JMYS August 2026 Newsletter

The trawler market, like the summer in the US and Canada, is heating up. JMYS has been actively attending surveys and filming listings. Our inventory of used trawlers for sale has never been stronger, there are some great opportunities for buyers if you are ready to get on board and get going.

The new JMYS.com has become an incredible resource and our Trawler Concierge feature has generated a lot of great information to all who have played with it (yes, it is AI driven, we are now all in with the search part, but still prefer to create our content the old fashioned way).

Most of the JMYS team will be in Baltimore this September for the Selene Rendezvous and the Baltimore TrawlerFest (stay tuned for future announcements). In the meantime, please take a look at our current listings and give us a call to set up a viewing.

Behind the scenes, we're lining up some exciting new listings – Nordhavn 47, Krogen 55 Expedition, and Selene 57, to name just a few. More details coming soon.

Our good friend and industry expert, Steve D’Antonio, has a very special webinar coming up on August 24th - details below. Finally, we are pleased to share the recent recognition Jeff Merrill received at the YBAAU in Bristol, RI.

Here’s to soft breezes and smooth water as we enjoy the last part of summer.
-The JMYS team

Onboard Firefighting: An Upcoming Must-Attend Webinar for Every Yacht Owner

Fire remains one of the most serious hazards aboard any vessel. Whether you're cruising offshore, passagemaking, or spending weekends at the dock, understanding how to prevent, detect, and respond to a fire can make all the difference.

Earlier this year, respected marine consultant Steve D'Antonio of Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting (SDMC) presented a two-hour webinar on Fire Detection and Prevention. The presentation was inspired by a devastating February 2025 marina fire at Van Isle Marina in British Columbia, where three yachts were completely destroyed and several others sustained significant damage. The incident served as a reminder that fire preparedness is an essential part of responsible boat ownership.

The webinar generated significant interest throughout the recreational marine industry, and many attendees asked Steve to expand on the topic by focusing on the equipment and systems designed to extinguish fires once they occur.

His follow-up webinar, Onboard Firefighting, Fixed and Portable Fire Suppression Systems, explores the design, installation, operation, and inspection of onboard fire suppression equipment, with particular emphasis on fixed machinery space fire extinguishing systems, ABYC compliance requirements, and the proper selection, placement, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. Whether you own a passagemaker, trawler, or cruising yacht, understanding these systems is invaluable. Many boat owners assume their fire suppression equipment is ready to perform when needed, but regular inspection, proper installation, and knowing how your systems operate are critical to protecting both your vessel and everyone aboard.

In addition to the live presentation and interactive Q&A session, registered attendees will receive:
-A compiled collection of Steve's lecture-related technical articles for future reference.
-Access to a recording of the webinar for 30 days following the live event, allowing you to revisit the material at your own pace.
-The opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation, with Steve answering as many as time permits during the session.
-Two ABYC Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for those pursuing continuing education.

Several JMYS clients attended Steve's first webinar and came away with valuable knowledge and practical takeaways that can help make boating safer. We encourage all of our clients and readers to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the marine industry's most respected technical experts. We hope you'll join Steve for what promises to be another outstanding educational program. Mark your calendar for Monday, August 24th from 1-3pm EST (check Steve D'Antonio's website for most current details, including date/time).

To learn more about the upcoming webinar and register, visit:

Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting Webinar Information

We hope you'll join Steve for what promises to be another outstanding educational program.
Mark your calendar for Monday, August 24th from 1-3pm EST (check Steve D'Antonio's website for most current details, including date/time).

Jeff Merrill Honored with Dedicated Service Award at Yacht Broker University July 15, 2026 | Bristol, Rhode Island

JMYS is pleased to announce that our founder, Jeff Merrill CPYB, was presented with a very prestigious award in July at the YBAAU in Briston, Rhode Island on July 15, 2026. YBAA (Yacht Brokers Association of America) is a 100-year-old organization supporting yacht brokers and the marine trade. The YBAA board, under the leadership of Vin Petrella, CPYB created the CPYB program over 20 years ago to raise the perception and establish the standards for yacht brokers around the world.

Jeff became a CPYB in 2012 and that experience inspired him to be the best full-time yacht broker he could be. Specializing in the promotion of trawlers for over thirty years, he worked with Nordhavn for 14 years (starting in 1999) and in 2014 created JMYS to specialize in trawlers worldwide. During his journey as a yacht broker, Jeff joined the Board of Directors of the California Yacht Brokers Association and served for seven years, including leading as president for a two-year term during 2015 and 2016. During his CYBA involvement he represented the association at the national level, as a member of the CPYB governing body, the CAC (Certificate Advisory Council) the overseers of the CPYB program which recruits experienced yacht brokers to study for the CPYB exam and, once they pass, encourages members to continue their development through the requirement of continuing education. Always willing to take a call from any yacht broker to discuss every aspect, Jeff’s leadership in the industry continued as he was elected Chairman of the CAC, helping to manage the CPYB program. During Jeff’s tenure as chairman over 80 brokers passed the exam to earn their coveted CPYB credential. Highlights during his three-year Chairmanship(2023, 2024, and 2025) included expansion of the educational program, updating the Guide (study manual for testing) and presented multiple seminars including the establishment of the Brokers Brunch series to help members learn and earn their CE’s.

He was invited back to attend this years YBAAU (the U for university), an event he has attended many times in the past for the knowledge and networking,though he had no idea a celebration in his honor awaited him at the close of the event. YBAAU university is a one day event that is held to support, inform and educate yacht brokers. One of the requirements to maintain your CPYB credential is to keep in touch with this ever changing industry, stay fresh with the changes and to never stop getting better through continuing education. Jeff loves being a yacht broker. He is challenged every day, dealing with new situations and meeting new people which is the core of this relationship business. The boat buying public is becoming more aware that a boat transaction is a lot more than just finding a boat. It is astonishing how many people called themselves yacht brokers, whether part time or full-time, but don’t belong to one of the six north American yacht broker associations. It takes commitment and effort and if the “broker” you are considering isn’t dedicated to their job seriously enough to study for and become a CPYB, you are taking a big chance. A broker can’t call themselves a true professional without the CPYB credential. Savvy boaters know to ask a yacht broker which association he or she is a member of (for forms, ethics, etc.) and many will not do business with a broker who is not a CPYB. As you go through the listing and/or selling process selecting a qualified and experienced yacht broker will make a huge difference in creating a favorable outcome.

About YBAAU- Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Herreshoff Maritime Museum – Bristol, RI

YBAAU is an annual all-day series of seminars with a variety of expert speakers covering a host of relevant topics. Things actually got started the night before; there was a meet and greet reception at the Wharf restaurant in nearby Warren, RI. Fun to see so many esteemed colleagues and get a chance to socialize and meet some new broker faces.

Of particular benefit was spending time (including a nice dinner afterwards including Jeff’s wife, Pam, along with Dom and Garrett from YachtOne.io). These two visionaries are the backbone and back end support of what many yacht brokers are doing to refresh their websites and connect the details to make a positive AI enabled experience. If you have not had a chance to see their work (and you will), take a look through the new JMYS.com. We are thrilled to be working with YachtOne, happy to discuss how great they are with anyone who is interested.

The official event started with a coffee and bagel breakfast gathering from 8:00 to 9:00. Easy to find the location and parking, just look for the giant America’s Cup yacht towering above the lawn adjacent to the building.

The pre-meeting coffee break was also an opportunity to browse the incredible venue, rich with yachting history, the Herreshoff Maritime Museum. Before 9am we were seated at tables in a huge room spread out between Herreshoff boat designs and nautical lore. YBAA president, Bill Bolin, started things up by welcoming everyone, with his remarks outlining the days activities and providing an update on some interesting insights to activities in the marine industry. Courtney Chalmers from Boats Group and Jason Dunbar from Vessel Valuation / Luke Brown provided a state of the industry report, sharing some interesting data on recent sales history, trends, challenges and opportunities across our industry. Next up, a Yacht Designer panel was hosted by CAC chairman / past YBAA president, Jonathan Chapman. The designers were among the best in the business and we heard from Jim Taylor, Peter Boyce (Ray Hunt Design and Doug Zurn (who is also a CPYB!).

Then it was time for lunch and some phone call catch up as well as friendly greetings amongst long time friends. Tim Murphy, from ABYC gave a presentation on the ABYC standards and how brokers can get better acquainted with the important aspects of safety and best practices aboard. The afternoon continued with some solid legal advice from Eugene Samarin of the Lochner Law firm, including everyone’s favorite topic, Tariffs!

The final panel was all about Artificial Intelligence and how AI is here to stay and it’s time to learn more or be left behind. Liz Walz, from the MRAA started things off and was followed by the founders of Yacht One – Garrett Schwartz and Domagoj Lalk Vidovic (who JMYS has used for our new website). One of the most telling “slides” was one that said at the top, “The Internet changed how buyers find boats” and the photo, included, shares the rest.

With the presentations completed there were some door prizes raffled and then the last segment of the day was to honor two dedicated CPYB‘s for their service.

Jeff Merrill was invited forward by Bill Bolin to receive this distinguished service award, only the fourth time this has ever been presented, followed by Don Finkle, another past YBAA past president as well as a former CAC chairman was honored with the Vin Petrella, Chairmans award. Bill Bolin announced, “Today we celebrate two members of our community whose careers and actions reflect the very best of this profession. We are presenting the Dedicated Service Award and the Vin Petrella Chairman’s Award," Bill continued, “We would first like to recognize a CPYB in good standing who has gone above and beyond, someone actively engaged in the yacht brokerage community, who lives to the standards of the certification and who works to advance the CPYB program throughout the industry. Jeff Merrill, please come forward.” After Jeff, Don Finkle, was called forward to receive the Vin Petrella award. It was a special day in many ways, particularly special to be applauded by your peers.

Congratulations to Don Finkle, CPYB and Jeff Merrill, CPYB.