Yacht-Broker Lawsuit Defense Strategy Emerges in Rogue Pleadings

GUEST POST: We're Not Like Realtors, Denison's Lawyers Argue: The latest in our continuing team coverage.

A broker for fictional “Donaldson” Yacht Sales of South Florida—not to be confused with Denison Yacht Sales of South Florida—loses a listing at the end of the 1992-movie “Captain Ron.” The part is played by Paul Anka, also known for his singing and songwriting.

Targeted by litigation to disrupt the American way of buying and selling boats, several yacht brokerages and the corporate owners of Yacht World listing service are coalescing to craft a common defense.

Judge Michael Moore of U.S. District Court in Miami recently gave defendants more time to gather exculpatory evidence and formulate arguments.

Moore’s order was in response to a motion by Northrop & Johnson, Galati Yacht Sales, MarineMax, United Yacht Sales, HYM Yacht Sales, Permira Advisers and Boats Group. (The Yacht World multiple-listing service is controlled by parent companies Permira and Boats Group.)

The judge’s order applies not only to those above defendants who asked for the delay but also to the two defendant broker associations, the other defendant multiple-listing services and the remainder of the broker-defendants, including Denison Yacht Sales.