galati yacht owner

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The galati yacht family, by sallie w. boyles.

As Joe Galati, president of Galati Yacht Sales, explains, certain people have a “boating gene.” For them, owning a boat, whether it’s a kayak or a luxury yacht, provides more than a playful diversion; it indulges a passion to venture out to sea. That yearning to be on the water is what launched the Galatis’ family business over forty years ago and continues to fuel its success.

T he dream began with Joe’s parents, Anna Maria and Michael Galati Sr. Although he worked in his father’s New York bakery, Mike (as everyone called him) most enjoyed helping out at a marina owned by a family friend. With a shared loved of boating and a sense that the lifestyle they desired could be found in Florida, the couple spent two years searching for business opportunities. They were visiting the state when they came across a marina for sale on (coincidentally) Anna Maria Island, a barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida between Tampa Bay and Sarasota. Although the marina had been destroyed by a tornado the previous year, the Galatis spotted potential in the debris. They bought the property and moved to Florida. Joe, the eldest of their five children, was just ten, so he and his siblings would grow up in the business of boating.

The marina demanded a full-on commitment of time and energy, but even the physical labor suited the Galatis. Without question, the children accepted their individual responsibilities—from pumping gas to servicing boats—when they were old enough to lend a hand. Learning from their parents, who openly discussed business decisions in the presence of the kids, the children gravitated to jobs that best suited their unique talents and interests. Today, Joe serves as president, a position he has held since his father passed away in 1992; Carmine manages sales for Galati Yacht Sales and runs PR; Fran heads human resources; Mike Jr. directs customer support; and Chris oversees activities in the Anna Maria yacht basin and spearheads the fishing side of the business.

Photo by Nick Malambri, East Pass Images

Their ability to get along and flourish individually presented good reasons for each child to come aboard full-time.

Outsiders often marvel at the way the five siblings run a company so smoothly. “We are all extremely different with separate skill sets,” explains Joe, “so we defer to one another based on our expertise. We also share the same work ethic. As we learned about problems other family businesses faced, we realized how incredibly fortunate we were to get along as equal owners. In the early days, we didn’t know any better; we took it for granted that all families operated this way.”

Their ability to get along and flourish individually presented good reasons for each child to come aboard full-time. Joe and Carmine, in fact, were in their twenties and fully committed to the marina when their youngest brother, Chris, broke his neck in a diving accident. With Fran and Mike Jr. also helping part-time, Anna Maria and Mike Sr. knew the business would be in good hands while they focused on Chris and his recovery. In fact, they rented a house and stayed in Orlando while he was hospitalized there under the care of specialists. Although his injury left Chris a quadriplegic, he moved forward with his family’s can-do spirit. A sports fisherman who has captured world titles, the husband and father of twins appears on televised fishing shows, making him the celebrity of the group.

The Galatis, however, became known in the boating world for their star treatment of customers. By the mid-1990s, their excellence in servicing boats, including warranty work, caught the attention of Viking Yachts. Eager to establish a service-oriented dealership, Viking invited the family to take over sales for their region of Florida. Accepting the offer, Galati Yacht Sales was born.

Today, Galati is not only Viking’s number one dealership, but the company has also prospered in the luxury market as a preferred seller of numerous brands, including Tiara, Cruisers, Grand Banks, Maritimo, Princess, and Horizon. Galati also has a team of forty-four brokers, covering nine regions, who facilitate sales of pre-owned yachts. “We specialize in inboard powered yachts thirty feet and larger,” says Joe. Prices range from fifty thousand to nineteen million dollars, and Galati’s clientele is about evenly split between those who go out to fish and those who love to cruise.

Few dealers generate the kind of sales volume necessary to concentrate in the high-end market, but Galati’s reputation lures buyers from all over. Competing with five thousand North American dealers through Boating Industry magazine’s rigorous application process, Galati has earned a number one national ranking multiple times for best practices and, as a result, a place in the Hall of Fame among an elite class of winners. The distinction, therefore, has attracted an international clientele in addition to customers from across the country.

Dispelling the old saying about a yacht owner’s two happiest moments being when the boat is purchased and when it’s sold, the Galatis take proactive measures to prevent buyer’s remorse. “We are big proponents of actively involving our clients in learning about their boats and taking them on the water,” says Joe. All new owners, for instance, have access to a captain to teach them the ropes. “Some will require a week of training; others will need two hours,” says Joe. “We want to make sure the customer is comfortable, so we adapt to the individual.” Galati further hosts events like “Ladies at the Helm,” led by captains and technicians, to give spouses and significant others firsthand experience.

Another Galati initiative combines learning and pleasure through destination trips, or “Rendezvous,” an idea that Joe’s wife, Jennifer, conceived and has managed since the 1980s. “We realized early on that it was important to create interest, so we design trips that give owners a reason to use their boats. It’s something to look forward to on the calendar.” With a lead boat to follow, new owners gain confidence on the open water. Likewise, seasoned and novice boaters enjoy the camaraderie shared with other yacht owners. While some trips are short, such as an April weekend voyage to the Sandestin Wine Festival in Northwest Florida, other Rendezvous entail lengthier cruises to places like the Bahamas and Key West.

“We plan about twenty-six different events, including fishing tournaments, year-round,” says Joe. He also admits that Jennifer originated the Rendezvous concept with the intent to motivate the hardworking Galatis to take time for the lifestyle that they promote to so many others. “Jennifer knew that if she involved the business, we would take time off to participate,” Joe says.

Being active in the boating community has certainly been good for business, but the resulting friendships are most treasured. “The Galatis are personal friends,” says Al Binford, a loyal Galati customer who currently owns a forty-eight-foot Maritimo yacht. “They are probably the nicest people we have ever met; everyone likes dealing with them.”

Retired from the RV business, which, like luxury boats, involves significant levels of discretionary income, Al notes that the Galatis would not have attained such success if they had made profit their first priority. “My point is that I know about customer service, but I learned even more by seeing how the Galatis treat people. Everything they do is customer oriented.” The Galatis have helped him buy and sell a number of boats. “You start out small and keep going,” he adds, explaining that trading up is common among boat owners.

Galati Yacht Sales broker Tim Malambri with his client Chuck Mills

Al, however, met the Galatis when he contracted them to sell a fifty-eight-foot yacht that he and his wife decided was too large. “I then downsized to a thirty-two-foot fisherman, which I purchased from the Galatis, but I missed the bigger yacht.” He returned to the Galatis to sell the smaller boat and guide him to the Maritimo, which they also service.

“The bigger boats are a little more complicated and need care, so it’s important to find people like the Galatis who can do all the maintenance.” Although he confesses, “It’s not a cheap hobby,” Al says he and his wife cannot imagine a better lifestyle. “We live on the water. Weekend trips don’t require much planning, so we just take off.”

In addition to trading up in size, boat owners also upgrade for the technological advances offered on the latest models. “The electronics are incredible,” says Joe. A pod drive system, for instance, saves fuel while also providing a joystick that maneuvers a boat sideways, allowing a first-time handler to dock like a pro. Accordingly, GPS systems use radar and autopilots to chart waters. “If you’re reef fishing, your radar will locate the fish,” Joe says, “and your GPS will hold you in the spot, regardless of the current and wind.” Like new car shoppers, those in the market for a new boat are further attracted to the hottest innovations in design.

Chuck Mills, another customer and friend of the Galatis, has upgraded a number of times to accommodate his growing family of grandchildren on overnight voyages. “My grandkids call me Poppy,” he reveals, which is why his forty-eight-foot Maritimo is named Sea Poppy . Chuck and his wife both grew up in Northwest Florida, and when they retired, they realized their shared dream was to return to the Gulf of Mexico, where they would buy a house by the water and a boat. They first purchased a sixteen-foot bass boat, but cruising became more enticing than fishing.

“We bought our last three boats from the Galatis,” Chuck says. “We shopped around quite a bit but kept going back. You join their family when you buy a boat from them.”

Both the Mills family and the Binfords are on board for a Bahamas Rendezvous, which has grown to a convoy of about fourteen boats. “As a father, I am excited to get the entire family involved in boating,” Joe says. “On the water, out of cell phone range, you can relax or take part in activities that everyone enjoys.”

Maria, Joseph, Jennifer, and Joe Galati

The “boating gene” has already begun to surface among the youngest Galatis, but whether they enter the family business will be a personal decision for each one to make. “Some of the kids, including mine, work events, like boat shows, and they help take care of boats,” says Joe. “Several have shown an interest. My niece Angela currently works part-time handling our social media.” Considering how the business has grown, he adds, “When my father passed away, my siblings and I took the ball and ran with it. We’re looking forward to seeing what the next generation will do.”

From where the Galati’s stand today, the horizon certainly looks bright! Visit galatiyachts.com to learn more.

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Meet Carmine Galati

• By Sam White
• January 31, 2022

With 15 locations in the United States as well as Costa Rica and Mexico—including four full-service yacht yards—Galati Yacht Sales is one of the largest privately held yacht dealerships in the world. It’s been family-owned and -operated since 1970, when Michael Galati Sr. moved from New York to the west coast of Florida with his wife, Anna Maria, and their five children, including Carmine. As kids, the Galatis all grew up in the boating business at the family marina, eventually assuming responsibility following their father’s untimely death in 1992. With the third generation now on board, the future looks extremely bright.

Q: You won the International Masters Angling Tournament in 2017 in Los Sueños, Costa Rica. What stands out about that event and that win in particular?

A: The most memorable part of the experience for me was celebrating the win with my fishing mentor, business associate and friend [Viking Yachts president] Pat Healey. It was amazing to see him enjoy it as much as I did. It really was a culmination of our work together over the years. One thing I like about fishing the Masters is that no one can tell you what to do when you’re fighting a fish—it’s all on you to get the release as quickly as possible, which is pretty cool. I look forward to that event every year.

Q: Team Galati also won the combined 2020/2021 series championships of the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown. How did you manage to stay focused in such a stressful event?

A: I have total confidence in the team we’ve put together. We have a unique group of individuals who work well together, and who all perform at peak levels in their respective positions. Everyone is 100 percent committed, but we also stay calm, respectful and humble. There’s no yelling or shouting—we’re all ­working together in a competitive situation, and it’s a really smooth system, no matter how stressful it might seem.

Q: How do you run a successful family business without squabbling with your siblings?

A: It’s really great—we have 27 family members working with us in the business, and yet there hasn’t been a single key decision we’ve made that has not been completely unanimous. We’re not big on job titles. What we do have is an unwavering commitment to each other and also the principles on which our company was founded, which started with my father. We all know that we can always count on one another to do our part to ensure that collectively, we are always performing at a level that exceeds our customers’ expectations. Over the years, we’ve worked very hard to build a solid foundation that started with the principles, morals, ethics and respect with which we were raised. Those principles have become a part of our DNA.

Q: Galati Yacht Sales recently expanded to the US West Coast. What will that mean for your business?

A: It gives us a huge opportunity to build on that foundation and to deliver the best value to our customers, from Key West, Florida, to Seattle, Washington, all the way to Alaska and Hawaii. We’re also able to expand our team in those new areas and recruit the best in all the different areas of our business—from sales to service and support.

Q: When did you first meet Pat Healey, and how did your friendship develop?

A: I first met Pat in the early 1990s when I was ­managing our service department, which I did for 18 years. We were servicing a lot of Vikings, and one day we talked about becoming a dealer. Through those many years that he and I have spent working and fishing together, we have developed a strong bond of friendship, and we continue to enjoy the boats, the fishing and the experience of sharing all of that with our customers. It’s truly a passion for both of us. And both companies are also family-owned businesses that have third-generation family members playing integral roles.

Q: Will we see a 3,000 hp diesel engine anytime soon?

A: I think we are moving in that direction, but with the disruptions on the workforce and supply chains caused by the pandemic, I am not sure when that will come into play. The good news is that the boatbuilders—­including Viking—are designing boats that are more efficient in order to maximize the ­existing horsepower.

Q: What are your favorite destinations?

A: It is no secret that Costa Rica is my favorite place—I love the scenery, the people, the water and the fishing. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico round out my top-three favorites. We have some great fishing here in the Gulf; you just have to run a little longer to get to the blue water. I always have a blast doing just about any kind of fishing, but I’d have to say that my favorite species to catch are sailfish and marlin—it’s always a thrill, and it’s never the same fight.

Q: Any other hobbies aside from fishing?

A: Not really—my hobbies are the business and fishing. That’s what I do, what I love, and what I continue to enjoy doing each and every day. And I’m good with that.

Q: You were a relative latecomer to the sport. How did you develop your ability as an angler?

A: My responsibilities in the business kept me from venturing too deeply into the angling arena until about 20 years ago. I was fishing in Costa Rica with Pat and a longtime customer and friend, Bob Hixson, who recognized that I needed to further develop my skills in the cockpit. Fishing alongside Bob and Pat, I was able to not only become better, but I also developed a real ­appreciation for the work, skill and knowledge that goes into tournament fishing.

Q: What advice would you give a broker who’s just getting started in this business?

A : Bring as much value to the customer as possible. Anyone can shop for a boat on a computer these days, even on your phone. A good broker adds a tremendous amount of value, which is critical.

Q: How will the next generation of Galatis shape the future?

A: The third generation has been deeply involved in the ­business since they were young. Just like we were when we were growing up, they were running around the docks, helping clean boats and doing all kinds of other chores around the marina at a very young age. By the time they got to high school, they were receiving company emails and developing a sense of ­familiarity with the business. Each of them went to college majoring in different areas, such as sales, finance, management, marketing and human-resource management, and after graduation, each has made the choice to return to the business. We have begun to step aside in some areas to allow for the next generation to spread their wings. They often visualize things differently than my generation, and it really is eye-opening to see it from a new perspective. They are the future.

This article originally appeared in the February 2022 print issue of Marlin.

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CEO Connect recap: How Galati Yachts keeps smooth sailing through rough waters

he Galati family relocated from Westchester, New York, to Hollywood, Florida, in the late 1960s. 

The family ended up on Anna Maria Island, which is where the family’s business, Galati Yachts, is still based today. 

With the passing of Michael Senior (the patriarch), in 1992, the business was passed down to his five children, Joseph, Carmine, Fran, Michael Jr. and Chris. Now, entering its third generation, the Galati children have their own children stepping into the business. 

Galati Yachts has 15 locations, including two international locations, generating more than $200 million in revenue.

Bridgette Bello, chief executive officer and publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth interviewed Fran Galati, an owner who also serves as human resources and information technology director, at Galati Yachts, in front of a live, sold-out, audience, at Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi, in Tampa. 

View more photos here.

What has it been like being Miss May 2023 for Tampa Bay Business & Wealth?

I appreciate that very much. You share that your brothers, and many of your team members, couldn’t be here because, and she said it very much like I should know what she was talking about, ‘Well, it’s tournament season, Bridgette.’ And I was like, ‘And?’ Tell us about tournament season and what that means.

Tournament season means they’re all out there with customers and clientele, not just Galati customers, but customers from all over the world doing fishing tournaments. There are tournaments in Costa Rica, Cabo, Orange Beach, in Texas, and right here, locally.

She sent me a picture of a large fish that was caught …

It was 776.6 pounds. It was caught in our Orange Beach Billfish Classic. And that was one of the records. If you haven’t seen a 776.6-pound blue marlin, you need to go take a look at that.

Fran likes to fish. She made that very clear.

I love to fish. If I had a second job, it would be a captain on a boat and just fishing. I love it.

We’re lucky to live in a very beautiful place, here in the Tampa Bay area. I mean, you could travel the world and you come home and this place is gorgeous. We’re very fortunate that this area isn’t very seasonal. I look at it as a blessing for sure. 

But we do have boat show season and tournament season. And you know what? Just so you know, anything that you can do to get into the boating lifestyle, I mean, look where we are, look at this view out of Jackson’s right here, this is amazing. To get into the boating lifestyle, it’s a lifestyle, and it’s a lifestyle that you’ll become very accustomed to and it’s a lifestyle that you’ll love. And we’re just happy to help people get into that lifestyle.

In your business, you had 2007 and 2008, and then in 2010, the BP oil spill. Tell us how you guys pivoted and how you thrived while making a big difference in that season that was going on for all of us.

You basically saved your own company and saved the banks at the same time. And then, not too much longer, COVID-19 hits. A lot of us were struggling to keep our businesses open. Unfortunately, a lot of people lost their companies and couldn’t stay open. But boating during COVID-19 was a thing.

Which just goes to show you’ve got to get in the boating lifestyle. Boating with your family and going out on the water was something you could do while you were staying safe and not putting yourself at risk of catching COVID. We were able to keep all our team members and work through that adversity as well.

You have some impressive longevity with your team. And a big issue that a lot of us are dealing with, in in the business world these days, there is a tendency to change jobs, like quickly, to the next big paycheck. You shared a statistic with me of the people who have been there for 20-plus years. Share that statistic. And then tell us what you think the secret sauce is.

I’m very proud of our team, and our culture, as human resource director, I really don’t have to do a lot because us five siblings, me and my four brothers, are there every day in the trenches with everybody else. And I don’t have to spend my time sharing our culture throughout the company, because it’s already there, it’s already a given. 

If you were to ask any one of our 200 team members what our mission statement is, any one of them could tell you it because we live and breathe it every day. And that’s to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers. And that’s what we live for. And my father always said, if you treat the customer, right, and you treat them like family, they will always come back. 

What was your return-to-work policy? What advice would you give the rest of the people in the room that are trying to get their employees to come back to the office?

And you notice I say the word team members, that’s one thing I want to share, we don’t have employees at Galati Yachts, we have team members at Galati Yachts. It doesn’t matter. If you’re painting, selling yachts, doing accounting, or marketing, it doesn’t matter, that position is important. And that position is valuable. And that’s how we make every team member feel, because it’s true. 

You’re only as strong as your weakest link. So why don’t you make all your links strong and then you can be a strong company. ♦

ABOUT ‘CEO CONNECT’

TBBW’ s “CEO Connect” series is an exclusive, invitation-only, event that brings together the Tampa Bay area’s top business leaders to meet and mingle. CI Group, CoreEx Legal and Maudlin & Jenkins were presenting sponsors. The host sponsor was Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi. 

TBBW’ s video partner is Empowering Creative .

The evening begins with a cocktail reception for about 120 guests, followed by an interview with that month’s cover CEO.

For information about event sponsorship opportunities, email Jason Baker at [email protected] .

Fred Lay is incredibly open and honest about his early experiences. He admits to his mischievous nature. He’s actually just a pretty transparent guy, in general.  He runs his business,

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its May CEO Connect, at J.C. Newman Cigar Company, in Tampa, featuring Paula Woodring, chief executive officer and founder of RELTCO. Presenting sponsors included

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its April CEO Connect, at Thousand and One, featuring Fred Lay, CEO of Construction Services Inc. Presenting sponsors included BankUnited, Northern Trust and nPerspective.

Keith Leclerc is still, officially, chief executive officer, and president, of International Diamond Center, but the succession plan is in full motion.  The next generation of leadership at IDC includes

David Habib established Yo Mama’s Foods in 2017. The company, based in Clearwater, started out making pasta sauces and expanded into barbecue sauces and salad dressings. The company now ships

Elaine Myrback is chief executive officer of EMS Consulting, in Tampa — a business she’s grown to hit more than $20 million in annual revenue and has her sights set

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth had its January CEO Connect featuring David Habib, chief executive officer and founder of Yo Mama’s Foods, at the Motor Enclave, in Tampa. Sponsors included

Cliff Scott established Career Match Solutions out of his home on a computer that his wife, Velma, purchased for him. At the time, he was still reestablishing his life.  On

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This 94-Foot Sportfishing Yacht Packs in All the Style of a Larger Vessel

Iii amigos , which bears the name of a 1980s hollywood comedy, is on sale for a cool $20 million., kevin koenig, kevin koenig's most recent stories.

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One reason for the high price tag is the exceptional superyacht-caliber cabin. The interior was fabricated by the German company Metrica, a 340-year-old firm specializing in yacht and residential interiors, that brought to life designer Patrick Knowles’s vision. It’s rare to have a European company do an interior of a boat being built in the U.S. But the owner clearly wanted to establish a pedigree for the vessel that went beyond the usual sportfish interior. It shows in this boat.

Metrica literally transported a high level of fit and finish to the project by constructing the interior in Germany and then transferring it piece by piece to Michael Rybovich & Sons Custom Boat Works in Palm Beach Gardens.

There are many details that simply do not exist on other sportfishing vessels. In the salon, the dinette is upholstered in soft, blue leather with glove compartments that match the owner’s Ferrari, as well as the color scheme found in his home on Key Largo. III Amigos’ s galley is also a rarity. The owner had made his money in the food industry, thus this space was sacrosanct. Witness the full-custom, stainless-steel hood over the oven and an outsized Sub-Zero refrigerator the owner chose after the interior plans were complete. That required reframing the interior ceiling so it would fit.

This vessel was, in fact, designed for fishing voyages. The bridge is enclosed (rather than open, like most offshore fishing vessels) for the extra protection from the elements. It also becomes a second, albeit informal, salon for the crew. This boat was meant for long runs from the Keys to the Pacific side of Costa Rica, so the enclosed bridge made good sense.

With twin 2,000 hp M96L MTUs, III Amigos can top out at 41 knots (wildly fast when considering its size) and cruise comfortably at 34 knots. However, for longer runs the captain can bring the throttle down to nine knots for a range of 2,000 nautical miles—enough to get from Miami to the shores of Colombia without refueling.

This new breed of offshore vessels, alongside boats like the 90-foot Jarrett Bay Jaruco and the 97-foot Weaver 18 Reeler , has blurred the dividing line between fishing boat and megayacht. Of course, the most dramatic example is the 171-foot Special One , which launched this summer. Somewhere in the middle, III Amigos carves out its own space, a classic-looking battlewagon with the heart of a superyacht.

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Galati Yacht Sales has expanded operations to the West Coast by Assuming the Viking and Valhalla Brands from Stan Miller Yachts; a win, win for all. Image provide by Galati Yacht Sales.

Galati Yacht Sales Spreads Operations to the West Coast Via Stan Miller Yachts

The acquisition of Viking Yachts and Valhalla Brands from Stan Miller will introduce new exposure for Galati Yacht Sales as well as the expansion of resources for Stan Miller Yachts.

LONG BEACH— On Oct. 11, Galati Yacht Sales (GYS), one of the largest privately held yacht dealerships globally, announced it will be assuming Viking Yachts and Valhalla Brands from Stan Miller Yachts, the former authorized Viking Yachts and Valhalla dealer on the west coast.

“We [Stan Miller] have been a Southern California new boat dealer broker since 1955,” said Brad Buettner, former co-owner of Stan Miller Yachts and current broker specialist for Galati Yacht sales.  “We are one of the longest standing yacht broker dealers in the state of California. We were having a meeting with our various companies and manufacturers… And we decided that now might be the time to have discussions with the Galati family who we have known for thirty years.”

Brad Buettner and his brother John have done business with the Galati family for many years and have become business acquaintances and friends of the family, according to Buettner.

Galati Yachts and Stan Miller operate very similarly with the jobs they carry out of the Gulf Coast and Florida, Costa Rica and Cabo San Lucas. When Stan Miller had their meeting to discuss distribution channels for Viking and Valhalla, they concluded they should utilize the resources of Galati Yacht Sales, hence resulting in them reaching out.

“It would be a win- win all the way around,” said Buettner. “It would be a win for the Galati group and give them more exposure; it would be a win for the Southern California market for both buyers because they would have access to greater inventory, and it would be a win for Stan Miller Yachts and our brokers because they would have greater access to inventory and resources…So, we started talking about this in August and it was a good fit for everybody all around and the transaction closed on October 11 of this year.”

Galati’s acquisition of Stan Miller Yachts gave them three new offices on the west coast including Seattle, Long Beach, and San Diego. The addition of Viking Yachts expands Galati Yacht Sales’ current operations to 15 additional locations servicing the entire Gulf of Mexico (FL, AL, TX), Mexico, and Costa Rica to the Western U.S., including California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. The acquisition will also bring GYS award-winning, customer-centric Viking Yachts, Valhalla Boatworks, and worldwide brokerage programs to the west coast.

The Viking Yacht Company has dedicated over five decades in business building luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. It was founded by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sportfishing boats, Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production with over 4,000 Vikings delivered.

Since the initiation of Valhalla Boatworks (VBW) in 2019, VBH has established itself as the world leader in semi-custom, high-performance luxury center consoles. Valhalla Boatworks is owned and operated by the Viking Yacht Company and like the Viking fleet, it delivers unmatched performance, engineering, comfort, quality, and fishing capabilities.

“They are the Bentley, Mercedes, and Porsches of the industry,” said Buettner.

The Galati family is familiar with the Southern California market and respects the reputation and dedication that Stan Miller established over the last several decades.

“Together, with the expertise and technology that Galati Yachts brings to the table, we will collectively create value and customer experience that is unparalleled in today’s market,” said Buettner.

“I want to thank John and Brad Buettner, principals of Stan Miller Yachts, for laying the groundwork for the Viking and Valhalla brands in the San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle markets,” said Pat Healey, president, and CEO of the Viking Yacht Company in an article with Boating Industry. “We have been proud to partner with them over the past ten years.”

According to  Boating Industry , Viking and Galati’s relationship has had a strong rapport for 30 years when GYS began servicing Viking Yachts on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Years after servicing Viking Yachts, GYS became the Viking dealer in the area. Conjointly, there are 100 years of solid and stable dedication and commitment between the two companies to deliver the best on water experience possible.

Both Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts are family-owned and operated; they extend through three generations. Viking’s mantra to build a better boat every day perfectly aligns with Galati’s goal of consistently exceeding their customer expectations.

Both companies are privately owned, allowing for the withholding of the disclosure of the transaction terms.

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Joseph Galati III

Yacht Broker

12030 Gandy Blvd N.   St. Petersburg FL 33702

Cell: (850) 496-2298

Joseph Galati is the 11TH of the 3rd generation of Galati family. He has grown up working in the business and doing boat shows since the age of 12. Spending his summers washing boats, painting bottoms, and captaining boats, Joseph has gained a lot of experience and industry knowledge. Joseph graduated from Florida State University with degrees in both Finance and Professional Sales. During his time at FSU, he was selected from the top students in the sales program to be on the FSU Sales Team. Joseph has expanded his knowledge and as a received his captain license and is an instrument rated pilot. Joseph has been raised on the company’s values of “exceeding customers’ expectations” and will be a valuable consultant in your boat buying experience.

Broker’s Listings

63' Prestige 2021

Sarasota Florida USA

Brokered by Galati Yacht Sales

59' Prestige 2022

Saint Petersburg Florida USA

50' Cruisers Yachts 2022

Naples Florida USA

46' Cruisers Yachts 2020

Clearwater Florida USA

38' Cruisers Yachts 2020

Cape Coral Florida USA

42' Tiara Yachts 2007

St Petersburg Florida USA

36' Pursuit 2020

Tierra Verde Florida USA

40' Monterey 2013

40' Regal 2008

34' Mainship 2007

35' Cruisers Yachts 2002

Tampa Florida USA

12030 Gandy Blvd N.

St. Petersburg FL 33702

Galati Yacht Sales

based on 5 locations

About Galati Yacht Sales

Galati Yacht Sales has an average rating of 4.2 from 6 reviews. The rating indicates that most customers are generally satisfied. The official website is galatiyachts.com. Galati Yacht Sales is popular for Automotive, Boat Dealers. Galati Yacht Sales has 5 locations on Yelp across the US. Read below to see the top rated Galati Yacht Sales businesses on Yelp and their customer service rating.

Photos of Galati Yacht Sales

By Biz Owner

By Chris N.

By Business Owner

Recent reviews of Galati Yacht Sales

6 reviews based on 5 locations

for me - I have to appreciate that level of honesty. When I finally found a craft I liked Joe was supportive throughout the process, from contract to survey to delivery. He was even trying to track down a last-minute fire suppression certifier when the insurance balked over a 2-day expiration the day we were supposed to run the boat home. I cannot say enough about the high level of personal service, and he has even assisted us in advising us on post-purchase service work on the boat. I hope to have this boat for a long time, but I would certainly return to Galati!

equal concern and efficiency . We were very happy with the business/paperwork end handled by Julie Ann Galati as it was seamless and timely . Overall We highly recommend the Galati Team for your next purchase or sale . Parker Blalock is an honorable young man with a bright future and We highly recommend Him to handle your next purchase . A++

Pep if your looking for a boat. Mitch Latva

the price, his response was no but we could build it in as cash back from the seller. I asked him how much the delivery would cost and he said around 13,000 to 15,000 in fuel and captain. He said this in front of myself, my son and my best friend. He then said let's build in a little cushion and let's put $20,000 in the contract to be safe. I signed the contract with the understanding that the delivery dollars where all expensed into the contract. When the boat was finally delivered the cost was just over 31000. I feel that the broker who has been doing this for a long time and is very familiar with the delivery of these size vessels according to him, should have known, and not missed this quote by 16,000. When you do business with a company that does this all the time you expect that what they are telling you is truthful and honest, in this case it was all about closing a deal. I then Contacted Joe Galati and even he seemed very dismissive of the issue when brought to his attention.

Sales is as good as it gets. The folks I've dealt with have been friendly, knowledgable, and not pushy at all. You can tell they are true boaters and they want to build a lasting relationship. Other places I've gone to feel more like used car sales lots. A lot of pressure to buy, a lot of gimmicks with the price and trade-in, and not a big selection to choose from so they push certain brands over others. Galati has several brands they carry for new boats, but they also have a very large brokerage business that can get you into a slightly used boat for thousands less. And they rely on Coastal Wave Marine to do their service, so you can be sure they'll stand behind the products they sell. There are a couple of good dealers in the Tampa Bay area that I would do business with, and Galati is at the top of that list.

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