sport fishing a full-time career. Traveling extensively throughout the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific Ocean, Topher has been trained by some of the best captains in the industry.
When it comes to making decisions about boats, there’s no better guide than one with knowledge, experience, and a lifetime on the water to help with your choices.
Administrative Assistant
Estelle’s first boating experience was crossing the Atlantic from England to America aboard the original Queen Elizabeth in 1962. Born in England and raised on Long Island (New York), she relocated to South Florida in 1979.
Estelle worked previously in commercial property management, but decided to cross over to the yacht brokerage business in 1997, and began her career as a broker’s assistant for a large yacht brokerage company in Palm Beach Gardens. After several years she was promoted to Office Manager, a position she held until February of 2006 when an opportunity for growth presented itself at The Marine Group and she decided to take advantage of it.
In June 2014, Estelle joined Michael Rybovich & Sons Yacht Sales and is excited about being involved in the startup of this new venture and loves the history of the Rybovich boat building legacy. The part of this business Estelle enjoys the most is the interaction with the clients and she believes that whether you are buying or selling a boat it should be a good experience for all and she strives to make it as smooth as possible!