Business News – by Ty Mellott

Don Abbott Retires From the California Yacht Brokers Association

Don Abbott served the CYBA as Executive Director over two time periods. Appointed in the mid-80’s he served until Bob Gorman took the position in 2008 and then again a few years later when he was asked to serve again after the passing of Bob Gorman.

Don Abbott, former Executive Director of the CYBA.

During his tenure as the association’s Executive Director, Don has watched and been a part of the organization’s tremendous growth and success. In his contributions and dedication over the years, the association’s efforts to protect and strengthen the roles of the licensed yacht brokers and salesmen of the CYBA is stronger than ever. Don was an instrumental part in the many decisions that have faced the CYBA over the years including legislative issues, membership, a uniform brokerage sales agreement and partnerships with other West Coast organizations. He will leave the CYBA on a high note, having played a major role in the recent agreement with the Sail America origination to not only bring the Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show back to Northern California, but to eventually have the CYBA as the sole owner of the show.

Don Abbott has been involved in the marine business since 1978, having been on the sales side of many different brands that included sail and power boats in California and Hawaii. Leaving the boat selling side of the industry behind long ago, Don has been involved in the marine publication arena since.

Having worked as a salesman for Ken Shaff who owned Bay & Delta Yachtsman at the time, Don soon moved to Southern California and started his own publication in the form of Yachts For Sale. He came back to Northern California to work for Yachtsman once again and eventually became the owner and publisher of the magazine as you know it today.

We will make sure to announce the successor of the executive director’s position for the CYBA next month after it becomes official, but until then we wish Don Abbott the best of luck and of course congratulations in his next chapter. No doubt, it will be something marine industry related. The CYBA will miss him but will always be grateful for the success and dedication of which he served the position.


Pittsburg Marina Announces New Harbor Master

Already a familiar face to the boating community, it comes with great pleasure to let our readers know that Olivia Ortega is now the harbor master at Pittsburg Marina. Known since 2006 as the helpful, knowledgeable and always friendly face at Martinez Marina, Ortega also becomes the first female harbor master for the City of Pittsburg. She will surely bring a breadth of skills and values needed to ensure the marina’s success for many years to come.

Olivia Ortega stands above the Harbor Masters Office located at the east basin of the marina.

With its rich history, culture, evolving waterfront and location truly at the Delta’s gateway, the Pittsburg Marina is a gem worthy of preservation and polishing. “I value consistency, transparency and fairness as pillars that will encourage positive momentum and experiences at the marina,” Ortega notes. With respect for the dedicated predecessors that laid the marina’s foundation and cultivated the community, Olivia looks forward to collaborating with her experienced crew to further engrain these values.

Olivia is a devout member of the Delta boating community – influential in organizing the Flash Sportfishing Annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby, on top of her marina duties and looks forward to becoming part of the Pittsburg boating community. The connection exists not only through her affinity for boating, fishing and networking, but as a Pittsburg resident herself.  Introduced to the City Council in November, Assistant to the City Manager Sara Bellafronte stated, “in her first month already, Olivia has shown dedication to the marina and its community in many ways and we are so glad to have her pilot the ship.”

We wish Olivia the very best in her new journey and look forward to seeing her warm welcome as we visit her at her new location. If you would like to congratulate her yourself, feel welcome to stop by and say hello. The Pittsburg Marina is located at 51 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg, CA. and offers all the amenities boaters of any type are sure to appreciate.


Naos Yachts Is Opening A New Office In The San Francisco Bay Area

The premier BENETEAU and Lagoon Catamarans dealership on the West Coast is expanding to the San Francisco Bay Area.

On Nov. 1, 2022 Naos Yachts was offered the exciting opportunity to open a new BENETEAU and Lagoon boat dealership in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Samantha Gordan and Torben Bentsen of Naos Yachts.

Founded in 2009 in Los Angeles by Offshore racer Charles-Etienne Devanneaux, Naos Yachts represents the most prestigious international boat brands in sailing with BENETEAU Oceanis, Oceanis Yacht, First, First SE, Lagoon Catamarans and Neel Trimarans, CNB Yachts, and for power boats Four Winns, Wellcraft, BENETEAU Antares and flyers.

“This is an amazing opportunity and a great show of confidence from the Groupe Beneteau,” says Naos Yachts CEO Charles Devanneaux. “I’ve loved sailing in the Bay Area for many years and am looking forward to meeting old and new friends in the Bay Area and beyond! Naos Yachts is determined to become a major partner to the entire boating community in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Delta as we have done in and around Los Angeles.”

The Naos Yachts San Francisco Bay office will be staffed by multiple Top Gun Beneteau dealer award recipient Torben Bentsen with Sam Gordon, both established Bay Area boat brokers with great track records.

“Naos Yachts really bring a distinctive and authentic enthusiasm to yachting,” said Eric LeVine, BENETEAU Sailboat Sales Manager for the Americas. “From the Bay of Biscay to Marina Del Rey, their decades of experience and knowledge are as obvious as their passion for the sea. We are just thrilled to have them represent our brands in Northern California and the Bay Area where they will make boating dreams come true with our fantastic product ranges and their unrivaled customer service!”

In keeping with its “DNA, the Los Angeles office is located at the boat yard in Marina Del Rey and the Channel Islands Harbor office is at the Seaside boatyard. Naos Yachts will base its new office in the Maritime Center next to the KKMI boatyard in Pt. Richmond. This close proximity to a boatyard allows Naos Yachts to provide the best service to its customers and be a stone’s throw away from all maintenance and repair work on their boats.

“We are beyond excited to welcome the Naos Yachts San Francisco Bay office as one of the newest tenants of the Maritime Centre in Point Richmond,” says Maritime Centre general manager, Geli Burgin. One of the key tenants of the Maritime Centre is the KKMI boatyard. KKMI owner Paul Kaplan could not be more thrilled to have Naos as a shared tenant, “I’ve personally worked with everyone on this team and have always been impressed with their professionalism and customer care. I couldn’t dream of a better partner for our maritime center at KKMI boatyard!”

About Naos Yachts

Life is too short to stay at the dock!

Founded in 2009 in Los Angeles by Offshore racer Charles-Etienne Devanneaux, Naos Yachts is the leading boat dealership and brokerage on the West Coast of the United States with three offices in California and one in Hawaii.

In addition to the dealership, Naos Yachts has a sailing club through its partnership with SailTime and a sailing school offering internationally recognized ASA curriculum. For more information go to www.naosyachts.com

About Groupe Beneteau

Over 7,600 women and men driven by their passion for the product, their spirit of conquest, the pioneer’s audacity and the will to transmit, Groupe Beneteau is a worldwide market leader for boats and a European one for leisure homes. With its international production capacities and global sales networks, the group employs 7,600 people in France, the U.S., Poland, Italy, Portugal and China. Since 1884, the Beneteau family boatyard has successfully evolved through the decades from fishing to recreational boating and diversified itself. Today, Groupe Beneteau, through its brands and services, has developed unique skillsets and technical know-how in boating and leisure homes.

About Beneteau

The Group’s historic trademark, BENETEAU has been a pioneer for recreational boating from the onset. With its world-leading ranges and iconic products, nearly 45 models offer diverse, high-performance capabilities.

With one single idea in mind, innovating in terms of both boats and processes to enable as many people as possible to realize their dreams, making the avant-garde accessible.

For more information go to www.Beneteau.com

About Lagoon

Lagoon is the world leader in the construction of cruising catamaran sailboats. Lagoon has built more than 6,000 catamarans since 1984, and has never stopped developing its offer with boats ranging from 40- to 78-feet in length. Lagoon’s intent is to offer comfortable and self-sufficient catamarans produced in a sustainable way and equipped with the latest technologies, all for the satisfaction of today’s sailors.

Generosity and pleasure are our raison d’être. Our passion for open spaces and comfort on board is part of our genetic makeup.

Designed to offer a unique lifestyle on the water, Lagoon catamarans are the result of dreams of voyaging and a desire for freedom.

Lagoon is committed to sailing pleasure through simple and safe sail trimming. We put our know-how to work in the service of user-friendliness.

For more information visit www.cata-lagoon.com/en

For press inquiries, please contact Christine Pernin from Naos at christine@naosyachts.com

Beneteau & Lagoon: Aurore Bordage: a.bordage@beneteau-group.com