Steve sold his first yacht in 1979. He spent his youth getting on the decks of whatever boats he could, which included extensive yacht racing on Chesapeake Bay.

While working on his degree in International Trade at American University in Washington, D.C., he lived and worked on a converted 87' 1916 Canadian ice cutter STRATHBELLE, was Captain of AU’s sailing team, did his independent study project arranging a 3-boat charter to the Bahamas, got an “A” and made money.

After graduation, he sailed from Philadelphia to Paris aboard the 40’ ketch APHRODITE.

From 1976 through 1978, Steve worked at a manufacturing and sales management training program outside of Philadelphia, Pa. This was Steve’s MBA, immersed in all aspects of a 600-employee high-tech mini steel mill.

He jumped at the opportunity to return to Washington D.C. as brokerage and marina services manager at the then new 400-slip marina, The Gangplank, setting up yacht sales, charters, a rental sailing fleet, and sailing school.

Steve has traveled the world representing new vessel construction and brokerage yachts, inspecting hundreds of boats and boat builders. Steve is fully conversant with both sail and motor yacht solutions. He was a licensed captain for 25 years and has logged tens of thousands of sea miles. He lived aboard his 48' Dutch Ketch DESIDERATA for 10 years and enjoyed a partnership in a 56' Ray Hunt Yacht Fisherman STINGRAY VII. After restoring the last (1990) Ericson 35 MK III sloop, LIL MAGIC, and after being a 2-boat owner, Steve now lives aboard his 47’ Camper and Nicholsons cutter MAGIC HAPPENS with his wife Gina (a yacht charter broker).

Steve and Gina are both experienced submariners. They extensively cruise the U.S., the Bahamas, and beyond. They are avid scuba divers, snorkelers, paddle boarders, and intrepid adventurers.

Steve and Gina will be aboard MAGIC HAPPENS in the Bahamas in 2024:

• Nassau Yacht Charter Show January 24 – 28.
• Family Island Regatta in Georgetown, Exuma May 23 – 27.
• Racing + cruising during Regatta Time Abacos June 23 – 30.
• Harbour Island for Bahamian Independence Day July 10.
• MAGIC HAPPENS home base/hurricane hole is at Harbour Isle Marina in Ft Pierce, Fl.

The process of purchasing and/or selling a yacht is personal and usually a significant investment in your life, and lifestyle. Collaboration with the wealth of brokers at David Walters Yachts and Steve’s deep and wide knowledge of cruising yachts is his DWY multiplier.

Steve’s focus when developing a sale or purchase strategy is, "Listen closely, thoroughly research that market; prepare the buyer(s) with best buying practices; prepare the seller(s) with best selling practices, relentlessly pursue value and purpose for the client. These important transactions should be professionally AND personally managed throughout the process. That’s what Steve does. Hopefully, magic happens, and clients turn into long-term friends and cruising buddies!

Selection of vessels Steve has represented for buyers, sellers, and others:

• BALTIC QUEEN 49’ Halberg Rassy S/Y
• ICEBERG 111’ Steve Dashew explorer M/Y
• BEAUFORT 169’ Expedition M/Y
• PROTEUS 175’ Research Vessel donation to Seakeeper’s Society and long-term charter generating $1 million for Seakeeper’s
• ELSA 36’ Hunt Picnic Yacht managed the new build and sold
• PHOENIX 130’ Converted North Sea Trawler sold three times
• ELSA 36’ Hinckley Picnic Yacht refit + sold
• GARFIELD 140’ Expedition yacht
• STERN 54’ East Bay Express M/Y Purchase + Sold
• LADY ELAINE 94’ Lloyds M/Y new build
• SUNRISE 157’ Perini Navi S/Y
• SAMANTHA LYNN 94’ Broward M/Y new build
• JANET 84’ Broward M/Y new build
• X Uniesse 57’ Express M/Y
• 43’ Sealine M/Y x 2 new builds
• 47’ Sealine M/Y x 2 new builds
• ADLER 116’ Baglietto Gas Turbine M/Y
• BARONESS L 116’ Baglietto Jet Boat M/Y
• MELRINI 120’ Crescent M/Y
• STARS AND STRIPES Ericson 30’ S/Y
• QUEEN OF DIAMONDS 132’ Feadship cockpit M/Y