For seasoned yacht expert Steve Doyle, the sea has always been more than just water and wind—it’s a way of life. Growing up surrounded by lakes and mountains in New England, he developed an early reverence for adventure, family, and the great outdoors. Those formative experiences shaped his lifelong philosophy that yachting is not merely about ownership—it’s about creating memories, deepening family bonds, and exploring the world with wonder. After more than three decades in the yachting industry, Doyle has guided clients through journeys that transcend luxury, transforming each vessel into a vessel for legacy.
I grew up in New England, where my family had a cottage on a lake in New Hampshire near the White Mountains. My childhood was filled with adventure—hiking the trails, fishing in the streams, skiing in the winters, and spending long summer days boating and swimming on the lake. Those moments with my family became the foundation of memories that still last a lifetime. Today, I try to pass that same sense of adventure and connection on to my grandson—once I manage to pull him away from his devices.
Yachting, to me, is a natural extension of that spirit. A yacht is far more than just transportation; it is a platform for creating unforgettable experiences. It’s where families and friends come together to fish, dive, snorkel, swim, or simply relax on deck under the sun while sharing a meal. A yacht can carry you to places most people will never see, and in those places, lifelong memories are made.
People often say, “The best two days of owning a yacht are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.” There’s truth in that. But I believe both moments can—and should—be full of joy. The buying is exciting because it’s the start of something new. The selling is just as exciting, because it often means moving on to a bigger, better yacht and the promise of even greater adventures.
For more than 30 years, I’ve been in the yacht business, and I still view it as an adventure. Along the way, I’ve met incredible people and had remarkable experiences. My goal has always been to help my clients discover the same joys I have. Finding the right yacht is just the beginning—it’s a journey that should be fun, educational, and inspiring. During that process, we talk not just about the vessel itself, but about the adventures it will make possible: the hidden dive sites, the best fishing spots, or a secluded beach perfect for a family picnic. The possibilities are endless.
Guiding a client to the right yacht means understanding what they truly want—where they dream of going, how they want to use the yacht, and whether they plan to charter it when not aboard. From there, I make sure they are fully educated about ownership costs, obligations, and responsibilities. Even with a full-time captain and crew, an owner must understand what every decision and expense means. That’s why we connect them with trusted maritime attorneys, surveyors, insurers, and assist with everything from crew placement to refits, repairs, and voyage planning. From day one, we stand alongside them every step of the way.
Right now, we’re helping a longtime client build his new yacht in Italy. Over the years, he has owned six yachts, and I’ve been privileged to guide him through each chapter of that journey. Recently, his 30-year-old son joined us at a design meeting. As we discussed the details of this new yacht, we found ourselves reminiscing about their very first one—when his children were just five and seven years old, searching for sea glass on a quiet beach in Saint Barth’s alongside my wife.
For me, this business is not just about yachts—it’s about the adventures they create, the memories they preserve, and the legacies they help families pass down from one
Final Thoughts
In an age where technology often distracts from connection, Steve Doyle reminds us that yachting brings people back to what truly matters—time shared, stories told, and memories made on open waters. For him, every yacht represents a chapter in someone’s life, a platform for new adventures and generational bonds that endure long after the tide recedes. Whether helping a family build their dream yacht in Italy or reminiscing about seashell hunts in Saint Barth’s, Doyle continues to chart a course defined by passion, trust, and timeless adventure—a legacy as vast and enduring as the sea itself.
Author Bio:
Steve Doyle is a veteran yacht broker at Ikonic Yachts with over 30 years of experience in yacht sales, new construction, and charter management. As a trusted advisor to discerning clients around the world, he specializes in curating exceptional maritime experiences that bring families together and turn dreams into lifelong adventures.
