BVI Yacht Brokers
Our team of Caribbean yacht brokers have provided boat sales expertise internationally since 1981. We specialise in servicing both Caribbean and USA boat sellers and buyers as well as the within the European market, and are almost consistently the top-performing Caribbean yacht brokerage.
Brian Duff
Managing Director
Brian has been selling boats with BVI Yacht Sales since 2009, when he moved full time to the BVI having sold his yacht rigging business based in Annapolis MD. Brian grew up in a sailing family, racing Opti and 420 as a child, progressing to sailing keelboats and right out of high school took off on a 24’ Sloop to explore and learn the world of yachting. Working variously as a rigger, captain, carpenter, electrician and diver he acquired a wide range of skills relevant to his career in yachting, and applies all this to help USA & Caribbean yacht owners through the process of preparing their vessel for sale and actively seeking the right buyer to get the best possible sale, over and over again. Brian’s philosophy is that selling boats is about providing information to buyers accurately and transparently so that deals go smooth, and buyers become sellers again later through good relationships. Brian is now primarily supporting the sales team on all major Caribbean Islands, and working only with select clients directly.
+1 (284) 494-3260
Gary Lucas
Broker Consultant
Gary Lucas comes from a highly competitive sales background with decades of experience with top power brands such as Horizon Motor Yachts, Horizon Power Catamarans, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, Yamaha etc. He has a special focus on the high end power and motor yacht market, bringing diversity and incredible sales experience to the team, consulting with all our Caribbean yacht brokers on how to get the best possible sale of your boat, here in the Caribbean and internationally.
Chesnee Cogswell
Yacht Broker – British Virgin Islands
Chesnee Cogswell is a Tortola Native, and was almost literally born on a sailboat in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola! Chesnee comes from a serious sailing family having lived abroad and cruised many boats throughout his lifetime, as well as participated in extensive refit projects of varied and extensive nature. He joined the team as we re-expanded our sales force following Hurricane Irma in 2017. Prior to joining the team here at BVI Yacht Sales, Chesnee was a very active charter captain for many charter companies here in the BVI giving him the opportunity to sail various makes and model charter yachts. His passion also extends to the sportfishing industry having participated in many ‘Big Boat’ fishing tournaments as well as private and charter fishing programs over the years. Chesnee has dedicated himself to his position here at BVI Yacht Sales and it has shown in his performance, selling more boats himself than any other brokerage in the Caribbean as of June 2020, all while keeping his clients best interests in mind. He has climbed the ladder to being one of the top-performing Caribbean yacht brokers, consistently helping us maintain our position as the leading Caribbean yacht brokerage.
+1 (941) 900-4510
Liz Day
Yacht Broker – British Virgin Islands
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Day has been a dedicated member of the BVI Yacht Sales team for the past four years. With a lifelong passion for sailing and over a decade of professional experience, Liz expertly guides buyers and sellers through the transitions involved in boat ownership.
Growing up on the water and spending summers on her family’s boat in France, Liz’s love for sailing was ignited early. Before joining BVI Yacht Sales, she worked as a professional skipper and freelance instructor, skippering various charter vessels, including monohulls and catamarans up to 65ft, in the BVI, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.
In 2023, Liz was one of the top-selling brokers by volume in the region, a testament to her dedication and expertise. Customers consistently praise Liz for her professionalism and empathy. One Google review states, “Liz knows her stuff and guided us every step of the way with professionalism and empathy. Cause it’s not easy to part with such a wonderful yacht. Angel has found its perfect new owner and thanks to Liz the whole experience was as painless as possible.”
Liz’s hands-on experience, combined with her deep knowledge of the region and a personalized approach, allows her to connect clients with their dreams. Whether guiding a first-time buyer or helping a seller transition smoothly, Liz is dedicated to making the process as enjoyable and successful as possible. When not working, she enjoys sailing her Beneteau 43, long-distance swimming, and making sandcastles with her 3-year-old son on Josiah’s Bay.
+1 (941) 900-4510
Ocean Petersen
Yacht Broker – US Virgin Islands
Ocean Petersen was born on the classic wooden yacht Catania, on the island of Tahiti in the South Pacific. The Petersen family was in the process of circumnavigating the globe. They continued their exploration of the South and North Pacific, until they settled for eight years on a deserted atoll in the Marshall Islands. While there, his parent’s interest in marine biology led them to develop an aquaculture farm cultivating giant clams. During Ocean’s years on the clam farm, he occupied his time by mastering all the water sports available to him.When he was eight, Ocean and his parents continued sailing through Micronesia, the Philippines, Borneo, Malaysia and eventually Thailand. After crossing the Indian ocean to Africa, via the Maldives and the Seychelles islands . When Catania arrived in the Caribbean after crossing the Atlantic Ocean left his home of 18 years to pursue his own life and career as a captain. At 17 he qualified for his 100 Ton US Coast Guard Captain’s License. Now Ocean captains charter yachts around the US and British Virgin Islands. After working closely with surveyors, and having a passion for yachting, he loves finding his clients the perfect boat so they can live their dreams as well.
+1(941) 900-4510
Chris Burke
Yacht Broker – Barbados
Chris was born into a serious sailing family, growing up he had a passion for sailing, fishing, and diving. Every weekend was spent on the water and holidays were cruising the Grenadines and Windward Islands.
His passion for the sea has lasted and before joining us at B.V.I. Yacht Sales Chris was a charter captain in the sportfishing industry.
He has been helping owners of vessels based in the Caribbean for the past 5 years, from his base in Barbados. His long background with all the factors of sailing, fishing and all things boating in the Caribbean means he is an excellent resource in figuring out how to place your boat for sale, or how to get the best sale whichever island you are on.
+1 (941) 900-4510
Bernard Evan-Wong
Yacht Broker
Bernard ‘Bernie’ Evan-Wong grew up racing dinghies from Snipes, Sunfishes, GP 14 ‘s, and Lasers; in the Caribbean, and later at university in UK. He lived in Trinidad following university, working as a health professional, and took up racing on keel boats, later located to the island of Antigua, in the Eighties. Still a resident of Antigua, his passion for the sea
and everything related to it led him to pick up qualifications as a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, a dive master, a marine moorings specialist, and an avid yacht racing enthusiast. Over the past 35 years he has owned a succession of race boats, regularly racing the Caribbean circuit. If you’ve sailed the Caribbean and done a race, you’ve probably met Bernie!
His rotating fleet of power and sailing boats has gained him a depth of experience with the specifics of ownership, maintenance and repair of vessels in the Caribbean. He can help you gain a greater understanding of any aspect of boating in the Islands from ownership, management, stewardship to concerns structural , mechanical, electrical, rigging, finishing or any other aspect of yachts and yachting life in this region.
“Drawing on all the knowledge and experience he has gained over the years we are excited to support Bernie on our brokerage team, working to match potential buyers to suitable vessels based on their desires and needs. Sellers can have confidence that in working together with us the best strategy for positioning their boat for the best possible sale can be had. “ – Brian Duff, Managing Director at BVI Yacht Sales
+1 (941) 900-4510
Lu Valade
Yacht Broker
Lu has lived in the BVI all of his life and has lived aboard boats for most of those years. He has a deep knowledge of the BVI and has worked in the marine industry here for quite a few years in various positions including dive master, salvage diver, and yacht management. Lu’s most recent position was in real estate sales for BVI Sothebys where he sold and assisted in the sales of some of the most luxurious properties around.
Lu missed working in the yachting industry so he decided to use his sales expertise towards selling yachts here in the BVI and throughout the Caribbean.
+1 (941) 900-4510
Ted Reshetiloff
Ted Reshetiloff, deeply rooted in the maritime and finance sectors, brings a unique perspective to BVI Yacht Sales. Stationed in Tortola, BVI, Ted’s comprehensive sailing background and professional acumen enable him to adeptly navigate the complexities of yacht transactions. From his early days influenced by family sailing in Annapolis to his significant roles in yacht management and finance, Ted offers a nuanced understanding of both the practical and aspirational aspects of yacht ownership.
Professional Edge:
- Extensive Maritime Experience: Ted’s lifelong sailing experience, combined with his technical knowledge of yacht systems, provides a solid foundation for advising clients on both buying and selling yachts.
- Financial Acumen: With a background in finance, Ted excels in navigating the financial intricacies of yacht transactions, ensuring clients receive optimal value.
- Community Integration: As a full-time liveaboard and active member of the Caribbean yachting community, Ted has an acute understanding of the market dynamics and buyer preferences, essential for successful yacht sales.
- Personal Commitment: Ted views every client engagement as an opportunity to help others achieve their maritime aspirations, leveraging his experience to guide them through every step of the process.
+1 (284) 346-5155
Erica Laroche
Yacht Broker – Dominican Republic
With a profound passion for the sea nurtured on Canada’s shores and deepened through diverse roles from divemaster to yacht owner, Erica Laroche brings a rich tapestry of experience to BVI Yacht Sales. Stationed in Luperon, Dominican Republic, Erica leverages her firsthand knowledge of living on and repairing boats to provide sellers with an unmatched selling advantage. Her journey through the Caribbean waters and involvement in local maritime communities enables her to connect sellers with the ideal buyers who appreciate both the lifestyle and the investment.
Professional Edge:
- Expertise in Yacht Refitting and Living: Erica’s practical experience in boat maintenance and liveaboard lifestyle offers sellers the benefit of a broker who understands the intrinsic value and appeal of their specific choice of yachts.
- Marketing Savvy: With a background in Business and Marketing, Erica excels in creating compelling narratives that resonate with potential buyers, ensuring listings are not only seen but felt.
- Community Connection: Being an active member of the Luperon boating community, Erica has her finger on the pulse of market trends and buyer preferences, which is crucial for advising sellers on how to position their yachts for a quick and profitable sale.
Unique Approach: Erica believes that every yacht sale is the close of one chapter and the opening of another. She prides herself on facilitating these transitions with empathy, enthusiasm, and strategic marketing, ensuring that each listing captures the essence of the yacht’s journey and potential.