About Berthon USA

Berthon USA specializes in the sale of yachts of superior construction and reputation – both sailing and motor yachts. As the US office of the Berthon Sales Group, our capability to serve our clients in the international and larger yacht markets has been further enhanced. With a combined experience in this industry that totals several decades in our Newport office alone, our reputation is second-to-none. Just ask around… if you have not already!

Presenting brokerage sailing yachts of Scandinavian manufacture is a major specialty for us. We have found that such exemplary quality never really goes out of style and it is good business for all concerned! Notable examples include Najad, Hallberg-Rassy, Baltic, Sweden Yachts, and, of course, our house specialty of brokerage Nautor Swans.

Berthon USA is also pleased to offer brokerage powerboats. Such selections are typified by the classic Down East-style fast day boat and cruisers such as Back Cove and Sabre powerboats, as well as the trawlers and motor yachts.

As our sailing clients already know, all of these selected offerings continue to be in great demand for those who desire the best that such quality yachts can offer.

Our sales crew is comprised of Jennifer Stewart, Alan Baines, Bill Rudkin, Mark von Drashek and Peter Houghton.

Jennifer has over 35 years of experience in new and brokerage yacht sales that includes being a designated Nautor’s Swan agent for 24 years. Alan has over 25 years of experience selling both new build and brokerage yachts, a further five in managing marina and boatyard service operations and holds degrees in nautical science/yacht management as well as a Second Officer’s Certificate for ships of unlimited tonnage.

Bill Rudkin’s experience starts with the Independence/Courageous Syndicate in 1976/77, working as a broker with S&S and other quality brokerages before founding his own athletic sportswear company, successfully selling it to New Balance! Re-joining the boating business in 2008, Bill has a great background in both sailboat sales and racing, as well as the larger powerboat market. He is our go to guy for performance yachts and motor yachts.

In 2018, Mark von Drashek joined our operation, having run a brokerage and yard business in the Seattle area, captained yachts worldwide, and done high specialized project management for Nautor Swan, Baltic, Gunboat and Southern Wind. He owns/lives aboard his Nautor Swan 42 and spends the summers in Newport and the winters in Florida and/or Caribbean, and covers the southern territories for us while our Newport office gets to show yachts in sheds in quite chilly climates!

Peter Houghton joined the Berthon USA Team in 2022. He had been involved with our company for many years as the professional captain of several yachts sold to a long-time client. Peter was a youth/school sailing team member, out on the water year round, both racing and cruising. After completing his art college degree, he worked with Phillips Auctioneers on Bond Street, London for two years before realizing his need to be on the water. He holds a British Yacht Master’s Certificate as well as a USCG 100 Ton license with sail auxiliary, and campaigned yachts in New York Yacht Club Cruise, Block Island Race Week, Edgartown Race Week, IMS Regatta, Annapolis Fall Series, Palm Beach Race, S.O.R.C., Key West Race Week, Nantucket Gold Cup, Farr 40 World’s, as well as extensive cruising and racing in New England, Florida, Caribbean, England, EU, Greek Islands and Chesapeake Bay area. Peter has also been involved in numerous power and sailing yacht refits, from minor to major! When not on the water, Peter can be found skiing, climbing, or scuba diving.

Accordingly, we are well known for our expertise in managing both domestic as well as overseas transactions and their demanding details of pre-purchase inspection and survey, ownership transfer and yacht transport and delivery considerations. With all the various tax implications, it is important to have a brokerage firm that keeps abreast of these details.

Good yacht listings are difficult to locate, especially those for newer construction. If you are considering selling your current yacht, we would be delighted to have the opportunity to assist you with that sale. Our Berthon USA team gets outstanding results for our clients, buyers and sellers alike.

Our normal hours are on weekdays. We can schedule appointments at any time to best accommodate the needs of our clients. So, please give us call so that we may be of service! You can reach us anytime on our cell phones.